Ocala/Marion County Vacation Guide

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To discover Ocala/Marion County is to discover an unexpected Florida.

Where You’re Always an Insider From outdoor adventure to world class sporting facilities and culture, every mile of Ocala/Marion County surprises, delights, and welcomes in a way other destinations can’t match. Internationally renowned among equestrians, cyclists, geologists, and even the world of classic cinematography, Ocala/Marion County still feels like a hidden gem to those who aren’t already insiders.

And yet, when you’re here, you’re never an outsider. The relaxed, genuine friendliness of our communities make everyone feel welcome wherever they go.

Tune into Marion Insider’s Guide! A video series highlighting the most fun, best food, and hidden gems that only insiders know how to find.

SCAN TO WATCH THE EPISODES!

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Explore and Discover Florida’s Natural Wonder Ocala/Marion County is unlike anything you’ve seen or imagined. “How did I not know about this?” sums up the wonder that first-time visitors experience in Ocala and surrounding communities like Dunnellon, Belleview, McIntosh and Reddick.

The central location offers the ideal combination of natural beauty and southern charm with several major airports within driving distance making getting to the destination easy and hassle-free.

OCALA

DUNNELLON

BELLEVIEW

MCINTOSH

REDDICK

72 mi/ 114 km to East Coast of Florida 48 mi/ 77 km to West Coast of Florida 97 mi/ 157 km from Orlando International Airport (MCO) 113 mi/ 182 km from Tampa International Airport (TPA) 301 mi/484 km from Miami International Airport (MIA) 110 mi/ 177 km from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

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Places to Stay - Accommodations From luxury hotel suites and charming Bed & Breakfasts and homes, to campgrounds and cabins, guests in Ocala/Marion County can choose from a variety of accommodations that fit most any budget, complete with a warm welcome and genuine hospitality to make it feel like home.

HOTELS & MOTELS Whether the familiarity of a name-brand hotel or a cozy boutique hotel is your style, there is a plethora of options for fantastic hotels and motels. Excellent customer service, southern hospitality, and the comfort of room service await guests at these properties. Many of the hotels feature pools, fitness centers, restaurants, and more.

RV PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS & CABINS Sleep under the stars and make the great outdoors your home base staying at a forested campground or RV Park. For a rustic getaway with all the modern amenities, rent a cabin for your stay.

VACATION RENTALS For more privacy, choose from a variety of rental homes with unique amenities like swimming pools, golf course access, horseback riding, and more.

SCAN TO EXPLORE ALL THE UNIQUE PLACES TO STAY.

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Year-Round Events What better way to experience the personality of a destination than attending an event? In Ocala/Marion County the options are plenty. Watch champion horses soar over jumps at equestrian shows or attend art festivals.

Witness historic reenactments or listen to concerts from the Ocala Symphony Orchestra.

Ocala/Marion County lights up during the holiday season and you’ll find that the festive charm and events are endless. Visit the lights and meet Santa in Historic Downtown Ocala, experience Winter Wonderland at World Equestrian Center, and watch a hometown Christmas parade.

ANNUAL EVENTS OcalaMarion.com/Events is updated daily.

SPRING • Santos Fat Tire Festival • Florida Springs Fest • Strawberry Festival • Southeastern Pro Rodeo • Brick City Beer & Wine Festival • Dunnellon’s Boomtown Days Festival SUMMER • Symphony Under the Stars • July 4th Events, Including Nighttime Displays and Patriotic Concerts FALL • Ocala Arts Festival • McIntosh 1890’s Festival • Two Rivers Music Festival • First Friday Art Walk (September -May) • Ocala Food & Wine Festival WINTER • Holiday Light Displays • Christmas Parades

SCAN FOR OUR AMAZING YEARROUND EVENTS CALENDAR. 4

Outdoor Adventures If leisurely exploring is your pace, fun outdoor activities may include a relaxing float down Rainbow River in a tube, an iconic Florida experience on the famous glass-bottom boats at Silver Springs, and snorkeling or paddling in stunning crystal clear springs in the Ocala National Forest. All the natural springs in Ocala/Marion County stay 72°F/ 22°C yearround. Adrenaline seekers can zip line through canyons, scuba dive a spring cavern, and bike internationally recognized trails like Santos Mountain Bike Trail and the Cross Florida Greenway. During the spring and summer months, picking blueberries and other fruit at local farms is a favorite pasttime.

BIKING Bring your own bike or rent one from the local bike shops and hit the diverse trails throughout the destination. Immerse yourself in Florida’s Natural Wonder by biking in the Ocala National Forest, or take to our nationally recognized mountain bike trails at Santos Trails. Whether you are a thrill-seeker or an easy rider, there are paths for all levels.

HIKING From the expansive Ocala National Forest to the Cross Florida Greenway, there are endless miles of beautiful hiking trails lined with the uniqueto-Florida landscape of pine trees and palm trees on top of each other. Find tortoises and rabbits along the way to a hidden spring, where turtles and otters are splashing around.

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ZIP LINING Home to Florida’s longest, fastest and highest zip lines over water, Ocala/Marion County is ready for adventurers of all types. Zip line through trees, over a quarry and leap off the highest peak over Lost Spring Lake.

GOLFING With more than 20 golf courses, public and private, players of all levels can enjoy the greens, warm weather and firstclass service.

FISHING/HUNTING Trophy bass, catfish, crappie and more are biting in Ocala/ Marion County. Worthy of award-winning catches that keep anglers coming back for more, some consider the area to be the best bass fishing in the state. Additionally, the open spaces of Ocala/Marion County offer ample hunting for outdoorsmen.

TRAILS & WILDLIFE VIEWING With the many parks, trails and bodies of water throughout Ocala/Marion County, bird watchers can easily spend a weekend immersed in nature, spotting lots of feathered friends. Grab your binoculars, pack a lunch and hit the trails.

OFF ROAD & RACING SCAN TO EXPLORE OUR OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND.

For a fast paced way to explore the outdoors, the Ocala Centennial OHV Trail System, in the Ocala National Forest, offers many miles of trails for Off-Highway and All-Terrain Vehicles, 6

Equestrian - Horse Capital of the World® Whether it’s the love of competition or enjoying a leisurely ride through our nature trails, the history that comes with a long legacy of champions being born, bred and trained in Ocala/Marion County makes it a true equestrian escape.

In 2001, Ocala/Marion County was trademarked as the Horse Capital of the World®, a testament to the County’s unique involvement in all things equestrian and its record of producing some of the finest champions in the sport. With a beautiful, mild climate all year long and soil rich with limestone calcium for strong bones, Ocala/Marion County is home to more horses than any other county in the United States.

HORSE FARM EXPERIENCES Experience a destination rich with the thrill of competition and explore the home of world champions on a local horse farm tour in the Horse Capital of the World®. Some local horse farms offer equestrian enthusiasts the chance to get up close and personal with the biggest names in the sport with guided tours of their properties.

HORSEBACK RIDING & EQUINE TRAILS Saddle up for an adventure in Florida’s horse country. Navigate underneath a canopy of centuries old trees through guided horseback riding tours, or there are endless trails for equestrians who bring their horses. Among the favorites is the Cross Florida Greenway, which can be accessed from many trailheads, including Santos Trailhead, Ross Prairie Trailhead, Shangri-La Trailhead, 475A Land Bridge Trailhead, and Baseline Trailhead.

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WALK OF CHAMPIONS Discover the history behind some of the area’s most famous horses by following along with the Walk of Champions in Historic Downtown Ocala. Plaques recognizing various famous thoroughbred horses connected to the area are honored on the sidewalk block of South Magnolia Ave. Plaques recognizing local champions that are not thoroughbreds are located on the sidewalk block of SE Broadway St. Download the OcalaMarion Travel Guide App, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, to make this self-guided tour truly immersive!

SEE HORSE SHOWS & COMPETITIONS Visitors and locals are welcome to experience the best equine competitors and horse shows in an array of special events in a variety of disciplines, breeds and more.

The area’s equestrian season runs from mid-December to late March, but is continuing to expand with yearround opportunities. These competitions are part of the fabric of Ocala/Marion County’s culture and lure legions of equine aficionados. We also recommend them to our visitors who may know little about equestrian competitions. The events are easy and inexpensive (often free) to attend, and we are sure you’ll find them riveting and majestic — an ideal way to spend an unhurried sunny afternoon during a beautiful time of year.

POPULAR EQUINE EVENTS Ocala/Marion County is home to multiple top international horse competitions. The competitions are held on picturesque properties in casual settings that provide plenty of room to move around. These events are family-friendly, and often dog-friendly.

Here is a list of some of the top annual events: January-March • HITS Ocala Winter Circuit • World Equestrian Center’s Winter Spectacular • Grandview Invitational • Grandview World Nights • Live Oak International • Longines League of Nations™ April-June • Ocala International Horse Show Trials • World Equestrian Center’s Summer Series (June-August) • National Collegiate Equestrian Association National Championship July-September • World Equestrian Center’s Summer Series (June-August) • Paso Fino Grand National Championship Show October-December • Ocala International Horse Show • HITS Ocala Holiday Series

SCAN TO EXPLORE HORSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD® EXPERIENCES.

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Natural Springs For natural parks and springs that feel far from the hustle and bustle, but are centrally located and easy to visit, Ocala/Marion County should not be missed. Home to the famous Ocala National Forest and many popular parks, this area invites visitors to explore more than 600 lakes, rivers and springs. Each one features special activities that are ideal for nature lovers of all ages whether swimming, kayaking or canoeing and even tubing-lazy river style.

Being 72° F/22° C year-round, this spring water is a great refresher for the whole family.

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GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOUR

PADDLE

Want to explore underwater without getting wet?

Take a tour of Silver Springs on the park’s famous glass-bottom boats. Silver Springs became one of Florida’s first tourist attractions in the late 1800s, and its picturesque artesian springs and abundant wildlife have been attracting visitors ever since.

Whether you are looking for an easy paddle in one of Ocala/Marion County’s springs or a challenging venture up a river, grabbing a kayak, canoe or paddle board is a fun way to explore. Among the favorites for places to kayak include Rainbow Springs, Silver Springs, and the springs in the Ocala National Forest.

SWIM/DIVE

TUBE

Swimmers are welcome to jump into a number of the freshwater natural springs in Ocala/Marion County for a refreshing experience. The springs are also popular for scuba diving, but with the water so clear, you do not even need to dip under the surface to see the beauty.

Grab your family or a small group of friends and float all your worries away down Rainbow River on a tube. You can launch at KP Hole Park or Rainbow Springs State Park and enjoy a beautiful sunny day on the water. Tubing season for both parks runs April – September.

EASY ACCESS TO SPRINGS Silver Springs State Park 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd Silver Springs, FL 34488

Rainbow Springs State Park Headspring Entrance 19158 SW 81st Pl Rd Dunnellon, FL 34432

Rainbow Springs State Park Tube & Tram Entrance 10830 SW 180th Ave Rd Dunnellon, FL 34432

KP Hole Park (Rainbow River) 9435 SW 190th Avenue Rd Dunnellon, FL 34432

Silver Glen Springs 5271 FL-19 Salt Springs, FL 32134

Juniper Springs 26701 E Highway 40 Silver Springs, FL 34488

Salt Springs 13851 FL-19 Fort McCoy, FL 34470

SCAN TO SPLASH IN OUR FIRST MAGNITUDE SPRINGS. 10

History/Museums Discover the unique history of the destination that helps define Ocala/Marion County’s character. Visit historic landmarks, explore museums with local prehistoric artifacts, and stroll charming historic districts in Ocala and the surrounding quaint towns and communities like Dunnellon, Belleview, McIntosh, and Reddick.

APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART Spend your day exploring exhibits from various continents and times with artwork spanning from ancient to contemporary. Examine stunning paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from hundreds of years ago.

DOWNTOWN OCALA Take a stroll down memory lane in Historic Downtown Ocala and visit boutiques, restaurants, galleries and more. The local market is every Saturday and live music often can be found on the square.

FORT KING NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK SCAN TO EXPLORE MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES.

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First built in 1827, Fort King was abandoned, burned down, and rebuilt for the Second Seminole War. Today, Fort King National Historic Landmark sits in the same location, with a scale replica, a visitor center, and an interpretive trail.

Arts & Culture The Ocala/Marion County arts and culture scene is thriving and vibrant. Art is abundant—from local art galleries in Historic Downtown Ocala and the magnificent Appleton Museum of Art, to a variety of excellent performances at the newly expanded Reilly Arts Center or the Ocala Civic Theater.

Art is no longer just living indoors. Now, murals decorate water tanks, walls and bridges to offer one-of-a-kind photo-ops. Throughout the destination, visitors will notice uniquely painted horses that are part of a decadesold community initiative connecting the horse industry to local art. Nestled in Tuscawilla Park, just north of Downtown Ocala, sits an outdoor art park with largerthan-life sculptures that rotate every couple of years.

SCAN TO EXPERIENCE OCALA/MARION COUNTY CULTURAL CHARACTER.

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Food & Drink Taste your way through the vibrant neighborhoods of Ocala/Marion County with local flavor covering everything from a famous BBQ pitmaster featured on TV to seafood on the deck overlooking lakes and rivers. Not only are there multiple award-winning eateries but also delicious craft breweries, wineries and distilleries.

To top it all off, many of these venues showcase local musicians on the weekends to add an extra taste of local zest.

Rooftop bars, celebrity chefs, culinary festivals and more are putting this destination on the map for food and drink.

SCAN TO EXPLORE ALL THE LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK OPTIONS.

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Shopping Spend time shopping and strolling through Historic Downtown Ocala and browsing boutiques, gift shops and antique storefronts.

Take in the local charm of nearby towns while exploring specialty shops like the iconic Orange Shop, tack shops and farmers markets.

For a classic shopping experience, visit the outdoor mall Market Street at Heath Brook or stop at Paddock Mall in Ocala. If you are in search of luxury shopping, look no further than World Equestrian Center’s collection of luxury retail.

YEAR-ROUND FARMERS MARKETS Ocala Downtown Market 403 SE Osceola Ave, Ocala, FL 34471 Every Saturday, 9 am 2 pm

Circle Square Commons Farmers Market 8405 SW 80th Street, Ocala, FL 34481 Every Thursday, 9 am - 1 pm

Market of Marion 12888 US-441, Belleview, FL 34420 Every Friday, 9 am - 2 pm

SCAN TO DISCOVER MEMORABLE SHOPPING EXPERIENCES.

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Agritourism Imagine picking up your fresh produce at an open-air market or farm rather than a crowded grocery store. Even better, imagine picking your very own peaches right off the tree.

Create lasting memories that reach from farm to table and discover Central Florida’s famed agriculture. Explore an authentic Florida citrus grove, fill baskets with fresh blueberries, or get a glimpse behind the curtain at a working organic farm where you’ll find garden-fresh produce, ripe for the picking.

U-PICKING Berry picking is so abundant that there are multiple U-pick farms offering fruits including blueberries and blackberries, many with peaches and other produce as well. With the best time to pick falling between April and July, berry-picking is seasonal, so plan your visit accordingly.

PUMPKIN PATCHES AND CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS

SCAN TO EXPLORE FUN AGRITOURISM ACTIVITIES.

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While you are saving the berry picking for the spring and summer, Ocala/Marion County also offers picking to get you feeling really festive in the fall and winter. Stop by one of the pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms in the area.

Indoor Adventures Being in Florida, indoor activities are always a great option to have in case of a rainy day or to simply add some air conditioning to your visit. After a day in the sun enjoying our Ocala/Marion County outdoor playground, a movie night can sound very relaxing. If you feel like doing a little more than kicking back for a movie, there are places to paint pottery, throw axes, go bowling and even an indoor trampoline park.

RAINY DAY INSPIRATIONS While Florida is called the Sunshine State, the weather can be unpredictable. But afternoon showers are a rite of passage when you visit! There are lots of fun things to do on a rainy day in Ocala/ Marion County rather than staying in. Here are some local favorites: •

Arcade

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Bowling

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Eat Local

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Escape Rooms

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Live Performance

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Movies

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Museums

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Paint Pottery

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Shop Local

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Trampoline Park

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And so much more...

SCAN TO EXPLORE ALL INDOOR EXPERIENCES.

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Ocala National Forest The Ocala National Forest boasts approximately 387,000 acres of varied terrain, from highlands to coastal lowlands. It’s also dotted with more than 600 swamps, lakes, rivers and springs. Ocala’s mild winters make the forest an ideal spot for camping, and there’s no better way to relax on a summer day than splashing into one of refreshing springs.

BIKING BOATING CAMPING FISHING HIKING HORSEBACK RIDING HUNTING OFF-ROADING/ATV PADDLING SNORKELING SWIMMING WILDLIFE VIEWING

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OcalaMarion Travel Guide App YOUR MOBILE VACATION APP AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. We are making it easy for visitors and residents to choose an adventure right at their fingertips in Florida’s Natural Wonder.

Whether you are an outdoor adventurist, foodie, art enthusiast, history buff or equestrian – there is always something for you in Ocala/Marion County.

Download the App AVAILABLE IN APPLE APP STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY STORE.

The Ocala/Marion Travel Guide App provides free access to tools that include: • • • • • • • •

Accommodations Attractions, restaurants, and shopping Dynamic trip planning Self-guided tours Insider guides Selfie frames Interactive Walk of Champions tour County-wide events

SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE APP.

109 West Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34475 | 1-888-FL-OCALA |

OcalaMarion.com

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Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau 109 West Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL 34475 1.888.FL.OCALA

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OcalaMarion.com

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