Gainesville Department of Cultural Affairs

The Department of Cultural Affairs promotes cultural activity in Alachua County and develops mechanisms that support and encourage community-based cultural resources. The Department also provides grant information and technical assistance to cultural agencies, maintains a mailing list of over 10,000 individuals and organizations, produces the Master Calendar of Events (MCE), and acts as an information source for the area. Additionally, the Department coordinates and promotes the ARTSREACH program, Thomas Center Galleries, the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, the Downtown Festival & Art Show, eco-heritage tourism, performing arts programs, and serves as the Local Arts Agency for Alachua County.

Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art

The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art is the largest university art museum in the Southeast. The Harn presents innovative programming and an ambitious changing exhibition schedule. For the past several years the Association of Art Museum Directors has ranked the Harn among the top ten university art museums in the country. Its primary collections are in Modern and Contemporary American, African, Asian, and Pre-Columbian art.

Florida Museum of Natural History

The Florida Museum of Natural History is one of the largest natural history museums in the United States, with historic, ethnologic, and natural history collections, an exceptional research staff, and twenty-eight curators.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a 62 acre facility developed and operated by the North Florida Botanical Society. The Gardens are comprised of 16 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ved walkway. These include the state's largest public display of bamboos and the largest herb garden in the Southeast.

Paynes Prairie State Preserve

Paynes Prairie became Florida´s first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. The park's Visitor Center offers exhibits and an audio-visual program that explain the area´s natural and cultural history, and the park has eight trails that provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling. In addition, the park has a full facility campsite.

Thomas Center

The Hippodrome State Theater

The Hippodrome, a theater in a landmark building located in downtown Gainesville, has been offering film and performing arts programming for the past thirty years. In addition to providing theater, the Hippodrome offers educational and outreach programs for students and residents of the North Central Florida region.

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Each season, University of Florida Performing Arts (bold title, etc.) presents the very best established and emerging national and international artists on the Phillips Center main stage.

Bivens Arm Nature Park

Visitors to Bivens Arm can walk along a 1,200 foot boardwalk to view the oak hammock and marsh preserve. Along the path are wildlife and quotes by poets and authors, adding to the park’s interest.

Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

Devils Millhopper, one of Florida’s state parks, is known for its huge sinkhole and surrounding trails. The sinkhole, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep, was formed when an underground cavern roof collapsed. Visitors can explore the sinkhole from a surrounding boardwalk and stairways or from a one-half mile nature trail that follows its rim. Guided tours are available on Saturdays, and the Park’s Visitor Center offers exhibits and an audio-visual program.

Lake Wauburg

Lake Wauburg, located just south of the University of Florida campus, offers free admission and activities for individuals with a Gator One Card. The Lake offers many activities, including boating, a climbing wall, ropes course, and volleyball, and it is one of Gainesville’s biggest hotspots for students.