Gainesville and the Surrounding Area
The 2000 acre main campus of the University of Florida is situated within the city limits of Gainesville, the county seat of Alachua county. Surrounded by the gentle hills of North Central Florida, we are about 90 miles southwest of Jacksonville and 120 miles northeast of Tampa. The area around Gainesville encompasses many state parks and national wildlife refuges reflecting the region's commitment to wildlife and natural resource preservation. These features include the 120 foot deep sinkhole Devil's Millhopper, the Payne's Prairie State Preserve where numerous sand hill cranes overwinter and the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens with its hummingbird garden and other demonstration gardens. Thanks to the area's unique geography and the underground limestone formations of the Floridan Acquifer, hundreds of freshwater springs are within short distances of Gainesville. About a hour's drive to the east or west are the Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches. Some of the state's best freshwater fishing is available in area lakes and the Santa Fe river.
Blessed with a favorable climate, the area provides the opportunity for numerous outdoor activities. Golfers can enjoy year round play. The pathways for jogging and bicycling are popular and provide scenic routes. The city's recreation department sponsors organized programs for most sports. College sports enthusiasts can enjoy top ranked NCAA Division 1 sports. As a member of the competitive Southeastern Conference, the University of Florida Gators compete annually for conference and national Championships. Racing fans can enjoy the National Hot Rod Association's Gatornationals Drag Races, held annually in the spring. Talented artists display their work at frequent, nationally known art shows and festivals.
Gainesville is home to The Hippodrome State Theatre which offers a season series live theatre and film showings. A professional regional theatre, the Hippodrome has been designated a Cultural Institute and a State Theatre of Florida. The University offers concert series and well-known musical groups frequently appear. Also located on campus are the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art as well as the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Opening in September, 1990, the Harn has become recognized as a leader of university art museums and ranks in the top ten nationally. With its' full-size proscenium stage and orchestra pit, the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has the capablity of staging musicals, ballets, symphonies and more. The University of Florida is also the home of the Florida Museum of Natural History. Chartered in 1917, Florida Museum is the official natural history museum of Florida and is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast
With a population of over 109,000 and home to 48,000 UF students, Gainesville enjoys the influences the University brings while maintaining a quiet charm. Numerous turn of the century homes have been renovated and restored for residential as well as business use. There are many quality antique shops in the vicinity. Gainesville has been recognized as an All American Tree City for its' efforts to preserve the tree canopy of the city. Click Gainesville for more information.
