Gainesville

Popular Attractions

The Florida Museum of Natural History

Located on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville and open year-round, the Florida Museum is one of the nation’s top five natural history museums. Its world-class collections comprise more than 40 million specimens and objects assembled over 130 years.

The Butterfly Rainforest

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.

Harn Museum of  Art

The University of Florida’s Harn Museum of Art brings the joy of experiencing great works of art to diverse university, community, national and global audiences through relevant and enlightening art collections, exhibitions and learning opportunities. The museum prides itself in being accessible to the community and visitors to the area by offering free admission to our exhibitions and the majority of our programs. Donations are accepted.

Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention

The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention in Gainesville, Florida, is committed to transforming communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Named after Dr. James Robert Cade, the lead inventor of Gatorade, the 21,000-square-foot museum opened in 2018.

Devils Millhopper

In the midst of North Florida's sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest. Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices in the ground. Lush vegetation thrives in the shade of the walls even in dry summers. 

Researchers have learned a great deal about Florida's natural history by studying fossil shark teeth, marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals found in the sink.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Paynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals. There are several trails in the park to observe wildlife.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Although well-known for its warm weather tubing, Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a 2,669-acre wildlife haven where beaver, otter, gar, softshell turtle, wild turkey, wood duck and limpkin all find a home. The main draw is the park’s eight major crystal-clear springs that join to create the 6-mile Ichetucknee River. The upper portion within the state park is a National Natural Landmark, perhaps the most pristine spring run in the state and best enjoyed by canoe or kayak during the cooler months.Three nature trails guide visitors through the lush park forest or a majestic sandhill environment with towering longleaf pines.

Dining

This list is based on restaurant locations near downtown Gainesville and to the AI Learning Academy and is no endorsement of eateries by the AI² Center.