People love The Villages because it offers just about everything you need a short golf cart ride away.
But that doesn't mean you'll never want to venture outside of the bubble.
Florida is an amazing state, and it would be a shame to limit yourself to only experiencing what goes on inside the comfy confines of The Villages.
With that in mind, here's a look at how far The Villages is from various points of interest.
I used Lake Sumter Landing as the starting point. In 20 or 30 years it might not be considered a central location of The Villages like it is today, but for now, it'll do.
Popular Florida Cities
Ocala – 26 miles
Orlando – 59 miles
Daytona Beach – 73 miles
Tampa – 83 miles
St. Augustine – 97 miles
Jacksonville – 126 miles
Tallahassee – 210 miles
Miami – 283 miles
Key West – 440 miles
Popular Airports
These aren't all the airports in Florida obviously, but I chose the ones that Villagers might be most likely to fly in and out of.
Orlando International Airport – 69 miles
Orlando Sanford International Airport – 62 miles
Ocala International Airport – 33 miles
Daytona International Airport – 70 miles
Tampa International Airport – 90 miles
Major Hospitals/Specialty Centers
Shands Hospital (Gainesville) – 64 miles
Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville) – 122 miles
MD Anderson Cancer Center (Orlando) – 59 miles
Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa) – 75 miles
Popular Beaches
Daytona Beach -73 miles
New Smyrna Beach – 75 miles
Clearwater Beach – 107 miles
Siesta Key Beach – 143 miles
Destin – 366 miles
Major Theme Parks
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom – 67 miles
Epcot – 66 miles
Universal Orlando – 58 miles
Sea World – 63 miles
Busch Gardens Tampa – 80 miles
Other Points of Interest
Mar-a-Lago – 220 miles (Just figured some Villagers might want to know 😉 )
Daytona International Speedway – 69 miles
South Beach – 286 miles
Where do you want to go?
Let me know where else you want to go in the comments section below.
Patt Reed says
It’s about a 2.5 hour trip. Well worth the time. Beautiful area Don’t miss Selby Gardens in the center of town. The satin white beaches are the draw – Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Lido Beach.
Margaret Pendergast says
How far to Sarasota?
Phil says
I love these emails! Very Interesting for a person interested in retirement in the Villages. I have my Florida for Boomers book and I Love it. I’ll take so vacation an come back to Florida and spend a few weeks this next time, keep up the great info! Also I love the input from people who have lived in the Villages and have left!
Pam Miller says
We lived there for 12 years back when mr Schwartz was still alive and his few was for the middle class income people to be able to retire. After he passed everything changed. Bonds because very high, houses because very high. Water bill went way up. Harder to get on golf courses because they were holding spaces for people coming in to see about purchasing a home. Times changed. My husband passes and I moved back to home in 2011.
Mark Carini says
My wife and I recently flew in and out of Gainesville, 70 miles from Lake Sumter. Small uncomplicated airport with car rental available and no long treks like Orlando.
Chris Hawkins says
Costco
Trader Joe’s
BJ’S wholesale Club
Linda Schaefer says
What about day trips to casinos, beaches?
Philip says
How far is the villages from Naples Florida.
James Kinley says
Three places Villagers go are Port Canaveral (Cruises), Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach. They are all in the 100-120 mile range.