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Appleton Museum of Art

4.5 (25 reviews)
Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Sculpture in front of museum
Anne-Mary P.

Beautiful pinecone quilt exhibition with artist present. Open spaces with friend docents who were able to point out hidden Easter eggs in art.

These are the Daves I know
Kevin J.

I like to write reviews while my experience is still in the recent past as my memories are a lot crisper and more vivid. Sometimes life gets in the way of my endless unpaid internship for the Yelp company which only rewards me with elite benefits I never cash in anyway. So regrettably I've slept on this review for half a year and my command of details isn't as exacting as it might have been. I do have the benefit of photos, some of which I've posted months ago on here and of not one but two visits... two visits to the same museum in just a three week stay in the Sunshine State. What does that tell you there? The first visit was solo and the second was looking for something to do with my sister, brother-in-law and dad but we probably could have found something else. A return visit to let it all soak in more sounded great, though. And we happened pop in on free admission Saturday so that's a happy surprise! My previous experience with Florida art museums has been underwhelming, from mid to bad. Jacksonville is decent, only cause of the gardens, Tampa is tepid and Orlando is dreadful. I'm reasonably certain Miami has to have a world class art museum but in the short time I was in town I wandered through the massive temporary art museum of Art Basel - another review headed for 404 page not found in my fading memory banks, just a few sentences tapped out in my drafts - and checked out the Museum of Graffiti, Art of Hip Hop Museum and Wynwood Walls. So I kinda got museumed out in Miami. Is that enough self indulgent prologue for you? Should I finally get to the Appleton Museum? I saw this museum is well regarded but my expectations still weren't too high. The AMA easily exceeded them. Two floors, galleries of all genres and styles, wrapping around a central courtyard and a workshop space for the young 'uns and creative adults not afraid of looking like young 'uns to ply their craft... what's not to love? The staff were especially gracious and friendly as well. I even bought an Andy Warhol coloring book in the gift shop that I meant to do drawing and maybe collaging on top of but that's only gathered dust. Circling back in the future reviews collection is a nice little kick in the ass for me to actually do that. It was right before Christmas when I/we visited and there were a few awesome/cheesy themed artsy Christmas trees scattered throughout the galleries - the Willy Wonka one and the flamingo one were standouts- as well as a humongous collection of nutcrackers, a sprawling miniature light up Christmas village and an assortment of fun, exaggerated Christmas themed characters by an artist by the named of Patience Brewster. There was an art deco room, a wall of pieces by beatnik scoundrel William S. Burroughs, who I thought was the coolest guy ever when I was an impressionable teenager and a giant photographic piece called David Then and Now by a Canadian artist named Micah Lexier with pictures of 75 guys named David taken ten years apart. Some had died and some couldn't be tracked down however. I wandered if it was inspired by The Kids in the Hall song/sketch The Daves I Know as he's even Canadian but the chronology doesn't work out. Lots of classical art, Americana type of stuff, Asian, African and South American art. There were a few Nasca pieces, a civilization I'd only been put up on recently by a friend. They had Mayan, Incan and Aztec, too and I knew all of those but it was cool to see Nasca in the mix as well and be like I know these guys, too. The Egyptian gallery had a whole timeline on the wall as well. They about have their bases covered for a tour through time and space of art. This museum has a nice auditorium but it wasn't in use during either of my visits. I don't know if I'll ever make it back to Ocala again but maybe something will be happening in there during a third visit, which I won't rule out.

Hayli Z.

So, I'm not a big art person, but I had heard a lot of great things about this museum, so when I FINALLY went, I was kind of disappointed. It's $8 admission if you have one of the applicable discounts (I had AAA) but it wasn't as big as it appears on the outside. I liked the temporary exhibits but I wouldn't come back. The Harn Museum in Gainesville is larger, has more exhibits and it free admission so I was definitely surprised by this. I'm giving it 3 stars, because the area is nice, friendly staff, nice parking and it's on a beautiful property, I just had higher expectations. If it weren't for those things listed it would probably be 2 stars.

Mayra B.

Went on a Saturday , first Saturday of the month to be exact which is free. They have new exhibitions seasonally and so we saw some similar stuff but they had a contemporary art exhibition throughout the museum. It's not too big or too small for a museum , I think it's just right for a quick walk around. You can also take your time to take in the art since it's so calm inside and every time we go every guest is considerate and friendly . We have talked with a couple of guests as well that come like us every few months to see the new displays. The people who work at the museum are so helpful and willing to recommend things you should check out as well and not miss out on. Every now and then they have a food truck parked outside which I think is on the free admission Saturdays. Lovely place for a slow afternoon.

Eileen R.

Celebrating #museumday in Ocala. A beautiful museum and much larger than expected. Great exhibits of African, Asian, European, and Pre-Colombian art. Special exhibit called Finding Beauty showing drawings and costumes from the Beauty and the Beast production at the Ocala Civic Theatre. Worth a visit!!

You know you've found the place when you see this sign.
Jim G.

A varied collection worth seeing. Well curated. Modern, pleasant surroundings. Worth visiting.

Appleton Museum of Art College of Central Florida
Kathy M.

What a resource to have in our community. Variety of exhibitions and extra events is supurb. Info from their website below: Enjoy a wide choice of scheduled programs including films series, lectures and workshops. Educational films on the visual arts are shown Sundays at 1:30 p.m. in the museum auditorium. For a complete listing, visit the Appleton's Web site Events/Programs page or call the Appleton Museum at 352-291-4455.

Front of museum
Christie O.

Exceptional art and antiquities museum in Ocala, Florida. I can't believe what a terrific collection of Pre-columbian and African arts as well as a strong collection of European paintings and sculptures. Many of these paintings I have never seen in reproductions. I absolutely love this! Most of the works in major museums such as the Met in NY have been reproduced hundreds of times over. These were largely new to be with the exception of the Pierre August Cot painting-- Spring (two lovers sitting on a swing). I am infatuated with this museum. $8 general admission, $6 for seniors.

Brother's artwork!
Kamille H.

I have been to this particular museum several times as I grew up in Ocala. Everything is so beautiful and in pristine condition. The artwork takes you back in time and the sculptures allow you to actually feel like you are a part of a different culture. On this visit I came with my family to see a display of some of the countries finest high school artists and my little brother happened to be one! The staff showed us exactly where to go as we arrived a little before closing but they were happy to accommodate us. I will always have a special place in my heart for the Appleton because of all the memories I have there.

Art of the Chopper Oct 10 through Jan 10, 2010

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A nice trip with 2 floors of at to look at. Had a great time. Not sure if it is something you want to do more than once a year.

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Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures

Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures

4.9
(192 reviews)
27.3 mi

This was my very first gator encounter and my first time on an airboat, and honestly, it blew every…read moreexpectation out of the water. From the moment we arrived, the place had this incredible energy -- the kind of spot that instantly makes you think, I'd camp here in a heartbeat. The grounds were beautiful, the amenities looked top‑notch, and the whole atmosphere felt like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. And the staff? Absolutely phenomenal. Genuine, warm, and the kind of people who clearly love what they do. I hesitated to wander into the camper store since we weren't staying overnight, but now I wish I had -- the whole place had that welcoming, "come on in" vibe. I wasn't sure if the campground and airboat tours were run separately, but everyone we met felt like part of one big, enthusiastic team. Before the tour, the staff came out and gave us a fascinating crash course on gators -- and then we got to hold Luke the gator. Let me tell you, once you hold Luke, something changes. You walk away feeling like you've bonded with a gator. I'm not kidding -- I still catch myself wondering how Luke is doing. Then came the airboat ride. We loaded up, the engine kicked in, and suddenly we were flying across the lake. Our tour guide Kyle was outstanding -- knowledgeable, funny, confident, and able to answer every question thrown his way. For my first airboat experience, I was genuinely impressed by how smooth and skilled he was behind the controls. We spotted plenty of baby gators and even a mama gator. Sure, I would've loved to see a few more, but for the price, the thrill, and the overall experience, it was absolutely worth it. We were on the 12:45 tour, so the time of day may have played a role -- but honestly, I left feeling thrilled. If I could change one thing, it would be knowing ahead of time that tips for the guides are cash‑only. We weren't carrying American cash, and Kyle definitely earned a tip. Adding that note to the FAQ or confirmation messages would be super helpful for future guests. All in all, this was an unforgettable experience -- exciting, educational, and genuinely fun from start to finish. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something unique, thrilling, and full of heart.

Great experience and very educational. Loved it. The airboat ride was very fun and the gator show…read moreafter the ride was neat.

Photos
Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures
Small alligator- about 2 1/2 years old
Small alligator- about 2 1/2 years old
Mama and nest of over 50 babies

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Mama and nest of over 50 babies
Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park

4.4
(323 reviews)
1.5 mi

My parents were reminiscing about when they were middle school aged and came here for field trips…read more I was surprised to find out that Silver Springs State Park and the glass bottom boat tours have been around for that long! It was about a 1.5 hour ride from Orlando. Woke up real early on a Saturday (on honestly one of the coldest days of the year) to arrive at the park around 8am. I highly suggest purchasing glass bottom boat tour tickets online about a week in advance atleast since time slots fill up! We purchased the 1.5 hour tour on the boats. Our tour guide was incredible and shared so much knowledge and facts about the wildlife and park. I got to see tons of manatees! Plus getting to see gators, turtles, birds, and even monkeys! The glass bottom gives such a cool perspective on viewing the wildlife and plants underwater. Aside from the tour, we walked several trails to enjoy the great outdoors. Also, we had coffee in the morning when we first got here and lunch after the tour. The food was pretty good and filling. At the gift shop I made sure to leave with a magnet and Christmas ornament to remember such a great day here.

What a breathtaking location! From the parking lot, it doesn't look like much. They are redoing the…read moreentrance sign, and from the outside, it seems like the place might be pretty rundown. However, once you walk through, you are quickly transported. The entrance to the park is only two dollars per person, and honestly, in my opinion, they could charge just a little bit more. The glass-bottom boat tours run faster than you might expect, so if you have the time (which we didn't during our visit), opt for the longer boat ride; it doesn't cost much more. They also have little shops to explore and plenty of outdoor seating so you can take in the beautiful surroundings. If you're a water lover, make sure to plan ahead and reserve a crystal-clear kayak or paddleboard to enjoy the water--it'll be worth every penny. The only hiccup in our plan was that we booked everything on the day of our visit, so we ended up with a shorter tour on the glass-bottom boats and got locked into the last kayaking time slot. The woman at the reservation desk for the kayaks was not very pleasant. She told us that despite showing a 5 o'clock slot, they were no longer taking reservations. I showed her the option on my phone, but she still refused to let us sign waivers. Luckily, we found the manager in charge of the rental hut, who advised that we could still make our reservation online. I showed him on my phone, and although we'd have to pay full price and probably have less than an hour, that was perfectly fine with us since we were in the last slot. The lake was practically empty, so we had the entire waterway to ourselves--so beautiful and peaceful. Honestly, it felt like we were in another country, surrounded by nature. If you don't have the chance to kayak, there's also a walking path where you can see monkeys left behind from one of the movies that was filmed on location. We walked part of the path, and it was just as beautiful. Any chance my kids and I get to be outside in nature, we gravitate towards it, putting away our phones to enjoy everything around us. What a great way to spend your day and your vacation!

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Entrance
Entrance
Silver Springs State Park
Boat launch area

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Boat launch area
The Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours

The Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours

4.9
(289 reviews)
7.6 mi

Me and my step daughter took the horseback tour and it was awesome. Meagan was excellent and the…read morehorse i had was so easy to ride. His name was Jimmety crickets. I called him big Jim. my step dayghter had Cholua , she was awesome as well. Highly recommend!!!!

My daughter and I came up from Sarasota-2.5 hrs south- to do the trail ride. The place is very…read moreclean, well run, and so scenic. The horses were beautiful and well behaved. The trail was definitely different and very scenic, with some steep and narrow paths; not your typical flat and boring. The guests loaded up on a golf cart type vehicle to get from check in to the barn. Then we all waited while Sadie (?) actually grilled and ate a hot dog in front of us!! Same girl upon giving her instructions told everyone "to make your horse go, kick it, and if it doesn't go keep kicking it.. harder". I was appalled!!! One the trail ride, the other girl would take a few photos. I did want pictures of my daughter and I together,so I bought the package. Which is everyone in your group, and that day I think there were 12 or so. The photos she took were not good,but what can ya do? I should have let a gentleman in the group who offered to take my phone and take pictures. Also, between waiting to get on a horse and then waiting for everyone to dismount and get back to the main building, the total ride time was just under an hour. It really is pretty though. I think there were just too many people who booked the same day and time leading to a slightly shorter ride.

Photos
I had to lighten this photo cause it was too much shadow too much cast.
I had to lighten this photo cause it was too much shadow too much cast.
The Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours
Scary bridge

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Scary bridge
Gypsy Gold Horse Farm

Gypsy Gold Horse Farm

4.7
(46 reviews)
12.1 mi
$$

What an incredible place - made so memorable by the owner's story about how this came to be as well…read moreas the Gypsy Vanner origins. He was very engaging and gifted at storytelling - and the property is lovely with the live oaks. I didn't know what to expect and it did not disappoint. For those with mobility issues, the tour does not have wheelchairs available but allow you to drive the route we walk, but one of my family members with difficulty walking did fine, just took her time. It would help if there were 2 or three benches (and a few wheelchairs) placed along the route for the compromised to catch their breath or people with searing back pain or pregnant to take the edge off for a few moments, but we all loved it, loved meeting the horses. Very majestic! There were no kids on our tour but I am sure they'd love it. The talk had Q& A as well- and then a horse walked through lol!

Our recent trip to Gypsy Gold Horse Farm was the highlight of our trip to Ocala. The farm is…read morebeautifully laid out with large live oak trees everywhere. Our tour started with a introduction to the Gypsy Vanner Horses, their heritage and how they came to America. Then we got carted around the 40 acre property and visit several of the horses, donkeys, and mules that call this place home. The animals are absolutely beautiful and majestic. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly and more than willing to answer any questions you might have about the amazing animals. And if you are in the market for a truly one of a kind animal they are a working farm that can set you up with one or more if you are interested. Our tour ended up in a small gift shop with some tasteful momentous for purchase to remember your visit. I absolutely recommend making this part of your visit to Ocala

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Salvador
Salvador
Gypsy Gold Horse Farm
Gypsy Gold Horse Farm

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Appleton Museum of Art - museums - Updated June 2026

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