Bahama Bay Resort in Davenport, FL Review
Starting the week at Bahama Bay Resort with my parents for my brother’s last year of D3 Collegiate Baseball Spring Training. Our three-bedroom villa in building 20 featured two king beds, two single beds, two bathrooms, a simple fully equipped kitchen (Keurig and all) + living room area, and a private screened in balcony. I spent a lot of time in our room during the day, as I was working remotely on this trip. The resort Wi-Fi was dependable and reliable in the room and at the pool.
With multiple pools to hang out at, a restaurant + bar (where we ordered some pretty ginormous pizzas), and a small pond (alligators, turtles and all) the price is right, I would recommend this resort. The resort was really low staffed when we visited, so wait times were long but most of the guests were patient. On the flip side, the resort was not too crowded, even during Spring Break.
Overall rating: 7.5/10, not a shining star, but definitely would stay again.
Airboat Rides Unlimited
Come with me to experience Airboat Rides Unlimited in Umatilla, FL! It’s a Wednesday Morning and our family is gathered around the kitchen counter at John and Jeannie’s house. We’re eating breakfast sandwiches wrapped in tinfoil and are trying to figure out what today’s adventure is going to be. When in Rome. How about an airboat ride?
Located in Nelson’s Outdoor Resort in Umatilla, Fl catch a ride with Airboat Rides Unlimited with captain Justin. Climb aboard the boat and put on your earmuffs because this boat will be loud.
Pro tip: bring a jacket or a blanket to cut the wind.
Captain Justin made regular stops along the way, providing us stories, jokes, opportunity to feed the coots mini marshmallows and even watch baby gators eat them too! With gators of all sizes in abundance, we lost count of the amount we saw. And if you’ve ever wondered what an alligator nest looks like, now is your chance to catch a glimpse!
For just $60 per person, the 1 hour and 30-minute ride is worth every penny. Great family activity. Classic Florida experience. A little off the beaten path but if you find yourself near Umatilla, call Justin.
Lake Weir + Gator Joes
The next stop after Bahama Bay was my second cousin’s Lake House on Lake Weir in Ocklawaha, FL. While the meat and potatoes of this stay were spent working remotely, Lake Weir wildlife, food, and Zoom backgrounds were so much more than expected. I was woken up every morning by two sandhill cranes, I brewed a pot of coffee and sat on the porch.
A 5min walk down the road on the water sits Gator Joe’s Restaurant and Bar. We ate gator bites and fish tacos. Super great spot for a drink and live music.
Honorary Mentions: Mojo’s + Kilwin’s + The Village Shuttle + Pirats Oasis + Rock & Brew
The Village Shuttle: $55 to Orlando Airport.
Pirats Oasis: Literally located in a trailer park.
Rock & Brew: Beer flights “March Madness” style. Met the brewer for SunCreek Brewery.
Mojo’s Restaurant: I ordered the Crazy Cuban!
Kilwin’s: Located in “The Villages” (Active Adult 55+ Community), this fudge, sweets & ice cream shop is where I got the best coconut ice cream of my life. Yum.
and-adventures.com 