Alachua County
Alachua County is located in the North Central part of Florida, 85 miles from the Georgia state line, 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and 67 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
Alachua County encompasses 965 square miles and includes the municipalities of Archer, Alachua, Cross Creek, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, LaCrosse, Melrose, Micanopy, Newbeny, Waldo, and Windsor. The County has an estimated year round population of 191,000, including 40,000 University of Florida students. There are several areas in the County that are National Register Historic Districts.
The County's geographic location affords visitors a comfortable year round climate. Temperatures are moderated by the wind from the Gulf, producing mild winters and relatively cool summer nights. The average temperature is 70.1 degrees.
Alachua County is linked to the Interstate system and is accessible from I-75, U.S. 441, and U.S. 301. Driving distance from:
Gainesville Regional Airport has flight service via Delta, ASA, USAir Express, and ComAir, with more than 40 flights daily. More than 38,000 passengers travel through the airport annually. Airport facilities are also available for general aviation. Avis, Budget, Hertz, Value, and National rental cars are available at the airport and several in-town locations.
50 Hotels and Motels offer 3500 rooms. Alachua County also has eight (8) Bed and Breakfast Inns and several rustic fishing camps. Meeting facilities accommodate up to 800. The accommodation rates in Alachua County are among the lowest in the State of Florida.
There are hundreds of restaurants in Alachua County that serve everything from gourmet dining to barbecue, fast food, casual, cafeteria-style, "Southern" home cooking, and ethnic specialties.
Gainesville, the County seat, was established in 1854 on land that was part of a grant that the King of Spain gave to Don Fernando Arredondo in 1817. The name "Alachua" is a Seminole word that means jug, and the County probably takes its name from the sinkhole in Paynes Prairie. Micanopy, the second oldest town in Florida, was an Indian settlement when DeSoto passed through the County in 1539.
Details on all attractions, activities and events, as well as color transparencies, brochures and video are available from
Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau
30 East University Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32601
Phone 352-374-5231 FAX 352-338-3213
Gainesville