Karen's Guidebook
City/town information
(35 Minutes, 21 Miles) “Smithsonian,” “National Geographic Adventure” and “Forbes” magazines have lauded Gainesville’s live-ability. Turns out it’s a great place to visit for many of the same reasons: personality-packed districts, plenty of active pursuits and an energy infusion from The University of Florida. Queen Anne-style homes and a smattering of revival styles create historic districts and bed-and-breakfast options. The Hippodrome State Theatre offers further architectural interests with Corinthian columns erected in 1911. Slip onto the UF campus to visit the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Natural History. Inside the Florida Museum of Natural History are Mammoth and Mastodon skeletons, both discovered in North Florida's Aucilla Riverbed. When it’s time to head outside, take your pick of area parklands (descending into a 120-foot-deep sinkhole into a miniature rain forest makes Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park a must).
59 persone del luogo consigliano
Gainesville
(35 Minutes, 21 Miles) “Smithsonian,” “National Geographic Adventure” and “Forbes” magazines have lauded Gainesville’s live-ability. Turns out it’s a great place to visit for many of the same reasons: personality-packed districts, plenty of active pursuits and an energy infusion from The University of Florida. Queen Anne-style homes and a smattering of revival styles create historic districts and bed-and-breakfast options. The Hippodrome State Theatre offers further architectural interests with Corinthian columns erected in 1911. Slip onto the UF campus to visit the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Natural History. Inside the Florida Museum of Natural History are Mammoth and Mastodon skeletons, both discovered in North Florida's Aucilla Riverbed. When it’s time to head outside, take your pick of area parklands (descending into a 120-foot-deep sinkhole into a miniature rain forest makes Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park a must).
St. Augustine
This a great day trip
Sightseeing
(50 Minutes, 41 Miles) The quiet drive in should tip you off. You're alone save for the surrounding cypress and wild flowers: this is remote North Central Florida. Some liken Cedar Key to yesterday’s Key West with an eclectic arts community, ultra-fresh seafood and natural surroundings. Wander around Dock and Second streets, with its galleries, restaurants, the 1859 Island Hotel and a new multi-million-dollar fishing pier. The population swells during annual arts and seafood festivals. Offshore, the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge captures the essence of the untouched. Accessible only by boat, most of its islands grow wild to accommodate nesting birds. A 19th-century lighthouse and cemetery are accessible to visitors six times a year.
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Cedar Key
(50 Minutes, 41 Miles) The quiet drive in should tip you off. You're alone save for the surrounding cypress and wild flowers: this is remote North Central Florida. Some liken Cedar Key to yesterday’s Key West with an eclectic arts community, ultra-fresh seafood and natural surroundings. Wander around Dock and Second streets, with its galleries, restaurants, the 1859 Island Hotel and a new multi-million-dollar fishing pier. The population swells during annual arts and seafood festivals. Offshore, the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge captures the essence of the untouched. Accessible only by boat, most of its islands grow wild to accommodate nesting birds. A 19th-century lighthouse and cemetery are accessible to visitors six times a year.
(35 Minutes, 23 Miles) In the midst of North Florida's sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest. Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices in the ground. Lush vegetation thrives in the shade of the walls even in dry summers.
Researchers have learned a great deal about Florida's natural history by studying fossil shark teeth, marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals found in the sink.
Visitors can enjoy picnicking and learn more about the sinkhole through interpretive displays.
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Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
4732 Millhopper Rd(35 Minutes, 23 Miles) In the midst of North Florida's sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest. Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices in the ground. Lush vegetation thrives in the shade of the walls even in dry summers.
Researchers have learned a great deal about Florida's natural history by studying fossil shark teeth, marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals found in the sink.
Visitors can enjoy picnicking and learn more about the sinkhole through interpretive displays.
(35 Minutes, 26 Miles) Paynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals.
The park’s eight trails, including the 16-mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, allow one to explore the park’s interior and observe wildlife, while a 50-foot high observation tower provides for panoramic views.
(35 Minutes, 21 Miles) Fishing and canoeing on Lake Wauburg are popular along with a shaded campground. During a visit to Paynes Prairie, one can easily understand why Seminole Indians once occupied a village along this vast savannah.
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Riserva Statale di Paynes Prairie Preserve
100 Savannah Blvd(35 Minutes, 26 Miles) Paynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals.
The park’s eight trails, including the 16-mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, allow one to explore the park’s interior and observe wildlife, while a 50-foot high observation tower provides for panoramic views.
(35 Minutes, 21 Miles) Fishing and canoeing on Lake Wauburg are popular along with a shaded campground. During a visit to Paynes Prairie, one can easily understand why Seminole Indians once occupied a village along this vast savannah.
(35 Minutes, 21 Miles) Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail stretches 16 miles from the city of Gainesville's Boulware Springs Park through the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and other local and state conservation lands.
On this historic rail bed turned greenway, you will pass by native plants and wildlife, diverse scenery and backyard Florida culture. Overlooks and stops of interest tie together a rich story of small railroad towns, locomotives and human activity along this corridor.
The recreational trail is paved with a grassy equestrian trail running alongside.
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Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail(35 Minutes, 21 Miles) Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail stretches 16 miles from the city of Gainesville's Boulware Springs Park through the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and other local and state conservation lands.
On this historic rail bed turned greenway, you will pass by native plants and wildlife, diverse scenery and backyard Florida culture. Overlooks and stops of interest tie together a rich story of small railroad towns, locomotives and human activity along this corridor.
The recreational trail is paved with a grassy equestrian trail running alongside.
(30 Minutes, 16 Miles) Butterfly gardens.
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Museo di Storia Naturale della Florida
3215 Hull Rd(30 Minutes, 16 Miles) Butterfly gardens.
(15 minutes,11 miles) WELCOME to the Historic Haile Homestead at Kanapaha Plantation. In 1854 Thomas Evans and Serena Chesnut Haile moved their family from Camden, South Carolina to Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida. Their 6,200 sq ft home was built by 56 enslaved laborers. The Historic Haile Homestead is unique in the Nation for its "Talking Walls." For a reason lost to time, the Haile family wrote on the walls of their home - over 12,500 words in almost every room and closet! Come visit us this weekend and see this gem of history, frozen in time - let the walls speak to you of joys and sorrows of more than a century ago.
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Historic Haile Homestead
8500 SW Archer Rd(15 minutes,11 miles) WELCOME to the Historic Haile Homestead at Kanapaha Plantation. In 1854 Thomas Evans and Serena Chesnut Haile moved their family from Camden, South Carolina to Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida. Their 6,200 sq ft home was built by 56 enslaved laborers. The Historic Haile Homestead is unique in the Nation for its "Talking Walls." For a reason lost to time, the Haile family wrote on the walls of their home - over 12,500 words in almost every room and closet! Come visit us this weekend and see this gem of history, frozen in time - let the walls speak to you of joys and sorrows of more than a century ago.
(31 minutes,19 miles)
1314 South Main Street
Gainesville, Florida
352-328-5027
Gallery hours:
Tuesday - Friday 1 - 6
Saturday 11 - 4
Gainesville Fine Arts Association
1314 S Main St(31 minutes,19 miles)
1314 South Main Street
Gainesville, Florida
352-328-5027
Gallery hours:
Tuesday - Friday 1 - 6
Saturday 11 - 4
(29 minutes,18 miles) Sweetwater Wetlands Park is not only a place to connect with nature, it's a way to protect our environment. The park, which consists of more than 125 acres of wetlands and ponds, was created to improve the water quality of wetlands in Paynes Prairie and the Floridan Aquifer.
Now a thriving habitat, Sweetwater Wetlands Park is filled with vast numbers of plants and animals, including birds, butterflies, alligators and Florida cracker horses. At the park, you can walk more than 3.5 miles of crushed gravel trails and boardwalks, experience the lush landscape from viewing platforms, and learn about the habitat through educational signs and tours.
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Sweetwater Wetlands Park
325 SE Williston Rd(29 minutes,18 miles) Sweetwater Wetlands Park is not only a place to connect with nature, it's a way to protect our environment. The park, which consists of more than 125 acres of wetlands and ponds, was created to improve the water quality of wetlands in Paynes Prairie and the Floridan Aquifer.
Now a thriving habitat, Sweetwater Wetlands Park is filled with vast numbers of plants and animals, including birds, butterflies, alligators and Florida cracker horses. At the park, you can walk more than 3.5 miles of crushed gravel trails and boardwalks, experience the lush landscape from viewing platforms, and learn about the habitat through educational signs and tours.
(28 minutes,16 miles) A beautiful botanical garden with cascading waterfalls, 50+ garden displays, koi ponds, and countless breathtaking views!
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Cedar Lakes Woods e Giardini
4990 NE 180th Ave(28 minutes,16 miles) A beautiful botanical garden with cascading waterfalls, 50+ garden displays, koi ponds, and countless breathtaking views!
(19 minutes,12 miles) Two Tails Ranch was founded in 1984 by Theodore H. Svertesky (1954-1994) and Patricia L. Zerbini. The ranch is the only privately owned elephant facility of its kind. The natural coast of Florida is a prime location for elephants. The climate is almost identical to their native countries. The location of our ranch is surrounded by green grass, live oaks and natural wildlife. It is a very peaceful environment that both animals and guests can enjoy. The ranch was built to board both Asian and African elephants needing temporary or permanent housing, regardless of health or dispositions. Over 250 elephants have passed through the gates of the ranch for a variety of reasons. Some stayed temporarily while their own exhibits were being remodeled or built. Others stayed for retirement, medical needs, behavior problems or even in emergencies after hurricanes destroyed their zoos.
In 2008 Patricia Zerbini decided to start educational programs for private sectors and professionals to learn about elephants. As a result, All About Elephants, Inc. was created.
26 persone del luogo consigliano
Two Tails Ranch
18655 NE 81st St(19 minutes,12 miles) Two Tails Ranch was founded in 1984 by Theodore H. Svertesky (1954-1994) and Patricia L. Zerbini. The ranch is the only privately owned elephant facility of its kind. The natural coast of Florida is a prime location for elephants. The climate is almost identical to their native countries. The location of our ranch is surrounded by green grass, live oaks and natural wildlife. It is a very peaceful environment that both animals and guests can enjoy. The ranch was built to board both Asian and African elephants needing temporary or permanent housing, regardless of health or dispositions. Over 250 elephants have passed through the gates of the ranch for a variety of reasons. Some stayed temporarily while their own exhibits were being remodeled or built. Others stayed for retirement, medical needs, behavior problems or even in emergencies after hurricanes destroyed their zoos.
In 2008 Patricia Zerbini decided to start educational programs for private sectors and professionals to learn about elephants. As a result, All About Elephants, Inc. was created.
(32 minutes,20 miles) Our mission is to transform communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors,
entrepreneurs, and visionaries.
Our vision is to spread an inventive mindset across the world.
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Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
811 S Main St(32 minutes,20 miles) Our mission is to transform communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors,
entrepreneurs, and visionaries.
Our vision is to spread an inventive mindset across the world.
(2 hours:49 minutes, 182 miles) Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is an ever-growing large-animal rescue in eastern Sarasota County. Founded in 1987 by Kay Rosaire, the non-profit sanctuary is a permanent home for dozens of exotic animals, offers placement for animals in need, and works to educate the public about animal care and conservation.
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Grande Habitat di Gatti e Santuario della Costa del Golfo
7101 Palmer Blvd(2 hours:49 minutes, 182 miles) Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is an ever-growing large-animal rescue in eastern Sarasota County. Founded in 1987 by Kay Rosaire, the non-profit sanctuary is a permanent home for dozens of exotic animals, offers placement for animals in need, and works to educate the public about animal care and conservation.