Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 352-236-7148;
www.floridastateparks.org/silversprings
;
5656 E Silver Springs Blvd; pedestrian/
car $2/8; 10am-5pm)
In one of Florida's first amusement parks, glass-bottomed boats were invented here in
1878 to show visitors the natural springs and stunningly clear Silver River. Although the
amusement side of things closed when the park was taken over by the state in 2013, the
natural beauty and the boat tours (adult/child $10/9) over Mammoth Spring remain. The
spring is the world's largest artesian limestone spring, gushing 550 million gallons of
99.8%-pure spring water per day.
Cactus Jack's Trail Rides
HORSEBACK RIDING
( 352-266-9326;
www.cactusjackstrailrides.com
;
11008 S Hwy 475A; 1/2/3hr rides $45/65/80)
You're in the horse capital of America, so saddle up and let Cactus Jack's take you trotting
through shady forests and clover-green fields on the backs of their handsome quarter
horses and thoroughbreds.
BARBERVILLE ROADSIDE YARD ART & PRODUCE
On Rte 40, plunked halfway between Ocala and Daytona and roughly one-third the way
between DeLand and Palatka, nestled cozily beneath a Spanish-moss canopy, sits the
king of roadside stands,
Barberville Roadside Yard Art & Produce
( 386-749-3562;
www.barbervilleroadside.com
; 140 West State Rd 40, Barberville; 9am-7pm). Offering more than
just fruits, veggies and honey, this open-air market fills 3 acres with mounds of fountains,
wrought-iron furniture, gazing balls, ceramic drop-in sinks and old-fashioned peanut
brittle. There's even an 8ft-tall aluminum rooster. Who doesn't need one of those?
Sleeping & Eating
There's a cluster of cheap lodgings just south of downtown Ocala on Hwy 441 (S Pine
Ave) and more within walking distance of Silver Springs.
Silver River State Park
CAMPGROUND
(
352-236-7148;
www.floridastateparks.org/silversprings
;
1425 NE 58th Ave; sites $24, cabins $110;
)
