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Gainesville
Ocala
Ocklawaha
Summerfield
Gainesville and its surrounding area offer the opportunity to explore beautiful rivers and lakes, cool natural springs, and unspoiled wilderness parks while enjoying sub-tropical weather. With almost 65 percent of the county’s 965 square miles , this area is dotted with scenic lakes, wetlands and trails, and is a delight for nature lovers of all ages.
The city of Gainesville offers a surprising number of natural attractions. At Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site, you can descend 232 steps into a giant sinkhole. At Paynes Prairie State Preserve, see wild horses and a resident herd of bison. Nearby, in Cross Creek, tour the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site where the author penned her famous work The Yearling. Take a meandering trip down the beautiful Ichetucknee River on an inner-tube or visit High Springs with its thriving antiques district.
Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, the largest public land grant institution in the state, and a key player in education, medicine, cultural arts and sports for the area. Many exhibits detailing Florida’s history and ecology are open to the public.
Ocala is situated in Marion County, considered the “Horse Capital of the World.” Horses are big business here, with between 45 and 50 different breeds represented in the area. Florida thoroughbreds finish first in 20 percent of the foremost stakes races in the U.S. and are counted among Triple Crown, Breeders' Cup, Belmont Stakes, Preakness and Kentucky Derby winners. Nearly 29,000 residents are employed in the county's thoroughbred industry alone.
Several of the horse farms welcome visitors to tour. Arrangements can be made for families or groups with just a phone call. A list of farms open to the public is always available from the Chamber of Commerce office. Visitors who bring their own horses can ride forest and greenway trails and may obtain information about the trailheads and trails from the Chamber.
Nearby attractions include Silver Springs - Nature's Theme Park, Florida’s very first attraction; the Ocala National Forest; the rolling green fields of horse farms; historic districts and city streets canopied by 100-year-old trees; outstanding golf courses; friendly communities; crystal-clear rivers; and fresh-water springs. Also, the subtropical climate makes Ocala a vacation land year-round.
The Ocala Historic District offers the opportunity to take a walking tour through stately neighborhoods of lovely Victorian homes. Fort King Street was named after the military post of Fort King, the site of which is within city limits.
Ocklawaha is one Florida destination where you can take a trip back in time. Experience the haunting wilderness evoked in Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings's 1938 novel The Yearling. Visit Cross Creek, where Rawlings's turn-of-the-last-century house has been meticulously restored.
Throughout Florida's history, the Ocklawaha River, largest tributary of the St. Johns River, has been regarded as one of the state's most beautiful waterways, providing scenic beauty, valuable wildlife habitat, excellent fishing, and abundant recreation opportunities.
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