Gainesville Travel Guide

 
by justluckie
 
  •   Things to Do
    by justluckie
  •   Gainesville
    by tampa_shawn
  • rawlings' house
      rawlings' house
    by doug48
  • Butterflies eating
      Butterflies eating
    by justluckie
  •   Things to Do
    by tampa_shawn
 

Pro

doug48 profile photo

 fun college town 


Con

Erin09340 profile photo

 Traffic is getting terrible and when did college kids get so rich? 


In a nutshell

KARLPORTER56 profile photo

 You wouldn't think you can have fun on a getaway there but you really can.. 

 

Explore Gainesville

Things to Do  

devils millhopper state park

devils millhopper state park, Gainesville

 doug48 Says:  devil's millhopper geological state park is located north of downtown gainesville on SR 232. this large sink hole has been visited by tourists since the 1880's. the sink hole is 120 feet deep and has a board walk to the bottom of the formation. the walls of sink hole has... 

Wild Bill's Airboard tours and Wild Life Preserve

Wild Bill's Airboard tours and Wild Life Preserve, Gainesville

 tampa_shawn Says:  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... 

Florida Museum of Natural History

Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville

 tampa_shawn Says:  The tenth largest natural history museum in the US and IT IS FREE!Florida’s official natural history museum is located on the University of Florida campus. It houses 21 million specimens of amphibians, birds, butterflies, fish, mammals, mollusks, reptiles, and fossils, and 4... 

Santa Fe Teaching Zoo

Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, Gainesville

 tampa_shawn Says:  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... 

ben hill griffin stadium

ben hill griffin stadium, Gainesville

 doug48 Says:  ben hill griffin stadium, also known as florida field and the "swamp" is home to the florida gators football team. the university of florida football program has won the NCAA national championship in 1996, 2006 and 2008. a note to tourists traveling through the gainesville... 

florida museum of natural history

florida museum of natural history, Gainesville

 doug48 Says:  this interesting museum has a collection of prehistoric fossils. in the entrance lobby is a american mastodon and a columbian mammoth both found in north florida. currently on display through january 6th 2008 is the jaw of a megalodon, the largest known shark in the world.... 

Butterfly Rainforest

Butterfly Rainforest, Gainesville

 justluckie Says:  We had a blast going here probably would have stayed for hours if it wasn't so hot in the butterfly house. It was fun more for us than our 5 yr old she got bored after the first 20 minutes. I loved watching all the butterflies and having them land on us. We will be going... 

stephen o'connel center

stephen o'connel center, Gainesville

 doug48 Says:  stephen 0'connel center also known as the o-dome is home to the university of florida basketball team. the florida basketball team made the NCAA final four in 1994 and 1996. the university of florida won the NCAA national championships back to back in 2006 and 2007. 

Go for a Bike Ride

Go for a Bike Ride, Gainesville

 tampa_shawn Says:  I have traveled around the world and I don't think I've ever seen a town that is more bike friendly.This town has bike trails and bike lanes EVERYWHERE. I also noticed a large number to bike racks...so bring your bike and a good lock and explore the area on bike. If I lived... 

The Retirement Home for Horses

The Retirement Home for Horses, Gainesville

 tampa_shawn Says:  Mary and Peter Gregory created this haven for old, abused and abandoned horses in 1984.Mill Creek Farm gives them the chance to live their last years in peace and tranquility.Visiting hoursSaturdays ONLY11 a.m - 3 p.m.As a not-for-profit organization, Retirement Home for... 

Bike or Take a Drive Down 441

Bike or Take a Drive Down 441, Gainesville

 tampa_shawn Says:  US Route 441 between Gainesville and Ocala is part of the Florida Scenic Hwy program and its a drive you won't forget. In fact if you are a bicyclist or biker I'd suggest doing this route on a bike. There are bike trails for most of the route and its a great area for biking.... 

Visit the Enchanting town of Micanopy

Visit the Enchanting town of Micanopy, Gainesville

 tampa_shawn Says:  Micanopy pronounced (Mick-can-oh'-pee), is often called "The little town that time forgot." Spending a day (or weekend here) will transport you back to another time...where things move slow and southern hospitality is kingMicanopy is the second oldest settlement in Florida... 

Micanopy Historical Society Museum

Micanopy Historical Society Museum, Gainesville

 tampa_shawn Says:  A quaint little museum that does a wonderful job of painting a picture of what life was like in early Micanopy (the second oldest European settlement in Florida). Various displays provide information on the area's settlement, the Indians, harvesting turpentine and day-to-day... 

Hotels  

Red Roof Inn Gainesville

 1 Review and 171 Opinions

Holiday Inn Gainesville University Center

 1 Review and 119 Opinions  the holiday inn university center is located on the corner of university ave. and 13th street across... 

Restaurants  

bono's: barbecue

bono's: barbecue, Gainesville

 doug48 Says:  bono's barbecue was established in jacksonville in 1949. they are now a regional chain with numerous locations in florida. they specialize in chopped pork barbecue. they also have ribs and chicken. in my opinion not the best barbecue in the south but they serve good food at... 

the swamp: burgers and beer

the swamp: burgers and beer, Gainesville

 doug48 Says:  the swamp is located on university ave. in the heart of the college area across the street from the university of florida. basically a student hangout but they serve good burgers and sandwiches. a good place to have lunch in the student area of gainesville. 

Warnings and Dangers  

Lovebug Season

Lovebug Season, Gainesville

 tampa_shawn Says:  For several months during the summer/spring Lovebugs abound. The exact date varies for some reason...depending on rain I've heard....This year they were particularly bad in mid/late SeptemberThese totally horrible annoying creatures are really flies but are called "lovebugs"... 

Tourist Traps  

Car Towed - Scam
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letaluu 1 reviews

Tried to get a beer at the Copper Monkey in the UF Plaza, at 1700 W University ave in Gainesville, but the bar was closing. It was around 10 PM on a Sunday. The parking lot was mostly empty. Although signs were posted indicating towing of unauthorized vehicles, we ran across the street to get a beer at an outdoor bar. We were gone about fifteen minutes. Came back to find our vehicle was gone! Apparently somebody saw us walk across the street and called a tow truck. Cost $80, plus $15 for the Taxi.

Written Jul 20, 2009

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Off The Beaten Path  

cross creek

cross creek, Gainesville

 doug48 Says:  cross creek is home to marjorie kinnan rawlings historic state park. marjorie kinnan rawlings bought a 72 acre orange grove at cross creek in 1928. in 1939 rawlings won the pulitzer prize for her novel "the yearling". in 1946 the yearling was made into a movie and rawlings... 

payne's prairie state preserve

payne's prairie state preserve, Gainesville

 doug48 Says:  payne's prairie state preserve is located 10 miles south of gainesville on US441. the state preserve offers hiking, canoeing, camping, and a boat ramp on lake wauberg. the prairie is a large marsh where you can see alligators, bison, wild horses and numerious bird species.... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Your dog can enjoy football gamedays too

Your dog can enjoy football gamedays too, Gainesville

 352mvr Says:  My dog's daycare facility is going to be open during football games this fall. We are super excited that we can go to the games and not worry about him home alone (or for you travelers, in a hotel) for long hours. Camp Marlin is a great place to bring your dog - its worry... 

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