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PICTURED: Enjoying the day on beautiful Lake Wauberg

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Safe travels to@ HogtownBeerFest@ LakeTribeBrew ! https://t.co/u3Gtfndozt about 3 days ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Looking to add some fun to Mother’s Day weekend? https://t.co/1XeSzZj9g8 about 4 days ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Thursday, stroll along Main Street Alachua for live music, food trucks, and wine tastings with Island Grove Winery! https://t.co/zZ6ZxSFLPd about 6 days ago · reply · retweet · favorite

RT@ FLStateParks: Take an eco-escape! Camp, hike and bike at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in Gainesville, where wild horses, bison an… about 7 days ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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Visit Gainesville Dining - #GNVeats
  • Exploring the Landscape of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
  • Visit Gainesville Craft Beer
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • SAMUAL P. HARN MUSEUM OF ART
    “Terrific university art museum.” - Pennsylvania

  • BUTTERFLY RAINFOREST
    “Beyond expectations.” - Florida

  • FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
    “So much to see!” - Indiana

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

Find more reviews and tips on TripAdvisor

Get Outdoors

Kayaking Near High Springs
Kayaking Near High Springs
Kanapaha Lilies
Kanapaha Lilies
Close up of a Caracal at the Santa Fe Zoo
Close up of a Caracal at the Santa Fe Zoo
Florida blue skies wildflower
Florida blue skies wildflower
Golfing in Alachua
Golfing in Alachua
Students meeting Albert and Alberta
Students meeting Albert and Alberta
Herbs at the Kanapaha Garden
Herbs at the Kanapaha Garden
Melrose Bay fisherman
Melrose Bay fisherman
High Springs kayaking boats
High Springs kayaking boats
Feeding porcupine at the zoo
Feeding porcupine at the zoo
Horses at the Retirement Home for horses
Horses at the Retirement Home for horses
Paynes Pairie Observation walk
Paynes Pairie Observation walk
Hawthorne bike trail
Hawthorne bike trail

Just a Few Of Our Best Locations

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  • Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

    3000 83rd Street Gainesville, FL 32606 352-395-5601

    The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo houses 70 species, and 250 individual animals in its collection, including white handed gibbons, red ruffed lemurs, ocelots, bald eagles, Galapagos tortoises, African grey parrots, and Matschie’s tree kangaroo.

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  • Santa Fe Canoe Outpost

    2025 NW Santa Fe Boulevard High Springs, FL 32643 386-454-2050

    A canoe outfitter on the scenic Santa Fe River.

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  • San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

    3201 Progress Blvd 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 7350 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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  • River Rise Preserve State Park

    410 S.E. O'Leno Park Road High Springs, FL 32643 386-454-1853

    River Rise Preserve State Park derives its name from the area where the Santa Fe River reemerges after going underground within O’Leno State Park. Surrounded by quiet woods and huge trees visitors can enjoy a day of fishing, hiking, biking or horseback riding. Wildlife viewing is abundant.

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  • Poe Springs Park

    28800 NW 182nd Avenue High Springs, FL 32643 386-454-1992

    Poe Springs is the Gainesville area’s largest spring. It pumps 45 million gallons of cool, refreshing water daily. The park features a playground, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, volleyball courts, softball/kickball/soccer field, nature trails and its own spring.

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Whatever floats your boat, among other things.

Gainesville, and really all of Alachua County, might just be an outdoor enthusiast's dream destination. With world-class fishing, snorkeling, canoeing, diving and kayaking, there's always plenty to do on the water. On land, those so inclined may enjoy birding, hiking, biking, fishing and pretty much everything else under the sun. It's all made possible by Mother Nature herself.  Experience the adventure of climbing trees!  Gainesville's Canopy Climbers provides fun, safe, sustainable, year-round tree-climbing adventure events. The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo allows for an up close look at the wildlife. Student led tours reveal what working with zoo animals is all about. Our area is blessed with parks like Paynes Prairie, the San Felasco Hammock Preserve and Devil's Millhopper; three of many such places that not only offer incredible sanctuary to wildlife, but also generously provide people activities that simply don't exist anywhere else. With rolling hills, sinkholes, lakes, upland forests, hammock and prairie, the landscape surrounding Gainesville has always been a natural playground. Come explore our outdoors.

Additional Resources

  • Natural North Florida
  • Activities for Gator Children
  • Paddle Florida
  • Yulee Railroad Days
  • Old Florida Heritage Highway Tours
  • Oleno State Park Tour
  • Dudley Farm State Park Tour
  • Virtual Visitor Guide

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Alachua County Visitors & Convention Bureau
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Gainesville, FL 32601
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