Recreation in Ocala, FloridaFresh air, sparkling lakes, freshwater springs, scrub grass and trees abound, so the outdoors really is great here. One segment of Marion County's southwestern border is the Withlachoochee River, famous for its beauty and the wildlife in and around it. Rainbow Springs State Park near Dunnellon in the county's southwest segment is not only one of Florida's newest parks, but it contains something rare in the state -- waterfalls. Silver Springs is a natural wonder -- and also one of Florida's oldest attractions. The largest of Florida's 300 springs, it gushes 550 million gallons of water daily, and visitors like viewing it from glass-bottomed boats. There is also a petting zoo for the kids, a nature trail for the energetic of all ages and a reptile institute, as well as an amphibian display. But the highlight for most nature lovers is the 383,220 acre Ocala National Forest, one of the south’s oldest and largest and almost three-quarters of which is within Marion County. It's home to the endangered Florida panther, many species of birds, plus lots of alligators, raccoons and rabbits. Campsites and hiking trails are abundant. Lake Eaton Sinkhole features stairs to its bottom, interpretive signs and a 1.7 mile trail that fosters understanding of a mini but complete ecosystem. The forest's 12-mile Juniper Springs offers sensational canoeing, and hiking, cave diving, swimming, boating, fishing and hunting are other popular activities of visitors and residents. Several small towns are actually within the forest's borders. The Cross Creek area, made famous by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings novel, The Yearling, is only a few miles over the county's northern border in neighboring Alachua County.
For those who aren't involved in hiking, diving or canoeing, golf courses and tennis courts are abundant. For those who are, you'll be very happy here. A recently opened mountain bike and horseback riding trail on the Cross Florida Greenway (once land set aside for the infamous Cross Florida Barge Canal) is extremely popular. (About 40,000 of the Greenway acres are in northern Marion County.) The 66-mile long Ocala Trail is blazed in orange paint and said to be easy to follow, although physically demanding. Blue blazes lead to side trails, water or camping sites. Ocala is a good place to be a good sport and participate in individual sporting activities. Sixteen county parks -- many with boat ramps, four partnership parks (county and another public or private entity) and four city parks complement an extraordinary number of state and federal facilities in the area. Spectator sports are all here in the nearby region. Fans of collegiate athletics have two big-time college sports programs, the University of Florida in Gainesville and Florida State University in Tallahassee. One only needs to travel 1 ½ - 2 hours to do a wide range of professional sports in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa.
Fine dining and very popular casual dining are both abundant in Ocala. A wide variety of ethnic foods and international specialty foods are here to enjoy, together with a huge variety of all-American franchise restaurants of all specialties. There are a number of bars open and some feature live music and dancing. | More Local Area InformationWant to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, but still enjoy the amenities of a cultural city life? You can have this -- and more -- i... Read moreWe Welcome You To Ocala…. You will find that Ocala / Marion County is a wonderful place and Florida is a wonderful state that is so attractive t... Read moreLifelong residents have always loved living in Ocala, FL. Ocala used to be referred to as “The Friendly City”. Later it became an “All America... Read moreEven Floridians who don't live in Marion County concede that the Ocala area is stunning. Its landscape features thoroughbred horses grazing on gentl... Read moreExtensive information about the schools in this area is online at the state's Department of Education. There you will discover everything you'l... Read moreThe climate is as inviting as the countryside. In January, the average low is 50 degrees Fahrenheit; in July, the average high is 90 degree... Read moreA segment of Interstate 75, a major north-south highway, is adjacent to the Ocala, Florida area, which has three exits. U.S. Highways 441 and 27 als... Read moreOcala, Florida prides itself on its All-American City image, its environmentally friendly approach to civic responsibilities and its major effort t... Read moreAlmost 30,000 jobs owe their Marion County existence to the thoroughbred horse business; more than 450 horse farms are located here; and th... Read moreWith more than 1,400 lakes, Lake County is aptly named. Yachts, airboats, canoes and watercraft of all kinds are naturals here, and regatta... Read moreThis lovely oak-shaded village of just 400 residents welcomes thousands of visitors every year to its 1890s Fall Festival. McIntosh boasts more tha... Read moreThis jewel of a town captures the attention of Hollywood producers, who choose to set their films against Micanopy’s picturesque backdrop o... Read moreArcher enjoys a rich history, and is one of the oldest towns in Florida, settled in 1885. Historically known for its cotton and orange crops, Arche... Read moreLocated in the bend of the St. Johns River, Palatka has been a vital part of Florida’s history since the early 1800’s. The name originates from th... Read moreWith its beautiful landscape and enviable blend of big-city amenities and small town flavor, Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities i... Read moreGainesville is located in Alachua County in North Central Florida and accessible from I-75, U.S. 301 and U.S. 441. Alachua County is 969 squar... Read moreFrom culture to recreation to pure natural beauty, Gainesville, Florida, is extraordinarily rich in all of the areas that equal quality of life... Read moreMelrose is a small, unincorporated community adjacent to Lake Santa Fe, which provides excellent fishing, swimming, water skiing and othe... Read moreMount Dora, FL and the surrounding enclaves are often described as having New England style charm and romance because it is so true! Still somewha... Read moreTo say that Mount Dora is picturesque may be an understatement. Ancient oaks and rolling hills provide the backdrop to beautifully restored building... Read more |
