 Ocala
is a magical land of gurgling mineral springs, carpets of
emerald-green grass that the springs feed, and handsome
thoroughbred horses that feed on the grass. White corral
fences neatly divide its rolling countryside, where foals
romp and rambling ranch houses command. Some of the ranches
allow visitors in to tour or ride horses and learn about how
the thoroughbreds are trained for racing.
Downtown Ocala, a quiet, compact district surrounded by
modern-day stores and hotels, preserves the commercial
buildings and ornate Victorian homes from its boom era in
the 1930s. Delis, pubs and antiques and other shops take up
residence behind brick façades around a pretty little gazebo
park. In the residential historic district along Fort King
Avenue, more than 200 wooden, steamboat-era mansions range
in style from Queen Anne Revival to Italianate.
Other attractions in Ocala include the Appleton Museum of
Art, an eclectic collection of priceless treasures; the Don
Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, honoring a local citizen who
made it big on the oval track, with classic dragsters and
other antique automobiles; and Discovery Science Center,
with hands-on indoors and outdoors exhibits.
The Ocala National Forest spreads at Ocala’s backdoor,
providing recreational access to the area’s pristine spring
lands and preserving vast acreage of pine forest laced with
rivers, streams and the lakes they form. The forest is
immense – more than 383,000 acres, 19 developed campgrounds
and two day-use recreational areas. Most popular among the
camping recreational areas, Juniper Springs is beautified by
an old waterwheel and mill at its refreshing swimming hole,
naturally climate controlled to 72 degrees year ‘round.
Alexander Springs is best for canoeists. One of its hiking
trails takes you down the path of ancient civilizations,
explaining how the Timucuan Indians used different plants
for food, clothing and entertainment. Other trails in and
around the forest are part of the Florida National Scenic
Trail. Cyclists can pedal along the 22-mile-long Paisley
Woods Trail, which connects Alexander Springs in the north
to Clearwater Lake in the south.
 Since
1878, the biggest attraction in the area has been Silver
Springs, actually considered Florida’s first tourist park.
It attracted folks with its sparkling spring waters and the
first-ever glass-bottom boats for spying at the fish and
archaeological artifacts at the springs’ bottom. Many a
movie and TV show have used the lush location for filming,
including Tarzan, Sea Hunt and Creature from
the Black Lagoon. Today, live animals, a Jeep safari,
boat tours, a tots play land and top-name country
entertainment keep the park lively. Next door, Wild Waters
water park adds to the excitement during the summer, with
slides, flumes and kiddie fountains.
Small towns sprinkled around Ocala were created by spring
land tourism or the phosphate mining that brought prosperity
to the area west of Ocala at the turn of the 20th century.
Dunnellon is a
prime example of the latter and its historic downtown
buildings and their dreamy oak-shaded streets stand as proof
of the golden years. The town’s annual Boom Town Days fills
those streets with costumed fairgoers, craft shows, antique
car exhibits and music.
Today, Dunnellon draws most of its business from those who
come to visit nearby Rainbow Springs State Park. Yet another
of the region’s vigorous springs, this one is Florida’s
second largest artesian spring, pumping about 500 million
gallons of pure, clean water daily into the pristine Rainbow
River. Snorkelers, divers, swimmers, paddlers, inner tubers,
boaters and fishermen alike use the river and its springs as
a source of wholesome entertainment you can’t find in any
theme park. The Dunnellon area also provides access to the
46-mile paved Withlacoochee Trail and the Cross Florida
Greenway, a 110-mile corridor once earmarked for a barge
canal, today used for trails across Florida’s ridges,
rivers, lakes and wetlands. It traverses Silver River State
Park, where visitors love to canoe in clean, clear waters
and visit the park’s museum and environmental education
center.
Along the way, campgrounds, a pioneering eco-lodge,
endearing bed and breakfasts, and small lakefront fishing
resorts welcome travelers to stay in this part of Florida,
removed from bustle and ensconced in rural heartland
lifestyles. |
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