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Who's ready for Boots-N-BBQ this weekend? Mustang Sally and Molly Hatchet take the stage Friday night! http://t.co/9oCANd1t about 10 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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Santa Fe College's Three Tenors
  • 2012 Bed Making Competition
  • Albert & Alberta Goof Off
Find more Gainesville videos at YouTube
  • Micanopy Store
  • Downtown Farmers Market
  • Downtown Farmers Market
  • Downtown Farmers
  • Mosswood Farm Store
  • Harvest at the Downtown Farmers Market
  • Freshly Baked Bread at the Gainesville's Downtown Farmers Market
  • Collection of Seeds at Mosswood Farm Store
  • Mosswood Farm Store
  • Mosswood Farm Store
  • Flowers at the Downtown Farmer's Market
  • Herbs From Mosswood Farm Store
  • Mosswood Farm Store
  • Vintage Dough Bowls at Mosswood Farm Store
  • Mosswood Farm Store
  • Downtown Farmers market
  • Marlene's Shop
  • Mosswood Farm Store
  • Gainesville Gators
  • Gainesville Gators
  • Gourmet Food Vendor at the Downtown Farmer's market
  • Food Vendor at the Downtown Market
  • Downtown Farmer's Market
  • Freshly Picked Flowers From the Downtown Market
View more Gainesville photos on Flickr
  • FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
    “So much to see!” - Indiana

  • PAYNES PRAIRIE
    “A nature-lover's dream!” - North Carolina

  • SAMUAL P. HARN MUSEUM OF ART
    “Terrific university art museum.” - Pennsylvania

  • BUTTERFLY RAINFOREST
    “Beyond expectations.” - Florida

Find more reviews and tips on TripAdvisor
  • Get Outdoors
  • Birding
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Parks and Places
  • Canoeing & Kayaking
  • Golf
  • Fishing
Herbs at the Kanapaha Garden
Herbs at the Kanapaha Garden
Santa Fe river
Santa Fe river
Florida blue skies wildflower
Florida blue skies wildflower
Santa Fe Zoo School
Santa Fe Zoo School
Bird Trail at Paynes Prairie
Bird Trail at Paynes Prairie
Family visiting the Santa Fe Zoo
Family visiting the Santa Fe Zoo
Birds at Paynes Prairie
Birds at Paynes Prairie
Children at Santa Fe Zoo
Children at Santa Fe Zoo
Santa Fe zoo students with Galop the turtle
Santa Fe zoo students with Galop the turtle
Gainesville alligator
Gainesville alligator
Couple taking in the view at Paynes Prairie
Couple taking in the view at Paynes Prairie
Kanapaha Lilies
Kanapaha Lilies
Greathouse buttlerfly farm
Greathouse buttlerfly farm
Paynes Pairie Observation walk
Paynes Pairie Observation walk
Wild flower field
Wild flower field
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The Best Recreational Locations

  • Dudley Farm State Park

    18730 West Newberry Road Newberry, FL 32669 352-472-1142

    At Dudley Farm, a one-of-a-kind authentic 325-acre working "Cracker" farm, you will see the evolution of North Florida farming through the eyes of three generations of the Dudley family; from the pioneer days circa 1850 through the introduction of gasoline-powered equipment circa 1945.

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  • San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

    12720 NW 109 Lane Alachua, FL 32615 386-462-7905

    The San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is a rare example of mature Florida hammock woodland. Much of the 7000 acre park is designated for hiking, providing quiet solitude for a true wilderness experience. The remaining comprises one of Florida’s top mountain biking destinations.

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  • Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

    3300 SE 15th Street Gainesville, FL 32641 352-466-3397

    The Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail is a paved walkway stretching 16 miles from Boulware Springs Park in Gainesville, through beautiful woodlands, past deep lakes and prairie vistas, to the town of Hawthorne.

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  • Paynes Prairie - La Chua Trail

    4801 Camp Ranch Rd. Gainesville, FL 32641 352-466-3397

    La Chua Trail leads to Alachua Sink and the center of the prairie marsh and wetlands. Abundant wildlife including alligators and migratory sandhill cranes. Platform at trail’s end provides panoramic views. 3 miles round-trip.

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  • Gum Root Park

    7298 NE 27th Ave Gainesville, FL 32641 352-334-2171

    Gum Root Park is a 741-acre park that is mostly floodplain swamp, with a canopy of cypress and gum trees. It is a great location for birding and wildlife viewing, and offers trails that wind through different natural communities.

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A place to call home.

Name an outdoor activity, and we'll give you a park to play in. Walk, ride a bike, hike, canoe, swim, picnic, or even camp. All over Alachua County, world-class venues exist big enough to contain even the most enthusiastic outdoor enthusiast. Places like Biven's Arm, Devil's Milhopper and Gum Root are as beautiful as their names are interesting. But the main attraction is definitely Paynes Prairie, Florida's first state preserve park and a true natural wonder. Almost 300 types of animals and birds can be seen here, including bison, wild horses, and alligators. There are also roadways and trails throughout the preserve, commonly used for biking and hiking activities. It's well worth the 20-minute drive from downtown Gainesville. Closer in, there are more parks to enjoy Gainesville's unique mix of nature, culture and leisure.

Additional Resources

  • Yulee Railroad Days
  • Old Florida Heritage Highway Tours
  • Oleno State Park Tour
  • Dudley Farm State Park Tour

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