Travelogue – Ocala, Florida

You probably would only heard of Ocala if you are a competitive swimmer or a competitive equestrian, or have it in yourself to watch either.

The city of Ocala is nestled between the eastern and western coasts of the northern part of Florida. The area is home to over 400 thoroughbred farms and training centre’s and is considered the ‘horse capital of the world.’ Kentucky, Newmarket, Ireland, Chantilly and Dubai might have something to say about that claim, but it is most definitely horsey.

Ocala is also a large slice of ‘real Florida’ nestled in the middle of the state with around 70% of the land in the huge Marion County agricultural. However the area is seeing a growing population and plenty of new investment with new residents finding it affordable and close to the parks of Orlando in the south and the ginormous campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville to the north.

We come to Ocala to watch our daughter swim (we are here again now) at the Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training (F.A.S.T.) centre, which is a hugely impressive facility that opened in early 2022. F.A.S.T. is the premier training, and competitive swim venue in the Southeastern part of United States and holds over 2,000 spectators.

More impressive is the ever expanding World Equestrian Center (WEC) a vast site stood pretty much in isolation among thousands of acres of green fields and farms. This is a mega-complex that expands over 378 acres and is getting bigger. It is the largest equestrian centre in the United States and everything about it smells like a new car. It opened in 2021.

In addition to the 7,000-seat WEC grand arena there are five climate-controlled indoor arenas and 18 outdoor rings (with more in the works). The site also holds concerts and other large events, equestrian and non-equestrian alike.

Also onsite is a veritable smorgasbord of facilities and retail places as well as a chapel and WEC has it’s very own veterinary hospital, which makes a lot of sense.

We’ve been to the World Equestrian Center a fair few times now and large buildings are popping up all over the place. An Events Centre is being built and opens next year, as does a high-end shopping plaza and four more restaurants, which it does need.

At the centre of it all is the luxurious Equestrian Hotel. The exquisite lobby embodies sheer elegance, as do the people hanging around there mostly donning jodhpurs and leather boots…. if that is your thing!

The hotel bar is great though. I do love a hotel bar that is the epicentre of it all and the Yellow Pony is just that. I cheered, on my own, England’s Euro 2024 semi final win sat at the bar in July.

Elsewhere there’s a lot of luxurious touches such as a self-playing grand piano, a Swarovski crystal chandelier and long hallways are adorned with whimsical animal portraits and equestrian-inspired décor. There’s a fancy restaurant, where you’d have to check the dress code to see if jodhopurs are allowed plus a calorie loaden French patisserie.

The Riding Academy Hotel also sits on the grounds and is more affordable but no less contemporary. Whilst the main hotel is full of weekenders looking to drop a few quid, this hotel is full of parents dragging riding saddles and swim bags.

Ocala covers a large area, and I’ve lost count of the times I’ve now been there, but rarely do we get to visit the downtown area. Downtown has an historic charm but I see it quickly changing to incorporate a contemporary freshness. An old-fashioned town square serves as a backdrop to various events including First Friday Art Walks.

We have eaten at the picturesque Ivy On The Square, a rustic-chic bistro that serves elevated Southern comfort food in a building built in 1890. Follow dinner with cocktails in the adjacent speakeasy. A password is needed at the Thirsty Cobbler (no website).

The Tipsy Skipper has been recommended to us for a few drinks and a fun night out, but a 15-year old in need of sleep and pasta and a large dog don’t appear to be soul mates for tiki themed cocktail lounge!

If a more refined visit is your thing then there is historic equestrian art and more at The Appleton Museum of Art. Appleton’s equine art collection spans more than 3,000 years of horse history. It originated from the private collection of the museum’s namesake, Arthur Appleton, and wife, Martha O’Driscoll.

I may have mentioned this already, but Ocala is very horsey and many horse farms offer up a range of guided tours of their properties, and the World Equestrian Hotel has a calendar packed full of events year round.

Further afield there is fruit picking, hiking, biking and boating. and for one of the most exciting things to do in Ocala and a dose of the old-outdoors, head east on State Road 40 to one of Florida’s original theme parks, Silver Springs State Park.

Originally built as a roadside attraction in 1878, the tranquil park offers nature trails, boardwalks and sidewalks that allow you to meander through the beautiful and crystal-clear freshwater springs.

It helps if you have either a swimsuit or a saddle but within a drive there are oodles of things in and around Ocala to keep you active. If a more manufactured spirit is what is required, then Walt Disney World is an hour and a bit away.