AN OCALA, FLORIDA, VACATION SAMPLE ITINERARY

UNFORGETTABLE ATTRACTIONS

Day 1

• Enjoy a day at one of Florida’s oldest attractions, Silver Springs. Take a ride on the world-famous glass bottom boats. Cruise down the Silver River to a wildlife rehabilitation outpost. And enjoy reptile and bird shows, feed a giraffe, stroll through animal habitats and learn about their origins.
  
  352-236-2121 www.silversprings.com
  
  
• Spend the afternoon at Silver River State Park hiking or biking the nature trails and touring the Silver River Museum (check scheduled openings), an outstanding natural history and historical museum.
  
  352-236-7148 www.FloridaStateParks.org/silverriver
  
  
• Authentic New Orleans-style cuisine doesn’t get any better than Harry’s Seafood Bar& Grille in downtown Ocala on the square. After dinner, enjoy a stroll around the square, and see some of the artistically painted horses from “Horse Fever,” an equine art exhibit from 2004 showcasing over 40 painted horses.
  
  352-840-0900
  

Day 2

• A visit to The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is a must if you have even a remote interest in drag racing or antique cars. Two separate museums house “Big Daddy” Don Garlits’ collection of automotive and speed memorabilia—including the legendary Swamp Rat cars.
  
  352-245-8661 www.garlits.com
  
  
• Try some Florida specialties, including delicious gator tail—it really does taste like chicken—as you enjoy lunch at Gator Joe’s overlooking beautiful Lake Weir.
  
  352-288-3100
  
  
• The Florida Carriage Museum is home to one of the world’s finest collections of carriages, featuring more than 150 European and American carriages. See the elaborate 1850 Armbruster Dress Chariot once owned by Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, and dozens of other beautifully restored carriages.
  
  352-750-5500 www.fcmr.org
  
  

THE HORSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Day 1

• Take a horse-drawn trolley or carriage ride through some of Marion County’s most beautiful horse farms at Ocala Carriage & Tours. See magnificent horses running and playing, and discover what “The Horse Capital of the World” is all about.
  
  352-867-8717 www.ocalacarriage.com
  
  
• Have lunch at Horse and Hounds Restaurant in the heart of horse country. Equine prints and memorabilia surround you in this four-star restaurant.
  
  352-620-2500
  
  
• Enjoy a tour of Young’s Paso Fino Ranch and see the many champion Paso Finos that call Young’s home. After you have finished your tour, take to the trails and experience the exceptionally smooth ride that has made Paso Finos treasured the world over.
  
  352-867-5305 www.youngspasofino.com

Day 2

• Rise and shine early, grab a cup of coffee and your camera and head out for a drive through the rolling hills and majestic tree-lined scenic country roads in Marion County. Catch the sun rising through the ancient oak trees and the early morning antics of frolicking horses.
  
  
• No visit to this Horse Capital is complete without a stop at Florida Horse Park. The park offers an exciting schedule of world-class events drawing top competitors from every horse sport discipline, locally and globally. Dressage, eventing, combined driving, polo, endurance, fox hunting, hunter/jumper and even non-equine outdoor events take place here.
  
  Check the website for a complete schedule.
  
  352-307-6699 www.flhorsepark.com

EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Day 1

• Explore the Rainbow and Withlacoochee Rivers aboard a 24’ pontoon boat, and let Captain Jon entertain you with songs and stories about wild Florida on the Singing River Tours. Daily tours depart from downtown Dunnellon and last about hour and 40 minutes.
  
  352-804-1573www.singingrivertours.com
  
  
• Stretch your legs as you enjoy the Historic Village Shops of Dunnellon. Check out the antique, specialty and collectible shops; browse the art galleries and grab a bite to eat at one of Dunnellon’s eateries. Pick up a shopping and dining guide at the Dunnellon Chamber.
  
  352-489-2320
  

• Feeling adventuresome? Then head to Rainbow Springs State Park, just north of Dunnellon, where Florida’s third largest spring originates. Rent a canoe or kayak for an up close and personal look at some of Florida’s wildlife in their own natural habitat – otters, alligators, turtles and almost every variety of water bird.
  
  352-465-8555 www.FloridaStateParks.org/rainbowsprings
  

• On the banks of the Withlacoochee River between Dunnellon and Ocala is Stumpknockers. This one-of-a-kind restaurant offers a variety of food, and all-you-can-eat catfish is their specialty.
  
  352-854-2288
  

Day 2

• Biking is not only great exercise, but puts you in tune with Mother Nature. Santos Trailhead has received national praise for its superb mountain bike trails, which range from easy-pedaling family trails to trails for experienced riders only. Bring your own bike or rent from Santos Trailhead Bicycle Shop.
  
  352-307-2453
  
  Click Here for maps of the Santos Bike Trails.
  
  
• Before you depart this area of sublime nature-related activities, be sure and make a stop at one of Ocala’s newest stores – Gander Mountain. There are only four others in the state, and this 65,000 square foot store has everything to offer the outdoor enthusiast.
  
  352-351-6186 www.GanderMountain.com

Day 3

• A visit to the Ocala National Forest is a must for all nature-loving visitors. Within its 383,000-plus acres are streams and lakes for canoeing, kayaking or tubing, along with trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs and Salt Springs are just three of the areas that offer swimming, boat rentals and hiking trails. And JNB Horse Haven Farm (352-753-4756, www.jnbhorsehavenfarm.com) near Altoona offers guided trail rides through the Forest for the novice to the advanced rider.
  
  There are three Visitor Centers where you can get maps and answers to your questions about the Ocala National Forest:
  
  Ocklawaha Visitor Center on Hwy. 40 near Silver Springs 352-236-0288
  Salt Springs Visitor Center on Hwy. 19 near Salt Springs 352-685-3070
  Pittman Visitor Center on SR 19 near Altoona 352-669-7495
  Florida National Forests site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/