Gainesville is located in Alachua County, 71 miles southwest Jacksonville, 109 miles north of Orlando.
Gainesville is the home of the University of Florida, the state's oldest and largest university. Like other college towns, it is described as an artsy, highbrow, radical party town. But, the beauty of Gainesville is its history. You will find a fine historic district on the outskirts of town, with some very interesting natural features. In 1995, Money magazine rated Gainesville as “the best place to live in America.” Many restored houses have been reopened here, and there are now cafes, restaurants and boutiques, with a view of old-fashioned lampposts and brick sidewalks.
There are two museums to visit in Gainesville, such as The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, which houses an extensive collection of 20th century American and Asian art, as well as African Tribal arts and crafts. Next is the Museum of Natural History, which is the southeast USA’s largest natural science exhibit, displaying ecosystems of coral reef, fossils and the jaw of the extinct great white shark.
Located not far from Gainesville is the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site. On the 68 acres that compose the site, Rawlings wrote two famous novels, The Yearling and Cross Creek, which won her a Pulitzer Prize. The single-story home still looks the same as when she lived there.
Visit the Devil’s Millhopper State Geological Site for a look at a 20 million year-old sinkhole. There are many fun things to see and do in Gainesville, so come and have a good time. We welcome you!
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