The Equestrian Hotel

Ocala, Florida

Horses may not be the first thing you think of when considering a Florida vacation, but hear us out: this is a destination like none other.

The city of Ocala—situated halfway between Orlando and Gainesville—traces its proud equine history back almost a century when industrialist Carl G. Rose founded Rosemere Farm in 1935, as the country’s first thoroughbred farm. Today, almost 1,000 horse-breeding farms and training facilities pepper the Central Florida region, known for its temperate winters and easy climate. No doubt, Carl G. Rose had visions of what Ocala could become but surely The Equestrian Hotel and The World Equestrian Center (WEC) would be beyond his wildest dreams.

Northern Kentucky Bourbon Trail

When most readers think of bourbon, they think of Louisville. But, there is so much more to the brown water scene than just that one locus in lower Kentucky. Head north to the cities of Covington and Newport for a completely different take on the heritage spirit that has shaped this region.

Where to Stay

Downtown Covington is so visually charming that it has been the backdrop for scads of movies filmed in the area. Robert Redford, Zac Efron, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise and Ryan Gosling have all shot scenes in the area. The Hotel Covington is a boutique hotel in the former Coppin’s Department Store space, very centrally-located. Their brand-new sister property, North by Hotel Covington, is just down the block. As the former YMCA, the hotel boasts design nods to its athletic past while featuring luxury suites and penthouses (for ahem, visiting movie stars perhaps)?

What to Do

Plan a long weekend here to explore the region’s B-Line, Northern Kentucky’s self-guided Bourbon trail. A number of local craft distilleries, bars (all of which have been named to The Best Bourbon Bars in America list) and restaurants have earned coveted spots. Print out your passport before you go or pick one up at any stop along the line.

Stop in to Revival Vintage Spirits where co-owner and curator Brad Bonds shares his passion (and collection) of found spirits. The passage of the 2018 Vintage Spirits Law allowed bars and retail shops to purchase “dusties” from individuals’ collections and Brad’s collection is jaw-dropping. The best part is, these spirits are meant to be opened, tasted and enjoyed. The full bottle might set you back a pretty penny, but Brad is happy to sell individual pours that will knock your socks off.

Prohibition Bourbon Bar (and Newberry Bros. Coffee

Café & Bistro)—Owners Kim and Peter Newberry are as charming as you hope they might be, as stewards of one of the largest collections of bourbon anywhere in the world. Enjoy a pour from any of the thousands available and then come back the next morning for Peter’s hand-turned-out pastries and uber-fine coffee.

New Riff Distilling Company—Take a tour and tasting of this family-owned independent spirit maker where their core Bourbon riffs on the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act, ensuring a consistent and often times exemplary product, are free of artificial flavor enhancements or colorings.

At Second Sights Spirits, two former Cirque du Soleil engineers and prop designers hand-crafted their spirits in a fortune-teller themed venue. Just across the street, in the old Ludlow Theater building, is Bircus Brewing, owned and operated by a former Ringling Bros. circus clown, Paul Miller. Come for the up-and-coming circus acts that regularly perform here, and stay for the pizza.

Where to Eat

Emily Wolff and Paul Weckman are the husband-and-wife team behind several standout eateries in town, namely Frida, Otto’s, The Standard and Larry’s. Their newly opened Mama’s on Main in Mainstrasse Village is classic Italian where red sauce rules and the lively décor emulates their passion for these dishes.

The Baker’s Table and The Baker’s Table Bakery are where Chef David Willocks and designer Wendy Braun create stand-out fare that is both seasonally-sophisticated and approachable in a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Go early, and enjoy a cocktail with house made shrubs.

What the heck is ‘goetta?’ This local staple with German origins is a sausage-like mixture of pork, beef and pinhead oats. Pronounced “get-UH,” you’re likely to see this item on breakfast menus or on pizzas in the region. If you try it and REALLY love it, come back for GoettaFest, held on the banks of the Ohio River with neighboring Cincinnati just across the iconic John A.