Gainesville is a university community located in North Central Florida midway between the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. The area is known for its natural beauty with its stately live oaks and many springs, lakes, and rivers. There are a number of parks in Gainesville and the surrounding area where residents and their families can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, bicycling, camping, and other sports. The climate encourages outdoor activities throughout the year. Gainesville offers the excitement of a large city with the convenience of a small town. Culturally, the city is enriched by the influence of the University. The population of Gainesville is approximately 111,000 with a surrounding population of 220,000. The city offers a diverse cultural environment, excellent public schools, and a low cost of living, which makes Gainesville an attractive and affordable place to live. Gainesville was ranked #1 in the Top 10 College Towns: Great Cities for School & Life After Graduation by Livability.com.
Explore Gainesville in 60 Seconds
Fun in Gainesville
Dance, Musical and Theatrical Performance Venues
UF Performing Arts
The Phillips Center for Performing Arts, The University Auditorium, The Baughman Center hosts a variety of musical and theatrical events in three venues.
Hippodrome State Theatre
The Hippodrome Theatre (often referred to by residents as the Hipp) is a regional professional theatre in downtown Gainesville,
University’s Florida Players
Florida Players is an exploratory student-run theatre company that provides diverse opportunities for artistic and professional growth through hands-on work in live theatre.
Gainesville Community Playhouse
The Gainesville Community Playhouse is one of the oldest community theaters in the state of Florida.
Museums
Cade Museum
The Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention is named for Dr. James Robert Cade, a professor of renal (kidney) medicine at the University of Florida and the lead inventor of the sports drink Gatorade.
Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
The University of Florida’s Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art collaborates with university and community partners to inspire, educate and enrich people’s lives through art.
The University Gallery
University Galleries is comprised of three art galleries that play an integral role in the teaching mission of the School of Art + Art History, College of the Arts at the University of Florida, as well as serving the entire UF and Gainesville community.
The Florida Museum of Natural History
The Florida Museum of Natural History is a leading authority in biodiversity and cultural heritage, using its expertise to advance knowledge, solve real world problems, and impact public policy and perception.
Santa Fe Gallery
The broad range of quality artwork shown at the Santa Fe Gallery, Exhibition Halls, and in public spaces on the Campuses suggests to college students, faculty, staff and visitors the endless variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional arts.
Athletics and Outdoor Activities
Lake Alice
Lake Alice is a signature feature of the University of Florida campus. It is a proven sanctuary to alligators as well as many birds.
Lake Wauburg
Lake Wauburg offers UF students, faculty and staff a place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
Devils Millhopper Geological State Park
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.
San Felasco State Park
Outstanding birdwatching, the area’s best off-road biking, stunning scenery and a rich historic past are only a few of this preserve’s highlights.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ½ mile paved walkway
Restaurants
Gainesville is home to many diverse restaurants. From locally owned to large chains, you won’t go hungry in our town.