What’s New in Ocala/Marion County

OCALA/MARION COUNTY, Fla.—2025 in Ocala/Marion County is shaping up to be a great year, bursting with fresh experiences and developments. Highlights include a James Beard-nominated pastry chef, the introduction of new event spaces capable of hosting larger gatherings, and the expansion of the area's music scene. Additional growth includes upscale shopping, historic renovations, and entertainment venues.

VENUES

Event Center at WEC
Expected to open in 2025, the Event Center at World Equestrian Center – Ocala will be located next to The Riding Academy Hotel, WEC’s newest asset which opened in spring of 2024. The Event Center will be purpose-built to accommodate meetings and events, including weddings of various sizes. The facility will feature 80,000 square feet of traditional meeting space including grand and junior ballrooms, meeting rooms, pre-function space, a dedicated bridal suite, banquet space, covered balconies, an expansive outdoor event lawn and pavilion, and more. Plans for the space also include four additional restaurants, including two rooftop concepts and private dining rooms.

SHOPPING

The Shoppes Off 80th
Adding to the growing excitement surrounding World Equestrian Center – Ocala, and its surrounding developments, The Shoppes Off 80th will introduce 80,000 square feet of upscale outdoor retail space in 2026. This premier shopping destination, adjacent to The Riding Academy Hotel and the Event Center at WEC, will feature dozens of distinct units, offering a curated selection of luxury brands and unique storefronts. Effectively doubling the property's retail footprint, The Shoppes Off 80th promises a sophisticated shopping experience for visitors and residents alike.

CULINARY EXCELLENCE EXPANDING

The Forge is currently under development just north of the square, in the “Midtown” district and will be a dining experience destination of its own with multiple restaurants, a brewery, a nightclub and event venue. More information on The Forge can be found here. Midtown Station recently opened, transforming an old fire station next to Tuscawilla Park into a food hall concept that features a brewery, distillery, and fare from multiple restaurants.

Yohann Le Bescond, the complex executive pastry chef at World Equestrian Center, is a recently named James Beard Award semifinalist, and was a top final competitor on Food Network’s “Summer Baking Championship” and was featured on “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking”! Foodies can enjoy a taste of Yohann’s creations every day at the pastry shop at the World Equestrian Center, Emma's Patisserie and throughout the complex, which is the largest equestrian facility in the country.

MARION COUNTY SIGNAGE WELCOMES INTERSTATE TRAVELERS

The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau and Marion County Board of County Commissioners are excited to announce the near completion of the South Gateway Project on Interstate 75, funded entirely by tourist development tax revenue. The south Gateway, currently being installed at the 42nd Street Flyover to welcome northbound traffic to Marion County, is expected to be substantially complete March 2025. Marion County is working closely in partnership with the City of Ocala, through an interlocal agreement, and FDOT to ensure the success of this innovative project. The Gateway Project implements the vision of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners to introduce tourists driving through Marion County on Interstate 75 to the county’s unique character. The project consists of two County line markers — installed late 2023 — as well as two representative gateways — one at the 42nd Street flyover and the other at the future interchange just north of Ocala, where the much anticipated Buc-ee’s Ocala Travel Center is planned.

THE NEST AT CALESEA TOWNSHIP

Currently in development next to Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training, is a new entertainment venue called The Nest. The Nest at Calesa Township will be open to the public, with indoor and outdoor gathering spots that will include an outdoor amphitheater to accommodate close to 2,000 guests, biergarten, coffee shop, food trucks, playground, dog park, and more!

MARION INSIDER’S GUIDE

Marion County launched a new tourism series on YouTube, Marion Insider’s Guide, highlighting the hidden gems of Ocala/Marion County. The series is hosted by Marion County Commissioner Carl Zalak, III who currently sits on the Marion County Tourist Development Council and focuses on providing Ocala/Marion County visitors with insider tips to exploring the destination, this new series dives into, not just - what - you can do on your vacation to the area, but – how - to do it best. See all the episodes at OcalaMarion.com/the-marion-insiders-guide.

NEW HOTELS

The Riding Academy Hotel
The Riding Academy Hotel opened Spring 2024 at World Equestrian Center. Designed to accommodate a lower price point than The Equestrian Hotel, The Riding Academy Hotel is family and pet-friendly and offers comfortably designed suites and studios totaling 390 rooms. The new hotel features a gourmet lobby marketplace, an outdoor pool and sundeck, gathering spaces, dual fitness centers and more. It will also be located next to future development, including the Event Center at WEC (2025) and premier outdoor shopping village, The Shoppes Off 80th
(2026).

Staybridge Suites Ocala by IHG on US-27 at Foxwood Suites
Staybridge Suites will be coming to Ocala, FL on U.S. 27 and west of Interstate 75 summer 2025! The Ocala-based hotel company, HDG Hotels, broke ground for the new property in early May 2023. Brand new, upper-midscale, five-story, extended stay property will have 132 suites with kitchenettes and available storage units. The hotel will be Value engineered for sustainability with efficient showerheads and toilets, smart thermostats (occupancy-activated), low-maintenance and low-water Florida native landscaping with limited mowing, double-tinted double pane windows, and reflective white roof for reduced cooling costs. Features will include zero-entry pool, outdoor patio with grilling area, fitness center, nearly 1500 sf of flex meeting space, onsite feature bar with limited menu and horse trailers and RV parking.

The Hotel Marion a Tapestry by Hilton
The Hotel Marion, Tapestry by Hilton, is a full restoration and renovation of a national historic seven-story building in downtown Ocala. While it has served many purposes, including business offices and a bank, the building first opened as the Hotel Marion in 1927 and is being returned to its portentous glory and better. The hotel will have 56 luxury guest rooms and suites, feature local art, fine dining, a coffee shop and cafe, expansive welcoming lobby bar, retail, and more.

Everhome Suites® Ocala I-75 North
Everhome Suites Ocala 1-75 North , located at 1610 NW 35th Ave Rd Ocala, FL, is an extended-stay hotel that offers apartment-style accommodations for anyone needing a longer stay - pet friendly too. The studio and one-bedroom suites provide full kitchens and living spaces that feel like home. Maintain your routine, so you can spend more time visiting nearby attractions. Everhome Suites® Ocala I-75 North is projected to open summer 2025.

Marriott AC Hotel Downtown Ocala
Slated to open in the third quarter of 2026, the AC Hotel Downtown Ocala will bring modern elegance and elevated hospitality to the city’s thriving center. A transformative addition to the heart of downtown Ocala, this six-story, 176-room hotel will serve as a premier destination for both business and leisure travelers, offering sophisticated accommodations and thoughtfully curated amenities. The hotel will feature approximately 3,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, making it a premier venue for events, corporate gatherings, and community functions. On the first floor, the AC Lounge and Bar will offer a stylish yet relaxed setting with a limited menu, perfect for socializing over expertly crafted cocktails and tapas-style small plates. Guests and locals alike can experience the brand’s signature AC Gin & Tonic, while those seeking a more exclusive experience can step into the well-hidden speakeasy, delivering an intimate and elevated beverage experience.


MUSIC/CONCERT SCENE BOOMING

Rock the Country
Rock the Country is coming to back to Ocala/Marion County May 9-10, 2025 at a new venue for the concert, The Florida Horse Park! Ocala will be one of only 10 locations in the United States to host the music festival. Rock The Country will be bringing the best of both worlds together in uniting the country legend, Kid Rock, and the ultimate rockstars, Nickelback, at every festival location. The lineup for Ocala will feature Hank Williams Jr., the legendary Tracey Lawrence, one of the hottest up and comers in country music, Gavin Adock, Jo Dee Messina, Diamond Rio, Mark Chesnutt, Sammy Kershaw, Little Texas, Hudson Westbrook, Logan Crosby, Afroman, Ying Yang Twins and DeeJay Silver.



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About: 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 the county’s communities makes you feel welcome wherever you go. From its otherworldly natural springs to the compounds of World Equestrian Center and Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training to its vibrant restaurants, quaint shops, dynamic arts and culture, and historic sites, the destination takes you by surprise in the best of ways. For more information about Ocala/Marion County, visit OcalaMarion.com or call toll free 1.888.FL.OCALA.