Educational and Active Things for Young Adults to do in Ocala

Whether it's for weekend plans or something to do in the area, here are some educational and active thing to do in Ocala.

By Amber Battillo September 24, 2025 2:00 pm

Several boats on a river are docked at a waterfront building surrounded by trees. The boats include green-roofed glass-bottom tour boats and a small pontoon boat labeled "Silver River." The building has a green roof with white trim and multiple gables. Palm trees and other vegetation are visible in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Trees and sky are reflected on the river. — 352todayAmber Battillo/352todaySeveral Silver Springs glass-bottom boat tours are docked on the Silver River as another boat floats toward the building at the edge of the river.

Visit the Fort King National Historic Landmark

The Fort King National Historic Landmark has events throughout the year with reenactments and educational tours. In October, they will be hosting a broom making class on Saturday, Oct. 18 for $25 from 1 – 4 p.m. as well as Phantoms in the Fort the same day from 5 – 9 p.m. Spend a day learning about Seminole history and the fort’s historical significance when visiting the landmark and take a walk through its scenic trail.

The park is free to enter and open from sunrise to sunset or 7 p.m., whichever comes first, every day.

A beige sign held up on either side with wood pillars and lights below reads, "FORT KING NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK 3925." On the sign is a drawing of a fort and s Seminole. In the background is a road with a car and trees. — The entrance to Fort King National Historic Landmark is marked with a sign. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Take a stroll through a park

Sholom Park features five trails, a labyrinth, a Japanese Zen Garden, a formal garden trail and a ginger garden. They also host multiple events throughout the year with their monthly events being the L.E.A.F. series with an admission price of $5 and the Park After Dark series with an admission price of $20. The park is free to enter and open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day apart from the Park After Dark series which takes place from 5:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Tuscawilla Park shares the same space as the Reilly Arts Center and the Discovery Science Center. The park features a playground for kids, sidewalks to venture around the long stretch of Lake Tuscawilla, picnic tables, grills and is pet and family friendly. Whether taking a walk around Lake Tuscawilla featuring an abundance of wildlife or strolling around the Tuscawilla Art Park to see some of the creative works of locals, Tuscawilla has plenty of activities for everyone. The park is free to enter and conveniently open 24 hours every day.

Scott Springs Park features a paved walking trail with painted murals for a welcoming entrance, a pavilion, picnic tables, a playground, grills, a boardwalk to a grotto, exercise equipment and more as well as being pet and family friendly. The park is free to enter and open from 9 a.m. – 7p.m.

A sign that reads "Sholom Park" stands in the middle of bushes with tall trees in the background. An open green field is visible in the distance. — A Sholom Park sign amongst greenery visible from a walking trail. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

A brown duck with white under its wing and red around its eyes sits on a short, downward hill overlooks a body of water with a hill in the background. — A duck overlooking a small pond next to the playground in Tuscawilla Park. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Camp or fish in the Ocala National Forest

The Ocala National Forest has over 30 trails for a calming scenic walk, a fun hike with friends, biking, horseback riding and more. Some of these trails include the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Juniper Springs Trail and the Marshall Swamp Trailhead. Some areas offer camping, swimming, boating, fishing, jet skiing and more. There is also a two-acre cabin sight that sits Lake Dorr Cabin near Lake Dorr with a variety of amenities.

The entrances are free and open every day year-round at every trail with some closing earlier than others.

A wooden trailhead signboard with maps and notices stands at the start of a forest trail. Signs include "Trail Closes at Sunset" and "Dogs Must Be Kept on Leash." A smaller sign nearby says "No Motorized Vehicles." Trees and a dirt path surround the area. — A signboard stands at the entrance of Marshall Swamp Trailhead with maps and notices. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Visit a state park

Rainbow Springs State Park offers a variety of activities at Rainbow River with canoeing and kayaking options, tubing, swimming, snorkeling, hiking through one of the nature trails, picnics and more. Rainbow Springs entry fees are $2 for walk ups and bicycles, $4 per single vehicle or motorcycle and $5 per vehicle with two to eight people. Rainbow Springs is open every day from 8 a.m. to sundown.

Silver Springs State Park offers Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, hiking on one of the nature trails around the park, camping, glass bottom boat tours, a museum and a variety of dining options. Silver Springs State Park has an entry fee of $2 and boat tours range from $14 to $35 depending on length and lunch inclusion. Silver Springs is open every day from 8 a.m. to sundown.

A brown sign reads, "Florida's Silver Springs" in bold white letters with trees surrounding it. — The Silver Springs State Park entrance in Silver Springs. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Take a walk through history at a museum

The Silver River Museum & Environmental Educational Center provides educational opportunities to students and the public with the main gallery, a history wing, a lunch pavilion, research library and a schoolhouse. The museum is not open to the public on weekdays, which are reserved for school tours. However, it is open to the public on weekends with an entry fee of $2. The museum also features a replica pioneer village with public tours available on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for free with regular park admission fees.

The Appleton Museum of Art features a wide variety of art from permanent collections to current and student exhibitions. The permanent collection includes Florida, equine, European, Maritime, African, pre-Columbian and more. The current exhibition is from Jan. 28 to Sept. 28 is From the Ground Up: A Survey of Ceramics from the Permanent Collection with functional and decorative items from Agent Egypt to contemporary works. The Appleton also offers events throughout the year such as free first Saturdays, gallery tours, the CF Ira Holmes International Film Series and more. Entry to the museum is free for children 5 and under, $5 for ages 6 to 17 and $10 for adults with discounts available. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m.