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Marion CountyMarion County is in Central Florida and encompasses 1,579 square miles. The municipalities in Marion County are Belleview, Dunnellon, McIntosh, Ocala and Reddick. The County has a year round population of 264,277 residents.
Recreational Highlights of Marion County include: the Ocala National Forest; Silver River State Park; Silver Springs/Wild Waters; 50 County Parks & Hiking Trails; 15 Golf Courses; Lakes and Horseback Riding.
Historical Points of Interest include: Fort King; Fort King Historical District; Marion County Museum of History; Silver River Museum and Silver Springs.
Cultural Events and Festivals: African-American Arts Festival; Appelton Museum of Arts; Brick City Center for the Arts; Fine Arts for Ocala; Ocala Civic Theatre and the Webber Exhibit Center.
From Ocala, the county seat, driving distance is: Tallahassee 155 miles; Orlando 67 miles; Tampa 89 miles; Jacksonville 82 miles and Miami 264 miles.
Marion County is linked to the Interstate system and is accessible from I-75, US-27, US-301 and US-441. The nearest airport with scheduled commercial airline service is the Gainesville Regional Airport with 2 runways the longest is 7,501 feet. The nearest deep water port is the Jacksonville Port Authority, 86 miles away.
With a labor force of 100,998 the major private sector employer in Marion County is Emergency One (fire rescue vehicles) with 1,600 employees. The University of Central Florida, University of Florida Webster University, Stetson University, St. Leo University, Valencia Community College Central Florida Community College, Florida Southern College and Santa Fe Community College serve post-secondary education in Marion County.
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Marion County Inquiry:
| Q. | where will trick or treating be at this year?? | | A. | So far neither the City of Ocala (Special Events (352.629.8401) nor the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce (352.629.8051 x 239) has anything special setup for the trick-or-treaters of Ocala. The contacts above would be the ones to call and see if something is in the works for the littler residents.
| | Q. | We were driving back from Silver Springs last week and came past Lake Weir. We would like to take our boat up there and explore the lake and enjoy a nice dinner on the water if possible. How would I get to Hope Park, I think Hope Park is where I could launch my 26 ft boat. And are there any restaurants on the water where I can dock my boat? | | A. | The 5,685-acre Lake Weir near Belleview, Weirsdale and Ocklawaha has public access available on the north ramp off CR-25 and on the south side is the Hope Boat Ramp just off Sunset Harbor Road 16050 SE 115 Avenue (352.671.8560). At normal water levels, Lake Weir is over 20 feet deep and the county multi-boat boat ramp/day use facility with quality trailer parking and almost 50 boat slips. Three restaurants and two parks around the lake can be accessed by boat.
| | Q. | I am New to the area and would like to know where the fireworks shows are for the fourth? | | A. | The Ocala Jaycees' God and Country Day Festival will be held on the 4th of July. The day will begin with a 4K Freedom Run at Veterans Park beginning at 7 AM. There will also be a children's pageant, games, mechanical bull rides, water slides, pony rides and a trackless train, watermelon-eating contest and live entertainment along with fireworks. The festivities will be held on the Golden Ocala Property (corner of US-27 & SW 80th Ave) in Ocala. There will also be a daylong celebration with patriotic music, strolling entertainers a concert and fireworks show in Silver Springs.
| | Q. | Please what is the zip code for East Silver Springs Shores | | A. | The zip code for the Silver Springs Shores in Marion County is 34472. For Silver Springs, the zip code is 34488.
| | Q. | What date is the ocala christmas parade is on this year? | | A. | The Friends of the Christmas Parade will be holding the Ocala/Marion County Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 3, 2005 involving more than 3,500 participants in a nighttime extravaganza beginning at 5:30 PM on Silver Spring Boulevard. Need more information: 352.237.2181
| | Q. | how many miles is it from williston fl to ocklawaha, fl. thank you | | A. | Approximately 50 miles, just give a little extra time for your trip while traveling through Ocala, which is a very active and interesting community. Ocala would be midway on your journey down US-27. Then a short jaunt over to CR-25 (Ocala Road) just east of Belleview and you will find yourself along the relaxing Lake Weir and Ocklawaha (Auk-law-wa-haw).
| | Q. | Would you beable to send me the address of BENIGAN'S restaurant in Ocala On Route 2oo-----that's all the a info that I have now. Flo Obrian | | A. | Yes, Bennigan's is located at 3155 E Silver Springs Blvd, between NE 7th St and NE 30th Ave in Ocala, phone: 352.351.3910.
| | Q. | Interested in moving to Ocala, Fl within the next 6-7 months.
Looking for a Map of Ocala showing all 45 Zip codes serving the County of Marion, Florida. | | A. | Florida-Business-Data.com provides a good Marion County zip code map on their site that clearly shows the zip code locations. Good luck on your upcoming Florida move.
| | Q. | We plan to visit Dunnellon. We need wheelchair accessible hotel and activities. | | A. | Don Koppler, Executive Director of the Dunnellon area Chamber (800.830.2087, dchamber@atlantic.net) tells us the Dinner Bell Motel & Restaurant (352.489.2550) at 12084 S Williams Street in Dunnellon offers handicapped accommodations. Also most of the eco-tourism activities in the area make arrangements for accessibility. This we can also attest to....Have Fun in Dunnellon!
| | Q. | wath is the e-mail adress from the county tax collektor (vilver springs ocla)
thanks Hans | | A. | Marion County Tax Collector, 503 SE 25th Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, 352.368.8200 Email Contact.
| | Q. | We are wanting to come for your fall festival. Can you please tell me when it will take place this year. Thank You!!! | | A. | The McIntosh 1890s Festival will be held October 23, 2004 in McIntosh. McIntosh is just south of Gainesville along US-441. Don't forget the Micanopy Fall Harvest Festival, October 30-31, 2004 in Micanopy also south of Gainesville along US-441.
| | Q. | I am planning on visiting silver spring shores in marion county, Florida. I would like to know what is the nearest major airport? So that I may make my reservations. | | A. | The two closest major airports to Silver Springs would be the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). Below are airline locator information for both airports. (Orlando) http://state.fl.us/goaa/ops/airlines.htm and (Tampa) http://tampaairport.com/flight/flight_airlinelocation.html
| | Q. | I am trying to find a listing of Motels or Hotels in Ocalo,can you email me to whre to find these listings. Thank You, Betty Dozier | | A. | Here is the list we received from the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce. You can access the Chamber directly from the link on the Ocala page.
B&B's
Heritage Country Inn, 14343 W. Hwy-40, Ocala, FL 34481, 352.489.0023, http://heritagecountryinn.com
Rosslor Manor, 3230 NE 55th Ave, Silver Springs, FL 34489, 352.236.4219; 352.236.5619 Fax
Seven Sisters Inn, 820 SE Ft King St, Ocala, FL 34471, 352.867.1170
Motels
Best Western Ocala Park Centre, 3701 SW 38th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474, 352.237.4848; 352.237.2281 Fax, gf.bwocala@earthlink.net, http://bestwestern-ocala.com
Budget Host Inn, 4013 NW Blitchton Rd, Ocala, FL 34482, 352.732.6940; 352.629.8048 Fax
Country Inn & Suites, 3720 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474, 352.237.0715; 352.237.3615 Fax; cx-ocla@countryinnes.com; http://countryinns.com
Days Inn; 3811 NW Blitchton Rd, Ocala, FL 34482;352.629.7041; 352.629.1026 Fax
Days Inn Ocala – West; 3620 W Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34475; 352.629.0091; 352.867.8399 Fax; 5311@hotel.cendant.com; http://the.daysinn.com/ocala05311
Econo Lodge; 5331 NE Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488; 352.236.2383; 352.236.5280 Fax; mmrk103@aol.com
Fairfield Inn By Marriott; 4101 SW 38th Ct, Ocala, FL 34474; 352.861.8400; 352.861.8401 Fax
Hampton Inn; 3434 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474; 352.854.3200; 352.854.5633 Fax; ocff101@hi-hotel.com
Hilton Ocala; 3600 SW 36th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474; 352.854.1400; 352.854.6073 Fax; deborah@ocala.meyerjabara.com
Holiday Inn Express; 1212 S Pine Ave, Ocala, FL 34474; 352.629.7300; 352.629.3331 Fax
Holiday Inn-Silver Springs; SR-40, Silver Springs, FL ;352.236.2575; 352.236.2576 Fax
Howard Johnson; 3951 NW Blitchton Rd, Ocala, FL 34482; 800.262.8358 (tollfree); 352.629.0510 Fax
La Quinta Inn & Suites; 3530 SW 36th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474; 352.861.1137; 352.861.1157 Fax
Marriott Courtyard & Fairfield Inn; 3712 SW 38th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474; 352.237.8000; 352.237.0580 Fax
Microtel Inn & Suites; 1770 SW 134th St, Ocala, FL 34473; 727.943.2442; 727.939.8852 Fax; mariang@tampabay.rr.com; http://microtelinn.com
Ocala Plaza Hotel; 3621 W Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34475; 352.629.0381; 352.629.8813 Fax
Ocala Ramada Inn & Conference Center; 3810 NW Bonnie Heath Blvd, Ocala, FL 34482; 352.732.3131; 352.732.5692 Fax
Red Roof Inn & Suites; 120 NW 40th Ave, Ocala, FL 34482; 352.732.4590; 352.732.4598 Fax
Ritz Historic Inn; 1205 East Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34471; 888.328.9390 (tollfree); 352.671.9302 Fax
Sun Plaza Motel; 5461 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL; 352.236.2343; 352.236.1214 Fax; enoiccip@aol.com; http://thesunplazamotel.com
| | Q. | We have come to FL. for the winter and live in Leesburg 55 plus park.
My friends and I have been looking for places to visit. Can you tell my what is the favorite thing to do in Donnellon. Are ther events that you think might interest us. | | A. | Just to the north of the historic community of Dunnellon is Rainbow Springs State Park http://floridastateparks.org/rainbowsprings. Several winter activities are scheduled and the park is popular for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, picnics or just enjoying the gardens. If you up to Hwy 40 and head just east of Ocala you will find the original Silver Springs Nature Park. For shopping, stay in Ocala. Three (3) state forest/preserves are in your area, Ross Prairie State Forest east of town, Goethe State Forest to your northwest and Waccasassa Bay State Preserve 352.543.5567; a 31,000 limited access area located between Cedar Key and Yankeetown with canoeing and camping. The Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area just north of Yankeetown. Next to the Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area is the Lake Rousseau/Withlacoochee River Wekiva River Run/Henry Beck Park - And "Outstanding Florida Water" located off U.S. 19 at Gulf Hammock on Rts. 326/343. Fishing, swimming and picnicking offered. 352.486.1908
At the end of CR-40 in Yankeetown is Bird Creek and Vassey Creek Park352.447.2907; includes fishing, canoeing, swimming, picnic sites and boat ramp. Cedar Key is definitely worth a visit with: Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge352.493.0238; includes a seabird rookery, wilderness camping and an 1850s Lighthouse. Shell Mound Park352.543.6153; adjacent to prehistoric Indian mound and nature trail off Hwy 347 and CR-326 outside Cedar Key. Cedar Key Historical Museum352.543.5549; on SR-24 at Second Street with a history of the village. Cedar Key State Museum352.543.5350; north from SR-24.
A bit farther to the north but worth a visit is Devil's Den/Blue Grotto352.528.3344; natural spring caverns off US-27A between Bronson and Williston. Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge 352.493.0238; 50,000 acre refuge between Chiefland and Cedar Key. Hiking trail, including a boardwalk access to the Suwannee River.
This does not even touch on what is south of you near Crystal River and the Inverness areas!
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