SpringHill Suites Gainesville

A Great College Town

by ZenGator

There are so many different things to do in Gainesville that it's hard to say what you 'must' do. It depends on what you like. There are three very nice and very different nature parks, two good museums, many interesting shops and restaurants, a thriving local music scene, art galleries and fine local theater, and the beautiful UF campus to explore. And, of course, there's usually a Gator sporting event going on... ...like the best college football in America. Gainesville blooms with orange & blue people and energy six Saturdays every fall when the mighty Florida Gators take the gridiron. Florida Field is the largest arena of any kind in the entire state, and instantly becomes one of the 10 largest cities in Florida on game days. The Swamp (as it is affectionately known) has been repeatedly voted as the best atmosphere for college football in the nation. There is nothing like the noise, thrill, and sheer exictement of a Gator game, even if you don't know much about American football. Buy a ticket from some poor student, put on something orange or blue, and yell until you lose your voice. 90,000+ people can't be wrong; it's a blast!

Santa Fe Teaching Zoo

by tampa_shawn

This is a wonderful 12 acres teaching zoo that is part of the Sante Fe College. This is the only accredited teaching zoo in the United States and most of the graduates go on to work at Disney's Wild Kingdom.

Students in the program (called Zooies) provide a guided tour that takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The tours are designed to give visitors a more educational and enjoyable experience and to give zoo students more experience working with the general public.

The Santa Fe Teaching Zoo houses 80 species of animals and approx 250 individual animals from around the world. Animals include gibbons, lemurs, American bald eagles, Galapagos tortoises, parrots, and Matschie’s tree kangaroos.

Hours: Saturdays and Sundays 9a-2p,
tour starts every 30 minutes, or by appointment.
Closed during semester breaks and holidays.

Admission: $4 adults 13-59;
$3 children 4-12.
Admission is free to students of the Sante Fe College

Wild Bill's Airboard tours and Wild Life Preserve

by tampa_shawn

This is actually about 50 miles south of Gainsville in Inverness.

This is a thrilling ride that takes you down the WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER AND
THROUGH THE SWAMPS LOOKING FOR THE FLORIDA ALLIGATOR!

Our river ride is just one of many custom adventures we offer, its a slow speed tour through the vast unspoiled wilderness of the Withlacoochee River wetlands. Our boats will seat a large or small group.

Go Vols!

by Sarah21683

"Wonderful time in Gainesville"

I have driven through Gainesville several times, but the only time I actually stayed in the city that is home of the University of Florida was in September of 2003. 3 friends and I took a road trip down to Gainesville to watch our UT Vols beat the Gators. We drove there, slept about 4 hours, watched the game, and then drove back. It was the best road trip ever!