Visit Gainesville and Explore Ocala with Things To Do in Alachua County and Marion County, FL
![High Springs Gateway to the Springs Mural](https://www.visitgainesville.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/high-springs-gateway-to-the-springs-mural180820-003-small-1024x710.jpg)
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
![Cycling in Gainesville and Alachua County](https://www.visitgainesville.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/gainesville-hawthorne-trail-father-and-daughter-riding-bicycles-small-1024x749.jpg)
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
![person in clear kayak holding up paddle](https://www.visitgainesville.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Get-Up-And-Go-Kayaking_Silver-Springs-courtesy-Ocala-Marion-County-Visitors-and-Convention-Bureau.jpg)
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
![group at devils millhopper](https://www.visitgainesville.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/devils-millhopper-courtesy-visit-gainevsille.jpg)
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
![silver springs state park](https://www.visitgainesville.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Silver-Springs-State-Park-courtesy-Ocala-Marion-County-Visitors-and-Convention-Bureau.jpg)
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.