A college town in north central Florida, home to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. Originally settled by Timucua people and founded in 1823 by Dr. Pemberton.
Gainesville, a city of 145,000 in north-central Florida, revolves around the University of Florida campus. You'll find students cheering at football games in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, families walking through clouds of butterflies at the Florida Museum of Natural History, and visitors swimming in 72-degree spring water at nearby Ginnie Springs. Walk through bamboo forests at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, watch a play at the historic Hippodrome Theatre, or spot wild bison roaming freely at Paynes Prairie Preserve.
University Life in Gainesville
The University of Florida's 2,000-acre campus sits at the heart of Gainesville. As the fourth-largest public university in the United States, it brings more than 50,000 students to the city each year. During fall weekends, 88,000 fans pack the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (nicknamed "The Swamp") for Florida Gators football games, creating waves of energy throughout the city. You can explore several campus museums, including the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Harn Museum of Art.
Museums and Cultural Venues
Walk through clouds of hundreds of free-flying butterflies in the rainforest exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History, where you'll learn about Florida's ecosystems and prehistoric animals. The Harn Museum of Art displays Asian, African, and contemporary art collections across 40,000 square feet. Watch plays and independent films at the Hippodrome State Theatre, which occupies a restored 1911 federal building with classical revival architecture.
Natural Areas and Parks
Walk or bike along eight trails at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, just 10 minutes south of downtown. This 21,000-acre savanna is home to wild horses and bison that roam freely across the grasslands. At Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, you'll find Florida's largest public collection of bamboo spread across 68 acres. Step down 120 feet into a limestone sinkhole at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park to see small waterfalls and plants typically found in cooler northern climates.
Springs and Swimming
Drive 30 minutes from downtown to reach several freshwater springs. Swim, snorkel, or scuba dive in the 72-degree clear waters of Ginnie Springs. At Poe Springs Park, you can swim in the natural spring pool or launch a canoe into the Santa Fe River. In summer, float down the Ichetucknee River on inner tubes, passing limestone banks and underwater caves during your three-hour journey.
Getting Around Gainesville
Move around the city on the Regional Transit System's (RTS) 40+ bus routes, with frequent buses running to and from the university area. Cycle or walk the 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. From Gainesville Regional Airport, catch direct flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Miami.
