Discover The Villages

When looking for a hotel for a trip to The Villages, you can start by considering which experiences you want to shape your stay. Options range from town squares with themed designs and stages to golf, trails and guided activities on the water.

Town squares with different themes

The Villages has three historically themed town squares, each with its own distinctive character. Spanish Springs Town Square evokes a Spanish town. Lake Sumter Landing Market Square sits on the shore of Lake Sumter and is modeled on the style of a lively fishing village. Brownwood Paddock Square, in turn, evokes an old Florida cattle town. These themes give you a clear sense of how differently the squares are designed.

Evening entertainment and performance venues

Every evening of the year, Spanish Springs Town Square offers free entertainment with live music on an outdoor stage. If you have a particular show in mind, it’s worth checking the current schedule in advance, as event schedules can change.

The performing arts venues also vary in their programming and size. The Sharon Performing Arts Center has just over 1,000 seats and presents Broadway musicals, ballet, concerts, comedy, performances by philharmonic orchestras and opera. The Tracy Theater seats more than 800 guests and hosts plays, musicals and concerts. Encore at The Tracy Theater is designed for coffeehouse-style events, poetry slams, open-mic nights and small choir concerts. The Savannah Center has just over 800 seats and offers a wide variety of shows and entertainment. Tracy Performing Arts Center also features student productions and a varied entertainment program.

Parks, exercise and trails

Spanish Moss Park combines towering live oak trees with views of the water. A ¾-mile walking path has fitness stations. Kelsea Park offers a large open green space for cycling and walking dogs. If you’re comparing trails and ways to stay active, the Multi-Modal Paths network is another feature to consider: it connects residential neighborhoods, recreation areas, golf courses and healthcare facilities. The paths are intended for bicycles, golf carts and pedestrians; cars and motorcycles are not allowed.

Golf and experiences on the water

The Executive Golf Trail provides access to more than 40 executive golf courses; there are also pitch-and-putt courses. A paid trail fee is required to use a golf cart on the executive golf courses. Check the current terms before your visit.

A range of guided activities are available on the water: kayak tours are offered on Central Lake, Lake Sumter and Lake Okahumpka. The Lake Sumter Line runs boat tours on Lake Sumter, with wildlife viewing and scenic views. Guided pontoon boat trips there provide information about the environment and ecosystem; guided catch-and-release fishing trips are also available. If you’d like to fish independently rather than join a guided tour, you’ll find several scenic spots that are accessible year-round by golf cart.

If you plan to attend a specific performance or join a guided tour, check the dates in advance.

Explore more destinations: Lake Panasoffkee, Bushnell, Wildwood

Back to the main travel overview: Sumter.