For one day in Ocala, start downtown, then choose a museum visit or an outdoor outing at Silver Springs State Park. The free Downtown Trolley can connect downtown parking, landmarks, shopping and dining districts during its operating hours.
- Downtown transport: The trolley operates Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.; a full route takes about 30 minutes.
- Museum choice: Appleton Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Sunday, with hours that vary by day.
- Outdoor option: Silver Springs State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.
- From the hotel: Ocala city centre is about a 5-minute drive from Silver Princess Motel.
Start with a Downtown Ocala Walk
Begin downtown, where the free trolley serves public parking areas, landmarks, and shopping and dining districts. You can board at a designated stop or wave to the driver; the full route takes approximately 30 minutes.
Use the trolley’s operating window to make a loop through downtown, then get off where you want to spend more time on foot.
It runs Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–9 p.m., so plan around the midday break if you’re using it to move between stops. For local context before setting out, read how to plan a visit to Ocala city centre.
Choose a Museum or Historic-Site Stop
Choose one indoor stop to anchor the middle of your day: Appleton Museum of Art for its large collection, or Ocala Discovery Center for a shorter visit with interactive and animal exhibits.
Appleton Museum of Art
Appleton Museum of Art is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, and its collection contains more than 24,000 objects. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, noon–5 p.m.; it closes on Monday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 6–17, free for children age 5 and under, and $8 for seniors age 55 and older. The museum is seven miles east of I-75 on State Road 40 at Exit 352. For details to help plan this stop, see what to know before visiting Appleton Museum of Art.
Ocala Discovery Center
Ocala Discovery Center is at 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala, and recommends allowing 45 minutes to 1 hour for a visit. Admission includes first-floor animal exhibits, an interactive discovery hallway and a second-floor rotating exhibition space.
It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with last entry at 3:30 p.m.; it is closed Sunday and Monday. Admission is $8 for adults and children ages 3–17, $7 for seniors and veterans, and free for children age 2 and under and members.
A family of four pays $28. Saturday StarLab planetarium sessions are at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with a $3 add-on for each session.
Plan an Outdoor Alternative
Choose Silver Springs State Park for an outdoor day, with glass-bottom boat tours over the spring and trails along the Silver River. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to sunset, and the vehicle entrance fee is $8.
The park is at 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs. Its equestrian entrance and canoe and kayak launch close 90 minutes before the park closes, so account for that if those activities are part of your plan. The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center is also inside the park, off Baseline Road (County Road 35).
It is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; admission is $2 per person, with children under 6 admitted free, and the park vehicle fee also applies. The museum closes to the public on weekdays while school is in session. For more planning detail, read how to plan a day trip to Silver Springs State Park.
Allow Time for Meals and Local Travel
Keep the day’s schedule flexible around the trolley’s service hours and your chosen attraction’s opening times. If you plan to use the trolley, its route takes about 30 minutes for a full circuit; you can board at designated stops or wave to the driver.
For a one-day Ocala itinerary, avoid trying to fit both a full park visit and several indoor stops into the same tightly timed plan. Pick the main attraction first, then leave downtown time around it for meals and getting between stops.
Check Hours Before You Set Out
Opening hours, admission and operating details can affect which itinerary works on the day you go. Before you go, check the official site for the Downtown Ocala Trolley, Appleton Museum of Art, Ocala Discovery Center or Silver Springs State Park, depending on your plans.
For the Discovery Center, note that the main entrance on Sanchez Avenue is up a flight of stairs; an accessible entrance is behind the building by the parking lot. If you’re choosing the Silver River Museum, plan around its weekend public hours and weekday school-session closure.
FAQs
Can you use the Downtown Ocala Trolley for a downtown visit?
Yes. The free trolley serves public parking areas, downtown landmarks, and shopping and dining districts. It operates Wednesday through Saturday, with a midday break.
How long should you plan for Ocala Discovery Center?
The center recommends allowing 45 minutes to 1 hour. Last entry is at 3:30 p.m.
Can you visit Silver River Museum on a weekday?
It is closed to the public on weekdays while school is in session because it serves Marion County Public Schools.
What does a Silver Springs State Park vehicle visit cost?
The park charges $8 per vehicle. The Silver River Museum has a separate admission fee, and the park vehicle fee also applies.