Gainesville Vacation Packages & Travel Deals
Gainesville is a prominent educational and musical hub in Alachua County, Florida (US). It is a scenic city with a profound historic background that is clearly reflected in its architecture and culture. The city also has many museums, gardens, geological state parks and a bird sanctuary. Gainesville is also home to America’s second largest university, the University of Florida and its sports drink, Gatorade. Gainesville is also known for its vivid musical taste and live shows. You will find here numerous famous music bands like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Eagles, the Motels, Hot Water Music, Loyal Revival, Hundred Waters and For Squirrels.
Places of Interest in Gainesville
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Founded in 1971, it is Florida´s first state preserve and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. It is famous as a habitat center of numerous alligators, wild horses, bison and over 260 species of birds that live here. You can also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and bicycling opportunities in eight trails here. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park also has a 50-feet high observation tower near its visitor center to provide a panoramic view of the surroundings.
Devil's Millhopper
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is a miniature rain forest that lies in a 120 feet deep, bowl-shaped cavity. The site is marked by the limestone sides of a sinkhole that provides a profound geological record of the area like fossil deposits, marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals.
The Fest
The Fest is an annual, three days music festival in Gainesville that was first organized in May 2002. Essentially known for its Punk Rock music, it also plays Indie Rock, Metal and Ska acts. The best possible time to be a part of this exhilarating festival is a couple of days before the weekend that precedes the Florida-Georgia football game to be held in Jacksonville when Gainesville is left to the thousands of people attending and performing at The Fest.