Gainesville Attractions

Top Things to Do in Gainesville

Things to Do in Gainesville


Book these experiences for a closer look at the region.

Top Attractions in Gainesville

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

What travellers are saying

  • ycarney
    Vero Beach, FL381 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a very nice place to go alone, with friends or with family. There are all sorts of beautiful butterflies and birds throughout the tour. We did not take a tour, we just walked through ourselves. It is really laid out nicely and it was so nice we went through it twice.
    Written 1 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ron T
    Hilliard, FL7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you are in the area especially with kids you do need to visit. Great place for kids to "hands on" fossils and stuff. No admission charge.
    Written 11 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • david b
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My wife and I have extensive resumes in ecology, wildlife biology, veterinary medicine and medical experience caring for big cats.

    Carson Springs is an amazing place. Christine and Barry are compassionate in providing superlative care to their charges. They personally know every resident who comes to the fence as the tour stops, and can be viewed face to face. They work with breeding programs, medical programs, and nutritional programs to provide this level of care and to sustain genetic diversity within populations. The enclosures are well maintained providing safety for the visitor and the animal.

    During the tour one learns about the personal history of each animal, their species and their place in the ecosystem

    I have brought my grandsons, 2 and 4 years of age, with their attention being riveted on the the scenes before them. Adults tour in disbelief.

    Each time I go I am in awe knowing the effort that goes into sustaining the facility with this level of expertise and integrity
    Written 26 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jennifer g
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful area and will go back again to see more in the rest of the park ....we were only able to get to one area to hike but will come back definitely for the rest of the park
    Written 9 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Richard F
    Chicago, IL4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful park easy walk very interesting birds. We saw 1Gator dozing in a swamp. There was a deer in the same swamp. We didn’t stick around to see the outcome
    Written 19 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Joan L
    Westmore, VT133 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very nice. Pet friendly. Your pup needs to be in leash (NOT FLEXIE). There are 2 different walks 1) more greenery 2) more water. We did the first about a mile and so much to see. It was $10 for each of us. We would go back.
    Written 30 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Taylor B
    Chicago, IL8,761 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The University of Florida is well known for its men's and women's sports programs, which annual rank among the best in the country. But school officials and community leaders are promoting other aspects of the university's academic and cultural programs in the hoop that people will realize there is more to Florida than football, basketball and baseball. With that in mind, they point with pride to the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. Located at Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road, in the Cultural Plaza area in the southwest part of the campus, the 112,800-square-foot facility is one of the largest university art museums in the South. It includes 40,400 square fet of exhibition space, five gardens, a 250-seat auditorium, a museum store, a study center, a cafe and classrooms. If that's wasn't enough, the museum, which was founded in 1990, was expanded in 2005 by more than 18,000 square feet with the opening of the Mary Ann Harn Cofrin Pavilion, which includes new educational and meeting areas and the Camellia Court Cafe, the first restaurant for visitors of the Cultural Plaza. And in 2021, a new wing of 20,000 square feet was added. The museum's permanent collection totals more than 11,3000 objects, which are focused on Asian, African, modern and contemporary art and photography. It also has Ancient American and Oceanic art and a collection of pre-1850s prints and drawings. The African collection ranges from the 5th century BC to the 21st century and includes wood sculpture, textiles, ceramics, leatherwork, beadwork, metalwork and paintings. The Asian collection ranges from the Neolithic period to contemporary works and features ceramics, jade, metalwork, stone sculptures, paintings and prints from India, Japan and China. The photograph collection may be the most interesting of all with the works of noted photographers such as Ansel Adams, Robert Frank, Irving Penn and Jerry Uelsmann, who established the University of Florida as a center for the study of photography.
    Written 9 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paula S
    Hollywood, FL10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    University of Florida has a lovely large campus! Our granddaughter gave us a 2 hour walking tour. We enjoyed learning about each building.
    Written 27 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • pvbeachmom
    Palatka, FL61 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It's such a cool site and very popular. We arrived 20 minutes before sunset and people were already starting to gather along the fence and setting up chairs. Just after sunset, hundreds (thousands?) of bats fly out and away. In 15 minutes, the show is over then it takes another 15 minutes to exit the parking lot. Definitely worth it, though.
    Written 23 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 1952ja
    Massachusetts120 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you've ever wondered about sinkholes then definitely make the trip to see this. It is quite remarkable when you think about it. The earth just literally opens up and creates a massive hole. There's alot of walking and alot of stairs so it's not quite so easy to maneuver but if you take your time and enjoy the day then you'll appreciate nature as it surrounds you.
    Written 23 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Terrence
    Tallahassee, FL284 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great seating options at this place, good beer selections. Happen to catch live music and food truck, so it was a perfect combination. Expect kids at thus place, definitely a lot of families. My visit was in a Saturday at 5.
    Written 8 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ace Barrett
    Fort Lauderdale, FL2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was amazing to go and see all the different animals that they care for and how well the animals thrive and enjoy like while allowing the students to have a hand on learning experience with the animals.
    Written 23 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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