Outdoor Fun!

14 Reasons to Get Outside Again!

Compiled By Cynthia Brown Additional Text By Dean Blinkhorn

It’s been a long year and Ocala’s Good Life feels your pain. By now we’re all tired of our homes no matter how nice they are and are probably ready to do something outside those four walls. While it could probably be anything—even wandering in circles might be more appealing at this point—we’ve scoured our best contacts to come up with some really cool things going on right now in Ocala and the surrounding area. So get in the car, take some pics (see sidebar), and have some fun!

Take A Walk On The Wild Side

CEDAR LAKES WOODS & GARDENS-Come take a stroll through this beautiful botanical garden with cascading waterfalls, more than 50 garden displays, koi ponds, and countless breathtaking views. Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens was founded by Dr. Raymond Webber and opened for public enjoyment in 2014.

The creation of the gardens began over 27 years ago when Dr. Webber discovered the 100+ year old retired limerock quarry in 1991. Today, thanks to the help of a few staff members and Webber’s dedication to his artistic dream, the garden continues to grow with the addition of new garden displays, scenic features, and expansion of education programs. You may also wander through the surrounding woods and enjoy the oaks, cedars, pines, pecans, hickories, and dogwoods in an adjacent 64-acre nature conservation easement maintained by Conservation Florida. 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston. 352-529-0055 or cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com

Symphony Under the Stars

The Ultimate Dinner And A Show

SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS-Now in its 32nd year and with performances by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, a fireworks display, and room for a picnic, this is the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Food and beverage vendors will be onsite or you may bring your own goodies. May 9, 2021 at Ocala Golf Club, 3130 East Silver Springs Boulevard. Tickets available online for $20 or for purchase at the gate for $25, kids 17 and under are free. Gates open at 3pm, concert begins at 7pm and fireworks at 8:45pm. Don’t forget your chairs and flashlights. fafo.org/ticket-outlets

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

A Garden Of Earthly Delights

KANAPAHA BOTANICAL GARDENS-This 68-acre facility is comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1-1/2 mile paved walkway. These include the state’s largest public display of bamboos and the largest herb garden in the southeast. Some of Kanapaha’s gardens are organized taxonomically; others demonstrate principles of ecology or natural selection. Their signature plants include a premier stand of Chinese royal bamboo (Wong Chuk), and during the warm months, giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums. The months offering the most color are June through September.

Kanapaha also hosts many special events throughout the year, including a bamboo sale and North Central Florida’s premier horticultural event, the Spring Garden Festival. Another must-see is the Moonlight Walk when the paths and meadows are illuminated by special laser lights and more than 1500 luminaries; live music is featured as well. Dogs are permitted on leashes except during special events, and picnic baskets are welcome. Kanapaha’s walkways are largely wheelchair accessible and benches, gazebos, and other rest stations are liberally spaced throughout the facility. An exceptional gift shop offers a varied and unusual array of items including original art and treasures from the natural world. $10 admission. Closed Thursdays. 4700 SW 58 th Dr., Gainesville. 352-372-4981 or kanapaha.org

Market of Marion Car Show

Hot Rods & Cool Deals

MARKET OF MARION CAR SHOW-The Villages Classic Automobile Club invites you out to the Market of Marion for two car shows on May 22 and June 26. There will be lots of music, food, giveaways, and plenty of shopping.

Shopping at the Market of Marion is like taking a step back in time. It’s the old town square, the trading post, and the local mercantile all rolled into one. Get to know the shop owner before you buy. It’s a friendly community environment unique to a flea market. There are over 1,100 booths with more than 400 dealers. You’ll find just about anything and everything here. 9am to 1pm. 12888 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview.

Free Music!

LEVITT AMP MUSIC SERIES-Held on Fridays through June 25 from 7-9pm, the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series is a joint partnership between the Marion Cultural Alliance and the City of Ocala. Through the series, attendees access over seven genres of music from national, regional, and local artists, as well as learn about 10 not-for-profit cultural arts organizations that are providing year-round programming locally. The series is a safe community space that transcends socio-economic barriers and unites our community socially and civically with the love of free live music. Webb Field, 1510 NW Fourth St. ocalafl.org/levittamp.

Shop ‘Til You Drop

RENNINGER’S ANTIQUES-Located on 117 acres of scenic, rolling land in beautiful Lake County amid spreading oaks and garlands of Spanish moss waving gently from their branches, you will find Renninger’s Twin Markets in Mount Dora. Two large buildings and a number of open-air shopping areas house a wide variety of dealers from produce stands, clothing shops, and oddity vendors to high-quality antiques and collectibles. Renninger’s Twin Markets are also home to a large number of special events including antique fairs and extravaganzas, car shows, swap meets, vintage garden shows, and much more. 20651 US 441, Mount Dora. 352-383-8393 or renningers.net

Canyons Zip Lines

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

CANYONS ZIP LINES-Florida’s only true canopy tour. Two spectacular canyons and four lakes make this amazing zip lining adventure like no other. The Big Cliff Canyon tour offers a world-famous 1,100 foot zip all the way across Lost Spring Lake. The Treetop Express and Sky High tours take you soaring through Sky High Canyon and over Gator Lake.

Whether you choose to see this amazing property by air, land, or water, you’re sure to be amazed. For those who choose to stay closer to the ground, there are other options. Try a horseback tour or a wine and chocolate tour, or gem mining. And where else can you kayak in a canyon? You don’t have to go to Colorado to paddle next to an enormous cliff wall. It’s right here in Florida! 8045 NW Gainesville Rd., Ocala. 352-351-9477 or zipthecanyons.com

Get Wild!

EARS ENDANGERED ANIMAL RESCUE SANCTUARY-Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Founded in 2001, EARS is a not-forprofit organization located in Citra that exists specifically to provide excellent living conditions for previously malnourished, abused, and even abandoned big cats and other domestic and exotic animals. Walking tours are offered the first Wednesday of the month and every Saturday at 10am. Call Sue to book your tour: 352-266-2859. $20 per person. 2615 E. Highway 318, Citra.

Gypsy Gold Farm

No Horsin’ Around

GYPSY GOLD FARM-This farm loves visitors and is, in fact, the #1 thing to do in Ocala, according to TripAdvisor. Join them on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, or Saturdays at 10am for a two-hour informative tour of the farm and meet the Gypsy Vanner horses in person. You’ll also hear the history of the breed, from its discovery in Great Britain to its growth in the United States. Your tour guide will be Dennis Thompson, who discovered this unique breed and brought it to American soil. $35 per person. 12501 8th Ave., Ocala. 866- 497-7982 or gypsygold.com

Southbound Highway 41 Band

Classic Rock Weekend

LOTS OF LOCAL BANDS ON THE DOWNTOWN SQUARE-What better way to break out of quarantine than an outdoor Memorial Day weekend getaway in beautiful Downtown Ocala? FRIDAY: Start at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Ocala and then check out the tons of local bars and restaurants within walking distance. There is sure to be something to fit everyone’s taste. SATURDAY NIGHT: Rock out “southern style” under the stars at the beautiful Citizen’s Circle Park featuring Southbound Highway 41, which celebrates the music of The Allman Brothers. SUNDAY NIGHT: A holiday weekend wouldn’t be complete without the one and only Mr. Nice Guy Band playing outdoors in Downtown Ocala. For more information visit mngband.com.

Taste of Epcot

Food & Fun In Central Florida

TASTE OF EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL-Taste your way around the world at this year’s event while enjoying all the magnificent blooms throughout the park along with free live entertainment. Now through July 5th. With limited daily admissions, order your tickets ASAP at disneyworld.disney.go.com

Captain Jon

A Boat Ride & A Balladeer

CAPTAIN JON’S SINGING RIVER TOUR-Come and take a relaxing, yet informational, eco-tour of Dunnellon’s two very beautiful and different rivers, the Withlacoochee and the Rainbow. You’ll cruise in a large canopy-covered pontoon while you meander down the laziest of rivers and Captain Jon entertains with songs about the beautiful state of Florida. After the leisurely cruise, you’ll have lunch on your own at The Blue Gator. The river package includes the boat tour, motorcoach transportation, and a bottle of water. $74 per person. singingrivertours.com or 352-804-1573.

Holy Bat Signal!

LUBEE BAT CONSERVATORY-This non-profit organization is dedicated to saving bats and their habitats through research, conservation, and education, with a focus on children and community engagement.

Lubee was founded in 1989 by Luis F. Bacardi as a conservation, breeding, and research center for endangered animals. After three years, the center narrowed its focus to old-world fruit bats that are still cared for to this day.

Located in Gainesville, over 200 bats are housed on property, spending their days playing, socializing, and interacting with their roostmates. As a USDA-registered and AZA-certified zoological institution, Lubee ensures that the animals and facilities are maintained to the highest ethical standards. Working with a team of conservation scientists, educators, and zoological professionals around the world, Lubee is the only bat conservation organization in the world that houses endangered bats while maintaining active conservation and education programs.

Learn about bats while getting up close and personal. They may even paint for you! These bats are so awesome they create their own artwork. Where else are you going to see that? Schedule a tour today. 1309 NW 192nd Ave., Gainesville. 352-485-1250 or lubee.org

Tops In Tubing

RAINBOW SPRINGS PARK-One of Florida’s largest springs, the headsprings of the Rainbow River originates in this beautiful 1,472-acre park. Rich in natural beauty and cultural history, it is also a popular spot for swimmers, kayakers, tubers, and campers. The magnificent azaleas bloom in early spring, attracting visitors from around the country. Rainbow Springs is a wonderful mixture of Central Florida’s natural and cultural heritage. Come see for yourself. Kayak and tube rentals daily. Admission to the park is $2. Tubing is $20 per person. 10830 SW 180th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon. 833-945-2925.

Picture Contest! Take a picture of your adventures and send it to us at dean@ocalasgoodlife.com and look for the best ones in the next issue!