Ocala
In North Central Florida, there is a secret gem with out-of-this-world outdoor settings and horseback riding.
It is conveniently located between Florida’s eastern and western coasts. Ocala/Marion County is a lively place that will surprise you. There’s a lot to see and do, from the beautiful, clear springs to the huge and impressive World Equestrian Center, and from historic places to miles and miles of hiking and biking trails. The sunny skies also match the sunny attitudes of the friendly, laid-back, and welcoming towns you’ll pass along the way.
If you like being near water, Ocala/Marion County is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. There is a lot of history behind the beautiful artesian springs that give Silver Springs State Park its name. If you go on a tour in a glass-bottom boat, you’ll get the best view of the sea life below. You might see manatees, a lot of different kinds of fish, or even boats that have sunk. To get down the Silver River, you can take a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. The water at Rainbow Springs State Park is always a nice 22°C, so you can swim there any time of the year. The headwaters of the Rainbow River are unbelievably clear, making it a great place to swim, snorkel, dive, tube, and paddle. Just across the river, KP Hole® Park is another beautiful place for families to spend the day. And there are lots of fun things to do in the Ocala National Forest, which has more than 200 square kilometers of waterways and springs. Silver Glen Springs, Juniper Springs, and Salt Springs all have cool water that will make you want to swim after hiking, biking, swimming, watching birds, or camping.
You won’t be let down in Ocala/Marion County if your idea of fun outside is more active than a slow swim. If you want to be brave, go to The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park. There are nine zip lines, and some of them are over 335 meters long. As you fly through the air, you’ll see lakes sparkle below you and fly through shady trees and beautiful mountains. You can also go horseback riding, kayaking, and gem digging in the park. Santos Trailhead has more than 125 kilometers of paved and unpaved singletrack. Its mountain bike trails are known all over the world. There are easy trails for beginners as well as challenging, winding tracks for experienced riders. It’s a thrilling way to enjoy the natural beauty of Florida.
Ocala/Marion County is a famous place for horseback riding, and there are more than 600 horse farms there that breed and train racing and equestrian winners. Visit a farm, take a carriage ride through rolling pastures, go horseback riding, or go to one of the many events and shows to get the full horse experience. From mid-December to March, when horse season is in full swing, the calendar is especially full. A lot of the events take place at the World Horse Center. Everyone can have a great time all day at this huge complex, which has shops, restaurants, exhibition halls, a pub, horse and dog shows, a high-end hotel, and more.
A lot of history and culture
Walk through the city’s past on a self-guided historic walking tour in downtown Ocala to learn more about its roots. There are unique shops, great restaurants, and amazing art galleries in Ocala, as well as the Ocala Downtown Market every Saturday. Some of the best places to see art in town are Tuscawilla Art Park, the Reilly Arts Center, and the Appleton Museum of Art. These museums have displays of everything from European paintings and modern sculptures to items from hundreds of years ago and work by Florida artists. Visit Fort King National Historic Landmark to learn about the Seminole War and how this old military post was involved. You can look at a scale model and walk along an educational trail.