Ocala

Ocala is a city in North Central Florida. Here, rolling green pastures lead to crystal springs, gentle rivers and unspoiled lakes, and hundreds of horse farms gallop with thoroughbred natural charm and beauty.

Get in

By plane

Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville have the nearest international airports. Gainesville has a regional airport with some major airline service. Ocala is also home to the Ocala International Airport (KOCF) which serves many corporate and small private planes owners.

By bus

  • 🌍 Greyhound, (bus stop) Pilot Travel Center & Arby's @ 4032 Hwy 326 W (east of I-75 & Hwy 326 junction, Exit 358 of I-75, north of Ocala). Travels primarily on Interstate 75 (Atlanta, Macon, Tifton, Lake City, Gainesville, Ocala, Orlando, Ft Lauderdale, Miami and points in between). Some schedules continue west on I-10 towards Houston from Lake City via Tallahassee, Panama City, Pensacola, Ft Walton Beach, Mobile, Baton Rouge, etc. Passengers transfer in Lake City or Tallahassee to reach Jacksonville or another destination north and in Miami to continue south to the Florida Keys.
  • 🌍 RedCoach, (bus stop) Pilot Travel Center & Wendy's @ 2020 SW 135th (County Rd 484) (west of I-75 & SW 135th (County Rd 484) junction, Exit 341 of I-75, south of Ocala). RedCoach offers a bus services between Tallahassee, Gainesville, Ocala and Orlando. From Orlando buses continue south towards Miami via Ft Pierce, West Palm Beach and Ft lauderdale on one route and through Tampa, Ft Myers and Naples on another.

By car

Most folks arrive here in their own vehicles or rental cars, from Interstates 75 or 95.

Get around

By bus

Ocala has the SunTran bus system.

See

  • 🌍 Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd, ☏ +1 352 291-4455, fax: +1 352 291-4460. Tu-Sa 10AM-5:00PM, Su no9n-5PM, M closed. $8.
  • 🌍 Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th Street, ☏ +1 352 854-3670. This auditorium at Circle Square Commons is Ocala's largest indoor venue for all forms of entertainment including performances by internationally known entertainers, theatrical productions, concerts, dances, meetings, conventions, and more.
  • 🌍 Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd (off US-40 and Baseline Rd), ☏ +1 352 261-5840, . 8AM-sundown. Glass bottom boat tours: 10AM-5PM. Features trails, numerous outdoor activities, and Silver River Museum. The park has one of the few remaining and restored one-room school houses built for African-Americans during the segregation era. In 2013, Silver River State Park and the Silver Springs attraction, known for its glass-bottom boats, were merged to form Silver Springs State Park.

Do

Ocala and Marion County is known as the horse capital of the world, with more than 70,000 acres of horse farms, many equestrian venues, and miles of horse riding trails.

Nature abounds in and around Ocala. Many lakes, streams, springs, rivers, and parks are perfect for fishing. Ocala National Forest is popular during hunting season, and golfers will find some of the most challenging courses in Florida in and around Ocala.

Eat

Harrys on the square offers good food at a reasonable price and there are several good pizza places that have good food as well.

Sleep

Go next

Routes through Ocala
Macon ← Gainesville ←  N  S  β†’ Wildwood β†’ Tampa
Columbus ← Tallahassee ←  N  S  β†’ Jct W E β†’ Clermont β†’ Miami


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