Since a lot of you commented that you really enjoyed the photo tour of Lake Sumter Landing I posted a few weeks ago, this week I took a stroll through Spanish Springs Town Square.
You will see that Spanish Springs has a distinctively different feel than Lake Sumter Landing. As you’re driving down 441 approaching the entrance to Spanish Springs, you’ll see this golf cart bridge which is a famous landmark in The Villages. In fact, a lot of people miss the entrance to Spanish Springs because they’re so focused on the golf cart bridge. But you won’t miss it now that I warned ya 
The entrance to Spanish Springs sets the tone for what you’re about to see and experience once inside.
The cannons are a nice touch too.
From the look and feel of the entrance, you might get the impression that the theme is going to be like St. Augustine. The entrance sign and cannon remind me of the Castillo de San Marcos, but after you get into Spanish Springs, the architecture has more of a Southwest type feel. Think Santa Fe, New Mexico. Still Spanish I guess, but it just throws me off a little bit.
I think you’ll understand what I mean when you see this well disguised Patchington. FYI the “Mathews & Mathews” is likely named for Tracy Mathews…sister of developer Mark Morse and a very active person in the development and sales of The Villages.
This shot just gives you a look at the “streetscape” of Spanish Springs.
As you get to the center of Spanish Springs, you will see a reflection pond, or maybe its more of a wishing well. Standing in the pond is a statue of the man himself, Harold Schwartz, founding father of The Villages.
Here’s another nod to the Southwest theme.
One of the most popular landmarks in The Villages, let alone Spanish Springs is Church on the Square. Church on the Square is home to live entertainment (choirs, operas, gospel groups, etc.) several nights a week.
Just past Church on the Square is the Rialto Theater. There’s nobody in the picture but I swear about 30 seconds later there was a line of people waiting to buy tickets and get in. Everybody was probably going to see Hangover 2 
You guys would probably track me down and shoot me if I failed to include the obligatory cool golf cart picture. This one is so cool, its on fire.
It was incredibly hot when I was at Spanish Springs. I think the forecast said 96 or 97. But just standing by these fountains will cool you off.
Another popular place to cool off is Spanish Springs Lanes. The bowling alley stays pretty full most of the summer in large part to Camp Villages, where grandkids get to bowl with their grandparents.
A few days ago I asked on our Facebook page who had the best pizza in The Villages. Pauly’s Pizzeria won that vote, so I decided to grab a slice and a Coke while I was at Spanish Springs.
I stopped in to Panera for the free wi-fi because I needed to finish up the June issue of The Villages Monthly and get that out to subscribers. After leaving there, I needed to ship some book orders to customers so I hopped over to Sweetbay Supermarket next to Lake Sumter Landing where the USPS parks their mobile post office. If you ordered a book within the last week or so your book probably shipped through this truck
Home at last and finishing off a very productive day with a favorite beer in my new Villages pilsner glass that I picked up at Banner Mercantile in Spanish Springs, where you can get just about anything and everything with a Villages logo on it.
If you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed putting it together for you, please share it with your friends on Facebook.
WELL DONE.. JOHN WAYNE
Just like a Texas hamburger, very well done.
Some day!!!!!
Beautiful pics. and a fascinating insight into a quite remarkable village. Jean
A TOUR GUIDE OF MY HEART—NEVER FORGET THE FOOD BREAKS WHILE DOING A TOUR/REPORT. AND OF COURSE—THE SUDS TO WASH IT DOWN WITH. MOST EXCELLENT.
Great Spanish Springs photos! But why go all the way to Sweetbay to mail your books? Since you were already at Spanish Springs, hop across 441 to La Grande Boulevard and visit the ONLY US Post Office in the Villages? The people there are very nice!
I love the pics and the explainations, I can’t get enough of The Villages. We’ll be back soon but not soon enough. Thanks for what you do!
Hi Ryan,
Nice job , as always . Have our house up for sale in Pa. and have our eye on a house on lake Paradise in Silver Lake . Keep up the good work
Better pizza near the Villages, 1st Takis on Rt. 441, 2nd Little Joey’s in Baylee Plaza. Both better than Pauleys or any other in the Villages.
My husband and I are at TV now for the second time looking at property and enjoying this great lifestyle. The pics make us wish we were here to stay.
Great pics ,We hope to visit there in the next 10 months .
Packing up my treasures at the Jersey Shore where Snow is on the Forecast Today.
Cant wait to get there and walk the streets of Spanish Springs.once again and enjoy my Villa behind the Church for the Winter