Over 30 (Amazing) Free Things to Do in Gainesville and Alachua County

Meander through Alfred A. Ring Park

Located in the heart of Gainesville, Ring Park is a scenic 1.5-mile loop trail that winds alongside Hogtown Creek. Visit the scenic overlook to see where the clear water of Glen Springs mixes with the tannic water of Hogtown Creek.

Explore Loblolly Woods

Loblolly Woods has a 2.7-mile loop trail tucked away in the middle of Gainesville. Although so close to all the city amenities, it feels so far away. Loblolly has well-defined trails and boardwalks, with the bonus of the Hogtown Creek water feature. This stretch of woods is known to be one of the best birding spots in the area.

Journey Back in Time at Morningside Nature Park

Go back in time and visit the Living History Farm, which re-creates a single-family rural holding from 1870. In addition, explore 278 acres featuring a spectacular wildflower display and diverse wildlife like deer, wild turkey, box turtles, gopher tortoises, skunks, and numerous birds.

Visit Retired Horses at Mill Creek

While not technically a park, the Retirment Home for Horses at Mill Creek, is a great place to catch the North Florida vibe, rub a horse’s snout, and enjoy a leisurely stroll at a beautiful property. The cost of admission is two carrots for the horses.

Float on the Santa Fe River

Kayak, SUP, tube or canoe from the High Springs Boat Ramp where you can drop in and float down the Santa Fe River.

Cast a line on Local Lakes

Fish from the bank or dock at Palm Point Nature Park, Lake Santa Fe, Little Lake Santa Fe, Orange Lake and Lochloosa Lake.

Take in Masterpieces at the Harn Museum of Art

Harn Museum of Art is one of the largest university-affiliated art museums in the United States and the permanent home of Claude Monet’s “Champ d’avoine (Oat Field).” The Harn represents major collections of Asian, African, modern, contemporary art and photography and has recently acquired the largest collection of Florida-themed art in the world.

Discover at the Florida Museum of Natural History

(Temporarily Closed for major renovations March 24, 2025, reopening in 2026)
Florida Museum of Natural History has a full-sized mastodon and mammoth, giant shark jaws and ancient fossils of prehistoric animals. The Northwest Florida exhibit provides a window into Florida’s cultural and historical past as we walked through a limestone cave and peered into a mangrove forest, while the South Florida exhibit displayed a 1564 Calusa leader’s home.

The Florida Museum of Natural History also features permanent exhibits like the Butterfly Rainforest and seasonal exhibits, which require admission.

Tour Gainesville Murals

Visit the Gainesville murals on the 352 Mural Tour, and while you’re downtown, park in the Downtown Parking Garage and enjoy murals by local artists throughout the facility.

Check Out High Springs Historical Society Museum

Enjoy a stroll through the small town of High Springs, lined with antique shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Located near the Santa Fe River, High Springs is known as the Gateway to the Springs, which has easy access to Poe Springs, Gilchrist Blue Springs, and Ginnie Springs. Make a stop at The High Springs Historical Society Museum, which provides a window into pioneer life, as it was during the steam train era from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Delve into Micanopy Historical Museum

Window shop and Instagram through Micanopy – Florida’s oldest inland town (circa 1780). Peruse the antique shops make sure to visit the Micanopy Historical Museum. The Museum is home to artifacts and historical items from the Native American and Seminole Wars era through the Civil War and the early 20th century.

Learn about Alachua County at the Matheson History Museum

The Matheson History Museum, located in the heart of downtown Gainesville in the 1867 Matheson House, has permanent and temporary exhibits on Alachua County and Florida history. It also boasts a local history library and archives filled with resources for researchers and curious alike. The museum also hosts a variety of programs throughout the year. Learn more about the history of Gainesville, Florida with Matheson History Museum Cell Phone Tour.

Reflect at Tu Viện A Nan Buddhist Temple and Statue Park

Stroll through the Tu Viện A Nan Buddhist Temple and Statue Park situated on a serene forested park in southeast Gainesville and features large-scale Buddhist statues from Vietnam.

Scale the Swamp’s steps at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Affectionately known as “The Swamp,” Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is the largest stadium in Florida. It is open to the public most days, making it a popular place to run the stadium steps or lounge, read or daydream in the bleachers.

See 500,000 Bats Emerge

People gather every night outside the world’s largest occupied bat houses on Museum Road across from Lake Alice on the UF campus. When temperatures are over 65º F (18.3º C) 500,000 bats emerge 15- to 20-minutes after sunset and make a spectacular display as they span out over Lake Alice and the surrounding gardens and fields.

Enjoy UF Carillon Concerts

Walk or bike through the UF campus and enjoy free carillon concerts. UF’s carillon, one of just three in Florida, consists of 61 bells and is housed in the Century Tower, a landmark structure completed in 1956 as a memorial for students and alumni who died in the World Wars.