Things To Do

Gainesville is more than game day. Here’s where to go.

Hours and fees change. Check before you go.

Museums

Florida Museum of Natural History, UF Cultural Plaza. Closed for an expansion. It reopens Mon, Nov 23, 2026, along with the Butterfly Rainforest.
Harn Museum of Art, UF Cultural Plaza. Free. Tuesday to Sunday.
Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention, 811 S Main St. Hands-on science and inventions. Open Thursday to Sunday. Free parking.
Matheson History Museum, 513 E University Ave. Free. Local history.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Walk the La Chua Trail, about a mile round trip, to see gators and sandhill cranes. No pets.
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park. A 120-foot sinkhole with stairs down to a mini rainforest. Steep climb back up.
Sweetwater Wetlands Park, 325 SW Williston Rd. Gators and wading birds. Open 7 AM to sunset. No pets or bikes.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Dr. 68 acres, a big bamboo grove and a paved path. Closed Thursdays.
Depot Park, near downtown. A city park around the old Gainesville train depot.
UF bat houses, Museum Rd. Free. On warm nights, the bats fly out 15 to 20 minutes after sunset.

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, 3000 NW 83rd St. Run by zoo students. Open 9 AM to 3 PM daily. Free parking.

Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E University Ave. Free yoga, dance parties and festivals.
Union Street Farmers Market, Wednesdays 4 to 7 PM at the plaza.
Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Live theater downtown.

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