— By Vanessa Caceres —
If your loved ones enjoys horses and getting out in nature, then the north central Florida city of Ocala makes for an ideal highway journey. Ocala is positioned about an hour and a half from each Orlando and Tampa, so you may make it a day journey should you’re staying in one in all Florida’s greater cities. Alternatively, Ocala can also be a fantastic vacation spot by itself.
A Household Journey to Ocala, Florida
Ocala’s declare to fame is that it’s the Horse Capital of the World. Town’s plentiful companies targeted on elevating thoroughbred horses earned its title. The truth is, there are greater than 35,000 thoroughbred horses dwelling there. Marion County, the place Ocala is positioned, is alleged to have extra horses than some other county within the U.S. Many champion horses have lived in Ocala, together with six Kentucky Derby winners and 26 Breeders’ Cup champions.
So sure, Ocala has peaceful-looking horse farms that you just’ll drive previous, however you most likely need to go deeper than that. Whether or not you need your highway journey to Ocala to concentrate on #horselife or one thing broader, we’ve received just a few concepts to share.
Listed below are six issues you are able to do with your loved ones when visiting Ocala, Florida.
Take a Horse Farm Tour
Ocala has a wide range of horse farm excursions, just like the Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Tour, the place you’ll uncover extra in regards to the Gypsy Vanner horse from Nice Britain. Or, tour the Grandview Clydesdale Farm & Excursions to be taught extra about these well-known Clydesdales. Farm Excursions of Ocala takes you thru a number of horse farms within the space whereas touring with a small group.
Go to the World Equestrian Middle
The World Equestrian Middle is an enormous, new advanced with an upscale resort and a wide range of arenas for horse exhibits. You possibly can verify its web site upfront to search out out what exhibits will likely be there. Remember to price range additional time to stroll round, take a look at a few of the stunning and eccentric horse and animal sculptures, and seize a chunk to eat at onsite eating places just like the Yellow Pony Pub or Ralph’s Burger & Sandwich Store. You can even take a peek contained in the resort.
Spend Some Time Downtown
Downtown Ocala continues to develop, and also you’ll discover a mixture of issues to see that may entertain all ages. In case you’re there on Saturday, take a look at the Ocala Downtown Market for a mixture of agriculture, arts, and ready meals. Simply a few blocks away is Grandpa Joe’s Sweet Store, the place on-line reviewers affirm the choice actually brings out your internal “child in a sweet store.” Inside just a few blocks, you’ve received a number of nice restaurant decisions, like Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille and Brick Metropolis Southern Kitchen. This helpful map from Ocala Important Road could be a useful information.
Absorb All the Artwork
In a nod to the world’s equine heritage, you’ll discover a assortment of horse statues in downtown Ocala. The statues are a part of an artwork undertaking referred to as Horse Fever, painted with all sorts of totally different designs and infrequently giving a nod to the world’s historical past. Discover extra details about the horse statue places right here. You’ll additionally discover a number of eye-catching murals round downtown.
And talking of artwork, one can’t-miss household exercise in downtown Ocala is the West Tuscawilla Artwork Park. Created in 2016, the three-acre park consists of public artwork, botanical vegetation, strolling paths, and a scenic water view. It’s additionally positioned beside the historic Ocala Union Station. Let your younger ones run across the park whereas they select their favourite art work.
Take a Glass-Backside Boat Tour at Silver Springs State Park
This pure gem has been round for many years; actually, a number of films had been filmed there within the Nineteen Fifties and Nineteen Sixties, together with, “Creature From the Black Lagoon.” Silver Springs is legendary for its glass-bottom boat excursions, which allow you to see proper into the park’s clear waters. Look out for manatees and gators among the many fish and vegetation!
Past the boat tour, you possibly can get pleasure from a pleasing stroll across the park or go kayaking. Plus, preserve your eyes open for the rhesus macaque monkeys dwelling on the park.
Examine Out Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
The Garlits’ Museum says that it’s been a “curator of motorsport’s previous” since 1976. If anybody in your fam enjoys watching or participating in drag racing or historic automotive tradition, remember to cease by the museum.
Tuscawilla Artwork Park
Conclusion
As you possibly can see, visiting all of Ocala’s sights and having fun with its horse tradition can simply take up a full day or weekend. Add in the truth that you’re comparatively near Orlando, Tampa, and Gainesville (house of the College of Florida), and it might probably make for a fantastic household vacation spot in north central Florida.
Pictures courtesy of Vanessa Caceres
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