Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Ocala (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Silver River, Appleton Museum of Art, and Silver River Museum. Also, be sure to include Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Ocala (Florida).
Table of Contents
Silver River
River in Florida. The Silver River is a short spring-fed river located east of Ocala in Marion County, Florida. Fed by Silver Springs, it connects the springs to the Ocklawaha River, passing through a pristine woodland environment. The river was probably named for its silvery appearance.[1]
Appleton Museum of Art
Museum in Ocala, Florida. The Appleton Museum of Art is an art museum located in Ocala, Florida. It is affiliated with and governed by the College of Central Florida and has been since 2004.
The Appleton Museum of Art houses a permanent collection of more than 24,000 works including art and artifacts representative of European, American, Asian, African, Contemporary and pre-Columbian styles. It also displays special exhibits on a temporary basis throughout the year. The museum collects works specifically from Florida artists and showcases history and progression of Central Florida culture.[2]
Address: 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd, 34470-5000 Ocala
Silver River Museum
Museum in Marion County, Florida. The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center is a nature museum in Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, Florida, near Ocala. The museum is named after the Silver River, which flows through the park.
Marion County Public Schools operates the museum and center in cooperation with the Florida Park Service, with both hosting educational events. The concept of the center dates back to 1987, and initial funding was provided through a Christa McAullife Fellowship. In 1991, the museum and center opened to provide daily classes for the students of Marion County.[3]
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
Museum in Marion County, Florida. The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is located at 13700 SW 16th Ave, Ocala, Florida, just off Interstate 75. Opened in 1984, it chronicles the history of the sport of drag racing. Some 90 racing cars can be seen in the Drag Race building, while a further 50 vehicles are in the Antique Car building. Many of the Garlits "Swamp Rat" cars are here, but he also turns out to be a pack rat with an accumulation of cars and memorabilia from other top names in the sport. The iconic cars of Dean Moon, the Mooneyes gas dragster and the Moonbeam sports car are on display.
The museum is home to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Inductees include Art Arfons, Sydney Allard, Zora Arkus-Duntov, Ray Godman, Raymond Beadle, Shirley Muldowney, Kenny Bernstein, Don Schumacher, and Connie Glen Swingle.[4]
Address: 13700 SW 16th Ave, 34473 Ocala
Fort King National Historic Park
Fort King was a United States military fort in north central Florida, near what later developed as the city of Ocala. It was named after Colonel William King, commander of Florida's Fourth Infantry and the first governor of the provisional West Florida region.
The fort was built in 1827 during United States tensions with the Seminole in Florida, a tribe of mostly Creek people who formed in the early nineteenth century. Originally established to serve as a buffer between new settlers and the Seminole, the fort became an important base in the 1830s for the United States Army during removal of the Seminole and the Seminole Wars. It later served as a courthouse in 1844 after the organization of Marion County, but was eventually abandoned altogether. Residents took it apart to salvage building materials. The site of the fort is preserved as a National Historic Landmark near the corner of East Fort King Street and 39th Avenue in Ocala. In late 2017, the fort was newly reconstructed to be as historically accurate as possible.
Archeological investigation has revealed the site was occupied during two lengthy periods by varying cultures of indigenous peoples, beginning as early as 6500 BC, more than 8,000 years ago.[5]
The Canyons Zip Line and Canopy Tours
Nature, Natural attraction, Adventure park, Tours, Outdoor activities, Trail, Canyon
Address: 8045 NW Gainesville Rd, 34475-1626 Ocala
Sholom Park
Park in Marion County, Florida. Sholom Park is a non-profit privately owned, 44-acre botanical garden in Ocala, Florida. Opened in 2004, the park features over 2 miles of paved trails and more than 250 species of plants and trees.
The park features include a formal garden walk, rose garden, prairie area, olive trees, azaleas, labyrinth and a pond with koi. It is handicap-accessible.
Sholom Park is named after Sholom, the grandfather of local developer Sidney Colen, who founded the Park as a gift to all people seeking Peace. Sholom/Shalom also means peace in Hebrew.
Areas can be rented for weddings and events.[6]
Address: 7110 SW 80th Ave, 34481-5449 Ocala
Mount Zion A.M.E. Church
Church in Ocala, Florida. The Mount Zion A.M.E. Church is a historic church in Ocala, Florida, United States. It is located at 623 South Magnolia Avenue. The only surviving brick 19th-century religious structure in Ocala, the present Gothic Revival church stands behind the site of the original white frame building. Construction of the first brick church owned by a black congregation began in 1891 under the supervision of black architect and builder Levi Alexander, Sr.
On December 17, 1979, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[7]
Address: 623 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala
United Hebrews of Ocala
Synagogue in Ocala. The former United Hebrews of Ocala synagogue is a historic Carpenter Gothic building located at 729 N.E. 2nd Street, in the Tuscawilla Park Historic District of Ocala, Florida. Built in 1888, it was one of the first synagogues in Florida. It is listed in the Marion County section of A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, published in 1989 by the University of Florida Press in Gainesville. In 1963, the congregation adopted the name Temple B'nai Darom. The building is a contributing property to the historic district. It is among the oldest synagogue buildings still standing in the United States.[8]
Circle Square Cultural Center
Farmer's market, Shopping, Food and drink, Square
Address: 8405 SW 80th St, 34481-9121 Ocala
Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology
Museum, Natural history museum, History museum, Military museum
Address: 307 SE 26th Ter, 34471-2612 Ocala