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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 16 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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2012 Bed Making Competition
  • Albert & Alberta Goof Off
  • Santa Fe College's Three Tenors
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
  • 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

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

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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  • 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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  • Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

    4700 SW 58th Drive Gainesville, FL 32608 352-372-4981

    Fourteen major collections make up Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. The collections include the largest herb garden in the Southeast and Florida’s largest display of bamboos. During warm months visitors can see giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums. June - September offer the most color.

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  • Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

    4700 SW 58th Dr Gainesville, FL 32608 352-372-4981

    Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ½ mile paved walkway. These include the state's largest public display of bamboos and the largest herb garden in the Southeast.

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  • Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park

    18700 S. County Road 325 Cross Creek, FL 32640 352-466-3672

    A National Historic Landmark, the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings house and grounds is nestled between a quiet country road and Lake Orange. The homestead is completely restored and preserved as it was in the 1930s including a barn, tenant house, orange grove, seasonal garden and nature trail.

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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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