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Ocala is also known for nearby Silver Springs, site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world and Silver Springs Nature Theme Park, one of the earliest tourist attractions in Florida.
- Family Fun
- Museums, Arts & Entertainment
- Outdoor Adventures
- Waterways
- Accessibility
- Dining
See wild manatees, swim in the springs, and take a scenic glass-bottom boat tour. 1. Glass-bottom boat tours 2. Manatee viewing 3. More family-friendly things to do
Watch a ballet performance, listen to the symphony orchestra, and visit the museums and galleries. 1. Museums and galleries 2. History 3. Performing arts 4. Attractions
From woods to water, there are endless ways to explore the outdoors in Ocala and Marion County. 1. Boating and paddling 2. Birding 3. Water activities 4. Fishing 5. Parks 6. Biking 7. Zip-lining 8. Hiking 9. Equestrian activities 10. Off-road activities and racing 11. Agritourism and u-pick farms
Visit the area’s lakes, rivers, and popular freshwater springs. 1. Springs 2. Silver River 3. Lake Bryant 4. More waterways
Visit the area’s accessible attractions. 1. Glass-bottom boat tours 2. Chelsea Art Center 3. Hampton Aquatic Center 4. Jervey GanttRecreation Complex
Enjoy fresh fare al fresco in the historic downtown area, sample wine and gourmet food at a vineyard, or choose from a selection of international, fine dining, and Southern restaurants. 1. Places to eat and drink
- Swim in a Natural Spring. For some, a Florida vacation isn't a Florida vacation without water. Ocala trades salty surf for crystal-clear freshwater pools thanks to the area's many natural springs.
- Hike in the Ocala National Forest. On the edge of town you'll find the 387,000-acre Ocala National Forest, which is the second largest national forest in Florida.
- Tour the Appleton Museum of Art. If Ocala's natural beauty inspires the art lover in you, head to the Appleton Museum of Art, an 81,000-square-foot classic and contemporary art museum that's part of the College of Central Florida's Appleton Cultural Center complex.
- Visit the World Equestrian Center. You can't visit the Horse Capital of the World without spending some time with the majestic mares and stallions. The best places to do so is the largest equestrian complex in the country, the World Equestrian Center.
- Explore Silver Springs State Park. Location: 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488. Park Hours: Open daily from 8:00 am till the sun sets.
- Visit Ocala National Forest. If you want to see the true Florida wilderness, go to the Ocala National Forest. It is Florida's second-largest national forest.
- Visit the Appleton Museum of Art. Location: 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, Florida. Open Hours: Tue – Sun: 10 am – 5 pm, Monday: Closed. If you love art and you're in Ocala, Florida, you should definitely visit the Appleton Museum of Art.
- Take a Tour of Gypsy Gold Horse Farm. Location: 12501 8th Avenue, Ocala, Florida. Gypsy Gold Horse Farm is a must-see attraction in the “Horse Capital of the World,” Ocala.
- Gypsy Gold Horse Farm. Any equestrian's first stop in Central Florida has to be the city of Ocala. Ocala is the veritable horse country of Florida. The city is one of only a handful of thoroughbred centers in the entire world, with 600 thoroughbred horse farms that have produced six Horses of the Year, among horses that have won many other awards.
- Sholom Park. Sholom Park is a sprawling 44-acre botanical garden in Ocala. The privately owned park was designed after its owners made a visit to the Boston Gardens and were so impressed, they had to bring a sanctuary back down to Florida.
- Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. Drag racing fans will want to carve out some time to visit the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. Opened in 1984, this tourist attraction takes visitors through the history of the sport, through its collection of 90 racing cars.
- Silver Springs State Park. One of the largest springs in the country flows just outside Ocala. The Silver River has been a source of life for Florida dating back more than 10,000 years.
Jul 22, 2023 · Ocala National Forest is one of the state’s most popular natural destinations and offers visitors a vast array of year-round activity options, including kayaking, camping, fishing, and wildlife photography and viewing. Though it can get hot in the summer and mildly cold in the winter, the weather is almost always conducive to being outside.
Jun 14, 2022 · Ocala, located in Marion County Florida, is a city tucked into Central Florida between the two coasts and just north of Orlando and south of Gainesville. Ocala has a rich and storied history in thoroughbred horse breeding and holds the official title of the “Horse Capital of the World”, a designation bestowed on only 5 cities in the entire world.
