Things to do in Ocala
Don Garlits' Museum of Drag Racing
See the classic car collection and drag racing memorabilia of drag racing great, Don Garlits. Call (352) 245-8661 for more information.
13700 SW 16th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34473
Ocala National Forest
The word Ocala is thought to be a derivative of a Timucuan Indian term meaning fair land or big hammock. The lush Ocala National Forest lives up to its name: Towering palms, large live oaks, and scrubby sand pines dominate the forest's scrub oak ecosystem. The Ocala's sand pine scrub ecosystem is the world's largest continuous forest of its type. But that's not all. Between the river boundaries of this forest lie central highlands, coastal lowlands, swamps, springs and hundreds of lakes and ponds. Call (877) 444-6777 for more information.
Rainbow Springs
Archaeological evidence indicates that people have been using this spring for nearly 10,000 years. Rainbow Springs is Florida's fourth largest spring and, from the 1930s through the 1970s, was the site of a popular, privately-owned attraction. The Rainbow River is popular for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at both the headsprings and the campground. Call (352) 465-8555 for more information.
From I-75, exit at the second Ocala exit onto State Road 40. Take State Road 40, wes, Ocala, FL
Silver Springs Zoo and Glass Bottom
Silver Springs is a 350 acre nature theme park that surrounds the headwaters of the beautiful Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world. Located 90 miles north of Orlando, just east of Ocala, Florida. Call (352) 236-2121 for more information.
Just east of Ocala, Florida on S.R. 40. Take exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95., Ocala, FL
Wild Waters Water Park
Located adjacent to the lush grounds and natural beauty of Silver Springs, near Ocala, Florida, Wild Waters is a place where the whole family can chill out on a warm summer day. Soak up the sun on our “beach” or keep cool in the shade of our giant oaks and palm trees. Ride the surf in our 450,000 gallon wave pool. Hit the twists and turns of Osceola's Revenge, Bunyan's Bend and Mini Monster water slides. Or, if you dare, tackle the three-story-high Hurricane or 220-foot-long Silver Bullet speed flumes. For the younger set there's Cool Kids Cove, a multi-level fun zone, and the shallow pools of the Tad Pool. Call (352) 236-2121 for more information.
Silver Springs Nature Park, 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL 34488