Local Directory — The Villages, Ocala & Central Florida
Restaurants, bars, venues, and more across the region
The Villages Polo Club
The VillagesWatch fast-paced polo matches on a 250-acre facility in the heart of The Villages. Tailgate on the sidelines, stomp the divots at halftime, and enjoy a quintessential Florida Sunday afternoon.
Three Sisters Springs Visitors Center for Swimming with Manatees
Crystal RiverPreserved area of springs & natural habitat for manatees with a boardwalk & trolleys for viewing.
Tom Varn Park
Crystal RiverSpacious park with open & forested areas, a fitness course, basketball softball & racquetball.
Trimble Park
Mount DoraLakeside park with picnic & camping areas, plus a playground, trails & docks in scenic surrounds.
Tsala Apopka Lake Chain
InvernessA vast interconnected chain of lakes, pools, and marshes covering over 19,000 acres, Tsala Apopka is one of Florida's most unique waterways. The system is divided into three pools — Floral City, Inverness, and Hernando — connected by channels and the Withlacoochee River. Kayaking and canoeing through the cypress-lined channels feels like paddling through old Florida wilderness. The chain is also outstanding for bass fishing and birdwatching.
Tuscawilla Art Park
OcalaOutdoor art park in downtown Ocala featuring rotating sculpture installations and public art. A creative green space perfect for an afternoon walk among the artwork.
Tuscawilla Park
Ocala34-acre park in the heart of Ocala with a children's playground, walking trail around Lake Tuscawilla, tennis and basketball courts, and the Discovery Center. The Sunday Makers Market at Heart of the Park adds local flair.
Two Tails Ranch
WillistonPrivate elephant sanctuary and conservation center offering guided tours. Home to retired circus and zoo elephants.
Uncle Donald's Farm
weirsdaleFifty-acre family-owned petting farm where kids can feed goats, milk a goat, go on hayrides, and meet llamas, deer, and even alligators. A hands-on farm experience that's been running since 1980.
Vietnamese American Buddhist Association
LeesburgAlso known as Dai Niem Xu Thien Vien (Satipatthana Meditation Center), this serene 21-acre Buddhist sanctuary features a Holy Garden with ten stations of Buddhas representing different stages of his life. Open to visitors of all faiths, the center offers Vipassana meditation practice, mindfulness retreats, and a peaceful escape surrounded by nature just off Highway 27 near Leesburg.
Violette Hill Hay Farm
Mount Dora30-acre hands-on petting farm in Mount Dora offering capybara encounters, horse rides, hayrides, farm school classes, and seasonal events like pumpkin patches and Christmas on the Farm.
Wallace Brooks Park
InvernessHistoric waterfront park on Lake Henderson in Inverness with shuffleboard, walking paths, a scenic dock, and a boardwalk connecting to Liberty Park along the Withlacoochee Trail.
Waterfront Park
ClermontLakefront park offering a fishing pier, a paved walking trail, a playground & seasonal swimming.
Weeki Wachee Kayaking
Kayak outfitter offering paddling adventures on the crystal-clear, 72-degree Weeki Wachee River with frequent manatee sightings, plus paddleboard and canoe rentals.
Wilderness Park
Crystal RiverNature preserve with picnic areas, over 60 mi. of forest trails & a river for canoeing & fishing.
Wildwood Heritage Trail
WildwoodA walking tour through Wildwood's historic downtown that traces the town's railroad heritage. Once a vital stop on the Seaboard Air Line Railway, Wildwood's compact downtown features restored buildings from the early 1900s, murals depicting local history, and the old depot area. The self-guided route covers about a mile and offers a glimpse of old Florida before the interstate era.
Wilkerson Creek Children's Playground
The VillagesChildren's playground in The Villages near Old Camp Road, providing outdoor play equipment for families.
World Equestrian Center
OcalaThe largest equestrian complex in the country, located in the Horse Capital of the World. Features world-class facilities, The Equestrian Hotel, dining, and year-round events open to the public.
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park
Crystal RiverRoadside park with the remains of a 19th-century, steam-powered sugar mill, plus a pavilion & BBQs.