Day Trippin' › Florida › From Ocala
From Ocala, Silver Springs is about 15 minutes away, the Don Garlits Museum about 15, Rainbow Springs about 35, Paynes Prairie about 35, Juniper Springs about 40, Silver Glen Springs under 50, and Crystal River under an hour. The best day trips from Ocala, by drive time.
153 places within a 3-hour drive, by real roads.
Springs · 34 min west
A former roadside attraction with waterfalls, gardens and a buoyed swim area at the head of the Rainbow River.
Wildlife · 55 min southwest
Boardwalks over clear springs where hundreds of manatees gather on cold winter days.
Small town · 31 min north
A tiny, very old town with antique shops and moss-draped oaks near Paynes Prairie.
Bike trail · 43 min north
A 16-mile paved rail trail through forest and along Paynes Prairie.
Hike · 55 min southwest
Quiet trails and a long loop through salt marsh and pine flatwoods on the Nature Coast. Great for birding and biking.
Historic site · 31 min north
The Cross Creek farm home of the author of The Yearling, with gardens and trails.
Garden · 42 min northwest
Bamboo groves, a hummingbird garden and giant water lilies in summer.
Bike trail · 52 min south
Florida's longest paved rail trail, about 46-47 miles through small towns and forest.
Springs · 1 hr 21 min northwest
The classic Florida tubing river, crystal clear and cool, with swim spots at the head spring.
Springs · 1 hr 29 min east
The best place in Florida to see manatees in winter, hundreds at a time, from a boardwalk.
Theme park · 1 hr 31 min southeast
Cinderella Castle, classic rides and parades. The heart of Walt Disney World.
Historic site · 1 hr 44 min northeast
The oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., guarding St. Augustine's bay since the 1600s.
Small town · 1 hr 22 min west
An old fishing village on the Gulf known for clams, seafood, birdwatching and sunsets.
Food town · 1 hr 45 min southwest
Greek town on the water with sponge boats, bakeries and Greek restaurants along Dodecanese Boulevard.
Bike trail · 1 hr 31 min south
A 2.6-mile path along the Hillsborough River linking parks, museums and restaurants from Armature Works to Sparkman Wharf.
Garden · 1 hr 13 min northeast
Deep ravines with suspension bridges, azaleas and a loop drive in Palatka.
Museum · 2 hr 5 min southeast
See the Space Shuttle Atlantis, a Saturn V rocket and launch pads. A must for space fans.
Beach · 2 hr 10 min south
Nearly three miles of beach, a historic fort, fishing piers, a dog beach and a big campground at the mouth of Tampa Bay.
Museum · 2 hr 15 min south
Circus museum, a grand Venetian-style mansion, an art museum and bayfront gardens on one big campus.
Beach · 2 hr 24 min south
Soft quartz sand that stays cool underfoot, gentle water and free parking. Often ranked among the best US beaches.
Wildlife · 2 hr 24 min north
Vast blackwater swamp with gators, cranes and boardwalks.
Island · 2 hr 56 min north
A state-owned island with beaches, a historic club district, bike paths and a sea turtle hospital.
National park · 2 hr 37 min north
A wild barrier island with feral horses, mansion ruins and empty beaches, reached by ferry.
Small town · 2 hr 24 min north
A Victorian seaport on Amelia Island with a walkable downtown, shrimp boats and about 13 miles of beach.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP 34471 (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner). Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.