The 39 best free attractions in Gainesville

What a hidden gem! This free museum was well worth the 1.5-hour drive from where we live. We brought four teens (ages 13–17), and they actually enjoyed it — they even stayed off their electronics, which says a lot! It’s a great day trip for all ages. We especially loved the butterfly experience — the atrium is absolutely gorgeous!

We visited with my nephew and grandson to the Florida Museum in Gaineville and it did not disappoint. Was very well played out, educational and interactive. The children had a very fun day. Definitely recommend worth the travel.

The Florida Museum of Natural History is a charming science museum that’s perfect for a day out with family or friends. It’s not huge, but it’s packed with engaging exhibits that make learning fun and accessible. My favorite part is the Butterfly Rainforest; it’s absolutely beautiful and peaceful, a must-see for all ages. I always walk away having learned something new. A great spot to explore and appreciate the wonders of nature!

Great for kids 3 to 12 I would say. Lots of learning experiences and knowledge about geography and animal science. My child loved their butterfly exhibit a lot.

We had a great day exploring the museum. The butterfly exhibit is the main attraction but there is a lot more neat exhibits inside as well. We spent a good 3 hours and probably could have spent a little more time . The kids ages ranged from 3 to 11 and they all had a great time . All the workers were extremely nice and helpful. Turned out to be a great day and well worth the drive from Ocala.

This is a wonderful museum on UF campus! After 3:30pm on weekdays and on weekends, the large parking lot lifts and is free. The museum has free entry and some exhibits are paid, such as the butterfly garden. There is something for everyone, some areas having activities for kids. The butterfly garden is the best part, I could go back over and over! Hundreds of species of butterflies and many birds walk around.

Pretty nice place to spend the day! Be prepared to walk, is big!

A museum filled with pieces of history from different cultures. A quiet, peaceful place with a calming atmosphere. It gives you a deeper sense of reality about the origins and history of people in general. Thanks to the staff for maintaining this space and for their warm hospitality.

Fantastic art museum, especially given the size of the town - no offense but Gainesville isn’t the size of Atlanta or NYC. I was gobsmacked at some of the pieces owned by the museum. A Monet. Two Wileys. There was also a visiting exhibit of French post modernists. An amazing Asian exhibit. With pieces 4000 yrs old! Also it’s FREE. I wasn’t able to visit the outdoor section or downstairs - my older father was worn out. My 5 stars are for what I did see. And loved.

I recently visited the this museum and I can’t stop raving about it! Nestled in a stunning location, this museum is a treasure trove of art and culture. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, showcasing everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to share fascinating stories behind the pieces. The architecture of the building itself is a work of art, with beautiful spaces that invite you to explore. I especially loved the peaceful outdoor areas, perfect for a relaxing break. Whether you're an art enthusiast or just looking for a lovely day out, the [Museum Name] is a must-visit. I can’t wait to go back!

We enjoyed our visit to the Harn Museum of Art in Gainesville. The variety of exhibits offered something for everyone, and it was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Our 14-year-old, who usually loves creating art, was engaged at first but lost interest about halfway through, next time we might try the audio tour to keep things more interactive. The 20-year-olds in our group both enjoyed themselves, with one finding it especially interesting. That said, it’s probably not a spot that will hold much interest for most younger children, as the experience leans more toward quiet observation than hands-on interaction. A couple of other notes for future visitors: unless you need the restroom, there’s not much reason to head downstairs, and unfortunately the gift store was closed during our visit, which was a little disappointing. Most of the staff we encountered were courteous, but not exactly helpful—almost as if they assumed everyone visiting had been there before. Still, it was an enjoyable experience overall, and we’d be happy to return to see new exhibits and try a different approach next time.

As an out of town visitor I was overwhelmed at the quality and quantity of first rate art. Hidden gem. Entry bridge is a little narrow oddly enough.

The Harn is one of the best things to do in Gainesville. The fact that we have a FREE museum that has a Monet is incredible, and that fact most people forget it exists is criminal.

My husband and I enjoy visiting art museums and Harn was a great addition to our list. Parking is free (parking deck a short walk away) and there's paid parking if you find any free spots in the nearby parking lot. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Once we walked into the museum, a friendly front desk person greeted us and told us about the scannable map of the location. Then, we went off and explored what exhibits were on display. My favorite part was the Asian art section. The facilities are excellently kept and clean. The women's bathrooms were spotless. There are also staff walking around at all times to ensure the art is being respected. It had a lot of empty space, which was different than other galleries and museums we've been to. Not sure if that was a good or bad thing, but it was interesting to see how the space was utilized. It was starting to rain when we arrived and there were only a few visitors (maybe 10) that we encountered (it was Saturday around 230pm). When we left (around 330pm), more guests were arriving, so we were glad to see the displays when it was mostly empty. Highly recommend for adults, but kids might get bored since there isn't much interactivity here as say, the Florida Museum of Natural History, just next door.

The splash pad is inside the playground area and they are literally connected to each other. So if you are bringing your child to the playground and you did not want them to get wet at the splash pad, just know that they could walk right into the splash pad. The splash pad itself is nice it's not huge so you're not going to get soaked. It's perfect for toddlers I would say sitting age 6mo? To about 5? I'm sure older kids would also like it but I can see them getting bored quicker the playground itself is huge and very nice! My daughters absolutely loved it. There was a sand area, plenty of seating and shade, super nice facilities, a walking path around it, overall I really loved this playground! I tried to take a few photos but wanted to be respectful of everybody in the playground and around the splash pad. One thing I did not realize (it's posted on the gate when you enter but I was distracted while getting my kids through) you cannot bring food in! We did, and a worker came up and told us we had to take it out lol oops! What do you do when you have a crazy toddler and baby bc I completely missed the signs even though they are posted on every entrance!

This is a fabulous park. There’s ample parking, a beautiful kids playground, a nice central pond with fountain, a cordoned off area that’s shallow, calmer water, where there is wildlife, including alligators, numerous turtles, crane. The park is one of the best I’ve ever been to. There’s a great walking trail here, and a museum nearby. There is an event space and some restaurants on the premises as well. this is a must see when you come to Gainesville.

We love this addition to Gainesville's parks. So fun! Lots of features for kids of various ages and abilities. Lots of shade is a plus. The splash pad is super fun! Lots of swings, some sand to dig in, nice paths to walk on, and keep a look out for gators in the water. All around great spot that I couldn't recommend more.

One of my favorite locations in Gainesville. Everyone is there for the same reason, let loose! Safe for children, everyone is super kind, and tons of wildlife to discover and awe at! Make sure to stay for the sunset, if you can. The clouds look amazing, and a great spot for moon gazing, or a romantic walk. BRING BUG SPRAY. The little gnats can be pesky!

Great Spot to Chill in Gainesville Depot Park is one of the best places to hang out in downtown Gainesville. It’s super clean with great views and a relaxing vibe. Whether you're into walking, cycling, or just sitting under a tree, it’s perfect. Lots of open space, a fun playground for kids, and even a splash pad. I’ve seen turtles and even an alligator near the water—cool to watch from a safe distance. Plenty of spots to sit, have a snack, or just unwind. Parking is easy with a main lot and overflow areas close by. Great for families, friends, or solo hangouts. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a peaceful, laid-back place to spend some time!

Lovely park. I attended a party for a 3 year old. A Pavillion had been rented, so even though a heat wave was underway, we had some shade. Rest rooms and parking were close by. The children were able to walk around the fenced lake and see turtles, birds and gators. They also enjoyed a water activity on the splash pad, returning to the Pavillion fot pizza, watermelon and cake.

Depot Park is the perfect place to enjoy nature right in the heart of our city. With its ecological diversity, walking trails, and green spaces, it’s ideal for relaxing, taking a stroll, and watching local wildlife. There’s also a fun and safe playground for kids, plus a splash pad that’s perfect on hot days. The park also hosts community events that make the atmosphere even more special. A beautiful, well-rounded place to enjoy with the whole family.

Matheson History Museum located in the heart of downtown Gainesville, the Matheson History Museum is home to the Historic Matheson House, permanent and temporary exhibits on Alachua County and Florida history, and a local history library and archives filled with resources for the researcher and the curious alike. Throughout the year we host a variety of programs on local and Florida history. Admission is FREE

The Matheson is a great small museum in Gainesville that has exhibits on local history- current exhibit is on the music in Gainesville during the 70s. Worth the visit- also check the events calendar as they host several great lectures!

Great place to learn about history of Matheson family of Aluchua county Fl.

They have new 40 year celebration of Tom Petty exhibition. They have art painting and his guitar and other items. Most notably they have a new interactive computer display for Tom Petty

Good way to learn a bit about Gainesvilles origins. It's free and open Wed - Sun (?)

It was so close to my home, and so interesting, I can't wait to see what kind of events they have next.

The MATHESON Museum hosts some very interesting exhibits and presentations about Gainesville's history in politics, art, and music. It's well worth a visit!

A beautifully arranged garden! I love how it goes around very old and natural landscapes, sinkholes and trees. There are a couple informative short films, I would suggest watching before you venture out. It was hot! Be sure to go early, take an umbrella, bug spray, water bottle. The gift shop is full of cute items, so stop in before you leave!

the botanical gardens were beautiful! it was a great walk around the gardens with a mix of native wild plants and planted flowers that are beautiful! it was amazing to see the amount of butterflies, bees, and flowers that were still open mid september! definitely would recommend!

This place was very beautiful but it seemed very under kept despite the number of people working there. Some of the signage for the plants were difficult to tell which plants they were. Aside from that there is a very nice kids play ground and it seemed like the event area was well kept up. Definitely would like to revisit in the spring to see more flowering plants. Most trails are wheelchair accessible but some trails are very thin dirt trails.

This place is a true gem! The gardens are huge and impeccably maintained, and there are many themed areas. The highlight for me was the giant bamboo forest which was so peaceful and serene to walk through. It's the perfect place to spend a few hours relaxing, walking and just enjoying nature. I loved the walk, it’s so tranquil 😇

Very reasonably priced for a large garden with a variety of different plant life. An October visit still provided plenty of beautiful scenery and a pleasant experience. The children’s area was a nice touch and would revisit upon coming to Gainesville.

Loved visiting this garden yesterday near Gainesville. Absolutely amazing, wonderful, peaceful and relaxing with lot of plants, trees, landscaping, and waterfalls. We would love to go back here when going to Gainesville area. Admission is $12 for adults and $7 for children above 5 which is really low for such a big botanical garden.

This is a wonderful garden to see some really amamzing bamboo fields and exotic flowers. It is pretty large and you can walk around freely and take multiple pathways throughout the property. Full of rose gardens, rock gardens and ponds with a touch of Florida's sinkholes. Nice little place to stop in for a couple hours. The staff was very kind.

We absolutely love this place! This area is absolutely beautiful. Be prepared for some stairs (132 stair steps broken up by small landings one way!) It is well worth the workout! There were several small waterfalls since it had rained the day before. Take advantage of the lovely benches at the top of the trail and enjoy!

Nice little park for a quick stop, or bring a meal and stay longer at picnic area. Lush vegetation and trail is easy. 1st video turn volume up for owls chattering.🦉 I only gave 4 stars as I wish there we more trails. Great park to enjoy some nature!

Would love more trail but thankful for what’s there. The trail at the top around the rim is only 0.5 miles. 264 stairs round trip to the sinkhole observation deck. Would love it it you could get closer (ground level boardwalk?) to them bottom or have access to the water. Typical state park prices but I’m a pass holder so didn’t need to pay - you can pay online. They do a guided walk on Saturday AMs if you’d like that. I prefer self guiding. The visitor center looks fabulous with very nice displays. Super large clean restrooms (unisex). Picnic tables and grills available. Benches along the 0.5 mile trail. Plenty of parking. Lots of shade so even on a hot day it’s good.

It was OK. I'm sure it's much more spectacular with more water, but we also visited Providence Canyon, GA this year which is no comparison. It's a great spot to stop off and stretch your legs. The stairs were a nice workout since I haven't been on the stairclimber in a few days. And the nature was nice and shady. I'd say it was between .5 and .75 mi around. The parking lot also has a lot of shade and several picnic tables to enjoy a sandwich or snack. There's restrooms and some educational info as well.

This place is awesome. Be ready to enjoy the descent, but remember you have to climb back up! 😁 They do a great job educating about the area with signs posted throughout.

It took us about 40 minutes to check out and enjoy the place including short trip to restroom, hike the 264 steps round trip down the sinkhole, photo ops, and hike the short nature trail. You pay using the QR code at the entrance. “Pets on leash only.”

A quiet place to admire nature, get some exercise walking up and down the many steps on the stairways, and breathe some fresh air-all located right in the city! When I've visited in the mornings, the water at the bottom of the sinkhole was bluish colored. During the daylight, it turns a brownish color..

Amazing zoo with great staff! It's a very clean zoo and it's lay out to see all animals is great! Monkeys, birds, boars, snakes, turtles, Nyala, and so much more! There was a massive peacock walking around the paths, beautiful animal. I suggest! 10 dollars per adult and and 6 bucks with seniors and small children.

A must-visit when in Gainesville! While it’s not huge or anything, this zoo has a family of gibbons, which honestly make the trip for me every time. They also have an eagle, lemurs, lots of birds, tortoises, and more. Also recommend their annual brew at the zoo event!

The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is a great place to visit and learn. I love that it’s run by students who get real hands-on experience caring for the animals. You can tell the animals are well cared for, and the staff and students are very knowledgeable. The zoo also supports important conservation programs and participates in Species Survival Plans, which makes the visit feel meaningful. The shaded path and layout make it easy to enjoy. Highly recommend!

Awesome little shady zoo. Can't beat $10 per adult these days. Keepers were friendly and had lots of cool information about the animals. They also have a nice little playground for the kids.

A small but unique little zoo. Great paths and great exhibits with lots of knowledgeable students for questions. Also excellent price for the size

It’s a cool small zoo with lots of cute animals; however, when we were visiting some animals were not available due to weather condition. Make sure you check with the zoo before visiting. Enjoy!

This zoo is wonderful. It’s really easy to forget we even have such a great place in Gainesville. But if you havnt been it’s worth going. The monkeys are particularly rambunctious and all the animals here seem to be very well cared for. Located conveniently a stones throw away from I75. Come on down to the Santa Fe zoo. Where they have a duck, snakes, lizards, and so much more!

Gorgeous park. Has a cool farm with animals plus trails. The only unfortunate part was the cypress walk was closed due to dangerous conditions likely from the more recent hurricanes. Picnic tables, restrooms, water fountains.

Not sure how to rate it. There on Sunday, during the "open" hours.... Empty parking lot, not a soul in sight. Walked to the farm, saw the hours again, open...but! The big gate was closed. Wanted to hang with the sheep and chickens for a little while on a pretty Fall day. We had the place to ourselves, walked around a little. Watched the butterflies and bees. About it.

Nice long hiking trail. And a good table to eat lunch. I'll half to come back after September.

Great nature spot in Gainesville! There are 5 total miles of trails and a small, old-school animal farm. Some areas are a bit overgrown in summer but that’s to be expected! There is a map at the entrance with plenty of parking. Note that if you go on a Sunday there is no animal access.

Great walk. Very private and peaceful. Living history farm is closed at the moment, sadly but it’s still a great little hike.

That’s a good escapade within Gainesville. The park has 3 trails- 0.8 miles, 2 miles and 3 miles. I recommend to anyone though who wants to hike them to do it in the fall-winter-spring or early in the morning in the summer.

Love to come here and visit the animals. There are cows, chickens, sheep, and feral hogs. The hours for this area are slightly shorter than the park's hours though so plan accordingly. There is also a decent length of trail here, and it's a great place to find many species of birds. There is also a bird blind where you can observe birds coming to feeders (not kept up recently it seems.) We heard bobwhites calling to each other yesterday which was really eerie and cool! The biggest cons of this park: not dog friendly due to the farm area, and you wouldn't be advised bringing your k9 friend here anyway because I have never pulled so many ticks off of myself and my fiancée on any of our hikes. Tick season is in full swing there as of May 3rd, so be prepared!

Very beautiful park. There’s is a free guided tour were they take you around the park and explain to you the history of the Sweetwater wetlands. You can call them to reserve a spot, they are given every Tuesday’s and Thursdays at 9:30 am. Really recommend to get to know the place. Plus you can walk around and observe the beautiful nature, flora and fauna. 10/10 would go again and you should visit them.

Reason for review: This is a real review, I visited in august and I was focusing on photography specifically looking to capture wildlife. Before I went I read lots of reviews that didn’t tell me exactly what I wanted to hear so I thought I’d write a review to help anyone who may want to hear what I needed too before coming. Review (Neutral Notes): Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, and if you’re sensitive to heat maybe some Advil or Tylenol for headaches. I’d eat before visiting only because you will be in for a workout regardless of what you do. Expect Bees, Wasps, and Large flies. The wildlife will not mess with you unless you mess with it, as most animals and insects are scared of you and may only act in self defense. Review (Positive Notes): First Impressions, Parking was pretty empty mind you it is summer time, and on a weekend, at the time of writing this. $5 for parking, full day. no entrance fees, app was easy to use, and I had no issues. Although there were many people there it didn’t feel Cramped because of how much space the area has to offer. They offer a map that you can write notes on, SUPER helpful many people write down where they spot animals and it allowed me to navigate the perfect path to find the animals I wanted to see and it was fairly accurate. They offer shaded areas along the trail to sit and rest, some of these include drinking water stations which came in handy for sure. Most of the trails were open and allowed me to move along the edges of the trails to get perfect angles for my photography. The animals themselves, tons of birds, alligators, and turtles. There were deer and an owl when I went but I’m sure that has all to do with the off chance that you stumble across them. The animals are also seem to be used to people they allowed me to get up close and personal allowing me to use a 70-200mm lens with no issues, Although I feel that may depend on the way you approach the wildlife. People are very friendly, great trail for runs or walks, and includes time consuming trails for those who want to spend the day or shorter paths for those looking for a quick sighting or workout. Review (Negative Notes): Lots of spider webs in certain areas, Drinking water faucet is dirty I personally did not want to use it because of that, bathroom was very unsanitary & dirty, although i had no issue reading the map it could be a lot more clear, and Informative signs we’re damaged due too heat and unable to read the information provided. Review (Extras) Provided photos are what I was able to capture with a good range, angle, and no editing.

For a small parking fee, this park provided nice walking trail that featured a variety of wild life. Wish I’d gotten a photo, but a juvenile alligator enjoyed a nice stroll down one of the paths unfazed by people. Smart areas of shade provided along the path and well maintained. Would love to run this park regularly.

Gorgeous, pristine preserve perfect for a longer afternoon hike. The trail sets you right among all the wildlife and you will be able to spot ducks, herons, gators, and much more. Highly recommend coming with a good camera or a good phone.

Beautiful wetlands overlooking the Paynes Prairie Preserve. I saw lots of birds, beautiful vegetation and a handful of gators. The trails are wheelchair and stroller friendly and well-maintained. I’d suggest going early in the morning or in the evening over the summer, as the trails are in full sun. Great hiking spot close to town!!

There is a $5 per car fee, which you can pay by cash or an app. Closes.at 8pm in the summer. It was a beautifully warm day and I enjoyed the well maintained trails. There were several spots to rest along the way or get extra water. There is zero shade on the trails so be prepared for that. I really enjoyed it

Walked around here for a little and in a about an hour we saw a good variety of animals. Even got to witness a gator doing a mating call towards another gator. There are many trail options of different lengths and spot to sit on a deck type area with shade and benches to rest an view the animals.

Absolutely mind-blowing to see this university reach the status of U.S. top 5 public universities. As for campus aesthetics, love the brick architecture, bunch of magnolia trees and spanish moss, and very academically-influencing environment. Beautiful.

The University of Florida offers strong academic programs and a beautiful campus, but my experience was a mix of positives and challenges. Some professors and resources are excellent, yet class sizes can feel overwhelming and getting timely support from administration is sometimes difficult. Campus facilities are good overall, but a few areas could use updates and better maintenance. It’s a solid school with a lot to offer, but there’s room for improvement in organization and student services.

Attending the University of Florida has been one of the best decisions of my life. The campus is beautiful, full of energy, and offers endless opportunities for both academic and personal growth. The professors are knowledgeable and genuinely care about their students’ success. I’ve met so many amazing people from all over the world, and the sense of school spirit here is unmatched—especially during Gator football season! The resources for students, from career services to mental health support, are top-notch. Gainesville is a fun college town with a great mix of nature, food, and culture. I’m proud to be a Gator and would highly recommend UF to anyone looking for a strong education and unforgettable college experience.

Had a good experience once I was in the doctors office. Parking is a pain and if you pay 3$ for valet, bring a folding chair. My appointment was at 8:00 a.m. and since this medical building is near the University the streets are jam-packed and you will be passed up many times by people walking! Give yourself plenty of time and try to get there at 8:00 a.m. because when I got out of the doctor's office every chair in the waiting room was full. Just words of advice 😜

UF is not managed very good unfortunately. The Housing department is a disgrace and is giving a hard time to students. They required my son to pay almost $10,000 although he requested to cancel his on-camp housing!! He appealed and they immediately denied. I emailed the housing dept and they completely ignored me. The Ombuds office has not been effective at all. They kept telling my son to contact someone called brian kelley and he intentionally ignored all his attempts to contact him. The Ombuds office couldn't contact him either. Housing dept didn't care at all when my son told them repeatedly the $10k expense would be impossible for him to pay and it's distracting him very much from focusing on his coursework. It's disheartening that University of Florida creates such bad experiences for students, especially freshmen who are supposed to start a pleasant college life!

I know this is a review about the school but idk how else to get my point across lol!! I'm sure this is a wonderful school, but my husband is a HUGE gators fan I mean huge, and he wants to see them in the national championship 🏆 plz!! Do better gators!! He thinks you should replace DJ with the 2nd string!! He's tired of seeing you guys lose plz do better!!!! Love always a concern wife lol

I love my school and I love my GATORS!!!!! The everything school. Beautiful campus and amazing faculty.

Probably the most beautiful brewery Ive ever been to. Situated slightly away from the hustle and bustle of main roads and traffic, this brewery sits on a beautiful piece of land with rolling green hills, outdoor shelters with walkways and picnic tables, large covered patio, and rough-cut lacqured wooden tables inside. It felt like drinking beer in a park! Lots of beer selections, family friendly, and clean! Its no wonder why this brewery has won so many awards. Very busy the day I went but definitely a great experience. Will definitely return!

Amazing. Ordered 2 flights and they were all so good. (Personal faves were Oktoberfest, Field day & Lemon beer) The location is great too! Parking lot can get limited during busy times but worth it.

Cool vibe - been there once .. and not sure if I can really give a fair assessment, because there were two different groups having events there that day. Good beer selection, lots of space, friendly people, but seemed more busy than I prefer

My last visit was on Halloween - very festive atmosphere, great people and the best beer in the region. Great place to be.

I didn't initially have high hopes for this place because the area isn't that great, but I was pleasantly surprised. The facility was great, and the outdoor seating was very convenient. They had a taco stand outside, and it was really great. They don't serve food inside, but they have tons of beer (of course). I personally didn't drink any, but the people in my group loved it. My dad says that this brewery is one of the few good things about Florida. Extra little tidbit, the water is self-serve in the hallway with the bathrooms, you don't order it at the bar. But yeah, you should totally check this place out if you're in the area! It was very fun.

Friendly staff and nice location. Visiting from out of state and got here early afternoon; mostly empty but got busy at around 6. Beer was really good, and I appreciate there being a changing table in the men's bathroom for once.

Dancing, neon lights like iridescent fireflies reminding us of why we also move our bodies in random, nonsensical ways. Why do we do this? Why? I do not know. We excite with neon lights and beautiful sights and spectral frights at Neon Nights 2025.

If you are remotely into science, this is a really neat 30 minutes. The concrete obelisks aren't very attractive, but it is a useful way to visualize the expanse of the universe. Real effort and time went into creating this display and it shows.

Not worth the time. It really is only a city block long, and all the statues look practically the same. It sits on a ridiculously busy road with even more ridiculously long traffic lights in a crowded school zone. This is not a quick stop off the interstate. Would not reccomend to families with kids.

Nice sculptures and a good place for a run but the planet statues aren't getting much maintenance and are dirty.

The solar system is a fascinating place. Here you can learn more about it and visualize how far is one planet from the other.

Two stars because it's a neat concept that was poorly excuted and maintained. Also along a busy road with vehicles flying by.

Plenty of pokestops. Nice area for running or a casual stroll.

Interesting, the walk is filled with nature trails

This park is so much fun to follow the trails and see the creek. Lots of sharks teeth can be found right by the edge of the water. My kids love going here because they have so much fun. It does not even feel like your in Gainesville as you walk down the trails

Loblolly is worth the visit when in Gainesville. It should be on a bucket list alongside Devils Den - elevation changes near zero. Educational too - highlights the importance of protecting watersheds!

Such a wonderful trail, beautiful scenery including some creeks/rivers, lots of wildlife and a lovely place to visit. It IS Florida.

A peaceful walking trail along Hogtown Creek. The main trail is very well maintained and there are several smaller ones branching out to the creek. The parking lot is quite small but there is a children's playground nearby that you could park at and use the crosswalk to cross in.

I've been wanted to explore this park for a while being in a mobility chair has its challenges. As I entered the small parking lot there's only one handicap spot near where the bathrooms are there is a wheelchair ramp to get up to it but if you're in a mobility chair it's almost impossible to get to the bathroom. The trails themselves are not very handcuff friendly for mobility chair most the trails off of the main trail are impossible to get down to unless you can walk there's a lot of exposed roots along the way and the two boardwalks are very difficult to get onto for the mobility chair due to the roots and the erosion lifting Pathways up too high. Mind you I did enjoy my visit it's a nice canopy area and you can see the water that runs through in the Creeks during this time of year most of them are dry with a few exceptions I do suggest you wear mosquito spray there are a lot of dog walkers there makes me wish I could walk on my two legs again so I could really enjoy the park to the max still worth the trip take a few minutes break enjoy nature

Great trails and a small stream to cool of in! There is very limited parking.

Beautiful landscapes, nice place to walk dogs

Beautiful scenic walk around the lake. Place to spot gators, variety of birds, and even an occasional turtle. Serene scenes especially around sunset times.

We had a blast finding three little gators here in just one evening! This is a beautiful conservation spot to walk by and enjoy.

One of the most beaultiful and peaceful places in Gainesville

Beautiful place to hangout, walk and enjoy the scenery of nature. I’ve seen many people bring thier hammock and hang it between the trees and enjoy thier relaxing time.

so pretty, got to see a baby gater! 🐊

I loved hanging out at Lake Alice when I was a UF student. It's a small, beautiful, peaceful lake with a few walking trails around it. I visited like Alice countless times and always saw gators and turtles. I liked visiting the lake close to sunset because that's when the bathouse becomes active.

Always a beautiful spot to visit. Every time I see some wildlife.

First of all, Gainesville- especially the UF campus- is just beautiful. We did not attend a Gator’s game, but were invited as a fundraiser for my son to play football with his 6U team. It was an amazing experience! I can see how games there would be lots of fun! I also understand why it’s called “the swamp”. It quickly gets hot and humid in the stadium. Seating is tight and those metal seats get warm and attract the sun light. Cool stadium though if you’re a Gators football fan or visiting for a game. Parking is limited though.

Commencement ceremony on May 2, 2025 was PERFECT! Speeches were succinct & inspiring, graduates were clearly excited, there was an electricity in the stadium! So glad i did not miss this night celebrating my graduate!

Happy 82nd bday dad witn a win finally! Last minute interception saved Napier's job....maybe. Hope not with 22-23 record. Spurrier was 100-27 in 11 seasons. Go GATA

Seats were Section 326, row 18. View of the field was better than expected and the fans were raucous but friendly until late into the 4th Quarter where the beer and heat were taking there toll.

My first time there. Was amazing, I had a great time thanks to my brother in-law and nephews who are big time Gators fans.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as “The Swamp,” is absolutely incredible! The atmosphere here is unlike anywhere else in college football. The energy, the fans, and the sound of the Gator chants make every game unforgettable. Whether you’re a lifelong Gator fan or just visiting for the first time, you can feel the pride and tradition everywhere. The facilities are clean, the staff is friendly, and the crowd is always electric. Watching the sunset over the stadium while the band plays “We Are the Boys” gives you chills every time. It’s more than just a football game—it’s a full experience that brings the whole community together. Highly recommend catching a game here if you get the chance! Go Gators! 🐊💙🧡

Gator Homecoming was a great time to be there in person. Had an outstanding time with no complaints at all.

The gallery is open regularly and they represent a large number of local, accomplished artists. The facility is, in fact, an old Sears House, a historic example of how prefab was first concieved. History buffs will love it, too. They are part of Gainesville's monthly ArtWalk event that takes place on the last Friday of each month - the Guild features one of their member artists each month for the event. Because they are staffed by member artists, you'll always have wonderful conversations with he art/staff when you visit. Love this place!

Just went there and it was absolutely stunning. The guild is staffed by local artists and an artists featured will be the one to assist you as well. There's a bit of something for everyone from small postcard sized prints to full oil, water, encaustic, or fabric paintings. Jewelry, clothing, leatherware, linocuts, and more are also featured. We were assisted by the lovely Bettianne Ford and I purchased some of her glassware. I've posted pictures of some of the art they have. New things are always coming and they even bring in new artists every 2nd Sunday of the month. COME SUPPORT THE TALENTED ARTISTS OF GAINESVILLE!!

Love the diversity of the artist’s creative expression in their respective mediums! It’s been one of my “ happy places” ever since I discovered it, back when it was located off NW area of Gainesville!

A beautiful local hub of art and creativity. A wonderful place to go to support your local artists.

A wide variety of artists displaying interesting mediums. We went looking for an ornament and discovered that many of the artists had an ornament selection. Lots of different materials, some very whimsical and others quite elegant. There was also pottery and jewelry and woodworking along with a few paintings upstairs. I encourage anyone to go check it out!

Amazing find as we strolled through downtown....Shop local & support local artists...

A wonderful place! Full of beauty and intrigue in diverse media and styles: something for everyone. A treasure in the heart of Gainesville – easy to find and open every day of the week, including evenings. All hand-made by local artists, designers, and artisans, with a frequently-refreshed selection of one-of-a-kind work with local flavor to enjoy, take home, or give to someone special. Excellent quality, professional display, and very reasonable prices. Treat yourself to a visit and conversation with a local artist!

The environment here is beautiful and clean. that this is a Buddhist monastery, and I think it is more like a sculpture art park. Because the Buddha statue is huge, they can only sit outdoors. Although they are all solemn, they lack a sense of divine secret. Compared with some temples that are often closed, this is a convenient door to welcome tourists from all over the world. Without changing the original intention of Buddhism, it is suitable for the public to play.

Great temple with very nice landscapes and well maintained runs by Vietnamese monk and nuns.. There are impressive statues of Buddha. The few drawbacks: the temple is not always opened; study English session for American and young Vietnamese

Beautiful natural gardens with these amazing statues. This is truly a hidden gem hiding in plain sight. There are several extremely large statues, 50 feet tall to enjoy. All paths to the various Buddha are concrete so you are on stable ground. I couldn’t help think how much that concrete cost. Concrete prices fluctuate like gold. Crazy. The Temple requests that you be respectful and follow a few simple rules like, no eating meat on property (vegetarian dishes only), don’t remove anything from property (to include fruit from the trees or plants), don’t climb, sit or deface the statues in any way. Look, don’t touch. No smoking of any kind to include no vaping. No drugs, alcohol, firearms, other weapons, no profanity, no pornographic stuff. Please dispose of trash in trash cans. Basic common sense stuff. Sad we have to be hold these things. Be respectful the same way if someone came to visit your home and church you’d like to be respected. If you can leave a donation, it would be appreciated. If you can’t, enjoy this beautiful place just the same. You are welcome to sit and meditate.

Free parking Limited parking Free admission Located in a residential area Friendly staff Moderate walking Bring bug spray Donations accepted Peaceful and beautiful visit The temple is kept in impeccable order. The statues are massive and impressive. If you have lower body issues (walking issues) this park might not be ideal. The park is being renovated , I’m guessing pavers are in the works. If you have a child stroller or in a wheelchair, there is no way to navigate threw the mounds of sand . I’m sure In 6 months the park will be paved and ready for everyone, but for right now it’s like walking threw mountains of beach sand.

Stunning temple, quiet, plenty of parking, and free. Irrespective of your religion, you should go out of your way to come here. There is powerful energy, and you can feel it when you arrive. I'm not eloquent enough to describe nor may my camera do justice of Tu Viên A Nan beauty. A well-kept grounds and its teeming with wildlife, practice mindfulness and be aware of your surroundings, you may just see something beautiful.

Went with my mother in law to look at statues and talk. There was a lovely lady gardening so we asked if that is OK and she welcomed us to walk around. At the door Tina invited us in. The environment was calm and welcoming. She explained to us that they do not ask for money or conversion to a specific ideology. She invited us to have lunch but unfortunately we had other plans but were incredibly grateful she offered. Tina spent a lot of time talking with us and Meme the apricot cat welcomed us warmly as well. I can't wait to go back.

Great place to visit/walk around to clear your mind. There are little “houses” for you to mediate throughout the place. Highly recommend bringing bugs repellent since there are lots of mosquitoes. They host praying sessions every Sunday morning, too.

This park is my most visited by far, offering a wide variety of trails of varying lengths. It's a great place to escape for some fresh air and immerse yourself in nature locally. A true gem!

Nice park divided up into separate areas: parking, playground/picnic area, garden, hiking. We visited this dog and child friendly park while waiting for our car's 5000 mile maintenance checkup at the Toyota dealership. It was 9 minutes away. Parking area is small. Driveway shares the Elk's Club. The beginning of the park is a shaded trail that opens up into the picnic area. Super nice large pavilion with a men and women' bathroom and play area . Women's bathroom was nasty, but clean with toilet paper. There was a lot of rust on the mirror, inside door, and dripping down the walls from the soap dispenser. Not much in the way is a playground, but it looked new and well maintained. Leaving the picnic area is a short trail that leads to the garden. Was very peaceful and zen with nice seating areas and a water feature. Not much in the way of garden plants, but a very nice space. The walking trail starts after the garden. It meanders along and over a creek. There are a lot of well built walking bridges made of recycled plastic and well stocked dog stations. The trail stops at a roadway and we turned around to walk back. The whole park experience was very nice and took maybe a half hour. The park was not busy, but we did encounter other pleasant people and leashed pets along the way. It was a nice discovery and I highly recommend a visit.

Stopped by here and walked the whole thing in about an hour and a half. Peaceful, quiet, and easy to walk. It wasn't too busy either. My only concern is how slippery the plywood(located on some parts of the bridge at the entryway of the parking area at Elk Lodge on 23rd) was--be careful walking on it(especially if your shoes lacked traction, like mine) and avoid it, if possible!

Do not come here for shark teeth or creek access. Despite multiple sources saying this place was good to go hunting for shark teeth, you can NOT hunt for shark teeth in the creek. You can not even get into the creek according to the posted signs. No creek access, no swimming, no wading, no digging or collecting. You can look at the creek from a marked trail, thats it.

Today was the second time I was here, this park is beautiful, a lot bird ,flowers, insects and a dense forest , I planning to walk here every morning. PLEASE DON'T MAKE NOISE , if you do ,you not going to see the animals and you will scare them. Please keep the park clean don't throw garbage on the park.

Nice little hidden nature trail. Being from outta town it could've had better maps and signage... But very pleasant time

I love coming to this park. I bring my dobie with me and he enjoys it as well (must be leashed). It’s all nature beautiful; lots of birds, plants, trees to admire. The trail is perfect for a stress relieving walk or getting a nice workout (it has some nice inclines). There are multiple entrances to the creek which my dobie loves to go in and get refreshed. There is a small playground next to a shelter which has some tables. It’s very peaceful and I highly recommend coming here if you’re looking for a relaxing time.

We were in town and was able to catch a festival at BoDiddly Plaza. Nice fun and clean with great music, but watch out because these funny looking caterpillars fall from the trees and are every where. If they happen to get on to your skin it will irritate your skin. Other then that we enjoyed ourselves💃🏿

I hoola hooped here once. Great place! 5 stars. Would recommend. Really cool to have a live music spot right in the middle of town.

Lovely plaza, always very clean and well maintained. Just went to my first free concert Friday and the Savants did amazing. The acoustics were great too, you could hear the music all throughout downtown!

I enjoy the atmosphere when they have bands, especially the Free Friday ones. Very family friendly. Our kids really enjoyed making new friends and playing with the other kids there.

One of the best things about living in a smaller city like Gainesville is going to events and them not being super crowded. Bo Diddley Plaza often has events that aren't super busy and parking isn't a huge hassle.

Always awesome events going on. Vendors, food trucks, concerts and more.

Awesome place. Love to attend the festival & night time movies there. Nice downtown area for Gainesville. I'm a transplant from South Georgia & I like the downtown area & the diversity here in Gainesville

We visited because my partner loves animals, and he absolutely loved this experience. In his words, it was exciting, communal, scientifically meaningful, and a rare opportunity to witness a natural event in a controlled and respectful environment. Watching the bats emerge was genuinely fascinating. It gave us access to something you'd never be able to see otherwise, since these bats typically live deep in caves. The area also has a peaceful lakefront spot where you can relax and unwind while waiting for the bats to come out. Definitely worth it for nature and wildlife enthusiasts!

The bats start trickling out around sunset/dusk time. In September, that is 7:40. If you come a little before then, you can get a good spot right by the houses and watch them soar overhead with other people. If you’re looking for something relaxing to do, and this happens every night, maybe try this.

This is a must-do in Gainesville. Picture it: people start gathering as dusk comes on and there’s a feeling of excitement and community in the air. Lake Alice is behind you and there’s a nice breeze. Just as the streetlights come in, thousands of bats start coming out all at once. They usually emerge about 10-15 minutes after sun down. A really great experience I can’t recommend enough!

We came for the bats, but unfortunately it was *54 outside at dusk and those little buggers were not about to emerge from the houses. We did walk around and see the beautiful church, lake, gardens and landscaping. It is a gorgeous campus!

Great experience seeing the thousands and thousands of bats emerge from their house! 🦇It was 7:50pm on Friday 12th September

We went in the evening with our food and we spent 4 hours from 4 to 8. We took a lot of photos with the blossoming flower. And the ecstatic view of Lake Alice on the other side of road was awesome! Feel so fresh in the cool air and beautiful view! Highly recommend for visit!

What an awesome experience witnessing 500,000 Bats emerging for their overnight insect foraging. Lake Alice across the street was quite serene with gators lurking around.

Love this trail. A little busy right inside Gainesville but once you get out a little it's peaceful and beautiful

This trail is gorgeous and fun from start to finish! The Gainesville side has a few gentle hills with curves that are a little challenging and always exciting. There are several scenic overlooks as well looking out onto Paynes Prairie. Towards Hawthorne, there are long straight sections with plenty of shaded canopy and a few streams and a creek where people fish. We love this trail!

Great paved trail!! Quite a bit of it is shaded, which is really nice in the Florida summer heat. Good places to eat in Hawthorne or Gainesville when you are done riding.

The best trail for a solid long run in Gainesville

Due to the chilly weather, we only rode 5 miles and back this time. It was beautiful ride. Last time we did the whole trail and back for about 3 hours of riding.

Really nice bike trail

I love the trail but only giving it two stars because of the pumping stations I’m sure we taxpayers paid for that don’t work except to deflate a tire and leave a rider stranded. What exactly were they thinking? I tried to re inflate my tire at another along the trail and it didn’t work eather.

Small but nice farmers market... good food, nice souvenirs and great live music

Love this market! I come here quite often. Big shout out to Wyatt's Coffee and Vine Bakery for being there! Making my Saturday mornings feel like a holiday 😁

High quality vendors including multiple places to get bread and pastries. Great vegetables, plants, jewelry, and handmade crafts. Parking can be a challenge so get there early.

I sooooo recommend you put Haile Farmers Market on your Saturday morning calendar. It’s very eclectic, with vendors selling cheese, jewelry, eggs and produce of all kinds, woodwork, juices, ceramics and glass, meat - cooked and raw - beautiful flowers, mushrooms that don’t even look real they’re so pretty, gifts, coffee, pizza, arepas, rocks and shells, baked goods, art and more! The quality of just about everything is outstanding. You can’t get lettuces at the grocery store like the ones you’ll find here. I buy a bunch of mixed and often exotic flowers every single week and they usually last until the next Saturday or longer. You’d spend $50 at the local Joe’s create the kind of arrangements you get there for $12-15. The bread there is very fresh and not too expensive. Bottom line? Get up early and get to the Haile Farmers Market. You’ll be soooo glad you did.

Ive heard wonderful things about this place but when I finally go it's. So. Overpriced. For low quality crap. And so many stands are just older people trying to heckle you to buy stuff they probably bought online. I thought it was so cute at first but actually looking at the stands was disappointing

I love training with clients and their dogs. Perfect environment dogs,kids,food,music, lots of entertainment always a band. A great way to spend your Saturday morning.

Cozy, and I love the vibe and live music. I could get fresh lion mane mushrooms most of the times, which hard to find on local markets. And the local raw honey.

Only a couple decent restaurants. Parking is not great and you have to walk too far to get to anything since there is little shade and the concrete is hot. Businesses are all over priced. The only reason to go there is the nicest movie theater in town or pick up sushi. The new sports facility just makes the place less convenient as any event disrupts the traffic pattern.

This place is really cool. Went for an event

It's not worth the time to get off the expressway for. I really wanted to like this place because it's convenient while driving on I75 but there are a limited amount of stores and they're lackluster. The best place is the movies and the Nike store. This was a great concept but wasn't executed properly. Maybe they'll get more stores and restaurants it will be great.

Nice place to go and enjoy some pizza, ice cream , or macaroons... and more while also shopping at the stores around the area. They have a Fat Tuesday's for some good drinks and a outdoor sitting area

Celebration Pointe is a cool shopping mall has food, ice cream, dessert, and more! On every 2nd Saturday every month they have black and white jazz! Celebration Pointe even has a movie theater Also they have apartments which is very cool If your looking for to go to shopping mall in gainesville come on down to Celebration Pointe!

I saw one of the best live music shows in Gainesville FL last night at Celebration Point. I hope they continue to have good live music. It's definitely a great need for someone like me. I'm a music lover and last night was absolutely amazing.

Best theater around. Movies really come alive in the rooms in this theater. Such a thrill to watch anything on the screen. The audio sounds superb and the electric recliners are very nice. Except sometimes my pocket in my pants presses the button and I start reclining or declining automatically. I am a tall guy so while being fully reclined, there is still plenty of room for anyone to pass by in front of the row. The concessions also sell a variety of food which tastes great and is full of nutrition. I love the reserve seating feature, you no longer have to rush in to find your seat, however you might have to ask someone to get out of your seat and/or get authority to help you ask them to move. Can't wait to go again.

Staff are always very friendly and considerate. They try their best to make your experience the best they can. The Hippodrome's Elevator (the oldest elevator in the state of florida) is very cool, and makes the experience of less of jut entering a building but stepping into a historical piece of gainesville. They have movies most days and have performances that go on for two weeks at a time that have really amazing actors. I also want to mention they have almost ALL warm relaxing lighting (as someone who i sensitive to fluorescent lights it a game changer). I hope they bring Sip and Strolls back because touring the building while getting a complimentary cocktail was just so so cool to see the ins and outs. Overall a lovely experience every time.

It was such a wonderful experience for my husbands birthday. There is no bad seat in the quaint theater, so don't worry which section you buy your ticket. I would definitely see again, and I highly recommend it. This was our first quartet experience, and they were very interactive with the audience, and their talent was amazing. 5 stars all the way!!

Candlelight Concert at the Hippodrome – A Must-See! We attended the candlelight show at the Hippodrome last night, and it was amazing! The musicians performed music by Queen, and they were incredibly talented. It was our first time experiencing a show like this, and we truly enjoyed every moment. The atmosphere was beautiful, the sound was excellent, and for the cost, it was definitely worth it. We highly recommend it if you’re looking for a unique and enjoyable evening!

I took my daughter for her 23rd birthday. The staff was more than kind. The environment was interesting very clean, charming.. The environment was Warm, inviting a bit of a fantasy world. The quality and talent was effortless and was able to bring me two tears a couple of times. I would recommend highly to anyone for a lovely experience for any occasion. I will Returning many times.

Tribute to Queen was a great time. The atmosphere was amazing and the music was awesome.

Since 2005 we've been going to the Hipp for shows. Last night, (Oct 25th, 2025) "The Rocky Horror Show"! Hit Harry's for something to wet ones whistle with & appetizers B 4 the show. It was a full house for the 8 p.m. evening show. AWESOME! "The Fest 23" was also in town for three days/nights of bands, 50 bands played on stages at Bo Didly Plaza & Depot Park, so the town was jumping. I have seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show since my late teens, 39 times over the years. This year marks the 50th year anniversary of Rocky Horror so it just fit to hit it for my 40th time. From start to finish, awesome. Thanks for a fun filled eve. Ilene Silverman, a local tv personality was in the audience & I really think 🤔 she had a blast as well & it showed. I went with a friend of ours, Trisha who was a total Rocky Horror VIRGIN, lol & she too enjoyed the show & she was a little flustered with content, lol!!! The Cast was on target & the vocals were impressive. Overall, 5 star ✨ performance. Thanks for a great evening! Til next time we get together to do 🎶 The Time Warp AGAIN.. 🎵 😜....." I C U shiver with.......A-N-T-I-C-I-........P-A-T-I-O-N!!!!!

The Candlelight: Tribute to Queen concert at the Hippodrome was amazing! I would highly recommend!

Good park, but needs maintenance. Good trails and playground, but there is a metal rebar in the middle of the trail and a wasp nest in the playground.

Wonderful natural preserve with great informational plaques and art! The creek is beautiful, a cardinal was taking a bath. The playground is pretty big and there are lots of tables in the shade everywhere. There are also many water fountains throughout the park to drink from. Bathrooms were pretty decent, soap and dryer. Limited parking but there is something nearby. The tennis court seemed pretty maintained. Very nice place, conveniently located, great for all ages.

Perfect trail for pets, kids, and anyone looking for a relaxed stroll. The playground is covered (at least mostly) and great for preschoolers and up. PLUS, the water fountain is cold. Big plus.

Not much to it, plus they’ve managed to stuff a perfect wad of toilet paper in each toilet to make them unusable. I even watched the park maintenance guy come, go in both bathrooms, sit in his truck for ten minutes and leave. Thr toilets were never unplugged. But seeing that nearly every single unremarkable park that you don’t have to pay to enjoy nature in this entire city has nasty stainless steel toilets, if any, and undrinkable water

The nature trail was shorter than I expected but still an enjoyable, and thankfully shaded walk. Although, I wish I had seen more of the creek since the entry to the nature trail appears to be the only place to do so. The memorial garden for suicide survivors was also a thoughtful touch.

It was the best place to say goodbye to my mom, brother, and adopted mother and others. You can go hang their names on the trees and say goodbye and remember them. Thank you for making a safe place to go.

Nice short little trail. Perfect for little kids that can't walk very far on their own. It is a little rooty so watch your step. There is even a little bridge to watch the stream.

An amazing little farmers market with a wide array of meats, plants, produce and baked goods! Everyone is super nice, and I've found a lot of really great fresh food here for my lizard!! The quail eggs are a great hit, and they're cheaper than the supermarket!

Always so fun! Clean, easy layout with a LOT of options! A few prices were high, some were okay, and most were WONDERFUL! There was so much to choose/shop from; fresh produce, honey, dairy, meat, bread, pastries, food tents and carts, a matcha and coffee cart, a hand-made gold jewelry tent, you name it! I have had a wonderful experience every time I've come here!

WOW!! I haven't been here in over 2 years. It has grown. Took the Baba. We bought fresh blueberries, 🍯honey and a cajun ragin plant for hummingbirds. There was a very big crowd. Very busy. All kinds of items for sale. I loved it. Carrots, brocolli, cabbage, meat, bread, hot sauce, leafy veggies, eggs 🥚. Lots of items. Let me say if you haven't been to this one do yourself a favor and check it out. Strawberries...

Cute farmers market with lots of plants. Everything we bought was delicious but there was no fruit besides watermelon. Good assortment of vegetables though.

Pretty nice set up. Went on Saturday for the first time. I ll go back for sure. Got a lemongrass plant for $5.

I wish not to be deceptive so I must first say that I am a vendor at this market. I will therefore comment on the markets treatment of vendors, the fees and bylaws, which I feel are more than reasonable. And, the customers are (by a large majority) repeat and loyal fans which makes it easier to remember their names and even form friendships. If you are a vendor and you are lucky enough to procure a vending spot you really should. We have a considerable amount of vending under our belts and I would not say this if it were not true.

A small but real farmers market. You could notice right away. they have small food trucks that are very good

Bring your mask. First thing I noticed walking in was the mold smell. Didn’t notice this on my last visit several years ago. Noticed only 1 dedicated card catalog station as you enter the adult section up the stairs. Otherwise, it’s a library. Parking can be a challenge but there is metered street parking outside lot.

I hope this library lives forever, it is a great public space, if you are getting your office renovated, in-between offices etc. it is awesome, clean, quite and access to all. I love it, they should add a little coffeeshop area that's my only recommendation

I wanted to give a huge shout-out to Mrs. Paula Thomas! She was beyond helpful and generous, after a few days of calling and trying to get reimbursed for an over charge, from using their printer, she reimbursed me out of her own pocket and didn't have to, she deserves a raise!

I love all libraries but the children's library staff are incredibly rude and lackluster. My kid sat on a low table and got yelled at immediately. Walked too fast and got yelled at again for running. If you don't like children and normal safe children's behavior maybe be a librarian for adults?

I love our Alachua County Library! Helpful staff. Easy-to-use website.

This place is absolutely wonderful! Sometimes, they may not have the book you're searching for, but if you talk to one of the employees at the information desk (2nd floor), they can look it up in the system and have it sent over to this location! Today, they had a job fair! The employees are always happy to help, and they have helpful events (such as job fairs, tutoring, events for the little ones) for what seems like everything! They definitely know what they're doing, that's for sure.

Educational entertainment, enriching the GNV comm'Unity ♾️

Good place to spend time with you family with basketball court, tennis courts, baseball field and swimming pools.

Nice pool no people peeing in the pool mode size and all

We play table tennis there on Mondays and Wednesdays from 630-830 and they are very accommodating. We have 4 tables there which they store in their facility. Wlthey also have a lot of other activities there as well for kids and adults! And it's close and convenient to a lot of places in gville!

I think there are some security issues here for being afterschool. 1-Children are taken to the playground that everyone uses. 2-The basketball court they use is used in an area where everyone can see it and where foreigners can communicate directly with the children. Every person who parks their car is directly close to the children.

Lots to do here! We have been coming to the park for almost 20 years. Parking is great and easy to access, but could use a good cleaning as it has been utilized as a restroom. The equipment is well kept, and the restrooms are clean and supplied.

Always like this park. My kid begs me to go here. It’s good for basketball, baseball, & for little kids. It has a nature walk across the street that goes all the way to Loblolly-it lines Hoggetowne creek. It has a good park for little kids. Lots of swings & parking spots. It even has a half pipe & a community pool. Pretty cool park.

Nice city park I like all the woods next to the park unfortunately it is a very noisy place and the traffic is incredible in this city . Gainesville has changed an awful lot in the last 20 years many many more people and home

Really fun venue and great festival. The grounds were a little difficult to traverse in my wheelchair, even though it is a powerchair. There was no designated space for wheelchair users near the stage which meant I was left trying to peer around people who were constantly shoving in front of me. It was frustrating, but the music, food trucks, and people were all great. (This is in reference to the 2025 Playground and Arts festival). The video shows the front walkway, it is really uncomfortable to roll over and I almost got stuck in the gravel at the end.

April 26th, 2025 went to a concert, but didn't arrive until almost 7pm to hear Uncle Morty Rhythm Cream and The Grass is Dead. Glad we didn't go earlier because this was mostly an outside venue and it was super hot that day. Bring a cooling device if going during the day to these all day concerts. Bring chairs if you want to sit and be aware that there are only porta potties for lower paying ticket holders. They do have inside bathrooms, but are only reserved for musicians and higher paying VIP ticket holders. Adult beverage prices are reasonable, average price is $7. Food and ware vendors come in and there are restaurants and a local brewery on the complex. The sound engineers mixing the bands were very good. Tickets for this event were $30/person at the door and you were given an armband to be able to come in and out. No pets except service dogs are posted on the website, but I saw a couple of people with non-service dogs, one of them being friends of ours. Kid friendly, wheel chair accessible, and parking limited, but was not hard for us to find a spot. Be prepared to be beaned with a beachball or run into by some smaller human. Dance area is large and the whole area is mostly grass/dirt. We traveled about 30 minutes to get there. We met people we know and love and had a good time. We will definitely go again.

Wonderful!!! We had no idea what to expect when we went to see ‘Certainly So’ back in June but were amazed by the experience and service! The only stressful part of the whole trip was parking as we couldn’t find a ton of options nearby, but it also seemed like a Halloween event was going on so there was even less available parking. Overall so fun and such a great time!

One of the coolest venues to be at. They have seating areas and you can set up blankets and chairs as well. Really good sound system and overall just good vibes going on here. They also have vendors and food around the grounds alongside cheap drinks 😋

I love this venue so much. By far my favorite place in Gainesville area for live music. It is intimate and a perfect place for live music. Highly, Highly recommend.

Perfect from appointment scheduler to everyone there. Front office and back office. The love they have for animals is so evident. Reasonable prices and having our cat spayed and the precaution they took when they heard a heart murmur was so appreciated.

VIP DJ access was epic at the 4th Annual Gainesville Art Circus!

Nice park with baseball fields, tennis courts, playground for kids, dog park, pavilion with picnic tables, restrooms, Community board for info :)

It was a convenient and nice, clean place to play tennis and pickleball. Good amount of parking for the size of the park. Bright lights at night.

Had a decent few hours here as I was killing time while my car was being serviced. Tennis Courts, woods, trails, kinda smallish but cozy. Awesome broken tree stump at one end. Would love to find out more about the single grave hanging out there under the big tree to the west of the tennis courts near the corner of the parking lot...

It's a nice place to chill and relax. I say a family barbecuing and they had a mini tent set up. The kids like like they were having fun😁.

Went to play pickleball, which by the way is a blast with a mixed variety of old and young and just straight up fun Was impressed by the various activities, the facilities, the dog walk which my little dog Lilly adored, so many friendly people.

Huge dog park. Mr. Petty would be proud.

One of the many parks in Gainesville. This one is nice and spaced out. They have a wall ball court, big and small dog parks, playground off to the side and baseball field. Tom Petty was one of my favorite artist so stopping here was a must.

Beautiful and wonderful! I visit here often, even though I live here and have been going since the age of 5. Can not recommend enough!!!

Great family trip

For the past 4 years I have been taking my students to the Museum of Natural History and the Butterfly Forest... this has been a great find... and it is on UF campus. My students love it!!

Always clean. Friendly greeter. Amazing art

Butterfly Museum is must watch. Great depiction of history.

Beautiful Butterfly garden. Great Museum!

Wonderful place, wonderful people glad it is available.

Need to book your to see inside...nice history and with the nearby museum worth the visit...

You must call ahead in order to get a museum staff member to give you (or your group) a tour of this historic home.

Wonderful place wish we had the reenactment there again.

Great place to go for history

They wouldn’t let multiple people on the giant rock wall, they wouldn’t allows us to use the swimming lanes and they complained when we were acting like a regular group of people in a pool. i don’t think this place is worth coming too even tho the fees are cheap.

This pool is so relaxing! The employee are all so nice! Great job everyone! It was a very enjoyable day for me son and I🥰🥰🥰

Its ok, the pool itself is pretty cool. But, the lifeguards were very strict, and didn't let us do a lot of stuff that is normal at a swim pool. Overall, 8/10.

Nice pool. But I can't swim.

Stunning and peaceful! I've been to this park several times, almost always have it to myself or maybe one other person. There are a few picnic tables and a small grill. Really just a great place to relax under the shade of a very old and beautiful tree 🌳 ❤️🙏

A small but lovely play to enjoy the huge tree! It's like something from a Tolkien novel. No bathrooms! It's just quite literally the tree and some benches. More of a quick stop picnic area! Pets permitted I believe, and there are trash cans too. Persimmon trees surround the lot, among some others. Very shaded and good for a time to paint or read. We often see people here doing yoga.

The beautiful example of an aged Live Oak, is the largest example in the entire state of Florida. A breathtaking living giant that is over 30 feet in diameter, 85+ feet tall, and its branches reach out so far one even had to be supported. This "park" is nothing more than a grass field and this magnificent tree... and frankly, that is more than enough for me. Just being able to stand under its branches and bask in its shade it more than worth it in my humble opinion. I love living so close to this spectacular Live Oak Tree. I often wonder what kind of stories this tree could tell if it could talk. I am not certain exactly how old it is, but I am certain it has been around for a very, very long time.

If you like majestic old large trees, then this is the park for you. It's nice to have access to these great beauties that have lived so much history and still stand. Also, glad to see this tree has been respected with no carvings and no litter in the park. It was quiet and nice. Enjoy your visit.

And to imagine that our entire country was once populated with immense old growth trees such as the mighty Cellon Oak! This huge tree resides in a quiet and well kept park perfect for pic-nics and outdoor games of any kind. The cool day we visited this beautiful location we napped in the shade on a blanket. Wonderful!

This park is so peaceful. The live oak is magnificent to see and imagine all the years of change it has survived! I love going there to just have quiet time. The park is always clean, well manicured, and there are a few picnic tables in the shade. I hope this tree continues to survive for a long time.

Dear family (Saporitoovs.com) surprised me with an incredible picnic of healthy foods, lots of laughter, Mothers' Day stories, tree-climbing and football tossing. It was all graced by this 186 year-old oak. Simply amazing humans of love & peace.

It's not well posted that this park doesn't allow dogs till I drove up and got out and read the tiny fine print on the sign! Would have been embarrassing to have been caught walking the trails thinking dogs were allowed, if you hadn't specifically walked by the sign and checked! Huge disappointment for me and my corgi!

Nice peaceful walk. No trail signs at any of the path splits so had to use Google maps to find my way back out. Everyone I encountered during my walk was very friendly and offered directions on which path to take. Some parts are well tended while others seem to be neglected, but over all it was a lovely experience.

Beautiful trail in the shade. Lots of parking picnic tables with cover.

Very cozy park! Ideal for hitchhiking! We just went for picnic during a festival and enjoyed with different activities!

This park has great trees and I used to come here almost every to work out when I lived in bivens cove apartments. I love it here! It's always laid back and theres a swing set to play on.

Very wild area for a city park. There are boardwalks and trails that lead all the way to 441 and one to Williston road. Saw many wild things there and even an ephemeral swamp. Be very wary of alligators because there are underground connections between the park and the lake and Bivans Arm lake is LOADED with gators!

Good park, w/ bath, playground, maintained, trails are ok.

Nice park on Newnans lake. Quite shaded with lots of wildlife and a walking trail. Good places to fish from the bank. Bring bug spray

It's a decent park given the fact that it's free. There are some great sites for photography and the breeze feels great here during the evenings. There are some decent spots for fishing, just try not to get your lines stuck in the foliage. Nice place to wind down and relax. The trails are not too well defined and some of them are obstructed by fallen trees. I would also stay away from the free sunscreen they provide. The sign for parking could also be bigger. It is a bit hard to see from the road. There is also a no parking sign next to the parking area which makes it a bit confusing. There are also no restrooms.

Peaceful little spots to view the water and appreciate the wildlife around the area. 🐊

Quite place when alone. Grounds are a little soft and shore area a little messy. Benches and one table are dirty. Regular maintenance of this city park must be lacking during "public health shut-down".

Quite, peaceful, beautiful, close to town, free!! We really love it here.

This place is great for viewing wildlife. I've seen alligators, snakes, and leaches to name a few. I recommend watching the sunrise, it's amazing.

Beautiful neglected park. Great wildlife, birding, and panoramic views of the lake.