The City of Gainesville is one that is full of so many surprises for you. It was first referred to as Hog Town as the native Seminoles raised pigs there.
Added to that, Disney World is less than two hours away, but due to its location directly between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, there are no beaches nearby.
Gainesville’s Cracker-style homes, Spanish moss-covered streets, small-town roots, and easy accessibility to rural Florida are all attractive features. Additionally, a memorable stay is ensured by the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene, which is supported by the University of Florida as well as the Hippodrome.
Below is a list of the 42 best places you should visit to have a fun time in Gainesville:
Things To Do In Gainesville
Explore the list!
1. Bat House and Barn
Brazil’s largest species of free-tailed bats live in what appear to be two enormous birdhouses on stilts at Lake Alice on the north end of Museum Road.
These nocturnal animals have gathered here for more than three decades from whence they disperse from their perch in large numbers in search of food.
Bat houses make it easy to confine the guano odor which is a foul musty smell associated with bats. When thousands of these bats emerge and take flight from the observation area nearby soon before dusk, you’ll probably feel giddy.
On the University of Florida’s campus, it’s the greatest free 20-minute performance ever. For a fun time in Gainesville, you should check out this location.
2. Ichetucknee Spring Park
Spend the day drifting on the stunning spring-fed Ichetucknee River, which is only 45 minute’s drive away from Gainesville.
Solo tubing is fantastic if you need to escape from a deadline or just unwind for a while, but go in a group for the most fun and arrive early before the path fills up. By launching from various locations, you can say how long you would like to relax.
In the summer, a free bus service connects the northern and southern entrances. Instead of swimming in the winter, you may go camping, kayaking, or canoeing.
That sounds fun, right? Go and see things for yourself.
3. Paynes Prairies Preserve Part
Although you may see the fabled alligators of the Sunshine State from the shores of Lake Alice, Paynes Prairie Preserve in charming Micanopy is a much better place to see them in the wild.
In this National Natural Landmark’s savannah, hundreds of different bird species live alongside free-ranging bison, armadillos, deer, Spanish cattle, sandhill cranes, turtles, elusive wild horses, and various species of birds.
Before the sink dried up, the prairie was a ranch for cattle in the 17th century and a fish camp in the 19th.
You’ll be absolutely safe along the La Chua trail if you heed the park’s instructions and exercise caution, but keep in mind to zigzag away from the University of Florida’s mascot if necessary.
4. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic Park
For her book “The Yearling,” which tells the story of a kid who adopts a deer, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings received the Pulitzer Award in 1939. She resided at Cross Creek, which is twenty minutes southeast of Gainesville, on a citrus farm.
To experience the old Florida, consider taking a trip to the house where she once lived and penned the narrative. The property presently has walking trails and is a National Historic Landmark.
5. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
These sixty-two acres of botanical gardens can be charming to everyone, regardless of their level of horticultural expertise.
On Lake Kanapaha, there are seasonal enormous lily pads, some of which might be record-breaking at 8 feet wide. After seeing the water lilies, you can meander around and delicately inhale one of the biggest herb gardens in the United States.
When it’s windy, the bamboos sing, and to round off the trip, you may feed the fish.
6. Florida’s Museum of Natural History
This museum contains a lovely butterfly rainforest vivarium, another campus attraction. The largest butterfly study facility in the world, it’s a 6,400-square-foot piece of the tropics.
Visitors gasp in awe as 60 different species of these stunning creatures fly about on four stories. All ages will find it to be a very calm and entertaining diversion.
Check out the Native American art and culture exhibits as well as the traveling exhibits and the Hall of Florida Fossils.
7. High Springs
Gainesville is only 20 miles from High Springs, so it won’t take you too long to go there for an amazing day trip.
This relaxed small town offers plenty of outdoor activities, as well as antique shops, art galleries, handmade goods, and restaurants.
The water is always comfortable 72 degrees, and there are fantastic snorkeling and diving opportunities.
8. Tu Viện A Nan Buddhist Temple and Park
Constructed in 2010, this temple is not very old.
Whether you practice religion or not, there are many things to love about this location, such as the park’s cover, the serene meditation pavilions, and the enormous Buddhist sculptures from Vietnam that weigh a total of about 85 tonnes.
Group workshops are frequently held there, and you can look up upcoming ceremonies and special events on the venue’s calendar.
It is surely one of the best and most fun places to be in Gainesville.
9. Depot Park
A great area to pass the time on the streets is Depot Park.
The location of the former train station is now a place where you may sunbathe, go cycling, stroll among the ponds and swamps, or bring your children to the middle of the water and several playgrounds.
Christmas cheer is enhanced by twinkling lights, while New Year’s Eve is celebrated with fireworks.
10. Harn Museum of Art
The Samuel P. Harn Art Museum, which has an extraordinary collection of some 7,000 works of art from all over the world, is also located in the Cultural Plaza.
The museum is roomy and has a smooth transition from one display to the next. In case you are hungry after all that browsing, there is a wonderful café on the ground level, and you can also stroll through the nearby Japanese garden.
Go the short distance to the project of 352 Walls urban art if you’re interested in visiting an outdoor gallery. Since 2015, it has delighted residents and visitors with its brilliant colors.
11. Jensen Beach
There may be no better area to look for a hidden gem than the “Treasure Coast,” and Jensen Beach is unquestionably one of the most beautiful.
Even though West Palm Beach is only a one-hour drive away, you’ll feel as if you’re within your own private tropical hideaway with this place’s relaxed atmosphere and delectable, fresh local cuisine.
12. Amelia Island
The tranquil sanctuary of Amelia Island will keep surprising you if you believed a little Florida island would not be able to escape the masses.
Amelia Island is quiet, with over 13 miles of sand for guests to sprawl out on, and is located far from the congested tourist destinations which are so much on Florida’s coast.
You’ll have lots of opportunities to eat local seafood in addition to taking in the beautiful animals and coastline vistas. You can even catch your own fish by going on a fishing trip or simply renting a boat for the day.
If you want some low-key, hassle-free “Island time,” here is the best place to go.
13. Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach offers stunning coastline views along with a variety of resorts, breathtaking drives, and numerous restaurants serving fresh fish.
A paragliding or jet ski trip will allow you to take in uninterrupted vistas of the Mexican Gulf as well as close-up views.
However, you won’t encounter the typical hordes of visitors that congregate at several of Florida’s beaches. Instead, you may relax with the natives and have lots of space to yourself on the expanses of sand.
14. Perdido Key
This small stretch of white sand ridges is towards the end of the warm gulf waters. As such, it has fewer people visiting it compared to other tourist attractions in all of Florida.
At this venue, you have so much space to hike, sunbathe, go fishing or even go crabbing.
15. St. George’s Island
The smooth white sand, mild tides, endless boardwalks, and picturesque sand dunes on St. George Island are just some of the reasons why locals adore it.
These features all contribute to peaceful days spent under a clear blue sky. With scenery that looks like it could have been taken straight out of a tropical piece of art, you’ll undoubtedly feel as though are in the Caribbean when you arrive.
16. Santa Rosa Beach
Florida’s Picturesque Emerald Coast appears to be quite popular but what makes Santa Rosa Beach more preferable is the fact that there are no crowds at that location. The sight of the horizon during the evenings s a sight to behold
Since it is situated between Pensacola and Panama City, by implication, you can always stroll out for some pleasurable nightlife time, shopping etc. I’m addition, you may find some biking and boating opportunities.
17. Homosassa
If you are looking forward to submerging yourself in nature and having some wildlife around you, then, you should go to this location.
Several expanses of state parks cover this area offering you the opportunity to meet with manatees as well as other mammals that stay in Estuaries around.
For some fun outdoor time, Visit this place.
18. Cape San Blas
This venue is home to both St. Joseph’s peninsula state park and also doubles as one of the best beaches in Florida. You could spend a whole weekend at this location boating, climbing or simply paddling around.
With just a few people around, it makes for one of the best places to have some quiet outdoor time in Gainesville.
19. Bahia Honda Park
Situated 35 miles to the east of Key West, this park allows you captivating vews of the Landscape f Florida. What’s the fun thing about this place? It lacks the crowds that other tourist attractions possess making it another place to go have some quiet outdoor time.
You can have a satisfying afternoon view of the colourful marine life or stay on land while hiking different trails that give you eye-catching views of the nearby pine key Island.
20. Destin
Nobody would be mad at you if you spent this year’s spring break in Destin! The Emerald Coast, which is named from the jaw-dropping, jewel-hued ocean that regurgitates against sugar-white shorelines, is where you’ll find this gem.
This location is a photographer’s paradise with vibrant sunsets warming over the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also the ideal place to enjoy daylong beachside tropical cocktail drinking.
21. St. Augustine
If you enjoy adding a little history to your vacation, St. Augustine, the oldest European settlement in America, will not disappoint. Spanish explorers founded it in 1565.
Just the old-world building transports you instantly to a different era and location. But unlike crowded tourist sites, the small city manages to have a low-key, laid-back atmosphere.
There are plenty of gorgeous boat excursions, museums, marketplaces, restaurants, beachfront, and ghost tours that you can take advantage of whenever you choose.
22. Jupiter
Simply go to Jupiter if you want to spend your spring break somewhere that isn’t too far away.
This relaxed community is crammed with easygoing waterfront dining, shopping, live performances, and plenty of outdoor recreation for nature lovers: watersports, beach trails, and the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is situated on the Atlantic Coast just up the coast of West Palm Beach. If you’re fortunate, you might even see a few sea turtles.
23. Robinson Preserve
Robinson Preserve is a seaside area of interest with a variety of activities for tourists looking to learn about the local ecology.
This publicly sponsored area of outstanding natural beauty is concentrated on the shore and wetlands and seeks to protect the native fauna while enabling secure access for the general public.
In the Robinson Preserve, you may go water sports, paddle boarding, and fishing, among other water-based activities. On ground, visitors can use the preserve’s pathways for biking or hiking.
24. Try Horse Back Riding
A truly unique way to take in the views of Anna Maria Island is by horseback. There are numerous horseback riding opportunities all across the island. Whatever your level of experience, the island’s horseback riding operations serve people of all ages and abilities.
To create a memorable family experience, parents and kids can start riding bareback as their horses wade in the warm Florida water. Beach strolls and excursions through nearby conservation areas, where local species including deer, wading birds, and crocodiles live, are two more horseback riding activities.
25. Anna Maria Trolley
The trolley is the ideal means of transportation for getting about Anna Maria Island. This free service travels the whole length of the island, stopping at fourteen covered locations between Anna Maria City Pier in the north and Coquina Beach in the south.
The Trolley is a fleet of air-ventilated buses, some of which have an open top so you may travel while enjoying the Florida sunshine.
Wheelchair users can board the buses, which also have bike racks. The non-smoking service offers a convenient way to discover Anna Maria Island’s delights and is available from sunrise to sunset.
26. See Wild Dolphins
Nine different dolphin species, as well as other marine life, can be found in the warm Gulf of Mexico seas off the coast of Florida.
From Anna Maria Island, a number of businesses provide boat trips with the hope of witnessing dolphins in the wild. No matter where you reside on the island, a dolphin trip spot is nearby.
It is simple to plan tours that are suitable for families, and they depart from a number of ports across the island. Therefore, you should visit it for some fun time in Gainesville.
27. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Florida’s premier bridge, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, majestically towers over Tampa Bay. The ideal vantage point to appreciate this spectacular edifice is on Anna Maria Island.
An upgraded bridge was constructed in 1987 after the former bridge suffered severe damage as a result of an unintentional collision with a passing ship. The four-lane cable held bridge is illuminated, making for an amazing nighttime display.
This is certainly one of the best place to be in Gainesville if you love sightseeing.
28. Anna Maria City Jail
Certainly, this former prisoner housing facility on the island can be visited. It is a portion of the museum run by the Anna Maria Island History Society and provides information about jail life in the early 20th century.
Use your imagination to think what it would have been like to be surrounded by insects all the time. It’s all a part of Anna Maria Island’s history and a fascinating activity.
29. Devil’s Hopper Geological Park
A 120-foot-deep bowl-shaped hollow in the middle of North Florida’s sandy landscape and pine trees descends to a small rainforest.
Small streams trickle through cracks in the ground as they descend the limestone sinkhole’s steep slopes. Even during the drier seasons, lush greenery grows in the shelter of the walls.
Studying fossilized shark teeth, marine shells, and extinct land animal remnants discovered in the sink has taught scientists a lot about Florida’s natural past.
In addition to taking a picnic, visitors can view informative displays to discover more about the sinkhole.
30. Cade Museum for Invention and Creativity
Gainesville, Florida’s Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention is one with the goal of transforming communities by instilling and empowering future innovators, businesspeople, and visionaries.
The museum bears Dr. Robert Cade’s name and embodies his philosophy of intentional innovation in fusing science and art. Dr. Cade was the primary developer of Gatorade.
31. Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
This 10 Acre Zoo in Gainesville, Florida, as part of Santa Fe College, is the only college zookeeper structure in the United States of America that has had its own Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation since 2000.
The collection of animals there include; tree Kangaroos, white-handed gibbons as well as white-faced capuchins, Visayan Warty pigs, Asian Little-clawed otters, and Galapagos Tortoise to mention but a few.
For some extra fun time, visit this location.
32. Morning Side Nature Centre
It has more than 7 miles of trails that wind through Flatwoods, sandhills, cypress domes, and regions where native vegetation is being restored.
In fact, It is one of the last case studies of fire-dependent longleaf pine woodlands in the region.
In addition to a stunning display of wildflowers, Morningside’s over 400 acres are home to a wide variety of species, including deer, wild turkeys, box turtles, gopher tortoises, skunks, and countless birds.
You should visit this place if the best experience in and around Gainesville is what you want.
33. Loblolly Woods Nature Park
Loblolly Woods Nature Park is a hidden urban treasure that safeguards 159 acres of lushly forested bottomland between the meeting point of Possum Creek and Hogtown Creek.
Spring wildflowers cover the forest floor at this park, one of eleven that make up the Hogtown Creek Greenway in the City of Gainesville, and the park’s renowned loblolly pines are among the biggest in the area.
It’s a spot where little side trails lead to lovely cliffs just above creeks and sinkholes, which are divided by a wide bicycle-friendly path.
34. Sweet Water Wetland Parks
Sweetwater Wetlands Park serves as both a place to enjoy nature and a means of preserving it.
The park, which spans over 125 acres of waterbodies and ponds, was built to enhance the water quality of the Floridan Aquifer and the wetlands in Paynes Prairie.
Sweetwater Wetlands Park is now a healthy habitat that is home to a wide variety of flora and animals, including birds, butterflies, alligators, and Florida cracker horses.
You may explore the park’s more than 3.5 miles of boardwalks and crushed gravel trails, take in the green surroundings from observing points, and discover things about the habitat through informative signs and tours.
35. Historic Haile Homestead
This colonial-era structure was for a white family and their slaves in the late 1800s. Although the inner walls tell a different story, the outer part reflect an old-fashioned Florida home.
The characteristic of this building is the over 12500 words written all over the house which range from signatures to stories, bibble quotes to mention but a few.
That a building this old could be preserved is enough reason for you to check it out.
36. Oak Mall
The Oaks Mall is one of the biggest shopping centres in Gainesville. It’s a great place to pick up some mementos before you leave the city.
You shouldn’t have any trouble finding anything to fit your budget because it has a wonderful blend of high-end businesses and dirt-cheap vendor stalls.
There are clothing stores, jewellery stores, cute tiny bookshops, and confectionery stores.
Maps are posted all over to assist weekend visitors, and everything is set up on one floor.
The mall also has a small children’s play area and a food court. You could even cross the life-sized alligator statue that keeps a watchful eye on passing shoppers if you take the right hallway.
Even while The Oaks Mall isn’t one of those imposing, cutting-edge malls, it’s nevertheless a pleasant way to end your vacation to Gainesville.
37. 34th Street Wall
If you are looking for a place to enjoy some nice artwork in Gainesville, then, you should visit 34th Street Wall.
It was originally built as erosion control for a nearby golf course. Today, it is supplemented it with text, images, messages, prayers, and announcements. They painted memorials for the local homicide victims. Celebrities were hired to take pictures with the wall for awareness initiatives.
Graffiti on the 34th Street Wall is still prohibited today, but nobody actively enforces the law. It is regarded as a distinctive and lively aspect of Gainesville that I think you need to see.
38. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
This Stadium, also known as the Swamp is one of the largest in all of Florida. With a capacity of about 90,000, it has played host to a variety of games, concerts, championships, ceremonies, etc.
One of the activities which this stadium is best known for is its Gator Growl which is a huge event that takes place during the football season at the University of Florida.
People from all over come to enjoy shows at this venue. As such, you too should visit this place or some fun activities that they may be featuring when you arrive.
39. West University Ave
While this may not exactly be a vacation venue, it is one place that is packed full of locations such as gyms, shops, restaurants, and movie theatres. Therefore, it’s me bubbling part of the city that out should check out.
Another special thing about this location is that it is a jump-off point to many other tourist locations in Florida. You should visit this place for some extra fun time.
40. Gainesville Raceway
This Gainesville Raceway is most popular for being the venue for NHRA GatorNationals which is an annual racing event where over 135,000 people gather to watch their favorite drivers do battle on the track.
Anyway, this venue still plays host to weekly and monthly races of people who don’t have the massive sponsorship the other guys have.
You may need to stay away if you are planning on going there with kids or anyone who easily gets spooked by loud noises.
41. Mi Apa Latin Cafe
Diners should go no further than the Mi Apa Latin Café in the center of Gainesville for a real taste of Cuba. For one of their delectable and unique breakfasts and a potent Cuban espresso, you can start your day off right.
Favorite appetizers for lunch and dinner include fried cheese sticks, empanadas, and black bean soup.
There is a selection of delectable sandwiches made in the Cuban way as well as tantalizing dinners like their Bistec Palomilla (thick-cut beef steak), Masitas Fritas (fried pork cubes in Cuban sauce), and Carne con Papas (Beef cubes in a seasoned sauce with potatoes). Keep room aside for the delectable Churros.
42. Volta Tea, Chocolate and Coffee
When you need a break from your busy sightseeing itinerary, stop by the Volta Coffee, Tea and Chocolate shop for a great cup of your preferred brew and a chocolate treat to lift your spirits.
Volta offers a vast selection of specialty coffees made to perfection by their skilled baristas and imported from countries all around the world, such as Rwanda, Brazil, Java, and Bolivia. Try one of the many unique mixes available if you prefer tea.
You may even sample chocolate from discrete vintage plantations, and the quality is excellent. Volta also produces a wide range of desserts and baked items.
Conclusion
I trust that this post has helped you generate your Bucket list of places to visit when you arrive in Gainesville. Do well to tell us what you feel about this article in the comments section.
