40 Things To Do Near The Villages Florida – Ultimate Guide

Popular Things To Do Near The Villages Today – Under 60 Minutes Drive

Few locations in Florida can boast as many things to do and attractions to see so close to home. The Villages also has excellent roads and access to major highways to travel throughout the Sunshine State.

Here are things to do within 60 minutes of The Villages –

• Ocala National Forest – a vast expanse of natural beauty that offers endless opportunities within its boundaries for outdoor adventure. With its numerous hiking trails, camping sites, and crystal-clear springs, the forest provides a perfect escape for nature lovers. Additionally, this part of Florida is loaded with springs that provide all kinds of wildlife, fun and beauty.

• The World Equestrian Center -Just about 35-40 minutes north of the Villages is one of the area’s amazing new attractions. The World Equestrian Center is in Ocala and offers daily equestrian events in a modern outdoor setting. Plenty of free grandstand seats for all the horse-jumping action. Check out the 5-Star hotel called The Equestrian on the property.

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  Salt Springs National Park & Springs – Not only will you get to visit one of Florida’s National Parks, but the area is full of the sights and sounds of the Ocala National Forest, which is an attraction in its own right. Swim, hike, picnic, kayak – it has it all.

• Zipline and Canopy Tour – Hop on I-75 for a 45-minute ride to explore the forest canopy by zipline, horse or Kayak. This incredible place offers an experience rarely found in Florida and it is just a few minutes away. 

• Catch a Show at Florida’s Orange Blossom Opry – It is not quite Nashville, but the same great country talent can be heard at this music venue in Weirsdale, Florida. Just a few miles north of the Villages at State Routes 42 and 25 intersection. Great place for fun.

• Take a Mount Dora Boat Tour of the canals and sights around the famous lake.

• Visit the Marion County Museum and the Silver River Museum – These museums are in Ocala not far from each other. Marion County Museum explores the archeology of the area and the Silver River Museum is a project of the school district. More things to do in Ocala.

• Hike a Trail or Visit Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest– There are several trails here from a half mile to 9 miles long. If you prefer to swim, there is a gorgeous swimming area at the springs. Great place for bird watching and wildlife spotting in general. About an hour away off Route 19 through the Ocala National Forest.

• Watch the Seaplanes at Tavares and Have Lunch – Seaplanes are fascinating. They land on water and then operate much like a boat. They go from flight rules to water regulations. Enjoy the sights at Tavares and then head to Puddle Jumpers to watch the lake and planes. Up to 45 minutes away from the Villages.

• Take an Airboat Tour at Lake Panasoffkee – Just 20 minutes south of the Villages is Lake Panasoffkee. You can enjoy the lake and take a thrilling ride on an airboat. Take your camera and be ready for the ride of your life while viewing Mother Nature’s habitat. This is a fun thing to do near The Villages Florida. More about things around Lake Panasoffkee.

  

• Take a Tour of Kings Bay on the Crystal River – You will see manatees, a nature preserve, Three Sisters Springs, and beautiful homes on Crystal River. If you want a more hands-on experience take a Swim with The Manatees Tour. You will snorkel along side manatees in the river. This is one of our favorite day trips from The Villages Florida. Check out other Crystal River things to do.

• Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway – The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is a vast nature reserve that offers hiking and biking trails, as well as opportunities for fishing and wildlife spotting.

• Take a tour of the Whispering Oaks Winery. This unique winery uses blueberries for a healthy wine product.

• Lake Griffin State Park – Another popular destination is Lake Griffin State Park, where you can enjoy boating, fishing, and picnicking in a serene lakeside setting. This is an easy trip very near Leesburg. 

• Lake Weir and Eaton’s Beach – Visit Lake Weir and Eaton’s Beach for some fun on Lake Weir just north about 10 miles from The Villages off Rt. 25.

• Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area – Bird enthusiast? Visit the Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area, which is home to over 350 species of birds.

• Half Moon Wildlife Management Area – near Inverness, this national preserve is full of bords, wildlife and trails.
• BlackJack Sporting Clays – Here is one of the wildest things to do near The Villages – have you ever shot clay targets? You can try your hand at shooting clays as they fly up. Just say pull, and the target clay goes – and you attaempt to shoot it out of the air!
• Visit the Dam Pub at Hidden River Resorts or the Big Bass Waterfront Bar & Grill with a Marina. Both are lakefront on Lake Panasoffkee. For lunch or your own pub crawl!
• Dade Battlefield Historic State Park – Just 25 miles south, off Route 301, enjoy the history and wildlife.
• Cottom Farm’s Christmas Village – Another thing you won’t see on other blogs – how about visiting Christmas on a farm?  Fun seasonal event – take a hayride too! Just 25 minutes away in Weirsdale.
• Riddlers Escape Room – Since we are talking wild things to do, have you ever been to an escape room? Try your hand at solving puzzles and finding a way out! Check this out ten minutes from The Villages.
• For art lovers, the Appleton Museum of Art is a treasure trove of diverse artworks, ranging from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces. Just a few minutes away at Ocala.
• Visit the Don Garlits Museum a Mile or Two Outside The Villages just east of the I-75 exit.

Things To Do Near The Villages Florida Within 90 Minutes 

• Visit Ginnie Springs  – High Springs Museum – Both of these attractions are in the town of High Springs, Florida. Ginnie Springs is a privately owned Florida oasis. You can swim, kayak, hike and enjoy the springs’ crystal clear water. The High Springs Museum gives you a view of Florida a couple hundred years ago. Other things to do in the area.

• Take Route 40 Florida Black Bear National Scenic Byway – This designated scenic highway runs from just east of Silver Springs almost to Ormond Beach, some 60 miles. However, we recommend you take it to Rt. 19 which runs south through the Ocala National Forest to Route 44 which will take you back to The Villages. This makes a great day trip from The Villages. Route 19 is also a designated Florida Scenic Highway.

• Take A Ride on a Real Paddle Wheel Boat Tour of the St. John’s River – The St. John’s River is the biggest river in Florida. It is a fun ride to take the paddle wheeler up the river to see the sights, and have some lunch or dinner on the way. Find out more on boat tours on St. John’s River.

If you are looking for things to do in The Villages, it is ideally located near some of the most popular attractions in Florida. 

In a previous post, we outlined 12 Incredible Day Trips from the Villages. We won’t reiterate them here, but those 12 options are also available as we explore more things to do near the Villages Florida.

When looking for things to do near The Villages today, don’t forget the many trails around the squares that lead to scenes like this.

New For 2025 – Our Latest Adventures Near The Villages Florida

Just over an hour away is the vibrant community of Gainesville, Florida. Know mostly as the home of the Florida Gators, the University of Florida, the area surrounding Gainesville is jam-packed with sights to see near The Villages.

One of the largest and most interesting museums in Florida is the Florida Museum of Natural History. While the museum itself is one of the best, inside that museum is the Butterfly Rainforest. This natural live setting is a must-see for Florida residents. Bring your camera, the photo opportunities abound here.

In addition to the Museum, there are places in Gainesville like:

• Devil’s Millhopper State Park and the famous sinkhole.
• Kanapaha Botanical Gardens – one of Florida’s best
• Historic Thomas Center
• Santa Fe Teaching College Zoo

These and many more things to see can be discovered at The Top Hidden Things To Do in Gainesville.

The good news is the fact Gainsville is easily accessed from around The Villages by heading north on I-75 straight into Gainesville. An alternative route is taking Route 441 from Spanish Springs all the way to Gainesville!