Experience the surprising charm of North Central Florida in the charming city of Gainesville, where you’ll find the ideal mix of preserved natural splendor and vibrant college-town energy.
The city of Gainesville is home to over 30 miles of incredible hiking and biking trails featuring diverse wildlife species, including alligators and wild horses. Pend your afternoon paddleboarding across glistening rivers and renew your spirits at the freshwater, clear springs. Gainesville offers more than just warm weather and amazing places at which to enjoy it. With a plethora of unique cafes and restaurants, you can grab a tasty bite while enjoying some live music in the bustling city center. Residents move at a slower pace than most, so Gainsville is the ideal place to unwind and indulge in all the creative elements you can expect from a classic college city.
Whether it’s breathtaking views or a lively nightlife scene you seek, Gainsville will certainly live up to your expectations. Be sure to spend some time at some of the great attractions listed below to experience all the best parts of Gainsville.
The 61 Most Popular Things To Do In Gainesville, Florida
61. Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, FL
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: joiseyshowaa, License, Flickr
Location: 33 N Main Street Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 374 5260
Web Address: http://visitgainesville.com/
60. Lake Kanapaha
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking, License, Flickr
59. Paynes Prairie
4.7 (3 reviews)
Credit: Geoff Gallice, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: US 441 Gainesville FL
58. Alachua Sink
5.0 (4 reviews)
Credit: Donald Albury, License, Wikimedia commons
57. Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
4.4 (5 reviews)
Credit: Ebyabe, License, Wikimedia commons
56. The Florida Trail Association LLC
5.0 (7 reviews)
Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife, License, Flickr
Location: 1022 NW 2nd Street Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 378 8823
Web Address: http://floridatrail.org/
55. Bivens Arm
3.9 (7 reviews)
Credit: Art Siegel, License, Wikimedia commons
54. Historic Matheson House
4.1 (9 reviews)
Credit: Ebyabe, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 528 SE 1st Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 378 2280
Web Address: http://mathesonmuseum.org/
53. Florida State Collection of Arthropods
5.0 (9 reviews)
Credit: FSC Africa, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1911 SW 34th Street Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 395 4700
Web Address: http://thefsca.org/
52. The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center
4.6 (9 reviews)
Credit: Mr Cowart’s Daughter, Google Maps
Location: 837 SE 7th Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 226 8321
Web Address: http://cottonclubmuseum.com/
51. Gainesville Solar Walk
4.2 (13 reviews)
Location: 3349 3399 NW 8th Ave Gainesville FL
Web Address: http://visitgainesville.com/attractions/solar-walk/
50. Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT)
5.0 (14 reviews)
Credit: Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT), Google Maps
Location: 7204 Co Road 234 Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 373 1078
Web Address: http://alachuaconservationtrust.org/
49. Historic Haile Homestead
4.4 (20 reviews)
Credit: Ebyabe, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 8500 SW Archer Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 336 9096
Web Address: http://hailehomestead.org/
48. Boulware Springs Water Works
4.4 (20 reviews)
Credit: Ptrain56, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3300 SE 15th Street Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesvilleparks.org/
47. Newnans Lake
4.4 (31 reviews)
Credit: Ebyabe, License, Wikimedia commons
46. Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College
4.4 (33 reviews)
Credit: Ebyabe, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3000 NW 83 Street Building X 129 Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 395 5225
Web Address: http://sfcollege.edu/planetarium/
45. John Mahon Nature Park
4.4 (38 reviews)
Credit: Jessica Nelson, Google Maps
Location: 4101 Newberry Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesvilleparks.org/
44. Roper Park
4.8 (40 reviews)
Credit: Todd Van Hoosear, License, Flickr
Location: 401 NE 2nd Street Gainesville FL
43. Prairie Creek Preserve
4.7 (43 reviews)
Credit: GorissM, License, Flickr
Location: Gainesville FL
Web Address: https://alachuaconservationtrust.org/prairie-creek-preserve-guide
42. Palm Point Park
4.5 (45 reviews)
Credit: Allen Forrest, License, Flickr
Location: 7401 Lake Shore Dr Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/
41. Wilmot Gardens
4.7 (46 reviews)
Credit: Gardening Solutions, License, Flickr
Location: 2023 Mowry Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 273 5832
Web Address: http://wilmotgardens.med.ufl.edu/contact/
40. Lake Alice
4.7 (54 reviews)
Credit: Suiseiseki, License, Wikimedia commons
39. Bluefield Estate Winery
4.6 (71 reviews)
Credit: Shilpa Sanapala, Google Maps
Location: 22 NE Co Road 234 Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 337 2544
Web Address: http://bluefieldestatewinery.com/
38. Matheson History Museum
4.7 (73 reviews)
Credit: Donald Albury, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 513 E University Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 378 2280
Web Address: http://mathesonmuseum.org/
37. San Felasco Park
4.6 (87 reviews)
Credit: David, License, Flickr
Location: 6400 NW 43rd Way Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesvilleparks.org/
36. Cellon Oak Park
4.7 (107 reviews)
Credit: Wesley Hetrick, Google Maps
Location: 4100 NW 169th Pl Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 374 5245
35. Reitz Union North Lawn
4.6 (112 reviews)
Credit: Robert Harker, Google Maps
Location: Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 392 1645
Web Address: https://ufl.edu/
34. Natural Area Teaching Laboratory
4.6 (133 reviews)
Credit: Donald Hobern, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Natural Area Dr Gainesville FL
Web Address: http://natl.ifas.ufl.edu/
33. San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
4.7 (149 reviews)
Credit: Axelivan Figueroa, Google Maps
Location: 13201 San Felasco Parkway Alachua FL
Tel: 386 462 7905
Web Address: https://floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/san-felasco-hammock-preserve-state-park
32. Tu Viện A Nan
4.8 (152 reviews)
Credit: Constanza López, Google Maps
Location: 2120 SE 15th Street Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 872 8250
Web Address: http://facebook.com/chua.a.nan
31. Lubee Bat Conservancy
4.8 (186 reviews)
Credit: LittleT889, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1309 NW 192nd Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 485 1250
Web Address: http://lubee.org/
30. Greentree Park
4.4 (189 reviews)
Credit: Kate Haskell, License, Flickr
Location: Gainesville FL
29. Bivens Arm Nature Park
4.4 (200 reviews)
Credit: Geoffrey Hutinet, Google Maps
Location: 3650 S Main Street Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/NaturalResourcesandPrograms/NatureParks.aspx
28. Boulware Springs Park
4.5 (254 reviews)
Credit: Ebyabe, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3300 SE 15th Street Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: https://gainesvillefl.gov/Parks/Boulware-Springs-Nature-Park
27. ISKCON Alachua Hare Krishna Temple
4.8 (259 reviews)
Credit: ISKCON Alachua Hare Krishna Temple, Google Maps
Location: 17306 NW 112th Blvd Alachua FL
Tel: 386 462 2017
Web Address: http://alachuatemple.com/
26. Sweetwater Preserve
4.6 (275 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 309 SE 16th Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 264 6800
25. Fred Cone Park
4.4 (315 reviews)
Credit: Yuichi Chika, Google Maps
Location: 2801 E University Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 0720
Web Address: https://gainesvillesportscommission.com/fred-cone-park/
24. Northside Park
4.5 (319 reviews)
Credit: David, License, Flickr
Location: 5701 NW 34th Blvd Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/FindaParkorFacility.aspx
23. Morningside Nature Center
4.5 (338 reviews)
Credit: Ebyabe, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3540 E University Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 393 8240
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/NaturalResourcesandPrograms/NatureParks.aspx
22. Westside Park
4.6 (341 reviews)
Credit: Lipsio, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3100 3346 NW 8th Ave Gainesville FL
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs.aspx
21. Cofrin Nature Park
4.6 (342 reviews)
Credit: Kelly Verdeck, License, Flickr
Location: 4810 NW 8th Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/GOVERNMENT/CityDepartmentsNZ/NatureOperationsDivision/ParksFacilities/tabid/182/Default.aspx
20. Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park
4.7 (372 reviews)
Credit: Justin Hauck, Google Maps
Location: 1500 NW 45th Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5000
Web Address: http://cityofgainesvilleparks.org/
19. Squirrel Ridge Park
4.6 (490 reviews)
Credit: Abhisheak Sharma, Google Maps
Location: 1603 SW Williston Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 264 6868
Web Address: http://alachuacounty.us/
18. Alfred A. Ring Park
4.7 (543 reviews)
Credit: Toxophilus, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1801 NW 23rd Blvd Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/NaturalResourcesandPrograms/NatureParks.aspx
17. Tom Petty Park
4.4 (598 reviews)
Credit: Todd Van Hoosear, License, Flickr
Location: 400 NE 16th Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs.aspx
16. Loblolly Woods Nature Park
4.6 (634 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3315 NW 5th Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/tabid/182/Default.aspx#LoblollyWoods
15. UF Bat Houses
4.8 (685 reviews)
Credit: Ebyabe, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Museum Road Gainesville FL
Web Address: http://floridamuseum.ufl.edu/bats
14. Veterans Memorial Park
4.7 (780 reviews)
Credit: David, License, Flickr
Location: 7400 SW 41st Pl Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 548 1210
13. Possum Creek Park
4.6 (864 reviews)
Credit: Kate Haskell, License, Flickr
Location: 4009 NW 53rd Ave Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 334 5067
Web Address: http://cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/Sports,AquaticsFitness/SkateParks.aspx
12. Sweetwater Wetlands Park
4.8 (1,285 reviews)
Credit: Flatwoods 36, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 325 SW Williston Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 554 5871
Web Address: http://sweetwaterwetlands.org/
11. Gainesville Raceway
4.7 (1,696 reviews)
Credit: Todd Van Hoosear, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 11211 N County Rd. 225 Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 377 0046
Web Address: http://gainesvilleraceway.com/
10. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
4.8 (5,943 reviews)
Location: 12087 Southwest US 27 Fort White FL
Tel: 386 497 4690
Web Address: https://floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ichetucknee-springs-state-park
Our Top picks
9. San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
4.7 (230 reviews)
Location: 11101 Millhopper Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 386 462 7905
Web Address: https://floridastateparks.org/park/San-Felasco-Hammock
8. Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
4.6 (286 reviews)
Credit: LittleT889, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3000 NW 83 Street Building Z Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 395 5633
Web Address: https://sfcollege.edu/zoo
7. Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
4.6 (485 reviews)
Credit: Flatwoods 36, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 811 S Main Street Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 371 8001
Web Address: http://cademuseum.org/
6. Harn Museum of Art
4.7 (812 reviews)
Credit: Michael Rivera, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3259 Hull Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 392 9826
Web Address: https://harn.ufl.edu/
5. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
4.4 (1,429 reviews)
Credit: Michael Rivera, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4732 Millhopper Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 955 2008
Web Address: https://floridastateparks.org/park/Devils-Millhopper
4. Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History
4.8 (1,429 reviews)
Credit: Michael Rivera, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3215 Hull Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 846 2000
Web Address: https://floridamuseum.ufl.edu/exhibits/butterfly-rainforest/
3. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
4.7 (2,198 reviews)
Credit: Ebyabe, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Summer House 4700 SW 58th Dr Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 372 4981
Web Address: http://kanapaha.org/
2. Florida Museum of Natural History-Exhibits
4.8 (2,741 reviews)
Credit: Florida Museum of Natural History-Exhibits, Google Maps
Location: 3215 Hull Road Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 846 2000
Web Address: https://floridamuseum.ufl.edu/
1. Depot Park
4.8 (3,532 reviews)
Credit: Ptrain56, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 874 SE 4th Street Gainesville FL
Tel: 352 393 8510
Web Address: http://depotpark.org/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Gainesville, Florida! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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