12 Top Things to do in Ocala with Teenagers

Are you searching for things to do in Ocala with Teenagers? I’ve got you covered with our best of Ocala list!

I have explored many destinations with my teenagers and Ocala is one of our favorites! From outdoor enthusiasts’ adventures to shopping, sightseeing, and more, there is a lot to discover in this hidden Florida gem. Plus, since it is a relatively small town with friendly locals, it is easy to navigate and safe for families.

My teenagers love exploring all the outdoor activities available in Ocala such as horseback riding, zip lining and kayaking.

We also enjoy visiting Silver Springs State Park for its natural beauty and historic charm.

There are plenty of fun shops where you can find souvenirs to remember your trip by and local eateries that feature some of the best offerings from Florida’s cuisine. My favorite spot to visit in Ocala would have to be the Appleton Museum Of Art where I can take my teens on educational field trips full of culture and history.

As someone who has traveled extensively with my own children, I am familiar with the types of attractions that will appeal to both adults and teens alike so you can trust my expertise when planning your next visit to Ocala.

Visit Ocala Marion County invited us as press to explore the surrounding area. All opinions are my own.

Best Things to Do in Ocala Florida with Teens

Ocala, Florida offers plenty of activities to entertain teens and families alike. Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in the area with your teens.

From outdoor adventures like kayaking or zip-lining, to indoor activities such as bowling, miniature golf, and laser tag, Ocala has something for everyone. If you’re looking for what to do in Ocala FL, start here.

Visit Silver Springs State Park for an unforgettable day on the river – ride a glass-bottom boat and explore the wonders of nature! For a laid-back day, head over to Downtown Ocala where you can shop at the local boutiques or share a meal together at one of the many restaurants. Families will find plenty of memories waiting in Ocala!

1. Canyons Zip Line & Horseback Riding

We took a horseback ride through the Canyons at Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park. If you don’t know about Ocala, it’s known to be one of the top horseback riding areas in the country.

Because of this, I was super excited to get in a horseback ride while we were in Ocala. This is horse country after all!What I didn’t expect was the terrain at the Canyons. It was as if we were trekking through the Tennessee mountainside and not the typical flat Florida areas. The area was once a mining location and therefore has many changes in elevation thanks to former mining excavations.

As the name suggests, the Canyons Zip Line has canopy tours. At over 1100 feet long, it’s the highest and longest in the state of Florida. With a course of eight different zip lines and two suspension bridges over a deep ravine, this is an adventure like none other. The view from up above the trees is simply breathtaking! This is definitely a popular activity for your teens.

It’s also one of the safest activities in the area—all riders are provided with safety gear and trained guides who guide them through the whole experience. Whether you’re looking for a thrill or just want to admire the scenic views, the Canyons Zipline is sure to impress!

Since we don’t get to do a lot of horseback riding, my kids enjoyed the slow pace, but also the challenge of riding up and down the hills.

Check out their air, land, and water adventures here.

2. Visit a Horse Farm

Explore the story of Gypsy Vanner Horses, a unique breed that inspired legend and lore.

On this tour, you’ll wander past trees dripping with Spanish moss to reach the stables, where you can meet these beautiful creatures. Learn about their history and how they came to be in America, as well as how to care for them and what makes them special.

With stories of adventure and unexpected history, it’s an experience you won’t forget. Whether you’re a horse lover or just looking for something out of the ordinary, this tour is sure to deliver!

🐴 Schedule this tour with your teens here.

3. Visit the World Equestrian Center

Staying with the topic of horses and horseback riding, if you’ve ever wanted to see what more of the hype is about, stop in to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. From the towering grandstands to the one-of-a-kind stables, it’s a horse lover’s paradise.

You can choose from many different equestrian events at WEC. The center is over 300 acres, with 15 outdoor rings for competitions such as equestrian jumping and dressage shows.

The center also has a variety of restaurants and shops, so you can find something to do even when there’s not an event going on.

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience with horses, the World Equestrian Center should definitely be at the top of your list. Horseback riding is a great way to explore Florida in a new way, and the World Equestrian Center

4. Rainbow River Kayaking

Florida, and especially Marion County, is filled with natural springs.

The beauty of springs in Florida? The water stays around 72 degrees making it extremely refreshing in the Florida heat!

We took a kayak and paddleboard trip along the Rainbow River, which is part of the Rainbow Springs. We departed from KP Hole Park.

My son and I chose single kayaks and my daughter chose to paddleboard. She wanted the extra challenge and did well the entire time, never falling into the water!

There are places that claim to be crystal clear. Rainbow River is truly one of those. We could see everything in the river from the waving blades of emerald green seagrass to the pocked white sandstone. A variety of fish darted in and out of the seagrass.

While we did not see any manatees this trip, they do come into Rainbow River.

🛶 Book a Clear Kayak Tour in Rainbow Springs for your teens!

5. Snorkel or Dive in Rainbow River

Because Rainbow River is crystal clear, it’s a great place to snorkel or do drift diving. You can enjoy up to 200 feet of visibility in the clear water to watch fish, turtles, otters, and hopefully manatees if you time the season right.

The nearby springs are just as spectacular as Rainbow River with its own unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife. The springs are also a great opportunity for scuba diving, with depths of up to 72 feet!

With its mild temperatures and clear visibility, it’s easy to observe the amazing variety of fish that live in these aquatic environments. The nearby state parks offer family-friendly activities like picnicking and camping, so you can make a weekend out of exploring all the natural beauty.

If you don’t have snorkel or diving gear, I’d recommend a guided tour where you can add equipment for rent.

🤿 Try a Scuba/Snorkel Tour with your teens

6. Rainbow Springs State Park

Rainbow Springs State Park is one of our favorite things to do in Ocala Fl with kids.

We could have paddled into Rainbow Springs State Park, but as the weather was starting to turn we headed back to KP Hole Park. Instead, we drove the short distance to Rainbow Springs State Park.

One of the Florida State Parks, Rainbow Springs is one of those old Florida Highway attractions. At one time, it housed a zoo and the landscape was arranged to create waterfalls. While the zoo is no longer there, remnants remind you that Ocala, Florida was a tourist destination long before Disney. Looking for the old cages and waterfalls here is definitely one of the unique things to do near Ocala FL.

The waterfalls remain, however, and the nature walk is an easy loop to see the incredibly wild and jungle-like scenery. The park has access to the springs and a designated swimming hole. Keep in mind, the water is a refreshing 72 degrees and may be a bit of a shock compared to the outside temperature.

The kids enjoyed discovering the waterfalls and the history behind the park.

Entrance to the state parks is usually around $5 per car, making it one of the cheap things to do in Ocala.

7. Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park is another of Florida’s State Parks. This popular park is one of America’s largest springs and home to the famous glass-bottom boats.

This park, with its grandiose entrance, also harkens back to the days of spectacular roadside attractions.

Here you can also hike the many wild jungle trails. In fact, this area so closely resembles a jungle, that many Tarzan movies were filmed here. If you’re lucky, you’ll view some of the monkey descendants that still inhabit the park area.

Things to do in Silver Springs FL State Park include:

• Bicycling
• Birding
• Camping
• Paddling
• Hiking
• Picnic areas
• Museum
• Horse Equestrian Trails

Want even more kayaking? Check out the Walking Mermaid’s review of Kayaking at Silver Springs.

The piece de resistance, however, is clearly the glass-bottom boat tours. One of Florida’s oldest Ocala attractions, cruise along the Silver River to not only see clear down to the bottom but learn about what makes up the spring, the types of wildlife, and the stories of the films made there.

Silver Springs is this magical, old authentic Florida attraction that everyone needs to visit at least once.

🛶 Try a Clear Kayak Tour in Silver Springs, perfect for small groups.

8. Art in Ocala

There are a couple of surprising ways to experience art in Ocala. To begin with, I never would have thought to seek out the contemporary art in Ocala. But as we were invited to visit certain areas, I was impressed with what we found.

First, Ocala is known as the horse capital of the world as mentioned above. So it should come as no surprise that there are horse statues throughout the city. One of the best free things to do in Ocala, a fun scavenger hunt for kids and adults would be finding all of these artistically decorated horses. I think we only found 5, but they were beautiful.

Where to find the painted horses in Ocala? There are a few around downtown and many around the Ocala area in both private and public areas. For a full list, click here.

Also, exploring more downtown Ocala things to do, check out the Tuscawilla Art Park. It is an intriguing sculpture park with paved trails and pons. Some of these renderings provoked some interesting conversations with the kids and me. It’s also a great place to let younger children run around.

9. Explore Downtown Ocala

More things to do in Ocala for free include exploring the Ocala Historic Downtown Square. The downtown square is made up of dozens of charming historic buildings, many that date back to the 1800s.

From art galleries and museums to quaint local shops, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant slice of Old Florida. You can also stroll through the historical district or take a guided tour for a small fee.

10. Camp in Ocala National Forest

You can visit the nearby Ocala National Forest and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, or camping. The forest is also home to many native wildlife species like deer, birds, and alligators. There are several free public access areas throughout the park where you can picnic or take a hike.

We’ve also enjoyed camping in the Ocala National Forest. Campgrounds here include Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, and Alexander Springs. All three offer stunning views of the area’s scenery and provide access to a variety of outdoor activities like swimming in the springs, canoeing, hiking, swimming, fishing, and bird-watching.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable camping experience and things to do around Ocala FL in a nature-filled landscape, Ocala National Forest is a great option!

11. Visit a Museum

The true surprising gem of Marion County is the Appleton Museum, located near Silver Springs. The museum has an extensive collection of paintings, and sculptures spanning European, Contemporary, Asian, African, Islamic, and Pre-Columbian.

The kid-friendly museum also features an interactive gallery for children and a permanent exhibit of Florida’s history.

In addition, the Appleton Museum hosts regular educational programs for families and adults that offer insight into the cultures represented in the works of art. Whether you are interested in learning about local culture or exploring world-renowned pieces of artwork, the Appleton Museum is sure to provide something special.

Where the museum shines, however, is in its creative room where all ages can sit with artist materials and create their own masterpieces. And when I say all ages, I did see everyone from babies to retirees working on projects.

12. Visit the Ocala Drive-In Theatre

When’s the last time you can say you took your teens to a drive-in movie theater? As luck would have it, Ocala has one of the few drive-ins in Florida, let alone the United States.

This is a great rainy day activity, as they are open even in the rain. Just sit in your car and enjoy a unique experience.

Obviously, a drive-in movie is one of the best fun things to do in Ocala at night. Movies show just after sunset, and the Ocala Drive-In is open 7 days a week, even on holidays.

Find them at 4850 S. Pine Ave in Ocala.

Grab your chairs if you want to sit outside of your car as that is a great option and family friendly.

Buy snacks at the theater as it’s what helps keep the theater in business. (Remember your ticket supports the movie, and food supports the theater.) In fact, you’re required to buy a food voucher for $10 to use towards food to help keep the movie prices low. Currently, the cost of a double feature is only $6.

Places to Eat in Ocala

Ocala offers plenty of your classic southern-style food. I highly recommend you go local and check out some of our favorites here.

Blue Gator Tiki Bar – Great riverside location in Dunnellon. Expansive porch and typical bar food. It was the perfect place to stop after our morning on the water. Get the smoked fish dip.

Mojo Grill – Super fun cajun southern-style restaurant with eclectic blues-y decor. Great selection of dishes and fulfilling size portions.

Sayulita Tacqueria – I think my favorite of the places to visit in Ocala we dined, everything here is made the day of and super fresh. Think food truck style tacos in a funky sit-down restaurant. Sayulita is in the historic district downtown.

Brooklyn’s Backyard – Seriously the most fun location was Brooklyn’s Backyard. Designed to feel as if you’re at a backyard bbq, from the indoor grass to the patio furniture. Food is as you’d expect, straight from the grill. The best feature, a make your own s’ mores delivered right to your table to roast.

Where to Stay in Ocala

We stayed at the Spring Hill Suites in Ocala. It’s a newer hotel in the area, with an indoor pool and spacious rooms. The sofa included a trundle bed underneath, making it perfect for the entire family with teens who don’t want to share a bed. Breakfast was hot and delicious, with a lot of healthy options. We couldn’t get enough of the scones, however!

As Ocala and Marion County offer a lot to do and is mostly about nature, we were within 20-30 minutes of all our activities.

Check their availability here.

Where is Ocala Florida?

Just where is Ocala, Florida? If you drive into Florida (perhaps on your way to Disney) via I-75, you may recognize the name. It’s the city just before I-75 meets Florida’s Turnpike. At least that’s how I knew where Ocala is.

Plus, Ocala is a short drive from Orlando in the North Central Florida area.

And while most people would not consider stopping on their way to Orlando, they’d miss out on all these top things to do in Ocala Florida area. Especially if you have teenagers, Ocala is an extraordinary adventure.

Ocala and the surrounding towns in Marion County have exceptional natural attractions and things to do. It’s also less than 90 minutes from Walt Disney World, making it a great way to add on an authentic native Florida experience.

What I loved about visiting Ocala Marion County was getting my teenagers back to nature and overall relaxing. The following are my choices for teens in Ocala.

When to Visit Ocala

As it’s in Central Florida and you’re likely doing a lot of outdoor activities, I’d recommend visiting when you can tolerate the outside heat. That said, we visited in August and enjoyed our activities without too much sweat. We’re local, however, and are used to the summer heat.

I’d recommend spring and late fall as the best times to visit.

If you like natural things to do, you may also enjoy Crystal River. Read my review of the campground here.