Places & things to do.

8th Ave. Gallery

Art gallery in Ocala dedicated to curating abstract art in all its varied styles and forms, celebrating the bond between father and son artists with monthly Third Thursday events featuring art shows and studio visits.

A Novel Idea Bookstore

Independent new and used bookstore with over 40,000 books in stock. A local treasure for book lovers in Ocala.

Alexander Springs

A family-friendly spring in the Ocala National Forest with a large, gradually sloping pool of crystal-clear 72-degree turquoise water. Great for swimming and snorkeling.

Appleton Museum of Art

Stunning travertine marble museum housing over 24,000 works spanning European, American, Asian, and African art. The reflecting pool out front is as photogenic as the galleries inside. Affiliated with the College of Central Florida.

Baseline Road Trailhead

Trailhead providing access to the Santos mountain biking and hiking trail system. Parking, restrooms, and trail maps make this a convenient starting point for riders and hikers.

Baseline Trailhead Park

Park and trailhead along the Cross Florida Greenway with access to paved and unpaved trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. A gateway to some of Ocala's best outdoor recreation.

Bearded Browncoat Comics and Games

Family-owned comics and games store in Ocala since 2014, offering comics, video games, board games, D&D, and Warhammer supplies. Features dedicated gaming areas and hosts regular Sunday events and tournaments.

Bounce and Play

Bowlero West Ocala

Modern bowling and entertainment center with blacklight bowling, an arcade, and a sports bar. Great for family outings, date nights, or just smashing some pins after work.

Brick City Adventure Park

29-acre urban adventure park in the heart of Ocala with guided cave tours through White Cliff Cave, a low-ropes course, interpretive hikes, playgrounds, and picnic pavilions. Named after Ocala's historic 'Brick City' nickname.

Cactus Jack's Trail Rides

Experience guided horseback riding tours through Florida's scenic trails with well-trained horses suitable for all skill levels.

CC Fine Arts

Fine arts gallery on Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala showcasing works from local and regional artists.

Charles R. Dassance Fine Arts Center

Circle Square Commons

Open-air town center in the On Top of the World community featuring a weekly farmers market, live entertainment, restaurants, and community events. Home to the Circle Square Cultural Center and a regular gathering spot for concerts, car shows, and seasonal festivals.

Coehadjoe Park

Natural area with picnic tables, sport courts, a playground & walking trails through the trees.

Discovery Center

Ocala's hands-on children's science center at Tuscawilla Park, open since 1997. Interactive exhibits, live reptiles, rotating galleries, and STEAM programs for ages 2-12. A great rainy-day option for families.

Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing

Chronicles the history of drag racing with about 90 racing cars in the Drag Race building and 50 vehicles in the Antique Car building. Opened in 1984.

E.D. Croskey Recreation Center

Easy Street by Funworks

All-ages entertainment venue offering indoor & outdoor spaces for batting, climbing & arcade games.

Equine Instincts

Equestrian art collective at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala offering curated works including heirloom-quality sculptures, original paintings, and handcrafted home accents inspired by horse and wildlife art.

Florida Horse Park

A 500-acre multipurpose equestrian and event facility south of Ocala hosting 130+ annual events, offering free trail riding with connections to Ocala National Forest trails.

Fort King Building

Historic building near the Fort King National Historic Landmark site, serving as a gateway to the interpretive trails and living history exhibits of the Second Seminole War era.

Fort King National Historic Landmark

Forty-acre National Historic Landmark preserving the site of a major Second Seminole War military post. A full-scale replica fort, interactive visitor center, heritage garden, and nature trails bring 1827 Florida frontier history to life.

Hot Cars & Cool Cats Car and Bike Show

Huddys Escape

Jervey Gantt Park

Large recreation complex in Ocala with sports fields, a playground, walking trails, and picnic pavilions. A popular spot for youth sports leagues and family outings.

Juniper Springs

A hidden gem inside Ocala National Forest, with a stone-lined swimming area fed by a 72-degree spring. The 7-mile Juniper Springs Run canoe trail winds through one of Florida's most scenic subtropical corridors.

Lillian Bryant Park

Urban park with a splash pad, basketball & volleyball courts, kid's baseball field & 1-mi. trail.

Lost Spring Lake

Spring-fed emerald lake inside Big Cliff Canyon at The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park in Ocala, offering kayak tours through towering limestone cliffs and a 1,100-foot zip line over the water.

Magnolia Art Xchange

Downtown Ocala art gallery and creative space showcasing local and regional artists. Rotating exhibitions, art events, and a welcoming atmosphere for the arts community.

Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology

Small museum dedicated to Marion County's rich archaeological and historical heritage, with exhibits spanning prehistoric Native American artifacts to early Florida settlement history.

Marion Cultural Alliance at Brick City Center for the Arts

Downtown Ocala's leading gallery space with a new art exhibition every 30 days featuring local and regional artists. Free admission, workshops, and performances — the heartbeat of Ocala's creative scene.

NEHS GALLERIES

North Florida Survival

Ocala Civic Theatre

The second largest community theater in Florida, entertaining and educating since 1950. Live professional-quality musical and dramatic productions year-round.

Ocala Downtown Square

The heart of downtown Ocala — a tree-lined public square surrounded by restaurants, shops, and galleries. Farmers markets, art walks, and community events keep the square buzzing year-round.

Ocala Golf Club

Golf club and event venue in Ocala hosting tournaments, dinner shows, and private events.

Ocala Regional Sportsplex

Multi-sport complex in Ocala hosting youth and adult leagues, tournaments, and fitness programs. Fields for soccer, football, and more across a well-maintained facility.

Ocala Wetland Recharge Park

200-acre wetland park with walking trails, boardwalks, and observation decks over restored wetlands. A surprisingly scenic spot for birding and nature walks right in Ocala.

Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park

Veteran's & war memorial park with over 5,000 commemorative bricks & plaques charting war history.

Paperfish Gallery & Studio

Reilly Arts Center

An intimate venue with state-of-the-art acoustics hosting classical, jazz, rock, and folk concerts. Great sound in a smaller room.

Robert Stebleton Fine Art

Fine art studio in Ocala featuring original paintings and curated art collections.

Santos Trails

80+ miles of single-track mountain bike trails built on a former rock quarry — one of the top trail systems in the Southeast. Color-coded trails for all skill levels, plus the Vortex Freeride area for adrenaline junkies. Free admission.

Scott Springs Park

Community park in Ocala with a natural spring-fed pool area, picnic pavilions, walking trails, and a playground. A local favorite for family outings and afternoon picnics.

Shapot Art Studio and Gallery

Working art studio and gallery in Ocala offering original paintings and art classes.

Shocker Park

Neighborhood park in Ocala with open green space and a playground. A simple, family-friendly spot for outdoor play and picnics.

Sholom Park

A 44-acre public garden and park in the On Top of the World community in Ocala. Features walking paths, formal gardens, water features, and the popular Spring Strings outdoor concert series. Free admission.