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Things to Do in Ocala, FL When You Move Here

Moving to a new city can be just as frightening as exciting. As you move into your new home and get settled, your next step is likely to get to know the area. You’ll need to find a new favorite restaurant and discover some hidden gems around town — whether it’s family-friendly activities or the best places to relax at. Overtime, you’ll come to love and appreciate the beauty of Ocala, FL, but to help you get settled in, we’ve provided a brief guide to some cool things you can do around town.

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Great Restaurants to Try in Ocala, FL

Plenty of great restaurants call Ocala home. From succulent Indian cuisine to juicy burger joints, Ocala has a restaurant that will convince you to come back every week. As you finish your move to Ocala, here are some restaurants you should try first before exploring other areas around town:

Amrit Palace

  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Location: 3415 SW College Road, Ocala, FL 34474
  • Phone: (352) 873-8500
  • Website: Click Here

La Cuisine

  • Cuisine: French
  • Location: 48 SW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
  • Phone: (352) 433-2570
  • Website: Click Here

Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille

  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Location: 24 SE 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
  • Phone: (352) 840-0900
  • Website: Click Here

Shopping Places to Visit

Ocala has diverse shopping opportunities for local consumers. In downtown Ocala, unique shops sell goods of every kind, and farm markets are on location once a week. Mall shoppers can choose from Market Street at Heath Brook or Paddock Mall. Market Street at Heath Brook includes major retailers Barnes and Noble, Dillard’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, but it also hosts numerous other local and national retailers. At Paddock Mall, shoppers can choose from major department stores Belk, Sears, JC Penney and Macy’s. Many other popular retailers, including Best Buy, Victoria’s Secret, and American Eagle, are also located in Paddock Mall.

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Outdoor Activities to Enjoy

Ocala’s location makes it a top spot for outdoor activities. Silver Springs State Park offers a fantastic setting for hiking, wildlife watching, and picnicking. At Paradise Springs, scuba divers can see prehistoric fossils and limestone formations in the 72-degree clear water inside a cavern. Juniper Prairie Wilderness, another outdoor destination, has 20 square miles of road-free natural beauty for hiking, biking and boating enthusiasts to enjoy.

Family Activities

Families can find plenty to do together in Ocala. NewRed Hobbies RC Track is an awesome place for families to have a blast racing RC vehicles, and it’s easy to find in downtown Ocala. Families can pet a variety of wild and exotic animals at the Best Hay Farm Petting Zoo. As its name suggests, the farm sells hay but is also a great place to enjoy wildlife up close. Finally, Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides is a place to see local trails while riding horses, which are a major part of Ocala’s culture.

Famous Ocala Activities

A host of famous activities are associated with Ocala. Golfers will find that Ocala offers a golfing paradise with several well-known courses. Two of the best include the Baseline Golf Course and Golden Ocala Golf Course, which replicates a number of world-class holes. Some of the best mountain biking anywhere can be found at Santos Mountain Biking Trails in Ocala National Forest. Finally, Ocala’s famous Appleton Museum of Art has a broad collection of historic and contemporary art from around the world.

Moving to Ocala, FL

From outdoor activities to cultural attractions and diverse shopping, Ocala has something to offer everyone. Although the area is rich in natural beauty, it’s also close to major highways that lead to nearby Orlando and other major Florida cities. Individuals and families can enjoy plenty of adventure as well as culture when they call this area home.

If you want to know more information about moving to Ocala, Florida or would like some personal recommendations of other places, feel free to contact us.