Welcome to the Gainesville Region of Central Florida

First and foremost, congratulations for becoming a new member to the growing list of our most famous residents, the University of Florida’s Gators!  And now that you’re here, we extend a warm welcome and invitation to students and parents alike to explore Gainesville and the surrounding Natural North Florida area!

Conveniently nestled in North Central Florida and just 90 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Gainesville truly is where nature and culture meet.

Gainesville is home to an array of world-class art and historical museums, many of which are actually located directly on campus such as the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Natural History. Too, our vast array of nearby state parks and attractions – several of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks – adds up to making the Greater Gainesville area a fun, educational, entertaining and inexpensive destination perfect for students as well as their visiting friends and family.  
 
Outdoor and nature-seeking enthusiasts thrive in Gainesville. The pristine Suwannee and Sante Fe rivers — both within an hour’s drive — and the largest number of high-magnitude springs in the world provide an incredible opportunity to experience the Florida’s often overlooked lush flora and fauna. 

With approximately 5,000 hotel rooms, seven charming bed and breakfasts – four of which are located near historic downtown — finding accommodations is typically an easy task. However, the opposite is true during graduation, football games and the annual GatorNationals racing event each March. We strongly encourage visitors to book early and to refer to Visit Gainesville to research accommodations availability. 

For additional information, please, Visit Gainesville, or call (866) 778-5002. We also encourage you to stop by our Official Visitors Center in downtown Gainesville at 30 East University Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Again, welcome to the University of Florida and to Gainesville and Alachua County, where nature and culture — and now you and your family — meet!