Location: Gainesville
Top Things to do in Gainesville
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Gainesville, Florida (FL)
Home to the University of Florida, the largest and oldest university in the state, as well as the Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville is a hub of education and culture. Perhaps due to its strong student population, the city is also at the heart of independent music in Florida, having produced numerous musical acts from a variety of genres. The natural surroundings, including parks, lakes and the adjacent Paynes Prairie State Reserve provide a green getaway from the bustle of city life.
Restaurants in Gainesville
1. Albert "Ray" Massey (Westside) Playground
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
2. Butterfly Rainforest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,195 reviews
**The Butterfly Rainforest exhibit is open to the public. To ensure a safe environment for all visitors, the exhibit has limited entry, a mask requirement and follows a one-way path. Daily Butterfly Spotlights are temporarily paused. For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/museum-blog/covid-19-update.** 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.
Reviewed By colleenj935 - New Albany, United States
Tropical paradise in an enclosure! Meandering path leads you through lush jungle filled with beautiful butterflies and little birds! There is even a waterfall! Nicely done!
3. Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 212 reviews
Not for profit exotic animal rescue and endangered species animal park and breeding center. Large beautiful nature park with 28 species, over 75 animals including big cat feeding demonstrations.
Reviewed By wmidd0707 - Amelia Island, United States
My wife and I booked a private tour of the large variety of exotic animals at the non-profit Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation. Along with a variety of cat species from very large to very small, we visited Lemurs, Hyenas, Bat-eared Foxes, Jackals, and more. A highlight of the visit was a very old and friendly hippo who loves for guests to feed him veggies. The animals were in large, safe, and very clean enclosures. They were obviously loved by the staff and volunteers. Great outing for a couple or family!
4. Lubee Bat Conservancy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By stevekirn - Gainesville, United States
The Lubee Bat Conservancy is an internationally renowned -- and utilized -- haven for a number of different bat species, with a focus (for now) on large fruit bats (i.e., they are fruit-eaters -- not mosquito eaters). These are often referred to as "flying foxes". As you may know, they are mammals, with furry bodies and faces that to my eye are sort of a cross between a fox and a dog. The amazing thing is their wingspan -- up to 5 or 6 feet! I mean these are BIG bats! But mostly, they just hang around - literally -- upside-down, of course, and occasionally walk across the top of their enclosures to mun on some of the fruit shish-ka-bobs prepared by the staff. They are quite docile and, I think, very cute, and not scary at all. Access to the Conservancy is limited, though there is a big bat festival each Fall, open to the public, held in October, with boooths selling lots of bat stuffed animals, decorations, costumes and other things, plus a wide array of ecology-minded, conservation and various animal protection groups. There is a beer garden, and food trucks. But kids -- and adults -- are truly mesmerized by the bats. It is possible to arrange special tours by conacting the Conservancy office, but I don't have details on that. Loyts of volunteer workers. My advice: check it out on festival day, adversized on the website. There is nothing else like this place!
5. Depot Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
Depot Park is a signature city park in downtown Gainesville providing a space for unique public outdoor enjoyment. Depot features a children's adventure play area with a custom splash pad of waterfalls, water soakers, and ground jets. A water's edge promenade hosts special events like food truck rallies, art festivals, and musical performances. The park is fully staffed and free of charge.
Reviewed By joshs895 - Bangkok, Thailand
The park is lit up at night and makes for a very nice walk. During the day you can stop by the train car for refreshments. It’s a nice place just to spend sometime out of the house.
6. Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary provides permanent high-quality sanctuary care for New World monkeys and birds being retired from laboratory research, ex-pets, or monkeys who have been confiscated by the authorities. Jungle Friends is also committed to advocacy and education on behalf of all captive non-human primates, and to provide assistance to improve the circumstances of captive primates wherever possible. We work cooperatively with a national network of other credible animal sanctuaries, government agencies, other primate and animal protection organizations, and qualified individuals to find placement for unwanted monkeys and to combat the exploitation and mistreatment of captive primates.
7. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 452 reviews
Herb and botanical garden displaying unusual plants from around the world.
Reviewed By EALGator - Gainesville, United States
This place is tucked away, but is world class! It has everything you can imagine, including a big lake, bamboo stands, little waterfalls, kids play area and, of course, alligators and gift shop! But all tastefully done.
8. Florida National Scenic Trail
9. Paynes Prairie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 474 reviews
Nature area with woods and swamp as well as an information center describing the wildlife in the area.
Reviewed By corvus0486 - Gainesville, United States
The Payne’s Prairie State Preserve is one of the most outstanding natural areas of north Florida. It is known for its massive flicks of migratory Sandhill Cranes, loafing American Alligators, small herds of Wood Buffalo and wild horses all reminiscent of the period of William Bartram’s journey through north Florida. The State Park is also the site of Alachua Sink, a portal the region’s prime ground water and valued source of water supply. The Prairie is an outstanding resource for birdwatching and general nature enjoyment from dawn to dusk. Highly recommended.
10. Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo houses 70 species, and over 200 individual animals in its collection, including white handed gibbons, red ruffed lemurs, ocelots, bald eagles, Galapagos tortoises, American alligators, and Matschie’s tree kangaroo. The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is Gainesville’s community zoo and the training facility for the Zoo Animal Technology Program. Situated on 10 forested acres, students in the Zoo Animal Technology Program provide daily care for the animals as well as tours of the zoo grounds.
Reviewed By jenbabe7 - Alachua, United States
This is such a quality zoo- it’s very manageable for kids to walk, the exhibits are great, and the little park is so great for a quick play if you have your kids. Everyone here is helpful and friendly and they do different types of teaching moments which is fantastic.
