Overview
Gainesville is in North Central Florida. It is home to the University of Florida, and Santa Fe College.
9 sights · 15 things to do · 15 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 17 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Gainesville
Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
W-Su 9AM-5PM. A bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep which contains a miniature rain forest. Visitors can enjoy picnicking and learn more about this sinkhole through interpretive displays. $4 per vehicle or $2 per pedestrian…
Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Harn Museum of Art
SW 34th Street and Hull Road.
Florida Museum of Natural History
Nice Butterfly Rainforest exhibit (extra charge). Permanent exhibits include the Butterfly Rainforest: Where Science Takes Flight!, Northwest Florida: Waterways & Wildlife, South Florida People & Environments, Fl…
Hippodrome State Theatre
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Sep. (climate data from nearby North Florida)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- GNV Gainesville Regional Airport, Gainesville — 3 mi away. Directions
- UST Northeast Florida Regional Airport, St Augustine — 62 mi away. Directions
- JAX Jacksonville International Airport, Jacksonville — 68 mi away (major hub). Directions
* American Eagle (Dallas Ft Worth; Charlotte NC; Miami) * Delta Connection (Atlanta)
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $50–$50 a night (typical $84), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $12 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$180.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, Harn Museum of Art, Florida Museum of Natural History
- Lunch Mi Apa Latin Cafe
- Afternoon Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Hippodrome State Theatre
- Dinner Tinker Latin Restaurant & Food Truck
- Evening Indian Cuisine
Day 2
- Morning River Ranch Water Park, Fest, Ginnie Springs Outdoors
- Lunch The Hyppo
- Afternoon Micanopy Fall Harvest Festival, Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
- Dinner Dragonfly Sushi and Sake Company
Day 3
- Morning Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Haile Village Center, Devil's Millhopper
- Lunch The Twisted Peacock
- Afternoon Old Time Christmas in Historic High Springs, Kanapaha Spring Garden Festival, Waldo Railroad Days
- Dinner Ti Amo! Reasurant and Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
- Interstate 75 runs north and south to the west of Gainesville.
By plane
* American Eagle (Dallas Ft Worth; Charlotte NC; Miami) * Delta Connection (Atlanta)
Other nearby airports for flights to/from additional destinations are in Jacksonville (JAX) 80.5 mi, northeast of town along SR-24/US-301/I-10; and Orlando (MCO) located 122 mi southeast via I-75/FL-Turnpike/SR-528.
By bus
Go Greyhound
Travels primarily on Interstate 75 (Atlanta, Macon, Tifton, Lake City, Gainesville, Ocala, Orlando, Ft Lauderdale, Miami and points in between). Some schedules continue west on I-10 towards Houston from Lake City via Tallahassee, Panama City, Pensacola, Ft Walton Beach, Mobile, Baton Rouge, etc. Passengers transfer in Lake City or Tallahassee to reach Jacksonville or another destination north and in Miami to continue south to the Florida Keys.
By train
Go Amtrak
The nearest Amtrak station is in Jacksonville, Florida. Both the Silver Star and Silver Meteor service Jacksonville from Miami and Boston. You'll need to transfer to a Thruway connecting bus to go to Gainesville. The bus stops at the Rosa Parks downtown transit station at 700 Southeast 3rd Street. The bus ride takes about one hour and 45 minutes
Get around
By bus
- Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS), +1 352-334-2600. RTS provides fast frequent service throughout the City of Gainesville and to some of the outlying areas.
Bus service is provided on more than 35 routes. Some bus lines provide service until 2AM on weeknights. Late night service, referred to as the Later Gator, is provided on some lines, Wednesday through Saturday from 8PM to 3AM.
Here's a breakdown on service levels:
Weekdays 6AM to 2AM (Most Serviced Lines), Service can run from every 8 minutes on most utilized lines to every 60 minutes on less utilized lines. Make sure to check individual schedules.
Saturdays: 7AM to 7PM on most lines. Service every 30 to 60 minutes. Special Late Night Bus service begins at 8PM and ends at 3AM. These buses run every 10 to 15 minutes.
Sundays: 9AM to 5PM, very limited service. Buses only run every 60 minutes.
During school breaks and the summer holiday, RTS service runs less frequently with most routes ending service by 11PM.
See
- University of Florida, +1 352-846-2000. These folks are serious about their football and basketball. A full calendar of entertainment in sports and the arts is available. For information on the school's sports teams, known as the Gators, see the dedicated website.
- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. University of Florida's stadium known as "The Swamp" seats over 90,000. It's one of the largest (and loudest) anywhere.
- Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Florida's Stephen C. O'Connell Center has a reputation around the country – enthusiastic and friendly if you're a Gator...noisy, deafening and menacing if you're the opposition. Florida's student section, dubbed the "Rowdy Reptiles", has made the O'Connell Center one of the toughest places to play in the nation.
- Lake Alice on the UF campus. Lake Alice is a sanctuary for alligators and birds. At dusk, bats that roost in a nearby bathouse fly out to feed on the insect life that the lake nourishes. A trip out at dusk to watch the cloud of bats is a popular local pastime.
See Florida Museum of Natural History
Nice Butterfly Rainforest exhibit (extra charge). Permanent exhibits include the Butterfly Rainforest: Where Science Takes Flight!, Northwest Florida: Waterways & Wildlife, South Florida People & Environments, Florida Wildflower & Butterfly Garden, and the Fossil Plant Garden.
- The Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo. Tours by appointment.
Do
Do Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Florida's first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. Alligators, wild horses, bison and over 260 species of birds live in many diverse habitats here. Eight trails provide hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling opportunities. Ranger-led activities during weekends, November through April. Exhibits and an audio-visual program at the visitor center explain the area´s natural and cultural history. A 50-foot-high observation tower near the visitor center provides a panoramic view of the preserve.
Do Ginnie Springs Outdoors
Bring the family or a cooler of beer and friends and float down the natural spring-fed river. Amenities include beach volleyball courts, campsites, picnic tables, shower/bath facility, and dive excursions. Entry $12/person. Camping (including entry) $20/person.
Do Devil's Millhopper
In the midst of north Florida's sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest. Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices in the ground. Lush vegetation thrives in the shade of the walls even in dry summers. A significant geological formation, Devil's Millhopper is a National Natural Landmark that has been visited by the curious since the early 1880s. Researchers have learned a great deal about Florida's natural history by studying fossil shark teeth, marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals found in the sink. Visitors can enjoy picnicking and learn more about this sinkhole through interpretive displays.
Festivals
Do Micanopy Fall Harvest Festival
Do Festival of Trees at Gainesville Woman's Club
Do Old Time Christmas in Historic High Springs
Do Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
Do Dudley Farm Historic State Park Cane Grinding Day
Do Kanapaha Spring Garden Festival, Waldo Railroad Days
Do Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Writers Workshop "Writing the Region"
Do Newberry Watermelon Festival
Do Fest
Do Gainesville Improv Festival
Buy
University of Florida Bookstore: Florida Gator fan gear and books.
Eat
Eat Dragonfly Sushi and Sake Company
A trendy downtown sushi bar, Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company offers an innovative and gourmet selection of sushi, sashimi and Eurasian Fusion fare that's thought by locals and visitors alike to be some of the best in town, in an atmosphere that's hip and vibrant.
Eat Ti Amo! Reasurant and Bar
Great food. Fantastic wine. Classic dining space.
Eat Mr. Han's
Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. A consistent recipient of the 'best Chinese restaurant in Gainesville' award, Mr. Han's serves up outstanding Peking, Szechuan and Hunan inspired dishes. There's a nightclub on the premises as well.
Eat Liquid Ginger
Sun Center. Open every day for dinner, 6 days for lunch (closed Sa afternoon) M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM, M-Th 5-10PM, F Sa 5-10:30PM, Su noon-10PM. Eclectic Asian fusion cuisine. It can get quite crowded on weekends, so a reservation is good to have.
Eat Falafel King
If you're in the mood for falafel, gyro, baba ghanoush, tabouleh or some amazing hummus, this is the place to go. Located in Butler Plaza, this small restaurant gives you large amounts of delicious food for a really reasonable price.
Eat Bento Cafe
In the mood for sushi? Perhaps a bento box with some Asian fusion food? Or maybe just some boba tea or sake? Bento Cafe, with two locations in Gainesville, has a large variety of Asian foods and wonderful sushi. There's also a Gator Roll for those looking for the ultimate Gator experience in Gainesville.
Eat The Swamp
Great college atmosphere for food and fun!
Eat Mi Apa Latin Cafe
Given its central location, it is walking distance from the west end of UF campus. It has a wonderful family atmosphere, with genuinely nice staff. The food is delicious and one of the finest examples of Cuban cuisine. A second location is in Alachua, Florida.
Eat Kabab House
Kabab House serves meat (chicken, beef, & lamb) kababs cooked in the tandoor (clay oven). Offers wide variety of curries, rice and vegetables dishes. Serves halal meat.
Drink Indian Cuisine
Great Indian restaurant with eclectic menu. Good atmosphere and helpful staff.
Eat Miya Sushi
Korean joint with some Japanese dishes. Great sushi roll choices and Korean BBQ, tempura, and lunch/dinner boxes excellent. Try the dinner for two that comes with soup, salad, spring rolls, sushi and a beef dish for $28.
Eat The Jones Eastside
Freshest breakfast all day, everyday. Some organic ingredients, vegetarian dishes. Friendly staff, and hip music. Must try.
Eat The Hyppo
Frozen fruit popsicles. A large variety of unique flavors, such as avocado coconut.
Eat The Twisted Peacock
Indian restaurant. Quality of food excellent, and spicy. Serves beer and wine and some mixed drinks.
Eat Tinker Latin Restaurant & Food Truck (Tinker Food Truck)
Latin Restaurant in Gainesville family friendly bringing miami to gainesville food and drinks are great, it is walking distance from depot part and downtown gainesville.
Drink
There are bars all over Gainesville. It's traditionally known as a huge drinking town.
The town in general isn't quite as hip and wild as it once was. As admission standards at the university continue to rise, a different crowd has trickled in. But there's still plenty of diversity, and partying, in Gainesville.
The area referred to as mid-town, directly across the street from the school on University Ave., has some of the more traditional Gainesville bars. Grog House, Salty Dog, Balls, XS, and Gator City all share the same building. Almost any night of the week one can find great specials and large crowds. Nearby is the restaurant/bar Swamp housed in a former professor's house. It is a can't-miss both for the atmosphere and the decent food.
The downtown area is a combination of clubs and more laid back bars. Places like the Loosey's, Lillian's (a former music store) and Stubby's, a bar that features hundreds of imported beers, cater to an older crowd. Clubs such as :08 and Sky having dancing and music but are usually most crowded on "ladies' night."
Bars close at 2AM due to the "Rave Law", passed in the late 1990s when Gainesville became one of Florida's premier rave scenes. Last call can be as early as 1:30AM. After the bars close, roads can be dangerous due to drunk drivers.
Sleep
Stay Hampton Inn: Gainesville
Stay Red Roof Inn
Offers an outdoor pool that is open year round and selected rooms offer microwave/microfridge units. All rooms offer T-Mobile high speed internet access (not included), "On Command Video" with a selection of free TV channels and pay-to-view as well as one well-behaved family pet.
Go next
- Orlando is 1½-2 hours south. Take I-75 South to the Florida Turnpike, then East.
- Jacksonville is 1½ hours north. Take US-301 North to I-10, then East.
- Miami is 5½ hours south. Take I-75 South to the Florida Turnpike, then east to I-95, then south.
- Atlanta is 5 hours north along I-75.
- Tallahassee is 2½ hours West. Take I-75 North to I-10, then West.
- Tampa is 2 hours south along I-75.
- Daytona Beach is 2½ hours east. Take US-441 South to Ocala, then State Rd 40 East.
Nearby
Keystone Heights
City / town · 2 listings · 19 mi away
Starke
City / town · 11 listings · 22 mi away
Ocala
City / town · 17 listings · 36 mi away
Fanning Springs
City / town · 2 listings · 37 mi away
Lake City
City / town · 11 listings · 39 mi away
Palatka
City / town · 31 listings · 41 mi away
Osceola National Forest
Park · 1 listings · 42 mi away
Green Cove Springs
City / town · 8 listings · 44 mi away
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