How to Visit McIntosh, FL

McIntosh, Florida, is a “rural retreat for the soul,” full of “memories of the citrus boom years,” according to VisitFlorida.com, the state’s travel and tourism site. McIntosh is located just south of Gainesville and is right next to Ocala. With fewer than 500 residents, McIntosh offers fishing camps, antique shops and quiet charm for visitors.

Instructions

1. Buy or get from the library a travel guide to Florida. Contact the Ocala/Marion County Visitor’s Bureau for brochures on the area and to have questions about accommodations answered. The Bureau can be reached at (888) FL-OCALA or online (see Resources).

2. Decide on a travel budget. Consider food, gas, tickets, and accommodations. McIntosh is home to the Merrily Bed & Breakfast at [phone] and the Ranch Motel at [phone]. RV and campsites are available at the McIntosh Fish Camp at [phone] and Sportsman Cove at [phone]. For more accommodation choices, consider staying in the city of Ocala, located 20 miles south of McIntosh on U.S. Hwy 441.

3. Decide the best way to travel to McIntosh based on your budget and time constraints. The town is located south of Gainesville on U.S. Hwy 441, and is close to Interstate 75. Ocala has an international airport, and train stations are located in Ocala and Gainesville.

4. Plan an itinerary for your stay in McIntosh. Orange Lake offers fishing and boating. Shoppers will find small antique shops through which to browse. For a multiple-day trip to the area, plan to visit Ocala and Gainesville as well. Marion County is known for its horse farms and equestrian training (three Olympic medalists for equestrian events have lived and trained in the area). The Florida Horse Park in Ocala hosts festivals and events throughout the year (see Resources below for website links).

5. Dining options within the town of McIntosh are limited, but both Ocala and the nearby town of Micanopy offer a variety of restaurant choices. Check with the host at your hotel or inn for recommendations.

Tips & Warnings

• A great time to visit McIntosh is during the McIntosh 1890s Festival. Held in the McIntosh Historic District, the festival crowds reach 35,000 during the month of October. For this year’s dates, go to the Friends of McIntosh website (see Resources below).

• Always check with the accommodations and attractions you plan to visit for updated rates and schedule changes.

• If you check out a travel guide from the library, remember that rates and business information changes from year to year. An older guide will not have up-to-date information.

Resources

• Visit Florida
• Friends of McIntosh, Inc.
• Ocala/Marion County Visitor's Bureau
• "Star-Banner" (daily newspaper for Marion County)
• Florida Horse Park