Area Attractions

World Equestrian Center (WEC)

The World Equestrian Center – Ocala is the largest equestrian complex in the United States with multi-indoor and outdoor arena facility offering state-of-the-art amenities to accommodate numerous disciplines within the equine industry and more! Shopping and dining can be experienced throughout the property with unbridled access to the opulent equestrian lifestyle — all in one convenient location.

Sweetwater Wetlands: Birding

Sweetwater Wetlands Park is not only a place to connect with nature, it's a way to protect our environment. The park, which consists of more than 125 acres of wetlands and ponds, was created to improve the water quality of wetlands in Paynes Prairie and the Floridan Aquifer. Sweetwater Wetlands Park is filled with vast numbers of plants and animals,including birds, butterflies, alligators and Florida Cracker horses.

Cedar Lake Woods and Gardens

A beautiful botanical garden with cascading waterfalls, 50+ garden displays, koi ponds, and countless breathtaking views. The property originated as a 110 year-old abandoned limestone quarry.

Gainesville: Home to the University of Florida, Museums, Restaurants, Events, Shopping

Alachua County, Florida offers the perfect mix of outdoor adventures and artsy vibes. Whether you hit the trails, paddle the Santa Fe River, float down the springs, take in a show, and sample local breweries and restaurants. Create your own adventure in the heart of North Central Florida.

Paynes Prairie: Hiking, Wild Ponies, Wetlands, Birding, Wild Buffalo, Alligators

Paynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals.

Blue Grotto: Offers Springs for Scuba Diving

Dive the largest clear water cavern located in the heart of freshwater spring country in Williston, Florida. The Blue Grotto lets you dive down to a depth of 100 feet (30 meters) in crystal clear water all the way down a water temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius) all year round.

Ocala National Forest: Second Largest National Forest in Florida

Hike the Florida Trail, camp in the deep woods, spend a lazy day at a cool, bubbling spring, paddle or swim a lake or a river. From vast Florida sand pine flatlands and cypress-studded wetland prairies to densely wooded oak hammocks and colorful palm-shaded sub-tropical oases, the variety of eco-systems to explore is mind-blowing.

Crystal River: Swim with the Manatees

Located about an hour and a half north of Tampa, Crystal River is a funky, slightly touristy, laid-back Florida town. There's great seafood, nearby beaches, and more than enough to do to keep you busy for a short visit. Besides swimming with the Manatees, visit the Three Sisters Boardwalk, kayak, watch a beach sunset, visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

Micanopy: Historic with Unique Shops

The town is intensely full of charm and picturesque with streets lined by historic buildings housing unique shops and cafes. The 198-year old city is the oldest inland city in Florida, the age quite possibly explaining Micanopy’s reputation as Florida’s best city for antique shopping, something you’d be wise to experience. Be sure to stop in at the Mosswood Farm Store and Bakehouse.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: Historic State Park

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was an American author who lived in rural Florida and wrote novels with rural themes and settings. Her best known work, The Yearling, won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1939 and was later made into a movie of the same name Visitors to her cracker style home and farm can walk back in time to 1930s farm life where Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings lived and worked in the tiny community of Cross Creek.

Rainbow Springs State Park: Tubing, Swimming, Canoe and Kayak

To really kick back and relax, rent an inner tube and take a cool, lazy float on our natural river. Rent a canoe or a kayak and journey out onto the gorgeous waters of one of the top recreational water sports destinations in Florida. The cool, clear waters of the headsprings are refreshing for swimming. The average depth in this natural swimming area runs from 5 to 18 feet, and the water temperature averages 72 degrees year round.

Florida Horse Park

The Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park is a 500-acre, multipurpose facility and one of Central Florida’s premiere venues for equine, agricultural, educational, and sporting events. For the horse enthusiast there is always something going on at the Florida Horse Park.

Cedar Key: Explore, Kayak, Birding

Cedar Key is a quiet island community nestled among many tiny keys on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Long admired for its natural beauty and abundant supply of seafood, it is a tranquil village, rich with the almost forgotten history of old Florida. Explore, kayak, birding at Cedar Keys Wildlife Refuge

Ocala/Marion County: Shops, Restaurants, Events, Outdoor Activities

Learn all that there is to see and explore in Ocala/Marion County. Check the Ocala/Marion County events calendar to view the many fun activities scheduled for different venues and daily updates on events open to the public. From nightlife and dining, concerts, things to do for free, tube floating, kayaking, canoeing, biking and hiking trails Ocala/Marion County has it all.

Goethe State Park: Hiking, Biking, Fishing, Wildlife, Horseback Riding

The Goethe trail system extends throughout the forest with access available at seven separate trailheads. These trailheads are located in five different tracts of the forest. Each trailhead and respective trail system provides a different experience for the recreational user. The forest is open during daylight hours for visitors to enjoy picnicking, hiking, bicycling, fishing, wildlife viewing and horseback riding.

Mermaids of Weeki Wachee

The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform underwater feats from the past six decades, as well as provide a little history of the park. They perform their version of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid live in our submerged 400-seat auditorium, including several musical numbers.

Sylvia Zerbini: Grande Liberte Farm

Internationally acclaimed circus performer and horse trainer Sylvia Zerbini demonstrates her amazing communication and partnering with up to 16 horses in her Grande Liberté performances. Witness her herd of Stallions and Geldings working together to create the quintessential Equestrian Ballet experience.

Two Tails Ranch: Elephant Sanctuary

Founded in 1984 the ranch is the only privately owned elephant facility of its kind. With the climate in the Nature Coast of Florida almost identical to their native countries, the ranch was built for both Asian and African elephants needing temporary or permanent housing. In private guided tours you will learn and interact with elephants like nowhere else. The ranch is also home to Grant Zebras, African Tortoises, Ostrich, Emu and Camel.

Levy County: Outdoor Activities

Diverse and unspoiled region known as "Florida's Natural Paradise" where the human population is dwarfed by the multitude of birds and wildlife that call the area home. It's scenic beauty, wildlife and outdoor recreational opportunities make Levy County the perfect destination.

Lower Suwanne National Wildlife Refuge

The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge provides numerous recreation opportunities to its visitors every season of the year. People enjoy viewing the variety of habitats and diverse wildlife; whether paddling, driving, or walking.

Horse Country Carriage Tours

Scenic horse-drawn carriage rides through horse country! Kimie, your carriage tour guide, will sweep you away with her passion for the horses, her amazing wit, and her love of Ocala. Her tours are fun filled with amazing facts and a bit of nostalgia. And Duke and Doc are on site celebrities, making their film debut in the “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides“. You will find them in the second scene of the movie galloping with the stagecoach into the castle.

Disney World: Just 2 Hours Away

Covering nearly 47 square-miles, the Walt Disney World Resort features four theme parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios, two water parks: Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and over 20 resort hotels.

Canyons Zip Line & Adventure Park

Florida’s only true canopy tour! Two spectacular canyons and 4 lakes make our amazing zip lining adventures like no other! Our Big Cliff Canyon tour offers a world famous 1,100 foot zip all the way across Lost Spring Lake. Our Treetop Express Tour and Sky High Tour take you soaring through Sky High Canyon and over Gator Lake! It’s time to get wild Florida!! Cliffs, lakes, massive canyons and more…it’s the only place in Florida where all these things exist and it’s ONLY at The Canyons Zip Line & Adventure Park!