The city of Ocala, named after a Native American town populated by the Timucua people, is in Marion County, Florida, and is known for the thoroughbred horses that are bred here. During your vacation to Ocala, you can attend the Ocala Storytelling Festival in April or visit the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. The city is also home to a wide range of other attractions for the whole family to enjoy from cultural activities to outdoor recreation throughout the year.
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra is a full professional orchestra that performs about a dozen concerts throughout the year in front of audiences of all ages. Watch the orchestra perform in December during the annual Ocala's Symphony Under the Lights, a concert in Ocala's historic downtown square. You can also watch the symphony perform in the Fine Arts Auditorium at the College of Central Florida during Ocala's Symphony Under the Stars each year on Mother's Day.
Season, group and individual tickets are available.
Ocala Symphony Orchestra
416 S.E. Fort King St.
Ocala, Florida 34471
352-351-1606
ocalasymphony.com
The approximately 383,000-acre Ocala National Forest protects the world's largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest and has more than 600 lakes, rivers and springs. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, canoe and dive in these waters all year long. Other activities in Ocala National Forest include fishing in Lake George and Lake Kerr, camping in one of 14 developed campgrounds, off-roading in nearly 200 miles of trails and hiking or horseback riding on hundreds of miles of trails.
Ocala National Forest
Fort McCoy, Florida 32134
352-236-0288
fs.usda.gov
Visit one of the premier art repositories and education centers in the South, the Appleton Museum of Art at the College of Central Florida, which features collections from around the world. View exhibits on African, American and European art as well as an ancient, contemporary, Asian and Islamic art collections. Guest and members can attend special events and programs including After Hours, featuring live music, special programs by the Ocala Art Group and food from local restaurants.
The Appleton Museum of Art is open from Tuesday through Sunday except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission for children 9 and under, members, Central Florida students and active military personnel and their immediate families is free.
Appleton Museum of Art
4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
Ocala, FL 34470
352-291-4455
appletonmuseum.org
