Things to do in Gainesville
Things to do when family and friends visit Gainesville
In town
- Natural History Museum / Butterfly Rainforest
Entrance to the museum is free, you only have to pay for the Butterflies or temporary exhibits. Butterfly Rainforest fee is $13/6 for adults/kids. Current UFL students get in for free. - Paynes Prairie State Park
La Chua trail on the East side of town is where the large alligators are. Lake access, trails, and a lookout tower are on the West side. Bison are usually on the West side. - Devil’s Millhopper State Park
Large sink hole with 200 step staircase going down into it. A short nature trail surrounding it. Worth seeing but probably not for more than an hour or so. - Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Man-made wetland with boardwalk nature trails. Scarcely-shaded so ideal to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Outside of town
- St. Augustine.
A nice beach, historic fort & downtown. - Springs
Numerous springs around Gainesville worth a visit. Most are state parks and have an entrance fee. See a map here.
Food
- East End Eatery - Great breakfast, closes after lunchtime.
- Satchel’s Pizza -
- The Top - Good food all around, large beer collection
- Boca Fiesta - Good mexican food
- La Tienda - Really good mexican food.
- Sweetberries - Great sandwiches and ice cream, close to campus.
- Mi Apa Latin Cafe - Really good Cuban food
Bike Shops
- Reitz Union has a student bike repair shop – services (basic?) are free.
- Joan recommends Bikes & More on NW 6th St.
- Gator Cycle on Archer Road seems good, too (Hao is getting his wheels trued there)