Things to do in Ocala, Silver Springs, and environs:

Little Lake Weir Jet-Ski

 

Silver Springs-Nature's Theme Park: 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL 34488, 352-236-2121. Enjoy a day of activities at Florida's largest natural spring and theme park. Take a thrilling riverboat cruise through 10,000 years of history and a pioneer village, or  marvel at the headwaters of the spring on a glass-bottom boat ride. Enjoy wildlife shows, including reptiles, snakes, and alligator feedings. Or enjoy the many theme park rides.

 

Wild Waters Theme Park:  5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL 34488, Telephone: 352-236-2121. Enjoy riding the surf in the 450,000 gallon wave pool. Plunge down the water slides, Osceola's Revenge, Bunyan's Bend and Mini Monster. Or, hit the three-story-high Hurricane or 220-foot-long Silver Bullet speed flumes. Kids can enjoy Cool Kids Cove, a multi-level fun zone, and even smaller ones play in the shallow pools of the Tad Pool.

 

Don Garlit's Museum of Drag Racing: 13700 SW 16th Ave, Ocala, FL 34473, 352-245-8661. An amazing collection of drag racing memorabilia. An awesome lineup of vintage drag cars, engines and trophies, packed into  two museum buildings. Don’t miss this if you love auto history.

 

Appleton Museum of Art: 4333 NE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470-5000, 352-291-4455: Within walking distance from the Silver Springs Motel. A wonderful and eclectic collection of art, from Mayan pottery to Japanese bronze statuary, and African folk art, to noted artists, Bergere, Dupre, Remington. Excellent summer camp programs for the kids. The grounds are awesome and the admission price is very reasonable.

 

Ocala Civic Theater:  4337 East Silver Springs Boulevard Ocala, Florida 34470, (352) 236-2851. Within walking distance from the Silver Springs Motel, located in the Appleton Cultural Center on East Silver Springs Boulevard. Ocala Civic Theatre presents professional-quality, live productions at an affordable price. Ocala Civic Theatre produces more than twelve fully-staged productions each season.

 

Ocala Golf Club: 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 401-6917. An Ocala Tradition. Play under ancient oaks and pines on a course of awesome beauty with modern playability. Provides golfers of all abilities a fun yet challenging experience.

 

Farm Tours of Ocala: 6998 NW Hwy 27, Ocala, FL 34482, 352-895-9302. An exclusive look behind the scenes of the Horse Capital of the World.

 

Ocala National Forest: 40929 State Rd 19, Umatilla, FL 32784, 352-669-3153. Covering over 383,000 acres, more than 600 lakes, rivers, and springs, visitors can swim, snorkel, and dive in these crystal-clear waters year-round. Or enjoy backpacking, camping, and off-road trails on your ATV.

 

The Canyons Zip Line and Canopy Tours: 8045 Northwest Gainesville Road Ocala, FL 34475.  (352) 351-9477. Thrill to zip-lining high above a forest, massive canyon, and open water!

 

Rainbow Springs and Rainbow River: 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, Florida 34432, (352) 465-8555. The Rainbow River is popular for swimming, tubing, snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking. The Headsprings Entrance is located three miles north of Dunnellon on the east side of U.S. 41. Tubers can launch at the Tube Entrance on SW 180th Avenue Road.