anyone head up to Silver Springs - Ocala?

[newholidayx2]

how did you like it?
planning on going up there this coming Sunday

 

[Detailor]

We've been but it was several years ago - probably during our 2000 trip. We liked Silver Springs - compared with the Orlando attractions it is quite old fashioned and laid-back. We liked the glass bottomed boat ride - it seems to me that there were two different tours but I don't recall the difference other than that one was longer in duration than the other - which established the image of natural, old-Florida for me, there were wildlife exhibits with a major emphasis on gators, some gardens that I don't recall as being overly impressive but we were there in February, and some souvenirs stands. There were a couple of pretty basic food options that I also don't recall as being very impressive. But, as I said, it has been several years and I understand that they've added some rides and maybe some other attractions since we were there.

It's pretty easy to get to from Orlando. East on I-4 to Florida's Turnpike, go north on the Turnpike and then onto I-75 north to the Ocala area and take exit 352 to Silver Springs. It seems to me that it's about 90 to 100 miles from the Disney area so it's probably 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours away. [We went to a concert in Ocala on the afternoon of the first day that we were in Orlando earlier this year and I mentioned to the young woman who checked us in at our resort where we were going. She looked surprised and told me that "there's not much to do in Ocala." I suppose that's right given the perspective of someone from the Orlando area as the Ocala area is largely an agricultural area (the local visitors' bureau calls the area the "Horse Capital of the World") but I think it's surprising that there's a lot going on up there - loads of outdoors activities, river cruises, horse and carriage tours, kayaks and other watersports, a water park that I think is under joint ownership and next to Silver Springs theme park, and there's even a drag racing museum.]

Dick Taylor

 

[spiceycat]

went in 2006 - lots of the different color fish are gone - just a few fish now and some of them aren't even on the boat description.

it is still a fun place - but not like it was.

someone say when it became a public park (state took over) it went down hill fast.

they allow public access to the silver stream. never good for the environment.

 

[deej696]

I am sad to say that I live in Ocala, and I have not been to Silver Springs in 20 years. I can confirm what Spicey said above, in that it probably has gone down a bit lately. They have laid off a bunch of staff, some real long term folks. If you have any specific questions about Ocala outside of the park itself, let me know...

 

[lizcro326]

I live just south of Ocala and Silver Springs. I've been to the park as recently as 6 months ago. New ownership and it's coming along nicely. It is basically a nature park with exhibits and a few (very few- non thrill ) rides. Here's the link to their website loaded with all the info you might need: http://www.silversprings.com/

Ocala itself really doesn't have much to do in the excitement department. Alot of nature trails and a few museums. One of the cooler places to eat is at Gator Joes in Ocklawaha on Lake Weir just outside Ocala. Lots of history there with regards to Ma Barker and her boys.

Not sure what type of trip you're planning, but two other cool options just outside the Orlando area are:

Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven. Fl (real close to Orlando/Kissimmee : http://www.cypressgardens.com/

or

Weeki Wachee in Spring Hill, FL: http://www.weekiwachee.com/

Happy Trails,
Liz

 

[donaldduck352]

We went 6months ago for the 1'st time in 15yrs.It was a very peacful day.
They have alot of animal exibits and 3 diffrent boat rides.And yes alot of the fish are gone not saying theres non at all..
I played with birds they gotout in the open for hours!!

For the price it was a great change of pace,and we are talking about going back real soon..

 

[deej696]

OP, curious how did you like my hometown? Its ok if you didnt, I'm not its biggest fan either

 

[newholidayx2]

It was a real nice day. Peaceful, relaxing
went with a very good friend of mine, we needed the day to get away from the hustle & bustle of WDW
Will most likely be returning when im back down there again in about 4 wks as i ended up getting an annual pass

after Silver Springs we took a ride around Ocala - lots of very pretty painted horses

 

[deej696]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. The painted horses were the city's way of trying to bring some culture to town They are actually spread all over the county, in fact I'm not sure I've seen them all. Orlando had a similar project downtown but theirs was lizards.

 

[jdvm]

We went there a few months ago and really enjoyed it. It's Florida like it was before Disney. Sort of homey. I'd also keep Bok Tower and Cypress Gardens in mind.

John