North Central Florida

Travel Guide

If you walk to the end of the path (about .5 miles) turn left and you'll pass over this bridge. Nice spot for a pic.
If you walk to the end of the path (about .5 miles) turn left and you'll pass over this bridge. Nice spot for a pic.
If you visit Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, FL, make sure you go on one of the famous glass bottom boat tours. We took one and were lucky enough to have our boat pass right over two friendly manatees. #florida #silversprings #manatee
One of the famous glass bottom boats in Silver Springs State Park (Ocala, FL) floats by on the crystal clear water of the Silver River. If you visit Silver Springs, you must take one of these boat rides. In addition to seeing the underwater springs, we also saw manatees, alligators, turtles, monkeys, and birds on our 90 minute tour. #silversprings #florida
You will not find many waterfalls in Florida. I discovered Falling Creek Falls early one morning near Lake City. Take a quick detour from I-10 to see a root-beer-colored cascade, which plummets more than 10 feet over a deep lip of limestone and flows away over limestone boulders at the bottom of a ravine. Falling Creek Falls was the site of the first settlement in this area, and a short boardwalk trail offers easy access to this scenic view.

Where to stay in North Central Florida

Ocala, FL

Historic Downtown

Though Historic Downtown may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Reilly Arts Center and Southeastern Livestock Pavilion SELP.

Historic Downtown
Closeup of alligator back lying inside marsh swamp in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in Gainesville, Florida in sunlight

University Heights

University Heights might not have many top sights, but Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Hippodrome State Theatre are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

University Heights
Downtown Square Pano

Historic District

Though Historic District may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Reilly Arts Center and Paddock Mall.

Historic District
Gainesville, Florida, USA Skyline

Downtown Gainesville

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Downtown Gainesville and surrounding area, you can visit Hippodrome State Theatre and Thomas Center.

Downtown Gainesville
Fort King Historic Landmark - Ocala, Florida, USA

Fort King District

If you're spending some time in Fort King District, Silver Springs State Park and Fort King are top sights worth seeing.

Fort King District
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College Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in College Park and surrounding area, you can visit Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

College Park
Equus Inn Ocala

Equus Inn Ocala

2.5 out of 5
3434 Sw College Rd Ocala FL
The price is RM315 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
RM315
RM351 total
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ocala. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,919 reviews)
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Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

Equus Inn Ocala
DoubleTree by Hilton Gainesville

DoubleTree by Hilton Gainesville

4 out of 5
3726 Sw 40th Blvd Gainesville FL
The price is RM366 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
RM366
RM411 total
16 Mar - 17 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Gainesville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,006 reviews)
Hotel had a great location

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Gainesville
Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown

Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown

3 out of 5
212 SE 1ST STREET, Gainesville FL
The price is RM489 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
RM489
RM550 total
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gainesville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,150 reviews)
At check-in we were told our room would be serviced every other day.. Ok. Stayed three nights, room never serviced. Called the front desk to and the person said they’d check with their manager about why the room wasn’t serviced. Who cares, just offer to bring towels. Had to ask for them, Shouldn’t ...

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
stayAPT Suites Ocala

stayAPT Suites Ocala

3.5 out of 5
3509 W Silver Springs Blvd Ocala FL
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Ocala. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions World Equestrian Center – Ocala ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (120 reviews)
Extremely accommodating, clean, spacious! Tiffany is an amazing host. She booked us 2 more stays for April!

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

stayAPT Suites Ocala
Postcard Cabins Gilchrist Springs, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy

Postcard Cabins Gilchrist Springs, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy

2 out of 5
1699 NE Co Rd 337 High Springs FL
Stay at this cabin in High Springs. Enjoy free parking, patios and climate control. Popular attractions Ginnie Spring and Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs ...
10/10 Exceptional! (181 reviews)
Room was spotless, property was nicely groomed, snacks, coffee and water was provided overall great trip.

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

Postcard Cabins Gilchrist Springs, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
Yearling Restaurant and Cabins

Yearling Restaurant and Cabins

2.5 out of 5
14531 E County Road 325 Hawthorne FL
Stay at this cabin in Hawthorne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park and The Orange Shop ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (202 reviews)
It was a very good stay. Comfortable bed, quiet room, and it’s convenient to have the restaurant next door. My only complaints are that the tile floor in the room was swept, but needs mopping and the shower head needs replacing. The sprayer doesn’t spray out of the middle, just the sides.

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Yearling Restaurant and Cabins
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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