5 Fun Ways to Spend a Day in Ocala

Located just an hour drive from the Villages of Citrus Hills, Ocala is one of the most unique destinations in all of Florida. There is a nearly endless number of things to do in and around this dynamic city, which makes it a perfect day trip destination for Citrus Hills residents.  

Whether you are interested in horseback riding and drag racing or shopping and art, there is something for everyone in Ocala. Let's take a quick look at five different ways to spend an exciting afternoon in "horse country." 

Horse Farm Tours 

Because horse culture is such an integral part of Ocala, the first option for visitors is always going to be one of the many horse farm tours like the one you will find at Gypsy Gold Farm.  

No one ever has a bad thing to say about a visit to Gypsy Gold Farm, which typically includes a tour of the massive 40-acre property. The tour is filled with stories about both the property and the heritage of the horses that are raised there.  

If you are looking for even more horse-related fun, there is also Farm Tours of Ocala. This fun adventure takes visitors on a walking tour that covers three different farm properties.  

Drag Racing History 

Visitors looking to experience something even faster than horse racing, the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is a popular Ocala attraction that will get your motor running.  

This museum is full of historic drag racing cars, and there is an additional building filled with a fabulous collection of antique cars. You will not be disappointed.  

The Great Outdoors 

Way back before things took off in Orlando, it was Silver Springs that was attracting people to visit sunny Florida. Silver Springs State Park is still an amazing place to visit any time of year, especially if you are interested in taking the glass bottom boat tour.  

For visitors who prefer flowers to boats, Sholom Park is a gorgeous 44-acre botanical garden that offers another option for enjoying the great outdoors in Ocala.  

Appreciation for the Arts 

One of Ocala's hidden gems is the diverse collection of artworks on display at the Appleton Museum of Art. This small little museum contains art ranging from ancient Greece all the way up to today's modern art, and walking through the facility is always a relaxing experience.  

Shopping & Dining 

Sometimes, the best days in Ocala are the ones that start out without any plan at all, and that is exactly the type of fun you can find wandering around downtown Ocala.  

Downtown Ocala features a fun combination of restaurants, boutique shops, and art exhibits that you won't find in other Florida towns. There are also a lot of historic buildings in this area, so make sure you take some time to let yourself wander around.  

With everything from horses to modern art available throughout the year, it's no wonder that Ocala is one of the most popular day-trip destinations for residents here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. The next time you are looking for a fun way to spend a day, head to Ocala and you are sure to find something amazing.

Bayfront Health Seven Rivers to open FSED

For those of you that haven’t already heard, the following is the announcement of the new medical facility that will be right across the street from the Villages of Citrus Hills.

BAYFRONT HEALTH SEVEN RIVERS PLANS FREESTANDING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IN CENTRAL CITRUS COUNTY 

Crystal River, FL (May 28, 2019) — Bayfront Health Seven Rivers will open the first freestanding emergency department (FSED) in central Citrus County, giving residents in the Citrus Hills area access to nearby emergency services.   Bayfront Health Seven Rivers FSED will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to serve patients who experience medical emergencies. 

Bayfront Health Seven Rivers Chief Executive Officer Linda Stockton said, “Bayfront Health Seven Rivers FSED will provide faster access to emergency care and is another example of our commitment to expand healthcare throughout Citrus County.”

An artist's rendering shows the freestanding emergency department planned for Citrus Hills.

Like any hospital emergency department, the new Bayfront Health Seven Rivers FSED will be equipped to treat patients with illnesses and injuries that require a higher level of care than urgent care facilities offer. The freestanding emergency department will have 12 treatment areas with radiology and lab services on-site. Many emergency services can be effectively managed at freestanding emergency departments without the need for transfer to a traditional hospital setting.

Board-certified emergency physicians, registered nurses and other patient care providers will staff the center. Dr. Roderick Bennett, medical director of the Emergency Department at Bayfront Health Seven Rivers, said, “Our team of emergency physicians is looking forward to being part of this exciting new venture.  This facility will be a first in Citrus County and we are pleased to be able to offer high quality emergency care at another convenient location.”

Bayfront Health Seven Rivers is investing $12.3 million in the new facility.  More than 30 new jobs will be created to serve patients at the new center, including registered nurses, lab, imaging, admitting and environmental services staff.

“We congratulate Bayfront Health Seven Rivers on this expansion.  Strong healthcare is a key focus area for economic development in the region and we are thrilled to see Bayfront Health expand their footprint in Citrus County,” said Steve Tamposi, the developer of Citrus Hills.  

Bayfront Health Seven Rivers FSED will be located 795 W. Norvell Bryant Hwy. in Citrus Hills.  Construction is scheduled to begin later this summer and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.

Bayfront Health Seven Rivers currently offers primary care, cardiology, orthopedic and surgical services, outpatient therapy, cardiac rehab and wound care in Citrus County.   



June Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Summer has officially arrived, and we are getting ready to enjoy every minute of it here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. While many of our friends and neighbors are spending their time up north over the next few months, there will be no shortage of exciting entertainment from the planners at the Activity Center.

If you are looking for fun opportunities to socialize with other members of our community, there will be many.

If competitive golf or tennis is what you are looking for, you can find it here.

And if a delicious dinner is what you are craving, we have got you covered there as well.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest and best activities and events happening around the Villages of Citrus Hills this month.

Social Events

Sports fans will be “in the know” at this month’s Tasty Trivia Tuesday on June 18 in the Hampton Room. The menu will include Sliced Turkey with Stuffing and Baked Ham with Pineapple Raisin Sauce, and all of the questions will be sports-related this month.

There will also be a brand new social event this month when Musical Bingo takes over the Activity Center on Thursday, June 20. This fun version of bingo features song titles and artists on the cards with a DJ playing clips instead of traditional bingo balls.

Art & Education

Betty’s Boutique will be hosting a fun Citrus Hills Fashion Show event in the Hampton Room on Thursday, June 13. Members attending this event will get to see all of the hottest summer fashion trends while enjoying a Citrus Chicken Salad with Warm Rolls and Key Lime Pie.  

Lunch & Learn will be back in the Garden Room on Tuesday, June 25. This month’s topic will be a Healthy Cooking Demo from The Grove Health & Rehabilitation Center, and the meal will include a delicious Plant-Based Burger and Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes. 

On Wednesday, June 26, Dr. Apama Bapat from Ayurveda Alternative Medicine will be leading a discussion on “The Science of Life” as part of the latest installment of Doc Talk.

Golf & Tennis

The biggest golf event of the month will be the Skyview Men’s Pinehurst Tournament taking place on June 10 and 11. This will be a two-man team event where all players hit from the white tees.

If your game isn’t quite up to competition level, then you’ll want to participate in one of the Free Golf Clinics with Mary Slinkard. She will be leading clinics for beginners on June 3, 4, and 5. Then the intermediate clinics will be back on June 11, 18, and 25. 

Anyone looking to get out on the tennis court for the first time this summer will want to attend the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic at the Skyview Tennis Center on Tuesday, June 11. As usual, the only requirement to participate is a pair of tennis shoes.

Dinner Specials

June is going to be a big month for steak lovers here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. Skyview Restaurant will be hosting Steak Nights on June 13 and 27, as well as a Prime Rib Feature every Saturday this month. Then The Grille will be serving up a selection of steaks during the Belmont Stakes (Get it? Steaks/Stakes?) on Saturday, June 8.

Other specials that you won’t want to miss at Skyview Restaurant this month include a Greek Night Buffet on Thursday, June 6 and a Spring Faire menu every Friday in June.

And if you are looking for a perfect Father’s Day destination on Sunday, June 16, The Grille is going to be offering some outstanding entrees that dad will love.

BellaVita Spa

June is also a perfect month to spend some quiet time indoors at BellaVita Spa, and they will be running a Father’s Day Massage Special and a Brightening Peel Special all month long.

No matter how you plan to spend your free time during the month of June, there are plenty of fun options in front of you here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. And don’t be afraid to try something a little outside your comfort zone this month!

Day Trip: 24 Hours in Cedar Key

Located just over an hour northwest of the Villages of Citrus Hills, Cedar Key is a quaint beachfront community that fully embraces the "Old Florida" lifestyle. You won't find many chain stores or restaurants here, but you will find a unique little town that is always a fun place to visit.  

If you have been looking for a different destination for your next day trip, Cedar Key offers the perfect combination of close proximity to our community, unique atmosphere to enjoy, and plenty of fun things to do.  

Let's take a walk through what a perfect day trip to Cedar Key might look like for a resident here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.  

Morning Activity: Cedar Key Fishing Pier 

After enjoying a beautiful drive up the Gulf Coast, you will find yourself pulling into Cedar Key at just about the perfect time for a morning stroll down the Cedar Key Fishing Pier.  

This trip is all about embracing the relaxing charm of "Old Florida." And that is exactly what you are going to feel as you kick back and relax watching the fishermen in action on the pier.  

If you are an angler, you might feel compelled to cast a line yourself, but you don't have to fish here to enjoy the sights.  

Lunch: 83 West 

From the Cedar Key Fishing Pier, it is just a short walk over to one of the best lunches in town at 83 West. This unique restaurant offers two different experiences under one roof, but for lunch, we are going to focus on the more casual version downstairs.  

With everything from shrimp tacos and crab bites to smoked mullet dip and bourbon marinated gator kabobs on the menu, there is plenty of authentic local food to choose from.  

Afternoon Activity: Cedar Key Historical Society Museum 

After lunch, we are heading over to the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum to see the most popular tourist attraction in town. This friendly little museum does a great job telling the story of Cedar Key to anyone who might be interested.  

There are lots of local artifacts on display throughout the museum's self-guided tour, and at only $3 it is also one of the best deals in town as well.  

Dinner: Duncan's on the Gulf 

When dinner time rolls around, we are heading back to the Cedar Key Fishing Pier for reservations at Duncan's on the Gulf. This hidden gem is known for handling all things seafood-related, but they also have a fantastic selection of steaks and pasta dishes.  

If this is your first time dining at Duncan's, you can feel comfortable choosing any of the specials that might sound interesting. But if that doesn't do the trick for you, there are plenty of great entrees in the Island Dinner section of their menu.  

After enjoying two fabulous meals and a couple of fun destinations in Cedar Key, you are probably going to be ready to get home as quickly as possible. Fortunately for you, the Villages of Citrus Hills is only a little over an hour away, so you will be back home before you know it!

5 Fun Ways to Spend a Day in Crystal River

One of the best things about life here at the Villages of Citrus Hills is that we are located close to a number of unique Florida towns like Crystal River. And in addition to all of the fun things there are to do here in our community, there are even more options just 20 minutes up the road in Crystal River.  

If you are looking for a fun way to spend a day in a nearby community, here are five popular ideas that are definitely worth checking out in Crystal River.  

Swim With Manatees 

While most visitors to Crystal River settle for simply seeing our beautiful manatees from the shore, residents of Crystal River know that you haven't really embraced the manatee culture until you get in the water and swim alongside them.  

Companies like River Ventures Manatee Tour Center, located in downtown Crystal River, make swimming with manatees a breeze. All you have to do is show up at their office, watch a quick video breaking down the important things to know about getting in the water with these huge mammals, and then you'll be off to a local manatee hotspot with a snorkel and mask in hand.  

Kings Bay Scenic Cruise 

Nearby Kings Bay offers a wide range of water activities that keep Crystal River residents busy all year round, but one of the easiest ways to enjoy the water is to head out on a Kings Bay Scenic Cruise with Plantation Adventure Center.  

This specific tour is a one-hour excursion that will get you up close and personal with some of the area's local wildlife. At the same time, you will have the privilege of taking in some of the best views of Kings Bay without ever having to actually get in the water.  

Classic Sunset Cruises 

For a more romantic version of the Kings Bay Scenic Cruise, you might decide to opt for the Classic Sunset Cruises offered by Wild Coast Charters. These two-hour tours feature live guitar music that provides the perfect accompaniment to the stunning views of a Kings Bay sunset. 

The Classic Sunset Cruises are also popular because they feature a six-person limit on a boat that is capable of holding up to 20 guests, so there is always going to be plenty of room to enjoy this one.  

Scalloping Charter 

While swimming with manatees and Kings Bay cruises are popular activities throughout the year in Crystal River, one of the most popular activities between the months of July and September is always going to be heading out on a scalloping charter. 

There are a number of companies that offer scalloping excursions, but each of them will have you snorkeling in shallow waters looking for scallops that you will be able to take home with you and prepare however you like.  

Crystal River Segway Tours 

If you are looking for something outside-the-box and you aren't afraid of looking like a goofy tourist, you'll have a hard time finding an excursion that is more fun than the Crystal River Segway Tours. And if you really want to experience Crystal River, this is a great introduction to the town.  

The Segway Tours start in the Little Caesar's parking lot with a quick Segway training session. After that, it's off to explore the streets, parks, and waters of Crystal River. 

Whether you are more interested in swimming, boating, or Segways, there is something for everyone located just up the road in Crystal River. And with Crystal River being so close to us here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, you are free to explore each of these fun activities whenever you like.