Alachua County - 57 Attractions You Must Visit

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.

Alfred A. Ring Park is a 77-acre paradise of natural beauty featuring open fields, grassy meadows, large shade trees, and a 5-acre lake. Visitors to the park can partake in activities such as canoeing on the lake, walking/cycling along 1.7 miles of trails within the park, fishing for largemouth bass & bluegill, or birdwatching within the diverse environment. Other facilities include picnic areas, playgrounds with swings and slides, a public restroom and an outdoor theater stage area.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The Dudley Farm Historic State Park (Florida) is a U.S. historic district and museum park in Newberry, Florida.

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

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.

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.

Gainesville Raceway, is one of the best drag racing tracks in the United States. With a 1/4 mile E.T. Drag Strip and a championship road course circuit, it offers a thrilling experience for passionate racers looking to put their driving skills to the test. The 3,000-foot all-concrete drag strip has seen some of the greatest drivers collect wins since its opening in 1969 and mesmerizing crowds along the way. It's also been home to countless NHRA national events.

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.

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.

Hawthorne Historical Museum & Cultural Center features exhibits illustrating the history of Hawthorne, particularly those relating to the military.

This Museum provides a vibrant glimpse into the area's history. Located in a restored building that was once the city hall and fire station.It reveals the stories of local residents and the community through carefully crafted displays. Its permanent exhibit chronicles the history of High Springs from its earliest days to modern times with artifacts, photographs. Visitors can learn about the county's industry including lumbering, cattle raising, citrus production and turpentine harvesting.

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.