Spring has sprung and rain is inevitable. While the weather in Northeast Florida is envied by many with an average of 223 sunny days a year, St. Augustine also gets, on average, fifty-one inches of rainfall per year. Keep those rainy days interesting with a trip to one of these classic spots in St. Augustine that will be sure to entertain and educate you.
St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
AHOY, MATEY! Spend the day at The Pirate Museum and explore owner Pat Croce’s impressive collection of pirate memorabilia. Hunt through more than 800 pirate artifacts and state-of-the-art displays created by the Disney Imagineers. The Pirate Museum is home to the only surviving treasure chest in the world AND one of the only remaining Jolly Roger flags. Before you leave, be sure to stop by the gift shop to purchase a little pirate booty of your own to take home. To plan your day at the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum, visit www.thepiratemuseum.com.
The Old Jail
In 1891, Henry Flagler commissioned the company that eventually built Alcatraz to construct a jail just north of downtown St. Augustine. To avoid instilling fear in the public and to encourage his friends to invest in the city, Henry Flagler disguised the jail to look like a hotel! The Old Jail provides guests a glimpse into the daily lives of St. Augustine’s most notorious prisoners. Enjoy an interactive experience as costumed actors tell stories of the jail and the prisoners behind bars. Visitors will also have a chance to view the large collection of weapons and artifacts on display. The Old Jail is truly a must-visit in St. Augustine!
St. Augustine Distillery
If a rainy day has you in a drinking mood, stop by St. Augustine Distillery. This family owned and operated establishment is committed to making world-class spirits using the best of Florida’s agriculture. St. Augustine Distillery offers free tours everyday so visitors can learn how they make their spirits from farm to bottle, the differences between each spirit, and, best of all, learn how to make St. Augustine Distillery’s FOUR signature cocktails! No reservation is required for these amazing tours and they are FREE – can’t get much better than that!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum
If you haven’t already visited, you have to admit you’ve always been curious about Ripley’s Believe It or Not! From incredible artwork to shrunken heads, your eyes won’t know where to look next. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum was founded by Robert Leroy Ripley to display the amazing artifact collection from his extensive travels. He documented his adventures in his famous comic strip, “Believe It or Not!”. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website.
Contact each location for their latest COVID protocols and restrictions.
The attraction to World Golf Village is easy to see. From the vibrant communities and the exceptional school district to the golf courses and nearby shopping, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It seems as if new businesses are popping up every day, but most recently there have been a few notable additions to the St. Augustine community that you NEED to check out.
Pet Paradise:
Calling all dog and cat parents! Pet Paradise opened a new location on 291 Center Place Way, St Augustine, FL 32095. The Jacksonville based company recently opened five new locations in Northeast Florida. Pet Paradise is equipped to handle all your pet boarding, daycare, grooming or veterinary needs. With multiple boarding options, Pet Paradise has the perfect accommodation for every furry friend. Pet Paradise clients love having access to the live webcam. That’s right! Pet owners can check on their pet any time with their live pet cam. Pet Paradise offers a wide variety of pampering amenities for your pet to enjoy including a dog bone shaped swimming pool, misting stations, and full-service dog grooming spa. Next time your pet needs a vacation, take them to Pet Paradise!
Carnival Sweets:
Travel back in time at Carnival Sweets. This establishment has something to satisfy every kind of sweet tooth. Enjoy classic carnival favorites – without the carnival! You and your family will love exploring Carnival Sweets with their shelves of candy and delicious funnel cakes, gourmet popcorn, and shaved ice. This nostalgic candy shop takes these classics and gives them a modern twist. When you visit consider trying fan favorites: Cotton Candy Burrito, Banana Pudding Popcorn, or the Ice cream stuffed snow cone. A visit to Carnival Sweets is well worth the sugar rush!
And last, but certainly not least…
Buc-ee’s:
You won’t want to miss this first of its kind in Florida. With more than 52,000 square feet and more than 104 fueling stations, Buc-ee’s has opened its doors in St. Augustine on 200 World Commerce Parkway. The Texas-based travel stop has already created quite the buzz around town as hundreds waited in line for Buc-ee’s grand opening on February 22, 2021. The store is open twenty-four hours a day and offers an array of food, drink, and merchandise. Buc-ee’s has tasty treats ranging from traditional homemade fudge, kolaches, and jerky to snacks that are a little more unusual like pickled quail eggs. Buc-ee’s promises friendly service and the cleanest bathrooms in America.
Behind anything great, you find a great story. World Golf Village is no exception. In the 1980s, St. Johns County had less than 100,000 residents. It was inevitable that the area would blossom with the right vision and execution. Jim Davidson, President of Davidson Development, was the man for the job.
Jim could see the pieces of the World Golf Village puzzle come together. “Not only could Jim see the Jacksonville market heading south and knew this was the perfect area between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, but he could see the pine trees becoming the development he envisioned,” shared Davidson Realty President and Jim’s wife, Sherry Davidson. “Jim saw beyond the golf courses, lakes, and homes and saw people walking their dogs and pushing their children in strollers on the sidewalks.”
Jim was persistent in bringing World Golf Village to life. He met regularly with land planners, engineers, attorney’s and an environmental team to make sure the pieces came together as he planned. Although many along the way didn’t believe, Jim never doubted he could get the job done right. Once the World Golf Village developer financed a new interchange on Interstate 95, the development became extremely attractive to commuters, as World Golf Village was one of only a few options for buyers in St. Johns County who worked in Jacksonville.
The pieces continued to come together after Jim brought the PGA TOUR and other golf organizations on board to build the World Golf Hall of Fame. From there, Jim assembled various partners for the golf courses, the hotel, and the retail stores to further bring attraction to the area. World Golf Village turned out to be exactly what people were looking for, including the Davidsons. Jim and Sherry Davidson were one of the first homeowners in World Golf Village and still live in World Golf Village to this day.
While building World Golf Village, the Davidsons worked hard to protect the environment to ensure the community maintained its natural beauty. More than 2,775 acres, nearly half of the project site, was set aside for preservation. These efforts were recognized by the Florida Association of Realtors ® when the Davidsons received the ENVY award in 2002. The ENVY award honor is given to developments that preserve Florida’s natural quality of life.
The infrastructure added by World Golf Village paved the way for the development of other communities in the area like The Hutson Companies’SilverLeaf, which will have 10,700 homesites, 2,650,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space, and more than 3,500 acres of conservation land. It is clear that World Golf Village blazed the trail.
The master planned community has prospered over the last 23 years and is regarded as one of the most desired communities on the First Coast. With more than 6,000 homes and more than 15,000 residents, World Golf Village provides a place to live that is picture perfect. Whether you are a golf lover eager to take advantage of the award winning golf courses or a family wanting to give their children the opportunity to attend fantastic public schools or interested in enjoying an active adult community, you have a home in World Golf Village.
World Golf Village has a vibrant history to be proud of and a legacy to look forward to, as it continues to be a highly sought-after area. No one knows World Golf Village better than Davidson Realty. If you are interested in calling World Golf Village home, contact Davidson Realty at (904) 940-5000.
St. Augustine, Florida is most popularly known for being America’s oldest continuously occupied city, however, St. Augustine is also building quite a reputation as a foodie paradise. Walk the historic streets to find a restaurant scene that is far from predictable. From craft cocktail bars and specialty wine to Spanish cuisine and steakhouses, there is something for every appetite in St. Augustine. With so many dining options to choose from, locals are truly the best to get recommendations from. Below are the TOP three restaurants in downtown St. Augustine selected by World Golf Village residents.
Michael’s
Nestled on the scenic Calle Cuna you will find Michael’s complete with a refined, nautical finish and cozy courtyard. With a specialty for steaks and coastal Spanish cuisine which incorporate fresh, local ingredients, you’ll discover a seasonal entree menu as well as classic Michael’s dishes including Plantain Bon Bons and Seacuterie Board. Chef Michael Lugo, a self-taught Puerto Rican Chef, developed his passion and mastery of cooking from his grandmother. For an elevated dining experience, Chef Michael will take you on a guided multiple course meal with each course paired with the perfect wine. Call Michael’s to inquire about availability and make reservations at (904) 810-2400 or by visiting their reservations page.
Prohibition
Take a step back in time! Prohibition Kitchen is a retro, gastro pub paying homage to the Prohibition and Gilded Age giving you a taste of the 1920’s. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy a drink and live music to completely take in the friendly, vintage atmosphere. Located in the heart of downtown St. Augustine on St. George Street, Prohibition Kitchen has a large variety of craft beers and handcrafted cocktails. Prohibition Kitchen’s menu is a foodie’s dream come true. With decadent, unexpected pub grub including Lobster Roll, Rabbit Pot Pie, and spiked milkshakes you will definitely be satisfied at locally sourced Prohibition Kitchen. You are truly in for an experience at Prohibition Kitchen.
Collage
For an upscale, intimate dining experience with something for everyone, look no further than Collage in St. Augustine’s historic district. From French Escargot to New Zealand Lamb Rack, you and your party will enjoy specialty cuisine from all over the world. The menu adequately showcases the eclectic taste of owners Mike Hyatt and Cindy Stangby. Collage was recently named one of OpenTable’s 100 Most Romantic Restaurants In America, clearly making it the perfect date night restaurant. Collage’s local, fresh ingredients, quaint atmosphere, and unique international fare provide a dining experience you won’t soon forget. Make a reservation today by calling (904) 829-0055 or clicking here.
Contact each restaurant for their latest hours of operations and measures for COVID compliance.
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Mark Berman made it happen. In January of 2020, while planning his daughter’s rookie schedule for her professional golf career, Mark realized there were limited opportunities for competitive play for women coming out of college to properly prepare to qualify for the LPGA Tour. And that is how The Orca Golf Bag Women’s Match Play Championshipcame to be.
World Golf Village is thrilled to host the inaugural Orca Golf Bag Women’s Match Play Championship from October 26 to November 7, 2021.The two week tournament will feature two separate, yet connected tournaments. The Orca Golf Bag Women’s Match Play Championship will begin on the King & Bear course with a 54-hole one-week Stroke-Play tournament and will continue the second week with a Match-Play championship at Slammer & Squire. A guaranteed $50,000 will be shared between the winners of the two tournaments. In addition to the cash prize, the match-play winner will take home the title of Orca Golf Bags Women’s Match Play Champion and receive a celebratory golf bag designed by Erica Bennett of Orca Golf Bags, the nation’s only women-owned golf bag design company.
The structure of the tournament isn’t the only thing that makes The Orca Golf Bags Women’s Match Play Championship unique. The tournament will host unique programming to celebrate women’s initiatives on the course and beyond. Donna Orender, Founder and CEO of Generation W, and her team will be leading the women’s initiatives for The Orca Golf Bags Women’s Match Play Championship. “Generation W and it’s girl-focused program, Generation WOW, provides the guidance, leadership, and education that many girls – especially busy athletes – just don’t get in college and high school. So, let’s provide them value beyond just a place to tee it up, and while we’re at it, let’s bring in the business and local communities where the girls playing can learn and they can also be role models in our community,” Berman shares.
The Orca Golf Bags Women’s Match Play Championship will represent two of the fourteen 2021 events on the Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT). Gary DeSerrano, WAPT President, shared his excitement for the new event stating, “We are very excited to bring the WAPT to the Jacksonville area and in particular, the World Golf Village. We are certain the next stars of the women professional golf will look forward to this new and exciting event.”
Gary DeSerrano isn’t the only one excited for The Orca Golf Bags Women’s Match Play Championship to be held at World Golf Village. Sherry Davidson, President of Davidson Realty, is eager to join World Golf Village Residents in welcoming these guests. “It will be so wonderful for the Residents of World Golf Village and the greater St. Augustine community to welcome and support these sixty-four talented ladies and their families to our area and compete in The Orca Golf Bags Women’s Match Play Championship.”
The Orca Golf Bag Women’s Match Play Championship will undoubtedly provide these sixty-four women the opportunity to grow both as athletes and as leaders as they strive to make their dream of competing in the LPGA happen.
Someone needs to remind Mother Nature that it is October and it’s time to send in the cooler temperatures. But despite the heat, the rain, and the humidity we are currently experiencing in Northeast Florida – it is FALL! That means all things pumpkins, pumpkin spice, pumpkin flavors, and pumpkin patches! Most of us wouldn’t actually give up our year-round temperate weather we experience on the First Coast for the bitter cold months our neighbors north of us endure. And while it would be pleasant to enjoy fall-like weather and leaves changing colors there are a few places we highly recommend to enjoy the fall season (even if you do have to wear tanks, shorts, and flip-flops.)
Travel over to Green Cove Springs and enjoy a full day of fun at Amazing Grace Family Farms www.agcropmaze.com which is open Fridays and Saturdays through October 31st. The list of activities available at Amazing Grace Family Farms will keep children of all ages busy enjoying the adventures and will likely have them sleeping on the way home. From their pumpkin patch worthy of family photos to the enormous jump pad that will completely exhaust any kid or even kid-at-heart, there’s plenty to see and do. The crop maze will challenge the adventurers with its many twists and turns. The BarnYard Ball Zone will have the crowd going wild. The Tug-O-War brings just the right amount of competition for the family (or maybe family vs. family). And a highlight every year is the farm animal petting zoo where children are able to experience real life on the farm with these precious animals. Parents, be sure to have your phones ready because this beautiful farm provides plenty of picture perfect moments to capture the wholesome fun you’ll enjoy outdoors making memories.
Next on our list, is CONNER’S A-MAIZE-ING ACRES. This small family farm packs in a HUGE and exciting day. Located in Hilliard, CONNER’S A-MAIZE-ING ACRES is a local favorite for many reasons. With 125 acres of a working family farm, during October and select days in November, Conner’s A-MAIZE-ING ACRES is open to the public for people to enjoy their sweet farm animals, wagon rides, playground, ride horses, pumpkin patch, and most importantly the incredible corn maze that changes from year to year. With last year’s maze shaped with The Wizard of OZ theme, this year’s maze will have you lost in a web…Charlotte’s Web, that is! Be sure to bring your appetite, too. Conner’s A-MAIZE-ING ACRES offers plenty of eating options perfect for your day on the farm. For more information visit www.connerscornmaze.com
Rounding out our TOP 3 is SYKE’S FAMILY FARMS. The Sykes Family has more than 50 years of farming experience and provides their guests with a tradition people can enjoy year after year. The 9-acre corn maze is filled with twists and turns and will have families laughing and navigating as they enjoy the outdoors together making memories. Syke’s Family Farms also provides a play area, farm animals, cow milking, hayrides, pumpkin patches, cow train, teeter-totters, duck races, and plenty of wholesome entertainment to keep the family busy for hours. For more information about hours of operation and tickets visit www.sycofarms.com
All three locations are operating under state recommendations and providing COVID-19 precautions. Please contact the locations prior to your visit for a better understanding of how each farm is operating.
Are you noticing things around St. Augustine seem to be slowly getting back to normal? While the pandemic and precautions are still part of our everyday lives, an overwhelming majority of St. Johns County students are back in school and for most of us that looks like a slight return to normalcy, bus routes in the morning and afternoon, and fewer crowds in our favorite spots. Let’s get out in our great city and safely enjoy the best that St. Augustine has to offer. Grab your bags Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and empty nesters! It’s time to act like a tourist and hit Davidson Realty’s Top 3 Places to Visit in St. Augustine! While it was very difficult for us to narrow it down to just three, our Davidson Realty team focused on a few that aren’t often found on everyone’s list like Leisure Group Travel Magazine and U.S. News & Travel.
St. Augustine Distillery
As Americans seemed to experience the great hunt for toilet paper and hand sanitizer, one local St. Augustine company stepped up in a big way to help with the shortage of hand sanitizer across the First Coast. The St. Augustine Distillery is located in the historic district of St. Augustine in an old ice plant. Known for their vodka, rum, gin, and whiskey, you can find their labels on the shelves of local liquor stores. But you can also take a free tour of the distillery while also enjoying a sampling of their spirits. The St. Augustine Distillery is operating under CDC guidelines and accommodating tours every 30 minutes with no reservations but on a first-come-first-serve basis. Open Monday through Friday from 10 am until 6 pm, St. Augustine Distillery is a place we highly recommend touring and enjoying a cocktail.
Trolley Tours
With a couple to choose from (and we don’t want to single either one out) we highly encourage you to hop aboard one of the trolley tours in this historic St. Augustine area. Even in the hottest of temperatures, the movement along the bank and through the streets of downtown provides a breeze and a little bit of relaxation as you get a St. Augustine History 101 tour and learn about Ponce de Leon and the early settlers. The Trolley Tours are also a great way to navigate some ideal and popular dining spots. Hop on and hop off as you view the beautiful buildings, experience the historic charm, and enjoy the ride.
Vilano Beach
With so many beautiful choices of sandy beaches in St. Johns County, our Davidson Realty team selected Vilano Beach as one of our favorite places to visit. It’s important to know the history of Vilano Beach to fully appreciate why it’s one of our favorites. The prestige of this beautiful stretch of shoreline dates back to the late 1800s when Henry Flagler would host his millionaire friends at Vilano Beach. A quaint little beach village, Vilano offers some of the area’s most charming restaurants, shopping, and plenty of rentals to enjoy a “staycation” in your own backyard. Vilano Beach offers a casual, laid back atmosphere, beautiful natural surroundings, and some of the best sunset views. Pack up the car because Vilano Beach also allows four-wheel drive vehicles on the beach making it so convenient to spend a day on the sand.
With so many options to choose from that include the Castillo de San Marcos, the Lightner Museum, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and so much more, sometimes it’s fun to tour the road less traveled. We encourage you to tour our Top 3 Places to Visit in St. Augustine, maybe for the first time but likely for a repeat visit, and let us know what you think!
Remember March? When the weather was perfect, people spent more time outside and neighbors seemed more “neighborly” as we all navigated through this pandemic together? It seemed the words we heard so frequently were “new normal”, “unsettling”, “uncertainty” and don’t forget the word “pivot.” Certainly, those words still ring true as we experience the threat of the novel coronavirus but what we can tell you with no uncertainty and without having to pivot is that NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME.
Real Estate experts across the country along with our Davidson Realty team of experts have closely examined the trends and the current market conditions and we’re all saying the same thing – this is the best time to sell a home in YEARS!
1. This is probably the best reason: SUPPLY AND DEMAND. While the data shows there are plenty of homebuyers, our Davidson Realty agents can also tell you that there’s just not enough inventory available which means you are almost guaranteed to get people to look at your home. There are lots of reasons economist say are contributing to the low housing inventory: people are living in their homes longer, more people are choosing to renovate, and government stimulus has allowed people to stay in their homes.
2. COVID – While stated above we know the supply is low there are still lots of reasons people are looking to move. Covid-19 created many situations for homeowners across the country and here in Northeast Florida. Some Americans are having to downsize, relocate for jobs due to layoffs or now don’t need to live so close to work since many companies have shifted to “work from home” models. In addition, many homeowners are recognizing the inefficiencies in their current home after being under lockdown restrictions and are looking to move…and quickly! And with parents deciding to continue with a virtual school model from home, the need for flex-space or a room dedicated for school work is now a priority. With most homebuyers looking to purchase in the suburbs, Jacksonville offers plenty of communities that fit the bill.
3. MONEY AND MORTAGE RATES – You’ve got what buyers want and there’s not a lot of competition on the market which means you can get more money for your home. The pandemic has not impacted home prices. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, home asking price growth is actually higher than it was before the pandemic. Still not convinced now is the time to sell your home? Consider mortgage rates. Average interest rates recently reached a new record low for a 30-year fixed-rate.
Davidson Realty has a team of experts in place to help you get your home “show ready” and on the market! Contact our office to start the conversation.
Mother’s Day is fast approaching (Sunday, May 10) and we can all agree this year’s special day will be a little different. While we may not be able to take Mom out to eat or to the day spa due to social distancing guidelines, there are lots of creative ideas out there to make her feel special!
Here are some creative ways to make this year’s Mother’s Day even more extraordinary than any other year:
Make a picnic for Mom.While going out to eat is not in the cards, you can plan to go “out” to eat at a nearby park or even your backyard. Everyone will enjoy getting out of the house for some fresh air and a relaxing picnic. You can make her favorite meal at home or, if cooking is not a good option, plan to arrange delivery or takeout ahead of your excursion
Create a memory scrapbook.Pull out your dusty photo albums and transform old pictures of Mom into a new collage. Gather the whole family to peruse together, asking questions about her younger self—old jobs, schools, hobbies, travels, friends, even old fashion choices! Mom will love the trip down memory lane.
No matter where you live in World Golf Village, Nocatee or other St. Johns communities, it is a common site to see groups of teenagers (sometimes preteens) driving golf carts. While they travel at relatively safe speeds, it is important that they realize the risks. And there are plenty of risks.
Just last year, a teenage girl in South Florida flipped a golf cart she was driving with her friends. The girl was airlifted to a nearby hospital with severe brain injuries. She later died of those injuries. Another teen, a local named Olivia Love, fell off the back of a golf cart and sustained a terrible head injury. She is still relearning how to walk and talk.
Although most teens are fairly safe, the facts remain: These are open-air vehicles with no seatbelts that flip over easily. Add to that distracted drivers who might be tempted to impress friends by jumping a curb or taking a turn quickly in a high traffic neighborhood, and the risks increase significantly.
Mother’s Day is fast approaching (Sunday, May 10) and we can all agree this year’s special day will be a little different. While we may not be able to take Mom out to eat or to the day spa due to social distancing guidelines, there are lots of creative ideas out there to make her feel special!
No matter where you live in World Golf Village, Nocatee or other St. Johns communities, it is a common site to see groups of teenagers (sometimes preteens) driving golf carts. While they travel at relatively safe speeds, it is important that they realize the risks. And there are plenty of risks.
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