Community, Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment
Explore The Villages
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The Town Squares of the Villages
The Villages is famous for its three vibrant town squares, each offering its own unique charm and theme while serving as the heart of community life. Spanish Springs Town Square, located in the northern part of The Villages, reflects a Spanish colonial style with stucco architecture, fountains, and red-tiled roofs. Lake Sumter Landing, set in the central area, captures the feel of a charming waterfront community with a seaside town-inspired design, a lighthouse, and boardwalk views over Lake Sumter. Brownwood Paddock Square, found in the southern central section, celebrates Florida’s rich cattle and ranching heritage with its Old West atmosphere, rustic storefronts, and cowboy flair. A fourth town square called Eastport is currently being constructed in the southern part of The Villages; this new town square will reflect mid-century European and American charm. Together, these town squares provide residents and visitors with nightly live music, shopping, dining, and a welcoming sense of community.
Spanish Springs Town Square
Spanish Springs Town Square is the original town square of The Villages, located in the northern part of the community. Designed with a Spanish colonial theme, the square features classic architecture, colorful stucco buildings, decorative fountains, and palm-lined walkways that create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Its design pays homage to Old World charm, with vibrant details that make it a favorite destination for both residents and visitors. Spanish Springs is home to a wide variety of restaurants ranging from casual cafés to sit-down dining, as well as boutique shops and specialty stores that offer everything from fashion to unique gifts. The Rialto Theater, styled in traditional Spanish design, is a landmark in the square and adds to its cultural appeal.
What truly sets Spanish Springs apart is its lively community spirit, highlighted by its nightly entertainment. Every evening, residents and guests gather in the square for live music and dancing, creating a festive atmosphere that embodies the lifestyle of The Villages. Whether it’s line dancing, enjoying an outdoor concert, or simply sitting back with friends, Spanish Springs offers a welcoming environment that blends dining, shopping, and entertainment in one central location. Its northern location makes it especially convenient for residents of the original neighborhoods of The Villages, who often treat it as their community hub. Spanish Springs Town Square remains a cornerstone of life in The Villages, combining tradition, fun, and Florida charm.
Lake Sumter Landing
Lake Sumter Landing Town Square, located in the heart of The Villages, is designed to feel like a charming waterfront community. With its Key West-inspired architecture, pastel-colored buildings, and nautical details, the square creates a relaxed coastal atmosphere. A highlight is the boardwalk along Lake Sumter itself, complete with a lighthouse that has become one of The Villages’ most recognizable landmarks. Around the square, residents and visitors enjoy a wide variety of dining options, from casual eateries and pubs to sit-down restaurants with lakefront views, as well as numerous shops and boutiques offering clothing, home décor, and unique gifts. The Old Mill Playhouse movie theater, styled like a vintage waterfront building, adds to the nostalgic charm of the square.
At night, Lake Sumter Landing comes alive with its famous nightly entertainment. Live bands perform on the outdoor stage seven nights a week, giving residents the chance to dance, relax, and enjoy music under the stars. The lake breezes, twinkling lights, and lively crowd create a festive atmosphere that makes this square one of the most popular gathering spots in The Villages. Centrally located, Lake Sumter Landing is easily accessible by golf cart or car from all directions, making it the perfect meeting point for Villagers across the community. With its blend of shopping, dining, entertainment, and scenic views, Lake Sumter Landing captures the heart of The Villages lifestyle.
Brownwood Paddock Square
Brownwood Paddock Square, the newest of the three town squares in The Villages, is located in the southern portion of the community and celebrates Florida’s rich cattle-ranching heritage. Its Old West theme is reflected in rustic architecture, barn-style storefronts, windmills, and cowboy-inspired décor that transport visitors to a classic frontier town. Around the square, residents can enjoy a variety of dining options ranging from casual grills and coffee shops to full-service restaurants, many with outdoor seating that overlooks the square. Boutique shops and specialty stores offer everything from Western-themed goods to stylish clothing and home décor, giving Brownwood its own distinctive shopping and dining experience. The Barnstorm Theater, designed with vintage aviation flair, serves as a centerpiece for movies and entertainment.
In the evenings, Brownwood Paddock Square comes alive with its lively entertainment scene, featuring live music and dancing under the open skies. Just like the other town squares, residents can count on free nightly performances, creating a festive atmosphere where friends gather to enjoy the community spirit of The Villages. The square’s spacious layout, western design, and abundance of outdoor seating make it a favorite destination for large gatherings and social events. Conveniently situated near the growing southern neighborhoods of The Villages, Brownwood serves as both an entertainment hub and a community landmark, offering a unique blend of Florida history, Western charm, and modern-day fun.
Eastport
Eastport, the newest town square currently under construction in The Villages, will be a one-of-a-kind lifestyle center built around Central Lake, a 1,000-meter body of water designed for recreation such as dragon boating, kayaking, and peaceful lakeside strolls. Located north of Central Parkway (formerly County Road 470) and east of Marsh Bend Trail, Eastport’s design takes inspiration from walkable European-style town centers, with brick-paved alleys, boutique storefronts, and a waterfront promenade. At its heart will be Hotel Eastport, a mid-century modern hotel with approximately 120 guest rooms, a rooftop bar, a lobby bar overlooking the lake, and both poolside and lakeside dining options. Surrounding the square, visitors will find a mix of restaurants, shopping, and scenic spaces, making Eastport a vibrant new hub for residents and guests.
What makes Eastport especially exciting is its blend of recreation and entertainment. The Olympia Recreation Complex will include a massive indoor gymnasium with pickleball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and even a rock-climbing wall—amenities never before seen in The Villages. Outdoors, residents will enjoy pickleball courts, softball fields, a dog park, a sports pool, bocce, shuffleboard, and multi-purpose fields. Golfers will appreciate the new Bellaire executive course, driving range, and golf academy. Dining will be a highlight, with Prime + Ember steakhouse featuring an open-kitchen design and rooftop bar, along with additional restaurants like Tacos & Tequila Cantina and a Lucky Goat Coffee café. As with the other town squares, Eastport will feature free nightly entertainment, with live music performed on a waterfront stage set against the dramatic backdrop of Sunset Island. Combining lakeside leisure, shopping, dining, and world-class recreation, Eastport is set to become the most dynamic and modern town square in The Villages.
Other Locations Within The Villages
While The Villages is primarily known for its entertainment at its town squares, there are other notable places to visit within the area. One of these, Sawgrass Grove, has become a popular spot for people to congregate with its outdoor picnic tables, indoor food court, and nightly entertainment.
Sawgrass Grove
Sawgrass Grove, located in the southern region of The Villages, is one of the community’s newest lifestyle destinations, blending entertainment, dining, and recreation into one lively hub. Themed around Florida’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage, Sawgrass Grove features a fresh, open-air design that celebrates both community gathering and outdoor living. At its heart is the Sawgrass Market, a food hall concept with a variety of eateries offering everything from Southern comfort foods and barbecue to specialty bites and sweet treats. In addition, the McGrady’s Pub pays tribute to The Villages’ Irish-American connections, providing a cozy sit-down restaurant and bar with hearty meals and live entertainment inside. Boutique shopping and specialty vendors add to the appeal, making Sawgrass Grove a favorite destination for both casual dining and social outings.
Entertainment is central to the Sawgrass Grove experience, with nightly live music and dancing on the outdoor stage, creating a festive atmosphere similar to the town squares but with its own unique flair. Residents can relax with a drink, enjoy food from the market, and dance under the stars while connecting with friends and neighbors. The area also includes the Ezell Regional Recreation Complex, which offers pickleball, bocce, shuffleboard, and more, making Sawgrass Grove not just a dining and entertainment spot, but also a hub of active recreation. Its southern location makes it especially convenient for residents of the newest neighborhoods in The Villages, providing a modern, vibrant gathering place that combines the best of food, fun, and Florida lifestyle.
Regional Recreation Centers
The regional recreation centers in The Villages are the largest and most impressive recreational facilities in the community, serving as central hubs for activity, fitness, and social connection. These spacious centers feature a wide range of amenities, including large sports pools for lap swimming and water exercise, expansive fitness and workout areas, and multiple courts for pickleball, tennis, bocce, and shuffleboard. Inside, residents enjoy arts and crafts rooms, meeting halls, billiards, card rooms, and event spaces that host everything from clubs and classes to dances and community gatherings. Each regional center is beautifully themed and uniquely designed, giving it a distinctive character while still maintaining the welcoming feel The Villages is known for. With their extensive offerings and vibrant calendars of events, the regional recreation centers provide residents with endless opportunities to stay active, learn new skills, and build lasting friendships.
In addition to the regional recreation centers, there is also a series of smaller, less elaborate neighborhood recreation centers of varying sizes that serve the various neighborhoods of The Villages.
From north to south, here are the regional recreation centers of The Villages:
- Above CR 466
- Mulberry Grove
- Savannah
- Paradise
- La Hacienda
- Between CR 466 and CR 466A
- Laurel Manor
- Lake Miona
- SeaBreeze
- Colony Cottage
- Between CR 466A and SR 44
- Eisenhower
- Rohan
- Below SR 44
- Everglades
- Fenney
- Ezell
- Olympia
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