North Florida Things to Do

Alachua County, Florida

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Map of Alachua County, Florida



Attractions, Museums & Culture in Alachua County, Florida

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  • Alachua Florida

    • Tilton Pottery
      Ceramic fine art potter specializing in crystalline matte glazes. His work is featured in many national galleries.

  • Archer Florida

    • Archer Historic Society Depot Museum
      Visit one of the oldest restored train stations in Florida as you learn about the town of Archer. The community museum houses photographs, artifacts, documents and a small library. Local disnitaries, antique clothing, railroad and school memorabilia are on display. Open to the public, Saturday 3:00pm - 6:00pm. Also on the Florida Jewish Heritage Trail.

  • Cross Creek Florida

  • Earleton Florida

    • Greathouse Butterfly Farm
      The Original Greahouse Butterfly Farm is a working farm specializing in raising butterflies native to Florida.

  • Gainesville Florida

    • Artisan's Guild Gallery
      The Artisan’s Guild Gallery of Gainesville, Florida offers a fine selection of handmade art and craft.

    • Florida Museum of Natural History's Butterfly Fest
      Fun takes flight at ButterflyFest: Admission to ButterflyFest is free! ButterflyFest is dedicated to increasing awareness of Florida's butterflies as fun, fascinating ambassadors to the natural world. Activities will promote inquiry and provide a call to action for the conservation and preservation of backyard wildlife and habitats. ButterflyFest offers something for everyone! Throughout the weekend, all ages can participate in fun and educational activities, including take-away crafts for children, informative workshops, and presentations on conservation and attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Take part in a special field trip or tour and shop for unique butterfly and garden gifts.

    • Florida Musuem of Natural History
      The Florida Museum of Natural History, located at the University of Florida, is dedicated to understanding, preserving, and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage.

    • Gainesville Christmas Historic Home Tour
      Step back in time and kick-off the holidays by reserving your luxurious and cozy weekend away at one of our charming Bed & Breakfasts during Gainesville’s Annual Historic Holiday Homes Tour December 11–13. Lavishly decked for the holidays, each of our four downtown B&B’s are offering exclusive holiday packages; including two-night accommodations, holiday wine & cheese, and admission for two for the Holiday Historic Homes Tour on the evening of Saturday, December 12. For full details about the Holiday Historic Homes Tour visit the Matheson Museum website(http://www.mathesonmuseum.org/).

    • Historic Haile Homestead at Kanapaha Plantation
      The Historic Haile Homestead is unique in the nation for its “Talking Walls.”

    • Matheson Historical Center
      The Matheson Historical Center preserves and interprets the history of Alachua County, and endeavors to make local history more meaningful to residents and visitors, through exhibitions, public programs, publications, and maintaining collections of books, documents, and material culture that relate to the area's past. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9:30am-1:30pm, 2nd and 4th Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm.

    • McIntyre Stained Glass Studio
    • Morningside Farm and Forest Festival
      The Farm and Forest Festival is the largest festival at Morningside Nature Center Living History Farm. The Festival, which takes place on April 25th, highlights North Central Florida rural life in 1870. Visitors can view historic-breed farm animals, hear period music, and observe traditional crafts and trades such as sheepshearing, spinning, weaving, and woodstove cooking. Horse-drawn wagon rides and crafts add to the merriment of this family-friendly event!

    • Morningside Nature ParkCenter and Farmstead
      Morningside is the base for environmental education and folk life programs provided by Nature Operations. Elementary groups come to Morningside and other nature parks daily throughout the school year for curriculum enrichment programs, including programs on farm life, the native Timucua people, life of the wetlands, or other ecosystem exploring programs. Elementary and middle school students can come for day camps during school holidays. Fall wildflower walks are offered every Saturday in October. Adults can register for hands-on seminar style classes on traditional crafts and Florida's natural history. The Living History Farm hosts two large events per year and farm days every Saturday. Friends of Nature Parks co-sponsor two Native Plant Sales in fall and spring with the Native Plant Society and Nature Operations.

    • Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
      The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art promotes the power of the arts to inspire and educate people and enrich their lives.

    • Santa Fe Gallery
    • Sante Fe Community College Teaching Zoo
      One of the only teaching zoos in the country. Shaded walkways to see animals up close and personal. By appointment or on Saturdays during school year. Check before going. FAX - 352-395-7365

    • Thomas Center
      Considered Gainesville's cultural center, the Thomas Center is housed in a beautifully restored Mediterranean Revival-style hotel. The Thomas Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and contains art galleries, 1920's Period Rooms, local history exhibits, performance space, banquet rooms, and meeting rooms. It is surrounded by the lovely Thomas Center Gardens, and the Grace and Sidney Knight Children's Theatre. Open to the public, Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, and Saturday/Sunday, 1:00pm-4:00pm.

    • Thornbrook Gallery

  • Hawthorne Florida

    • Hawthorne Historical Museum and Cultural Center
      The museum houseses artifacts, collectibles, and photographs that capture the drama and charm of Hawthorne's past. Local artisans and artists display their work in changing exhibits. Open to the public, Friday-Sunday, 1:00pm-5:00pm.

  • High Springs Florida

    • High Springs Gallery
      The High Springs Gallery is an American Craft Showplace located in historic downtown High Springs, Florida currently representing over 450 local, regional and national artists and craftsmen

  • Micanopy Florida

  • Newberry Florida

    • Dudley Farm Historic State Park
      Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1850s to the mid-1940s-through three generations of the Dudley family.