Visit Gainesville and Explore Ocala with Things To Do in Alachua County and Marion County, FL
Explore the heart of North Central Florida with a stop in Gainesville and Ocala. Visit natural attractions, biking trails and historic sites with our 4-day itineraries. Stay active with Pedals and Paddles highlights or expand your horizons with scenic views and step into the past with Nature, Culture and History activities.
Pedals and Paddles
Gainesville and Alachua County
Day 1, arrival
- Paddle: Santa Fe River and crystal clear freshwater springs
Santa Fe Canoe Outpost, operated by Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures
(352) 507-0059
21410 US-441, High Springs, FL 32643 - Or Pedal: San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park off-road mountain-bike trails
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
386-462-7905
13201 San Felasco Parkway, Alachua FL 32615 - Relax for lunch and shopping in the walkable small city of High Springs
Day 2, before departing to Ocala and Marion County
- Paddle: explore Lake Alto and Lake Santa Fe near Waldo and Melrose
Download the Lake Alto and Lake Santa Fe Paddling Guide (pdf) - Or Pedal: 16- mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
352-466-3397
3400 S.E. 15th St., Gainesville FL 32641
Ocala and Marion County
Day 3
- Paddle: Rainbow River
Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak
(352) 489-7854
12121 River View, Dunnellon, FL 34432 - Or Pedal: Bike Santos Trails (open every day)
Santos Trailhead and Campground
352-369-2693
3080 S.E. 80th St., Ocala FL 34470
Day 4
- Paddle: Clear Kayak at Silver Springs State Park
Get Up and Go Kayaking
(352) 541-0115
5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL 34488 - Or Pedal: Baseline Rd Trailhead at the Cross Florida Greenway
Baseline Road Trailhead
352-671-8560
4255 S.E. 58th St., Ocala FL 34480 - Downtown Ocala
Nature, Culture and History
Gainesville and Alachua County
Day 1 arrival
- Nature: 120-foot sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
352-955-2008
4732 Millhopper Rd., Gainesville FL 32653 - Culture and History: working 1870s farm at Dudley Farm
Dudley Farm Historic State Park
352-472-1142
18730 W Newberry Rd., Newberry FL 32669 - Take a self-guided audio history tour of Gainesville from the Matheson History Museum
Day 2, before departing to Ocala and Marion County
- Nature: birding and wildlife viewing at Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Sweetwater Wetlands Park
352-554-5871
325 SW Williston Rd., Gainesville, FL 32608 - Culture and History: Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida Cultural Plaza
Florida Museum of Natural History
352-846-2000
3215 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611
Harn Musem of Art
352-392-9826
3259 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608 - Browse boutiques and cafes in the oldest inland town in Florida, Micanopy
Ocala and Marion County
Day 3
- Nature: glass-bottom boats at America’s largest spring at Silver Springs
Silver Springs State Park
352-236-7148
1425 NE 58th Ave., Ocala FL 34470 - Culture and History: living history at a US Army frontier outpost at Fort King
Fort King National Historic Landmark
(352) 368-5533
3925 E Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34470 - Historic Downtown Ocala Walking tour
Day 4
- Nature: Travel across springfed lakes with 9 ziplines at The Canyons
The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park
352-351-9477
8045 NW Gainesville Rd., Ocala, FL 34475 - Culture and History: over 24,000 objects and outdoor sculpture garden at the Appleton Museum
Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida
352-291-4455
4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Florida 34470
With multiple exits on I-75 and connections with Florida along scenic highways, Alachua County and Marion County make convenient destinations to add to your Florida travel plans.
Find more inspiration online at VisitGainesville.com and OcalaMarion.com.
