20 Attractions to Explore Near Dudley Farm Historic State Park

In the San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park are feral pigs, bobcats, white-tailed deer, gray foxes, wild turkeys, and several species of songbirds.

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo Guided tours are available at the zoo if scheduled ahead of time, and visitors may also take self-guided tours.

The Santa Fe College Kika Silva Pla Planetarium is a domed theatre with a 34-foot diameter in Gainesville, Florida. It seats 60 people and features two projection systems.

Historic Haile Homestead, also known as Haile Plantation House or Kanapaha, is located in Gainesville, Florida. Thomas Evans and Serena Chesnut Haile built the house in 1856 as part of their original 1,500-acre (6.1 km2) cotton plantation.

Veterans Memorial Park offers locals and visitors alike a glimpse into the sacrifice of brave servicemen and women from around the country. Covering more than 11 acres, It is home to numerous monuments dedications to honoring those who served in all branches of service; a celebration pavilion which houses programs and events that help bring together veterans and their families; several sports courts, with restrooms and grills; plus walking trails that meander through peaceful wetlands.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens are Florida's largest public bamboo gardens and the Southeast's largest herb garden as of 2005.

Archer Historical Society Museum, located in an old railroad depot built before 1900, contains exhibits about the history of the area.

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is a 6,500-acre expanse of conservation lands. This park offers visitors the opportunity to explore an array of ecosystems, from the rolling hills of sandhill to the shady hammocks and wet prairies. On hikes by way of 14 miles of trails, guests can see live oak trees draped in Spanish moss as well as diverse wildlife including foxes, wild turkeys and most notably, hundreds of species of birds. The park also provides canoe and kayak rentals.

Alachua Splash Park is a wonderful way to beat the Florida heat while having some family-friendly fun. It features an extensive water play area, with slides, fountains, and interactive water games. There is also plenty of green space for picnicking, running around, and setting up sprinklers. There are even grills and picnic tables available for barbecuing. Whether it’s a sunny afternoon or an evening under stars, Alachua Splash Park provides a unique and enjoyable water experience.

Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park is only 71 acres (29 ha), but three distinct ecological environments exist in the park, depending on the amount of sun, fire, and water it receives.

San Felasco Park is a 1,169-acre paradise of winding trails, forests and canopies of trees for hikers and bikers. Throughout the park are sinkholes, creeks and springs that attract wildlife like bobcats, hawks and owls. For campers there are primitive campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, and restrooms nearby. Whether you're into adventurous biking or picnicking and camping in one of twenty individual sites near level terrain while enjoying the spectacular scenery of nature at its finest.

Possum Creek Park is a beloved outdoor escape for residents of Gainesville and beyond. With over 400 acres of wilderness and wetlands to explore, the park admirably serves those looking to take advantage of the great outdoors. There are two large lakes that allow boaters to enjoy activities such as fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. If simply walking or jogging is more your speed there are boardwalks and nature trails on offer as well.

Loblolly Woods Nature Park covers 48 acres of lush nature preserve, providing a tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Featuring a variety of walking trails and boardwalks, a scenic lake with observation deck, the park is popular with both locals and tourists alike. Visitors have the opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat - or take part in educational programs such as bird-watching or native plant walks.

Westside Park is a great outdoor escape for anyone looking to explore the beauty of nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy; whether it's kayaking or biking on one of the many trails, fishing off the dock, playing sports such as football and frisbee in dedicated fields, or simply relaxing under a shady tree amidst the park's lush greenery, also With its playgrounds, picnic areas, sand volleyball court and gazebo.

The Florida State Collection of Arthropods, is an important asset for entomologists and other members of the scientific community. It contains specimens of arthropods from all over the state of Florida, making it a valuable resource to study their diversity, ecology and distributions. The entomology collection includes important information on species identification and taxonomy as well as a wide range of fully accessibly archived data.

Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History is a stunning and immersive experience. This indoor rainforest habitat features hundreds of wild butterflies in free flight around lush vegetation grown to simulate their natural environment. A paved walkway allows visitors an up-close viewinng experience with the colorful and exotic butterflies. Along with a multitude of species of butterflies, visitors can also find vibrant birds and frogs within this lush ecosystem.

The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art occupies 112,800 square feet of space, making it one of the largest university art museums in the South.

As the official natural history museum of Florida, the Florida Museum of Natural History was chartered in 1917 by the Florida Legislature.

UF Bat Houses, serves as a haven for over 400 bats from 13 different species. Established by the University of Florida in the summer of 1991 and supported by volunteers, the site is now a successful example of conservation. A nightly monitoring program is responsible for data collection such as birth rates, death rates and population size. UF Bat Houses work to protect and conserve these species for generations to come by providing shelter, food and resources along with professional research.

On the University of Florida campus, there is a small lake called Lake Alice. Gainesville's lake is a wildlife area and one of the few places in the city where one can see live alligators.