What's In Palm Coast?

Palm Coast - right between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach along the scenic A1A River- and the River to Sea Preserve, Palm Coast offers a perfect mix of golf resorts and lush nature parks.With a population of around 80,000, the town is small enough to be quaint, and large enough to offer some sound tourist attractions. Since Palm Coast was developed and did not organically grow, you will not find that many historic landmarks there. However, two things really stand out and make Palm Coast worth a visit!

Palm Coast Farmer's Market

Every Sunday, at the European Village in Palm Coast, you can find a diverse and well-visited gourmet farmer's market. In the summer, the market is open from 4-7pm. Locally grown produce as well as artisan foods are part of the offerings of this market. 

• Culinary artisan olives, oils, vinegars
• Artisanal truffles and chocolates
• Fresh citrus juices, 100% Arabica fresh roasted coffee
• Fresh baked breads and desserts
• Cheeses, seafood, and jerk seasonings
• Grass fed meats and more

In addition the market also features arts, crafts, and designer pieces: 

• Handmade soaps and lotions, amazing crystals and shells
• Beautiful crafts and stones
• Native silversmith jewelry and more
• Original Designer Works

Plenty of restaurants and bars invite you to sit down for a drink and a bite, or stroll with your drink! Whether you live along the Central Florida Coast or are visiting, take a trip up to Palm Coast one of these Sundays to experience this vibrant market!

Admission is free. European Village, 101 Palm Harbor Parkway, Palm Coast 32137

 Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is  a place where you will find unanticipated beauty. It is located on a barrier island and contains remarkable natural spaces with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Matanzas River to the west. 

Because of its unique coquina rock formations, the beach side of the park is not for swimming, it’s for exploring. Low tide is the best time to investigate the secret world of the tidal pools enclosed in the ancient coquina.

The middle of the park is no less beautiful; it is dominated by a live oak hammock with majestic, 200 year old trees covered in Spanish moss. Within this hammock lies the heart of the park – a twenty acre botanical garden. Within the center of this heart – a lovely watercourse fed by an artesian spring.

Admission to the park is $5 per car. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast, Florida 32137, 386-446-6780

You can enjoy activities, such a First Friday Garden Walk with a park ranger who will tell you all about the history of the park - and a Second Saturday of the month plant sale. There is an exquisite rose garden, as well as the famous Washington Oak itself - 300 year old tree that has withstood the test of time!  So take a jaunt up the coast to see this beauty yourself!

Creative Florida Living

Janet Sells

Halifax Art Festival

Get ready! Every year, just when the weather begins to turn cooler, we welcome the Halifax Art Festival to Daytona’s Beach Street. Celebrating its 53rd anniversary, the Halifax Art Festival is the 2nd oldest continual art festival in the state of Florida.

The festival attracts approximately 45,000 visitors to view the works of over 200 fine artists and artisans from all over the country. Offering live entertainment, a student art competition, children’s activities, fine dining in many local restaurants and cafes, as well as food trucks, the Halifax Art Festival is a premier annual event in Central Florida and benefits the Museum of Arts & Sciences.

 From ceramics and basket weaving to watercolors and oil paintings, original artwork in an array of mediums, crafts, home goods, jewelry, and clothing, the Halifax Art Festival celebrates established as well as emerging artists and craftspeople. There will also be local artists on hand from The Art League of Daytona Beach to demonstrate various art techniques. With all of the handmade, unique items for sale, HAF is the perfect place to get some holiday shopping done.

The festival is located on Beach Street, between Orange Avenue and Bay Street, in downtown Daytona Beach. Parking is free, but get there early so you can find a spot. Admission to the festival is free.

Saturday, November 7th from 9am to 5pm and Sunday, November 8th from 10am to 4pm

Visit the website for more info

 Creative Florida Living

Janet Sells 

The Jewel of New Smyrna Beach

In rain or shine and during all seasons, the New Smyrna Beach Farmer’s Market is a constant in our community. Run by the farmers and vendors, this market is a fount of locally produced foods and goods. Grab yourself a cup of locally roasted coffee and go for a stroll through this tiny, but mighty market. 

If you think organic produce is too expensive, you will find this is not the case at the New Smyrna Farmer’s Market. While shopping at the Green Flamingo stand or the Barefoot Farmer, you can purchase seasonal, local, organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, eggs, milk, honey, and more, for surprisingly little money.

Knowing your food was just picked that day, in your area, and by the person selling it to you is worth so much more than you pay. Packed full of vitamins and minerals from good soil, Florida sun, and complete absence of chemicals and genetic alterations, you get whole food at its best, right around the corner!  

The market doesn’t stop there, though. Many local artisans make everything from unique purses, stunningly beautiful wooden cutting boards, homemade jams, pickled eggs, knitted garments, jewelry, gourmet sauces and spreads, raw/vegan delicacies, alpaca wool, cheese made from raw milk, art, and on and on!

Your friends and family will love receiving one-of-a kind gifts made by local people who appreciate your business.

Keep it local, shop organic, enjoy this jewel of a market every Saturday from 7am – 12:30pm, located between Old Fort Park and City Hall on Sam Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. Bring your dog!

New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market 

Janet's Real Estate Website 

Creative Florida Living