Things to do & places to visit in Gainesville, Florida, United States

Home to the University of Florida, the largest and oldest university in the state, as well as the Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville is a hub of education and culture. Perhaps due to its strong student population, the city is also at the heart of independent music in Florida, having produced numerous musical acts from a variety of genres. The natural surroundings, including parks, lakes and the adjacent Paynes Prairie State Reserve provide a green getaway from the bustle of city life.

Gainesville city in Florida, United States. Timezone: America/New_York, current date and time: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 19:21.

Top things to do (20)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Butterfly Rainforest (1.230 reviews) from $14.63
- Amazing
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens

**The Butterfly Rainforest is open to the public. To ensure a safe environment for all visitors, the Museum has limited entry and masks are recommended.** The Butterfly Rainforest is a 6,400-square-foot screened exhibit exposed to typical Florida weather conditions, resulting in a more natural environment for the butterflies and plants. This living exhibit features hundreds of free-flying butterflies, typically more than 50 species at any given time, birds from around the world and an assortment of other animals including turtles and fish to experience firsthand. The lush landscape is planted in tropical trees and colorful flowering plants amid waterfalls and a walking path. Skilled interpretive staff are available to help answer questions and provide visitors with a personal and highly engaging experience. View the live butterfly spotlight Monday through Friday at 2 p.m., weather permitting. See more..
5.0 Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation (249 reviews)
- Private group tour - worth the splurge!
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

Not for profit exotic animal rescue and endangered species animal park and breeding center. Large beautiful nature park with 28 species, over 75 animals including big cat feeding demonstrations. See more..
5.0 Escapology Escape Rooms Gainesville (182 reviews)
- Couldn't have asked for a better time
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

We are located in the beautiful Celebration pointe complex. Our building is directly across the parking lot from Dave & Busters and right beside Azulene Nail Spa. We have 5 unique escape games for you to try! Can you make it out within 60 minutes? Time is of the essence! See more..
5.0 Depot Park (92 reviews)
- Exploring
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 11:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Parks

Depot Park is a signature city park in downtown Gainesville providing a space for unique public outdoor enjoyment. Depot features a children's adventure play area with a custom splash pad of waterfalls, water soakers, and ground jets. A water's edge promenade hosts special events like food truck rallies, art festivals, and musical performances. The park is fully staffed and free of charge. See more..
5.0 Lubee Bat Conservancy (38 reviews)
- Unique and Awesome
Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to saving bats and their habitats through research, conservation, and education, with a focus on children and community engagement. We are open for Private Tours that are scheduled online If you plan to visit, we suggest scheduling ASAP. We are scheduling 6 months out! See more..
5.0 A Nan Buddhist Statue Park (22 reviews)
- Serene Ambiance
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Parks

This is an excellent place for anyone who may want to do meditation or just get away to spend some "me" time. Such majestic statues and all of them had smiling faces....beauties to behold. So serene, so peaceful and quiet; on the whole a must visit place. Apparently, they run meditation classes on Fridays as well as have prayers every Sunday morning. Will definitely go there again the next time I visit Gainsville. See more..
5.0 Alachua County Visitors & Convention Bureau (22 reviews)
- More here than meets the eye
Saturday: Spent < 1 hour Visitor Centers

VisitGainesville is the official tourism sales and marketing organization for Gainesville and Alachua County. VisitGainesville is ready to assist you in planning your vacation or your meeting. From your initial inquiry to dining and entertainment recommendations to the ride home, our experienced and professional staff is your guide to the community. Gainesville is the proud home of the University of Florida. And for some people, that's the beginning and end of the story. But a few minutes spent on this site, followed hopefully by a visit sometime in the near future, and the story changes in a big way. Gainesville isn't just a great college town. It's a great town. Period. It's where nature and culture meet. Where trees draped in Spanish moss line quaint Old South inspired streets. Where a cozy quintessential downtown exudes hospitality, comfort, and at times, a certain refined ease in its shops and restaurants. Where state parks are a virtual playground of world-class natural attractions, sinkholes, waterways and waterfalls, shady pine forests, flora and fauna, and amazing NATURAL North Florida sunsets. And where the surrounding towns like High Springs, Alachua, Cross Creek and Micanopy dial-up the charm even further each in their own individual way. Looking for iconic locations in Gainesville to take photos? We've got you covered. So, welcome to Gainesville. It's a little of what you might expect, and a lot of what you wouldn't. Whether you're staying for a day, week, weekend or longer, we look forward to helping you create your own unforgettable story. One we hope you'll tell again and again. See more..
5.0 Artisans' Guild Gallery (11 reviews)
- Unique, affordable art
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

One of the longest-running artists' co-ops in the United States with a gallery full of handmade works that include diverse media and forms. Featuring all local artists at a beautifully restored vintage home in the heart of downtown Gainesville! See more..
4.5 Florida Museum of Natural History (999 reviews)
- Great History Lessons & Fun
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Natural History Museums

**The Florida Museum is open to the public. To ensure a safe environment for all visitors, the Museum has limited entry and masks are recommended.** Open to the public continuously since January 1998, Powell Hall houses exhibits and public education programs. It is located between the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art and the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in the UF Cultural Plaza at 3215 Hull Road, just east of Southwest 34th Street on the western edge of the University of Florida campus. Visitors to Powell Hall will encounter exciting featured exhibits and signature permanent exhibition halls that explore the state’s unique habitats and rich cultural history, including information about some of Florida's early Native peoples. Visitors may view a Calusa Indian welcoming ceremony and mammoth and mastodon skeletons from the last ice age. See more..
4.5 Paynes Prairie (481 reviews)
- Horses
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM State Parks

Nature area with woods and swamp as well as an information center describing the wildlife in the area. See more..
4.5 Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (472 reviews)
- Peaceful Place to Enjoy Nature
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Gardens

Herb and botanical garden displaying unusual plants from around the world. See more..
4.5 University of Florida Bat House (433 reviews)
- Very interesting!
Saturday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas

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 north side of Museum Road between Village Drive and Radio Road across from Lake Alice on the UF campus. Parking is available in a lot just west 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. The bats normally emerge 10 to 15 minutes after sunset before total darkness when temperatures are 65 F or higher. High winds, heavy rain or cold temperatures will keep the bats inside for the evening. On warm winter evenings, the bats may come out for a drink of water at the lake and exercise; however they can eat only when bugs are flying. See more..
4.5 University of Florida (346 reviews)
- College tour
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours Universities & Schools

The University of Florida is THE Flagship Institution in Florida’s large system of #HigherEducation. See more..
4.5 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (266 reviews)
- "THE GATOR EXPERIENCE"
Saturday: Arenas & Stadiums

The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium offers a great time for families and friends. They have a large selection of food and drinks for reasonable prices. The energy in the stadium during a game is electric as the fans chant and sing songs that have been sung for generations. I highly recommend you visit for a game in the Swamp. See more..
4.5 Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art (255 reviews)
- Free to the public
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Art Museums

Although the museum is free, there is a small fee ($4) to park on campus. You can visit three museums at the same time and for the same small parking fee: the Harn Art Museum, the Performing Arts Museum, and the Museum of Natural History. Several rooms with both sculpture and paintings, some permanent exhibits and some temporary. There were also some art objects (vases, pottery, etc.) See more..
4.5 Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo (238 reviews)
- Hidden Gem
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Zoos

The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo houses 70 species, and over 200 individual animals in its collection, including White-handed gibbons, red ruffed lemurs, ocelots, bald eagles, Galapagos tortoises, American alligators, and Matschie’s tree kangaroos. The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is Gainesville’s community zoo and the training facility for the Zoo Animal Technology Program. Situated on 10 forested acres, students in the Zoo Animal Technology Program provide daily care for the animals as well as give tours of the zoo grounds. The SF Teaching Zoo offers additional educational experiences such as animal encounters, field trips, birthday parties, and outreaches, as well as events throughout the year. See more..
4.5 Sweetwater Wetlands Park (221 reviews)
- Lovely relaxing walk with loads of birds
Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

We came here a few years ago and really enjoyed it so decided to come back again. $5 per car for the day parking, and you can drop the cash in an envelope or pay via an app or website. There's a restroom and water fountains next to the car park. Once you go down the path you cross a small road and enter the park. There are a few miles of paved trails suitable for all abilities. And you don't have to walk all the paths as they intersect so you can make the walk shorter if you wish. We spent a while here just walking slowly and looking at all the lovely scenery. Saw loads of birds as well as two small alligators and a few deer. Would definitely recommend this place. See more..
4.5 Swamp Head Brewery (161 reviews)
- Great Spot!
Saturday: 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

Founded in 2008, upon the foundation of our great state, we raised our roof to brew world-class beers and establish ourselves as Florida’s brewery. Having travelled through lands far and close, and finding inspiration along the way, we are proud to be here, proud to be Inherently Floridian. See more..
4.5 La Chua Trail (111 reviews)
- What a site.
Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails

April 18 2021 Took people from out of town to hopefully see lots of alligators on the trail and we weren’t disappointed. The trail has been opened up after an extended closure and you are able to walk quite a ways next to lots of alligators sleeping on the banks. Quite a few huge to baby alligators were visible near the water. We enjoyed our visit to La Chief Trail. See more..
4.5 Stephen C. O'Connell Center (73 reviews)
- UF Volleyball is so much fun!
Arenas & Stadiums

The Stephen C. O'Connell Center, also known as the O'Dome, is an 11,000-plus-seat multi-purpose arena located on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida. The facility is located on the northern side of the university's campus, and has been home to many concerts and sporting events since it's opening in 1980. The arena plays host to seven University of Florida Athletic Teams. See more..
4.5 Thomas Center (67 reviews)
- Our Wedding at the Thomas Center
Saturday: Historic Sites

Enjoy a delightful and free of charge visit to The Historic Thomas Center. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is a beautifully restored Mediterranean Revival-style hotel. Stroll through the lovely gardens and view the art in one of our two galleries. You can experience the past through the 1920's period rooms and local history exhibits. Listen to the interesting history of the property and the Thomas Family with a free cell phone tour. FREE OF CHARGE/FREE PARKING/HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE See more..
4.5 Kanapaha Park (52 reviews)
- Veterans Park is a must visit site
Parks

The war memorial is remarkable in it portrayal of the lives lost in each conflict. Its a great place for events and for individual visits. See more..
4.5 Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail (50 reviews)
- AMAZING bike trail!
Biking Trails • Hiking Trails

What a beautiful and peaceful ride! Follows an old railroad line. About 60% of the trail is tree lined and canopied. An abundance of wildlife and tranquility to be enjoyed by anyone including kids. Great family outing. See more..
4.5 Historic Haile Homestead (49 reviews)
- Great Tour; Interesting Historical Site!
Speciality Museums

In 1854 the Haile family, from South Carolina, established a 1500 acre Sea Island cotton plantation. The 6,200 sq ft home was the site of house parties attended by Gainesville’s finest citizens. The Hailes had an unusual habit of writing on the walls. See the "Talking Walls," over 12,500 words written by family and friends in every room. Exhibit on the enslaved builders. On National Register. See more..
4.5 Gainsville Raceway (46 reviews)
- Tried to attend the Gatornationals
Auto Racing Tracks

Was my first time at this facility, what a nice track. Sadly after we got here Wednesday morning for the 51st Gatornationals, the Governor of Florida cancelled the event because of the corona virus. Even though we were a bit disappointed we understood,better safe than sorry. Looking forward to next year See more..
4.5 Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention (29 reviews)
- Hands-on fun for the whole family
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Science Museums

The Cade Museum's exhibits, educational programs, and Creativity Labs encourage learners of all ages to think like an inventor, meet an inventor, and be an inventor. And we celebrate the entrepreneurs who turn these ideas into practical realities. See more..
4.5 Bluefield Estate Winery (27 reviews)
- Loved the wine tasting!
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wineries & Vineyards

We are a small family owned winery/vineyard just east of Gainesville. We grown blueberries and muscadine grapes that we use in our wine production. We also open a u-pick of our crops during certain times of the year. Please be advised that while our address states 234, one must actually turn off of 234 onto NE 1st place to gain access to the property. We do not have any roadway frontage at this time. There is a mailbox at NE 1st place that states "winery" on it to mark the turn. We look forward to obtaining better signage and are currently working with the county to obtain the same. We hope to see you at the winery. See more..
4.5 Blackadder Brewing Company (19 reviews)
- Great Eisbock and Quadrupel
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

Blackadder Brewing Company is a 3.5BBL microbrewery in Gainesville Florida providing 40 taps in a cozy pub atmosphere. We have our own beer and top notch guest beer along with two ciders, two wines, and two natural sodas on tap. There's something for everyone! See more..
4.5 Florida National Scenic Trail (12 reviews)
- Florida Trail Panhandle Section
Hiking Trails

A scenic hiking trail that runs continuously from the Big Cypress Swamp in Southwest Florida to the Panhandle west of Tallahassee. See more..
4.0 Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park (526 reviews)
- Might Have Been Beautiful In It’s Hay-Day But Now Not So Much
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM State Parks

This was a decent length walk and hike down the wooden steps to the see sinkhole. I honestly expected a lot more based on pictures, which clearly were taken years ago. Now this massive sinkhole is nothing but a mud pit mosquito hive. The history and information of how the sinkhole formed long, long ago was interesting. It’s a good cardio workout for $4 a vehicle but overall nothing I’d ever feel the need to do again. See more..