25 Things To Do In Gainesville

The largest city in Alachua County and North Central Florida, Gainesville could be a haven of fun and adventure alongside Florida’s trademark swamps and wildlife inhabitants. Not only is Gainesville prominent for its rich biodiversity; its streets also are steeped in Southern history, much of which might be learned thoroughly at their significant museums. Here are the simplest things to try and to do in Gainesville, FL to urge to grasp this charming county seat better.

1. Florida Museum of Natural History

Established way back in 1891, the Florida Museum of Natural History is that the state’s official Natural History museum. With permanent exhibits specializing in local fossils, wildlife, plants, Native American artifacts, energy sources, and University of Florida scientists’ research projects, the Florida Museum of Natural History offers everyone a chock-full of engaging educational experiences.

2. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park has been one in all the highest attractions in Gainesville since the 1880s. This state park was born out of a sinkhole from the dissolution of limestone. The sinkhole today is home to a lush rain forest with little streams and springs.

3. Kika Silva Pla Planetarium

This little planetarium at the Northwest Campus of Santa Fe College is that the only planetarium in North Central Florida. Donated by John Pla and his wife in honor of his mother, Kika Silva Pla, this planetarium hosts spectacular shows about the universe, our ancient cultures, the Earth, and interestingly, music videos and laser art shows too.

4. Downtown Gainesville

Gainesville is widely called Central Florida’s college town and also the largest city within the county of Alachua. Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, eight state parks, over 100 miles of trails, and a number of other freshwater springs. Being a collage town, Gainesville overflows with cheap thrills and free attractions too.

5. Bluefield Estate Winery

Located at Gainesville’s side, Bluefield Estate Winery was started within the summer of 2006 by a husband-and-wife duo. Gainesville does have lots of wineries, but Bluefield Estate has the widest selection of exciting wine flavors. Starting from blackberry, green apple, peach, pomegranate, and blueberry to Windsor white and Windsor red, this winery offers you cheap tastings from Thursday to Sunday.

6. Lubee Bat Conservancy

Lubee Bat Conservancy aims to avoid wasting bats and their habitats through research, education, and conservation. Since its founding in 1989, Lubee has been taking care of fruit bats, including endangered ones, with over 200 bats housed in their 110-acre ranch.

7. Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention

Founded in 2004 by the inventor of Gatorade, the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention seeks to inspire future inventors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Whether young or old, creative visitors are assured a good time with the museum’s interactive displays and exhibits. Expect plenty of hands-on activities at every turn.

8. Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation

After traveling to South Africa in 2001, Christine and Barry decided to open an academic preserve and facility to rescue cheetahs, leopards, and other animals. Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation is home to over 100 animals representing 30 species, most of which you'll be able to see up close!

9. The Oaks Mall

Gainesville is also a home to the Oaks Mall, the most important shopping precinct within the Central Florida region. If you’ve been intending to go on a spree in Central Florida’s premier shopping destination, you don’t have to drive any farther. The Oaks Mall in downtown Gainesville offers over 100 stores for your shopping and dining needs.

10. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, inbuilt 1930, is that the bowl for the University of Florida’s football team. Fondly nicknamed the Swamp, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is that the largest sports stadium in Florida and is that the home stadium of the Florida Gators team. Lovers of sports, particularly football, will surely love the joy of a game in a very 88,548-seat stadium.

11. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Established in 1978, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens currently spans 62 acres of 24 garden collections. Kanapaha’s bamboo gardens, the most important in Florida, and their giant water lilies within the summer are definitely a number of the foremost interesting things to determine in Gainesville. Offering you a verdant break loose the hustle and bustle within the city, Kanapaha may be a must-see. Come here during the spring to enjoy the plants all told their glory. There are guided tours every first Saturday of the month, furthermore as charming seasonal events to enjoy. If you’re searching for things to try and to do in Gainesville tonight, Kanapaha magically lights up during their Moonlight Walk!

12. Lake Alice

Within the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville could be a little lake rich in wildlife. UF students, who fondly call themselves Gators, even have real gators on campus at Lake Alice. The realm won’t to be home to Native Americans, whose burial mounds dated AD 1,000 is found within the area. Searching for free things to try and to do in Gainesville? Lake Alice is truly unengaged to the general public for viewing. Watch birds, turtles, possums, and alligators hang around the lake and explore the realm through its walking trails and viewing decks.

13. Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art

Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art could be 112,800-square-foot facility within the University of Florida campus’s southwest area. When it’s raining or cold, art junkies vacationing in Gainesville can get their art fix at the Harn, whose collection consists of over 11,300 artworks from various cultures round the world through history. See art in many forms from ancient eras to the contemporary period. The wonder doesn’t end indoors, however; the museum also has five garden spaces and sculptures outside!

14. Morningside Nature Center of Florida

Morningside Nature Center is that the last remaining fire-dependent Georgia pine woodland within the area. Featuring seven miles of trails weaving through flatwoods, sandhills, cypress domes, and native greenery, Morningside could be a lovely place for a morning hike. There are live reptiles and amphibians at the character center too. Must burn off some calories to start out your day? Gainesville’s premier nature park is that the most breathtaking place to try and to do that. Every first Saturday from September to May, there reside history experiences to witness. You'll feed stock here on Wednesdays during that season as well.

15. Historic Haile Homestead

The Historic Haile Homestead dates back to the 1850s and was the house of slaveholders who wrote over 12,500 words on their walls. While this house looks fairly mundane from the skin, its interiors tell a distinct story. Full of Bible quotes, lists, signatures, stories, blessings, daily musings, and drawings, the home’s “talking walls” document the lives of the family and their slaves. Have a glimpse into the daily lives of slaveholders from the late Victorian era. Wander among the rooms and peek into the closets to read personal observations, names of holiday makers, growth charts of youngsters, household recipes, inventories, and prose, among other musings.

16. Paynes Prairie

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park may be a 21,000-acre savana just quarter-hour south of downtown. Imagine watching wild bison and horses roaming within the wild in front of you. Or seeing deer, alligators, and various bird species as you traverse a lucrative 16-mile trail. Such is that the scenery at Paynes Prairie, a former Seminole tribe territory. Enjoy the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail as you observe wildlife in their natural habitat. There’s a 50-foot-high structure up ahead for panoramic views of the savanna. The prairie is dotted with lakes, and fishing, canoeing, and on Lake Wauberg.

17. Thomas Center

Built in 1910, the Thomas Center was once a hotel and villa. What was once a hotel is now a cultural arts center featuring art galleries, history exhibits, a performance area, and performance rooms all housed within the building’s 1920s period rooms. Quite 100 years old, the Thomas Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Thomas Center still boasts the romantic ambience it started with from the past century, making it perfect for those searching for things to try and to do in Gainesville for couples. Escape the Floridian heat by strolling through the center’s lush gardens or see artworks at the beautifully skylit Doris Bardon Gallery. For a full experience, take their cellular phone audio tours.

18. Gainesville Raceway

Since 1970, Gainesville Raceway has been hosting the National Hot Rod Association’s famous Gatornationals event. If you’re searching for thrills, Gainesville Raceway is one in all the places to go to in Gainesville for you. Besides the highly popular Gatornationals, the raceway hosts a weekly lineup of drag races from April to December. If you’re at Gainesville from spring to early fall, check Gainesville Raceway’s schedule of events to catch adrenaline-packed races on the track. Or if you’re here in March, you may have the possibility to witness the jam-packed Gatornationals!

19. Haile Farmers Market

Local farmers in Gainesville decided to return together and offer fresh produce and freshly made farm products to the community. Every Saturday, locals move at the Haile Farmers marketplace for nutritious food and delectable treats. There are craft vendors here for handmade gifts too! Support Gainesville’s farmers and little businesses by visiting the market during the weekend. You'll be able to call in for a cup of organic coffee, artsy objects, or pastries to ease your sweeth tooth.

20. Swamp Head Brewery

This iconic local brewery was founded by a University of Florida alumnus. Need quality beer? Swamp Head uses the best ingredients sourced from local gardens to brew world-class booze filled with Floridian pride. Better of all, this brewery takes their environmental responsibilities seriously! Tour this award-winning brewery and watch how they create their world-class beers! You'll be able to also sample everything by ordering a flight from their tasting room.

21. Matheson History Museum

This museum is found within the area of what was once the house of a prominent Florida family from 1867. Matheson History displays artifacts that tell the story of Gainesville and Alachua County normally. Among the museum’s collection are 20,000 postcards from the past, old illustrations of Florida from local newspapers, historic tools, and then far more. Book a tour round the 1867 house and find to understand the family that accustomed live and the way Gainesville’s story intertwined with theirs.

22. Depot Park

Located south of downtown, the Depot Park may be a 32-acre park dedicated to public enjoyment. If you’re thinking of on a daily basis intended for nothing but pure free fun for the family, there’s Depot Park, a sprawling public greenspace stuffed with splash pads, a playground, a promenade, picnic pavilions, a conservation area, and open space for live shows. Bring extra clothing and be able to break a sweat at the paths or get wet at the splash pads. If you’re lucky, there can be art events or live concerts to experience at the park. Don’t worry about food as there are picnic areas, grills, and a trading store.

23. Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Just an hour away from downtown could be a spring-fed river that gives a lot of recreation opportunities. After experiencing the most effective things to try and to do in Gainesville, FL, make the trip to Ichetucknee Springs State Park. It’s an excellent spot for endless tubing down cool clear springs and exploring miles of wetlands and shaded hammocks. Enjoy nonstop canoeing, swimming, and snorkeling within the eight gorgeous springs onsite, also as wildlife viewing and hiking through the various trails. Or unfolded a sheet under the luxurious cypress and oak trees and take a look at your luck at spotting the numerous wild turkeys, otters, turtles, and egrets that decision the park home.

24. Butterfly Rainforest

The Butterfly Rainforest is hospitable the general public. To confirm a secure environment for all visitors, the Museum has limited entry and masks are recommended. The Butterfly Rainforest could be a 6,400-square-foot screened exhibit exposed to typical Florida climatic conditions, leading to a more natural environment for the butterflies and plants. This living exhibit features many free-flying butterflies, typically quite 50 species at any given time, birds from round the world and an assortment of other animals including turtles and fish to experience firsthand.

25. University of Florida Bat House

The University of Florida Bat Houses are the world's largest occupied bat houses with an estimated population of 500,000. The structures are located on the side of Museum Road between Village Drive and Radio Road across from Lake Alice on the UF campus. Parking is on the left of the houses near Radio Road or across Museum Road near the Baughman Center. A UF parking decal is required Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Parking is free after 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and on weekends and state holidays.