Carolyn’s guidebook
Road trips suitable for cars or motorcycles
If you want to see the area's sites, here are my recommendations.
Although it isn't a driving/riding route, you might want to visit SILVER SPRINGS PARK, which offers rides in glass-bottom boats if you like seeing gators and wildlife.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/recreation/scenicdrivinginfo/recarea/?recid=40311&actid=105
95 locals recommend
Ocala National Forest
Florida 40https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/recreation/scenicdrivinginfo/recarea/?recid=40311&actid=105
South Highway 475
South Highway 475CR-475 is a lovely drive with rolling hills and horse farms.
U.S. 27
US Highway 27Highway 27 west of I-75 is a lovely drive with rolling hills and horse farms.
Florida 326
Florida 326Highway 326 is a lovely drive with rolling hills and horse farms.
If you like historic mansions, Ocala has a bunch -- Fort King Street and the two to five blocks south of it.
East Fort King Street
East Fort King StreetIf you like historic mansions, Ocala has a bunch -- Fort King Street and the two to five blocks south of it.
If you take 441 North from Ocala, you'll pass through two charming towns: McIntosh and Micanopy. You might want to explore their streets and antiques shops. (But beware of speed traps on 441.)
North US Highway 441
North US Highway 441If you take 441 North from Ocala, you'll pass through two charming towns: McIntosh and Micanopy. You might want to explore their streets and antiques shops. (But beware of speed traps on 441.)
Lake County was named "Lake" County for a reason! :-) Every back road you try will take you past a lake. It's pretty cool.
Lake County
Lake County was named "Lake" County for a reason! :-) Every back road you try will take you past a lake. It's pretty cool.
Speaking of lakes, the RIVER LAKES HERITAGE CORRIDOR is fairly close to Ormond:
https://floridascenichighways.com/our-byways/central-region/river-lakes-heritage-corridor/
55 locals recommend
Ormond Beach
Speaking of lakes, the RIVER LAKES HERITAGE CORRIDOR is fairly close to Ormond:
https://floridascenichighways.com/our-byways/central-region/river-lakes-heritage-corridor/
Ormond Scenic Loop:
https://www.floridarambler.com/northeast-florida-getaways/ormond-scenic-loop-and-trail-rare-ride-through-old-florida/
30 locals recommend
Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail
Ormond Scenic Loop:
https://www.floridarambler.com/northeast-florida-getaways/ormond-scenic-loop-and-trail-rare-ride-through-old-florida/
Heritage Crossroads is a little north of Ormond:
http://www.heritagecrossroads.org/
Heritage Crossroads
2535 North State StreetHeritage Crossroads is a little north of Ormond:
http://www.heritagecrossroads.org/
The Ocean A1A Byway:
https://floridascenichighways.com/our-byways/northern-region/a1a-scenic-historic-coastal-byway/
and it continues northward on the OCEAN ISLANDS TRAIL: https://floridascenichighways.com/our-byways/northern-region/a1a-ocean-islands-trail/
Highway A1A
Highway A1AThe Ocean A1A Byway:
https://floridascenichighways.com/our-byways/northern-region/a1a-scenic-historic-coastal-byway/
and it continues northward on the OCEAN ISLANDS TRAIL: https://floridascenichighways.com/our-byways/northern-region/a1a-ocean-islands-trail/
County Road 25A
County Road 25A"Millionaire's Row." Just another pretty road through Ocala's horse country.
Cedar Key is a tad less than an hour-and-a-half from my house. The drive there is lovely, through miles and miles of very quiet country roads running through Levy County and all the way to the Gulf. Cedar Key itself is a charming small town with lots of quaint shops and restaurants, bridges and views.
7 locals recommend
Cedar Keys
Cedar Key is a tad less than an hour-and-a-half from my house. The drive there is lovely, through miles and miles of very quiet country roads running through Levy County and all the way to the Gulf. Cedar Key itself is a charming small town with lots of quaint shops and restaurants, bridges and views.
Nearby restaurants
Here are some nearby restaurants that I recommend. Our town rolls up early and many restaurants close at 9pm or even before that, so if you're looking for a late meal, call the restaurant to determine its hours. Also, most restaurants are closed on Sunday, so call ahead to see if they're open.
Excellent food and a great wine list. Don't miss the (very filling) mushroom soup! Moderately expensive.
12 locals recommend
Mesa de Notte
2436 E Silver Springs BlvdExcellent food and a great wine list. Don't miss the (very filling) mushroom soup! Moderately expensive.
La Cuisine Restaurant
48 SW 1st AveFrench food. Moderately expensive.
Great food at reasonable prices (especially their fungi pizza), and a decent wine list. Inexpensive to moderate.
50 locals recommend
Blue Highway a Pizzeria
204 Northeast Highway 441Great food at reasonable prices (especially their fungi pizza), and a decent wine list. Inexpensive to moderate.
Fairly good, reasonably priced Mexican food; inexpensive drinks. I recommend the queso sauce as an appetizer.
6 locals recommend
El Toreo
3510 SW 36th AveFairly good, reasonably priced Mexican food; inexpensive drinks. I recommend the queso sauce as an appetizer.
Spectacular food and spectacular wines. The menu changes just about daily. I always order a soup and/or appetizer, which are always magnificent. The flights of wine are wonderful -- you get to try several different wines. Very expensive otherwise.
9 locals recommend
Katya Vineyards
101 E Silver Springs BlvdSpectacular food and spectacular wines. The menu changes just about daily. I always order a soup and/or appetizer, which are always magnificent. The flights of wine are wonderful -- you get to try several different wines. Very expensive otherwise.
Sports bar with good food and lots of games/events always playing on the TV monitors.
8 locals recommend
Beef 'O' Brady's
11100 SW 93rd Ct RdSports bar with good food and lots of games/events always playing on the TV monitors.
Sonny's BBQ
4102 E Silver Springs BlvdGood BBQ, inexpensive to moderate. The baby back ribs are a favorite.
A great selection of craft beers as well as food. Ping pong on Mondays, live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. www.InfiniteAleWorks.com
18 locals recommend
Infinite Ale Works
304 S Magnolia AveA great selection of craft beers as well as food. Ping pong on Mondays, live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. www.InfiniteAleWorks.com
Craft wine and beer, limited but great menu. Live entertainment Fridays and Saturdays. Wine-making classes.
11 locals recommend
The Corkscrew Winery
16 SW Broadway StCraft wine and beer, limited but great menu. Live entertainment Fridays and Saturdays. Wine-making classes.
Things to do in the Ocala area
Recommended destinations and activities
If you're up for seeing gators, birds, and the underwater remains of the Tarzan films that were produced here, go to the Silver Springs State Park and enjoy a ride in a glass-bottom boat. The park also offers enjoyable and well-maintained walking trails.
218 locals recommend
Silver Springs State Park
5656 East Silver Springs BoulevardIf you're up for seeing gators, birds, and the underwater remains of the Tarzan films that were produced here, go to the Silver Springs State Park and enjoy a ride in a glass-bottom boat. The park also offers enjoyable and well-maintained walking trails.
The Appleton is a distinguished Florida cultural center that offers a permanent collection of American and European art, temporary exhibits of Florida and national artists, educational sessions, lectures, and receptions.
40 locals recommend
Appleton Museum of Art
4333 E Silver Springs BlvdThe Appleton is a distinguished Florida cultural center that offers a permanent collection of American and European art, temporary exhibits of Florida and national artists, educational sessions, lectures, and receptions.
Go to the symphony, a play, or a tribute band concert! Classic Albums Live performances are recommended.
13 locals recommend
Reilly Arts Center
500 NE 9th StGo to the symphony, a play, or a tribute band concert! Classic Albums Live performances are recommended.
Ocala Civic Theatre
4337 E Silver Springs BlvdGo to a play at the area's leading community theatre.
This company offers zip-lining, horseback trail riding, and other activities.
137 locals recommend
The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park
8045 NW Gainesville RdThis company offers zip-lining, horseback trail riding, and other activities.
It takes about an hour and a half to get there, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to have a friendly and loving manatee silently appear in front of you to look you in the face.
20 locals recommend
Manatee Tour and Dive
36 NE 4th StIt takes about an hour and a half to get there, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to have a friendly and loving manatee silently appear in front of you to look you in the face.
Alexander Springs
Many springs are in the area. This is just one of them.
Lots of biking and hiking trails in the area including Santos and the Greenway.
32 locals recommend
Santos Trailhead and Campground
3080 SE 80th StLots of biking and hiking trails in the area including Santos and the Greenway.
Petting Zoo Ocala
11150 Florida 40Fun for kids from two to 82!
Fish Hawk Spirits Distillery
16350 SW 20th LnThe Market features organic and local food, crafts, and more. Saturdays 9-2 rain or shine.
9 locals recommend
Ocala Downtown Market
310 SE 3rd StThe Market features organic and local food, crafts, and more. Saturdays 9-2 rain or shine.
Ocala Golf Club
3130 E Silver Springs BlvdGo golfing! Several golf courses are in the area.
Several kayak/canoe outfitters are in the area. The Rainbow River is a favorite. Some people even tube it, although I'd be terrified because of the alligators!
36 locals recommend
Rainbow River
Several kayak/canoe outfitters are in the area. The Rainbow River is a favorite. Some people even tube it, although I'd be terrified because of the alligators!
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
13700 SW 16th AveMiniature golf, rock-climbing wall, laser maze, batting cages, go-karts, water balloon battles, a toddler Kid Zone, and an indoor arcade.
Easy Street by Funworks
2727 SW 27th AveMiniature golf, rock-climbing wall, laser maze, batting cages, go-karts, water balloon battles, a toddler Kid Zone, and an indoor arcade.
World Equestrian Center
1750 Northwest 80th AvenueThis is a spectacular venue for horse shows, dining, and high-end shopping.