Experience Our City: Fun Things to Do in Gainesville, FL
Looking for things to do this weekend in Gainesville, FL? Storage Depot of Gainesville is proud to be a part of this community, and we have put together a list of some of our favorite spots, attractions, and restaurants around the city. Whether you are going solo or looking for fun for the whole family, Gainesville is a vibrant community worth exploring. Check out our top places!
Discover the Sunshine State: Top Things to Do in Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, FL, is known for a lot of things, namely being home to the University of Florida and the birthplace of Tom Petty. But it is also so much more. You can see preserved Florida wildlife habitats, take on a lively college town scene, and try flavorful downtown dishes all in the same day. Search for your new favorite place!
Get Outside
One way to see the nature of the area is through the 16-mile-long Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. It is open to hiking, biking, walking/running, and horseback riding. In addition to birdwatching and looking out for other wildlife, you can also fish from the bridges into Prairie Creek and Lochloosa Creek. Morningside Nature Center is another place to learn about and explore Gainesville’s natural environment. The center’s more than 270 acres features barnyard animals, trails, wildflower displays, and a Living History Farm. There are plenty of free activities around!
Interested in stepping back in time? Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is a unique geological wonder at Devil’s Millhopper, a 120-foot-deep sinkhole surrounded by lush vegetation. Visitors can descend a staircase into the sinkhole, observe the miniature rainforest ecosystem, and learn about the area’s geology at the visitor center. If you travel a south down Route 441, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is another expansive park nearby, covering more than 21,000 acres. It is home to diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, prairies, and forests. Enjoy hiking, birdwatching, or spotting wildlife such as wild horses, bison, and alligators.
Parks with Playgrounds in Gainesville
Treat the littles to some fun in the sun at these parks that have playground equipment, climbing opportunities, and other kid-friendly spaces.
Admire Art & History
The Florida Museum of Natural History will keep you entertained just as much as it will your kiddos. With dinosaur bones towering over you and discovery zones for the little ones, this free attraction is the perfect way to keep everyone busy. The museum also includes the Butterfly Rainforest, a live exhibit featuring hundreds of butterflies and birds from around the world. If your home as some artistic minds, visit the University of Florida’s Harn Museum of Art to see exquisite collections by Floridian artists and beyond. It has more than 13,300 objects displayed on its campus. Visitors can appreciate art from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, as well as contemporary and modern works.
Go Batty
No, really. The University of Florida’s Bat Barns and Bat House raise nursery colonies each spring, and visitors can see the bats around sunset during warm months. Typically, they come out during a 15-20-minute time period after the sun sets, and your best chance of seeing them is on a calm night when it is above 65 degrees. Come view the world’s largest occupied bat house!
Enjoy Restaurants in Gainesville, FL
As you can see, Gainesville has gorgeous communities for you to explore. When it comes time to wind down from your adventures to find a bite to eat, check out Gainesville’s incredible selection of restaurants.
Settle into the Neighborhood with Storage Depot of Gainesville in Gainesville, FL
As you are settling into the area from a recent move, Storage Depot of Gainesville can help you keep all your belongings organized. We are a secure storage facility on Southwest 40th Boulevard in Gainesville, FL.
Not sure what kind of self storage you need? Our storage experts are available in person and over the phone to assist you and answer any questions. To keep the rental process brief and simple, Storage Depot of Gainesville offers a wealth of online resources to help you find the space you need to fit your load and budgetary restrictions. Our storage calculator can take your specific storage load and recommend the ideal size to protect the contents for the long-term. Dive into our storage tips before you start storing, so you know what to expect from your rental, and you can prepare your items for their stay at our storage facility.
Look through our online storage rentals to find temperature-controlled storage units and vehicle storage near you!
Katie Mest
About the Author: Katie Mest is a Content Marketing Specialist at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. She specializes in writing about the self storage industry, including storage tips and helpful resources. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors and snuggling in with a crochet project and her cat, Billie.
