Things to do in Gainesville

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Things to do when family and friends visit Gainesville

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.

Goethe State Forest expansive state land, good for hikes and birding
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.

East End Eatery - Great breakfast, closes after lunchtime.
Satchel’s Pizza - local institution. good pizza. serves beer and house-made sodas.
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
Flatfish Donut Shop - Great Donuts!
Baker Baker - excellent bakert and very reasonably priced. Runs out early, so if it’s 10 am you are WAY too late.

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)