Hey friends,
We just took the boys back to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. The Equestrian Hotel has the BEST Christmas light display in North Florida. This is our second year visiting and the whole family always loves it.
It is in Ocala Florida, just a 45 minute drive from Gainesville, where we live.
1750 NW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34482
We like to park at the front of the hotel, walk through see their lobby (filled with trees) and visit the Yellow Pony for lunch in the garden (very kid friendly with room to play.) If you take a right from the lobby, you will walk by their Gingerbread House display. It is stunning every year & smells amazing!
At the end of the hall is a cafe, more Christmas decorations and the one & only MR. PICKLES & SAILOR BEAR TOY SHOPPE. This such a fun experience! They have a huge selection of toys, but the life size stuffed animals take the cake!
You can exit to the arena area from the toy shoppe, which is where most of the Christmas lights & displays are.
Every year is a little bit different, but it is always very kid friendly, with climb on displays and picture opportunities.
They also have Breakfast, photos, etc with Santa on select days/times.
I filmed our trips on Instagram HERE & HERE.
If you visit, please share with me on Instagram, I’d love to see!
The best time to visit is before 2:30PM, that is when they charge for parking. Otherwise, the entire event is FREE!
It is obviously prettier lit up at night, but with our young kids we haven’t been able to go at night yet.
We like to go on weekend morning, even though some of the lights are not on, the displays are beautiful in the daylight & it is best for our kids nap schedule right now.
We have eaten at VIOLA & DOT’S ITALIAN KITCHEN & PIZZERIA as well & loved their pizza. You can take it to-go and see the horses in the arena too!
If you are still shopping for Christmas gifts I have some gifts we have & loved list HERE.
xoxo,
Sarah
Leave a Reply