Lunch Drive to Glory Days Grill in Brooksville - January 19th Join us this Tuesday as we get out of the city for a top down drive through the countryside to Brooksville. We will experience wonderful winding roads and end up at Glory Days Grill for some outside dining. Glory Days Grill is a sports themed family-friendly American grill and bar that combines an award-winning menu of freshly prepared appetizers, entrees and sandwiches with entertainment that appeals to all ages.
Tail of the Gecko & Peck's Old Port Cove Restaurant Drive - February 22nd Our Z's want to stretch their legs, and what better way than to drive the Tail of the Gecko again! This twisty gem is tucked away in the middle of the state and has a personality all its own.
OK, there may not be 318 curves here like the Dragon, but this well hidden Florida drive is well worth the effort to find it! At 12.8 miles, Florida’s Tail of the Gecko is similar in length to North Carolina/Tennessee's Tail of the Dragon (11 miles), but it naturally falls way short in the “curves” department, in fact 291 curves short. That's right, only 27 curves on the Gecko. But remember, in a land of long straight Florida roads, 27 turns for that length of pavement is a rarity, indeed. Florida may not have mountains, canyons and the ultimate twisty roads, but what it does have is some of the country's best riding weather when the rest of the country can't figure out how they're going to get their car dug out of the snow! We will end up at Peck's Old Port Cove Restaurant for some outdoor dining. (You don't have to stay for lunch, but bring a box lunch to eat in your car on the way home)
Howey Mansion & Lake Harris Hideaway Drive - March 16th The Club to tour the Howey Mansion in scenic Howey-in-the-Hills. The Mansion is a 7188 square foot restored Mediterranean Revival Style home and is listed with the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. We will wander through the 20 room mansion built in 1925 by the community’s founder, William J. Howey, and stroll over the 15 acres surrounding, bringing a nostalgic feeling of how life was “Once upon a time......”
The tour will be guided by a resident expert and exclusive to our club. The tour will include the Mansion and associated gardens. As an added bonus, lunch is scheduled at the Lake Harris Hideaway. This family restaurant has a broad menu with an excellent location. Recognizing COVID-19 issues, the beautiful outside deck, where you can sit and enjoy the gorgeous view of Lake Harris, has been secured for lunch.
The drive will be scenic and the tour promises to be a 5 star experience.
Sail on the Dora Queen - April 17th We will be sailing on the Dora Queen a luxury 80-foot New Orleans style paddlewheel boat located in Tavares Florida. We invite you to come aboard sit back relax listen to some music and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There are two bar areas located on each level for your convenience. Enjoy the breeze on the top deck or sit comfortably in the lower level temperature controlled salon. Both levels showcase spectacular views of Lake Dora.
Festivals of Speed Car Show - May 1st You will be immersed in the world of exotic cars as the Festivals of Speed bring their car show to the WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER in Ocala. The exquisite display will showcase over 200 exotic classic and muscle cars plus motorcycles gathered on the Grand Plaza of the WEC. Both vintage and contemporary examples of Ferrari Maserati Rolls-Royce Bentley Lamborghini Porsche Mercedes-Benz Aston Martin McLaren and more will be featured. The WEC is the largest equestrian complex in the United States comprising 4000 acres with a 5 star hotel shops restaurants and convention facilities and numerous equestrian venues. The WEC offers a rare combination of class and capacity. The largest equestrian complex in the United States is a world-class multi-indoor and outdoor arena facility offering state-of-the-art amenities to accommodate numerous disciplines within the equine industry and more! And best of all.....it's DERBY DAY at the WEC. Watch the Kentucky Derby while viewing the massive car display. Jumbotron TV's will be surrounding the Grand Plaza so you can catch all the action of the Kentucky Derby.
Lunch Drive to The Freezer Tiki Bar in Homosassa - May 18th Join us for a delightful drive towards the Gulf to The Freezer Tiki Bar at Cedar Key Fish House in Homosassa. The Freezer was actually a real bait freezer turned into a bar. The Seminole Indians built a tiki hut on the back which overlooks otter creek. This is a working fish house to this day. Watch the fishermen unload the seafood you eat. Bring cash as they don't accept credit cards. So let's smell the salt in the air and have some great seafood!
Lunch drive to Ford's Garage Restaurant - June 29th Ford's Garage will give you the vibe of being in a 1920’s service station to include vintage Ford vehicles gas pumps and fixtures. Many more unique features too numerous to list really make this garage a fun place to visit and take pictures. The restaurant is located in the new Promenade at Sunset Walk at the Margaritaville Resort on Rt. 192. Come experience this restaurant and then stroll among the many shopping choices.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and Gator Joe's - July 13th Why feel uptight when you can feel the calming sensation of the beautiful outdoors. Emptying your mind of thoughts and focusing on nature. How can you do that? By coming with us on a guided tour of the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens! Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a 68 acre facility comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ½ mile paved walkway. These include the state's largest public display of bamboo and the largest herb garden in the Southeast. Some of Kanapaha's gardens are organized taxonomically while others demonstrate principles of ecology or natural selection. Wear comfortable walking shoes (wheelchairs are available). After the tour we will strap ourselves back in our Z's for a trip to Gator Joe's Beach Bar & Grill! Established in 1926 on the water’s edge of Lake Weir Gator Joe’s is a family friendly restaurant with a laid back atmosphere and island cuisine. It bills itself as Central Florida’s only Key West style waterfront restaurant.
DEZERLAND PARK in Orlando - August 18th It's Florida's Largest Indoor Attraction! So you never heard of Dezerland Park.....let me enlighten you:
It has an automotive museum with over 2000 cars plus automotive memorabilia
It has an indoor go kart track
It has bowling alleys
It has a huge arcade and pinball palace
It has axe throwing
It ha a glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course
And the 007 James Bond Restaurant and Lounge
The storefronts in the mall have been converted into automotive displays...one has English cars...one has German cars....several have Hollywood movie cars.....one has military vehicles. But the best of all are the Bat Cave with Batmobiles and the James Bond room which houses one of the largest collections of James Bond cars and memorabilia in the world. After lunch we have negotiated a VIP tour of the automobile museum ($8pp). After the tour you are on your own to enjoy any of the other attractions at the following savings:
R&R Drive to Crump's Landing Waterfront Tiki Bar - Sept 7th After a pleasant drive to Homosassa we will have lunch outside under the tiki at Crump's Landing Waterfront Tiki Bar while watching the boats pass by and possibly catching a glimpse of a Manatee in the Homosassa river. You must try the Crump's Chowda! Then maybe a game of cornhole or you can just relax and socialize in their Adirondack chairs before heading back to The Villages!
Z's on the Square at the heritage Festival - Oct 8th Display your Z at the Heritage Festival at Lake Sumter Square. All Z's will be represented from the original z3;s to the latest Z4's. Bring a chair and goodies to eat as we show off our beautiful cars to the Villagers.
All German Car Show - Oct 16th Join us as we view the beautifal German cars at the All German Car Show. Sponsored by The Villages Mercedes Benz Club The Villages BMW Z Club and the Porsche Club of The Villages there will be around 100 cars to view. If you enter your car you can win a trophy for different catagories......or just come as a spectator.
Annual Z Fun Fest - Oct 20th Bob and Evelyn Scholl have been working hard with their volunteers to make this year's event the best yet! If this is your first Z Fun Fest let me tell you what to expect: A buffet lunch catered by Whispering Oaks. https://www.winesofflorida.com🗗 Whispering Oaks wine to be imbibed (one drink per person provided with another case courtesy of your Club). Live entertainment to dance and listen to. Prizes to be raffled off (no purchase necessary). A 5050 raffle. Trophies awarded for each series of Z's (4 total) plus a Members Choice Award for the best of show! This has been an annual event (except for last year) and a Club favorite!
A Day at The Villages Polo Club - Nov 12th We have a fun filled afternoon in store for our members as we go to The Villages Polo Club to watch the thrill of a polo match. For over 20 years The Villages Polo Club has provided an unforgettable polo experience for thousands of spectators and hundreds of polo players from around the world. This 250 acre polo facility offers you a chance to experience the amazing world of polo. We will be right next to the field giving you breathtaking views of the charging horses. A member of the Polo Club will talk to us before the match to explain how polo works and to answer questions. (They might even have a horse and rider for us to see up close) We will be parking together across from the field. In front of where we park (which is right next to the field) we can picnic so bring chairs tables food and drinks.
2021 BMW Z Club Holiday Party - Dec 10th The holiday season is right around the corner........and what better way to usher in the holidays than to come to the: 2021 BMW Z Club Holiday Party!!!!!!! Join your fellow Zer's on December 10th at Big Cypress Recreation Center as we eat drink and dance the night away. This year's event should be the best ever! Karin Bornstein and Debbie Blum and their committee have put together what will be a memorable event. Here's what to expect:
Champagne toast
A catered dinner from Lil Bits Cafe
Entertainment by Robert France
Cookies baked by our members
Door prizes
50/25/25 raffle
Fun camaraderie fun dancing fun imbibing fun eating and did I mention FUN!