20 Attractions to Explore Near Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Sweetwater Preserve is a unique conservation area spanning over 6,800 acres of land, the preserve includes of multiple habitats including pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, sinkholes and sandhills. It is home to an abundance of wildlife species like wild turkeys, sandhill cranes, and owls that benefit from the diversity of habitats found here. Sweetwater Preserve also features trails for exploration and can be used for fishing, hiking, nature viewing and camping.

As well as picnic facilities, there is an area to park and unload horses to ride along the state trail at Bolware Springs Park.

Boulware Springs Water Works is a renowned historic landmark. Constructed in 1895 and designed by Len A. Brackett, this waterworks facility was built to provide the city with clean and potable water. The rustic-style structure made of local limestone added grandeur to the city's landscape. After continued disuse and neglect, it was restored in 2014-15 with aid from the Alachua County government to its former beauty and serves as a reminder of bygone days.

The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention is named after Dr. Robert Cade, the lead inventor of Gatorade, and reflects his philosophy of combining science and art in a way that is "purposeful creativity".

Depot park is a vibrant and colorful place to explore. Located in the heart of Gainesville, the park offers something for everyone – from scenic jogging trails and picnic areas to kayaking on a sparkling lake. It also features an amphitheater used for outdoor concerts and a “Sprayground” with interactive water features perfect for cooling off on hot summer days. Depot Park encourages exploration, exercise, learning and connection while respecting nature preservation.

Wilmot Gardens is a perfect place for visitors to relax and appreciate nature. Situated on the banks of the Santa Fe River, the lush grounds of Wilmot Gardens boast a variety of native trees and plants, including magnolias, camellias, azaleas, and dogwoods. This peaceful spot offers the opportunity to observe wild animals like whitetail deer, turkeys, and birds in their natural habitats. Stroll along walking trails or take a guided canoe tour along the river to appreciate its unique beauty.

James Douglas Matheson and Augusta Florida Steele Matheson, the daughter of Florida pioneer Augustus Steele, who founded Hillsborough County and Cedar Key, lived at Matheson House.

Matheson History Museum building, formerly an American Legion hall, opened in 1994 as a museum

Gainesville, is an amazing place to live or visit. Located near some of the nation's best beaches, It offers an array of activities and attractions. The University of Florida is located here, allowing students access to world-class education. Nature lovers can take advantage of the beautiful springs nearby while adventurers can take part in numerous outdoor activities like camping and kayaking. It also has a well-developed arts scene with venues ranging from small galleries to large theaters.

Paynes Prairie, is an incredibly unique and lush landscape. Spanning 18 sq miles, the prairie harbours a variety of plants and wildlife and has rare bird sightings. As it offers fantastic wildlife-spotting opportunities, Paynes Prairie boasts activities such as canoeing, boating, camping and much more. Indeed, avid hikers can take on the South Rim’s 22-mile long trail with its 10 overlooks. Home to gators and other reptilian lifeforms, exploring the area is truly a good experience.

The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is a protected state park with a length of 16 miles (26 km) running from the Boulware Springs Water Works in Gainesville to Hawthorne.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, is one of the most iconic stadiums in the University of Florida's athletic history. Affectionately known as “The Swamp” by locals and fans alike, this stadium has been home to countless thrilling football games over the years. The stadium has hosted several notable alumni from the University of Florida such as Steve Spurrier, Emmitt Smith, Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow. Not only is it a popular spot for Gators football games, it also hosts various special events.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Morningside Nature Center occupies a 416-acre park. Along with the farm and nature centre, Morningside Nature Center's hiking trails explore sandhill ecosystems, pine Flatwoods, bayhead swamps, and cypress domes.

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.