The city of Ocala lies in Marion County, North Florida. This is horse country, with miles of trails and plenty of horse farms to visit. But there’s more to Ocala than just horses.

Saddle up and book a luxury farmhouse or cozy cottage rental for your vacation with FlipKey.

About Ocala

Ocala is the ideal place to kick back and relax whilst exploring all that Marion County has to offer. The city is the horse capital of the world, and there is no shortage of exciting trails to explore, horse farms to visit and adventures to be had once you saddle up and ride off into the sunset!

It’s easy to see why this is such a popular family vacation destination, with plenty of outdoor activities, shops and family-friendly restaurants serving everything from authentic American diner food to Indian and excellent pizza, all at affordable prices.

With the Ocala National Forest practically on your doorstep and two state parks to explore both within easy driving distance, Ocala is the ideal destination for lovers of the great outdoors, and you’ll find plenty to see and do for all ages in the area.

What to do

Head for Silver Springs – this 4,660-acre park is the perfect place to go hiking, biking or camping. Families might want to take a trip on the famous glass-bottom boat or hire a canoe or kayak to explore at your leisure. Visit the Pioneer ‘Cracker’ Village at the Museum, or give the kids an excuse to let off some steam with the Ranger programs that take place at weekends.

With so many horse farms and exciting trails in the area, taking off on an organized trail ride is a must. For something a little more adventurous, head for the Canyons Zip Line and Canopy Tours with rope bridges and 9 ziplines.

Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is home to one of the country’s largest collections of Fords, as well as rare vintage cars and muscle cars. If your budget allows, you could even book a private guided tour.

Top Ocala travel tips

With summer highs of around 33 degrees centigrade and winter averages of around 20 degrees, the climate here is warm all year round, making Ocala the perfect destination, whenever you visit.

The nearest airports are Gainesville Regional for domestic flights and Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville International for international flights.

Why not rent a car and treat the kids to a trip to Orlando and Disney, just over an hour’s drive to the south?

With year-round warm weather, some of the most beautiful scenery right on your doorstep and a wealth of family-friendly outdoor activities, Ocala is the perfect family vacation destination.

FlipKey’s range of Ocala vacation rentals includes equestrian farmhouses and quaint cottages, so you’re be sure to find what you’re looking for.