Zip Into Summer with 15+ Things to Do in Gainesville and Alachua County

Zip! At Haile Quarry

Have an unforgettable adventure as you zip through the Florida canopy and soar over the sparkling waters of Haile Quarry. With 6 zip lines, including the Double Dragon – Florida’s longest double zip line – Zip! at Haile Quarry is a high-flying way to race friends across the quarry and add a little adrenaline to a summer getaway.

The park is also home to Jordan’s Jamboree, an ADA-compliant zip line, providing visitors of all abilities the chance to take in the thrill, the view and the rush of flying through one of Alachua County’s most memorable outdoor attractions.

Adventure Behind Every Door

Solve puzzles, uncover clues and work together to beat the clock in immersive escape room experiences adapted for every skill level. Choose from themed storylines, such as an ancient-city expedition, a secret agent mission or a Scooby-Doo Adventure with Escapology at Celebration Pointe. At Huddy’s Escape, each room feels like stepping into a live-action set with cinematic effects and interactive surprises, while Just Escaped pairs multisensory elements with original storylines to create an escape room experience that is uniquely Gainesville.

X-Golf Gainesville

X-Golf at Celebration Pointe features immersive, high-tech indoor golf experiences where players of all skill levels can tee off year-round. Choose from world-famous virtual courses, such as Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, or Harbour Town, and use state-of-the-art simulator technology to perfect your swing. Complete with a full-service bar, a sports-pub menu, and PGA professional coaching, it is the ultimate destination to eat, drink, and play.

Family Fun and Games

Dave & Buster’s at Celebration Pointe features state-of-the-art games and a varied menu for all ages. Enjoy exclusive games you won’t find elsewhere, with half-price gaming every Wednesday.

For unlimited play with a single admission fee, visit locally owned Bragging Rights in Downtown Gainesville, home to classic arcade games and pinball machines, where children 3 and under play free.

Mini-Golf at the Pink Flamingo

Mini-Golf at The Pink Flamingo Diner Located behind the polished stainless steel diner in High Springs, an 18-hole mini-golf course tees up family fun perfect for the kids to burn up extra energy. Each hole represents a Florida spring, complete with educational signs. The Pink Flamingo Diner is a great place to sit down and enjoy great food, milkshakes and more.

Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation

Carson Springs is top-rated on TripAdvisor for a reason – this conservation and educational facility has over 100 animals, including rare and endangered species, which are cared for on 275 acres of lush Florida woods and farmland. Carson Springs has tigers, hyenas, panthers, and is the home of famous best friends, Tuesday the cheetah and Penzi the tortoise.
Click to meet the animals.

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Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

Have you ever seen a tree kangaroo, gibbon, or lemur? Now’s your chance at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo has over 70 different species of animals and is maintained by about 100 students enrolled in the college’s premier Zoo Animal Technology program.

Marvel at the Bald Eagles, White-throated capuchin monkeys, American alligators, Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo and Asian small-clawed otters in a naturally shaded (think cool) environment. The 1/4 mile trail through the wooded environment is lined with mulch and is stroller and/or wheelchair accessible.

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Retirement Home for Horses

Admission is just two carrots, but you’ll want to bring plenty more for the friendly residents. At Mill Creek Farm, you’ll meet 126 horses, two donkeys, and one mule spread across 335 acres of peaceful sanctuary.

Open only on Saturdays, this equine haven provides a home for older, neglected, and abandoned horses who now roam freely in the pastures. It’s a sweet, heartwarming experience that’s well worth your weekend visit.

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Gator Spirit (and selfies!) at the Swamp

If visiting the University of Florida, check out Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, a.k.a. The Swamp. The stadium hosts Gators football games and is open to the public year-round, 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. via Gate 18 (double-check before you head out, the schedule may change). The nearby Heavener Football Complex showcases Gators history, and the Gator SportShop offers team merchandise. For a great family photo, pose by the 15-foot Bull Gator statue outside Gate 18. Chomp!

Depot Park: Something for Everyone

Families will love Depot Park’s playground and splash pad for an active day out. Children can enjoy a variety of play equipment including a shaded train-themed playground, while the blue grotto splash pad features interactive water features inspired by local caverns, complete with authentic fossils. The park offers excellent biking and skating opportunities along waterfront paths and through conservation areas, connecting to the Rails-to-Trails network and Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail.

For refreshments, visit the historic Depot Station building where Parkside Convenience offers snacks and treats, and Goldie’s Burgers serves delicious options including smash burgers and vegetarian choices. Adults can relax at Boxcar Beer and Wine Garden.

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Eight State Parks, Countless Outdoor Stories

At Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida feels beautifully untamed. Climb the 50-foot observation tower at the South Entrance for sweeping views across the prairie, where wild horses, roaming bison and sandhill cranes are part of the landscape. Inside the Visitor Center, exhibits explore the area’s rich natural and cultural history. On the park’s north side, the La Chua Trail winds to a boardwalk overlooking the sinkhole basin, known for unforgettable wildlife viewing and some of the region’s most iconic alligator sightings.

Continue exploring nearby parks and preserves with shaded mountain biking trails at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park, hands-on Junior Ranger programs at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park and living history experiences at Dudley Farm Historic State Park. View the Santa Fe River from suspension bridge at O’Leno State Park, and explore the untamed trails at nearby River Rise Preserve State Park.

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Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

One of Gainesville’s more popular attractions is Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Pet-friendly, paved pathways help navigate the collections spanning 68 acres. The children’s garden features special plants, fish ponds, and waterfalls. Listen to the whistling wind create an amazingly peaceful sound in the stunning bamboo garden, the largest public display of bamboo in Florida. It’s a perfect place to pack a lunch and enjoy the splendor.

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Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Don’t miss this jewel of a park—a 125-acre environmental sanctuary with 3.5 miles of flat trails and boardwalks where visitors can observe diverse wildlife, including birds, butterflies and alligators. The parks offer public walking tours on the 1st Sunday (8:30 a.m.) and 2nd Saturday (2 p.m.) of the month from September – May.  You can also book a tour in an accessible tram on Mondays at 10 a.m. and Fridays at 2 p.m. here.

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Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention

Did you know Gatorade was invented in Gainesville at the University of Florida? The Cade Museum is named after lead inventor Dr. Robert Cade and celebrates the spirit of invention and discovery for all ages. A permanent exhibit explores the history of Gatorade, while rotating exhibits focus on specific inventions and interactive demonstrations to keep each visit to the museum unique. The Cade Museum is adjacent to downtown Gainesville’s Gem Depot Park which features a playground, splash pad, nature trails, and dining.

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The Harn Museum

Right next door to the Florida Museum is the Harn Museum of Art with major collections of Asian, African, modern, contemporary art and photography, and even has a Claude Monet and Kehinde Wiley. Release your family’s inner artist with the Harn’s “always-on” art experiences, including the Art Cart which offers art activities, tactile opportunities, games and more. The Harn also has scavenger hunts to take into the galleries to engage in conversation and spark excitement.

Pro-Tip: The Harn has a great gift shop with affordable, family-friendly items to keep your kids entertained on the drive home!

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Florida Museum Pop-Ups Continue During Renovation

During the Florida Museum’s large-scale expansion project, exhibits are temporarily closed to the public. The anticipated reopening date is in late 2026. 

Stay up to date with the latest museum pop-ups.