| Do you plan on being in Gainesville anytime soon? | | | | Milhopper is an amazing sinkhole that is over 100 feet |
| Maybe you're a Florida Gators fan or a rival in town | | | | deep and 500 feet across that is located in Devil's |
| to watch a game? Maybe you're a new student or | | | | Millhopper Geological State Park about two miles |
| professor at the University of Florida? Regardless of | | | | northwest of Gainesville. You can walk to the bottom |
| the reason for being in Gainesville, here's some | | | | of it on a winding staircase. Small streams fall down |
| activities that won't hurt your wallet and let you stick | | | | the steep slopes. This park is open from 9am-5pm |
| it to the man. Although I am not sure who this man | | | | Wednesday-Sunday. There is a small admission fee of |
| is, we'll definitely help you stick it to him regardless.1. | | | | $2.00 per vehicle and $1.00 if on foot or bicycle. For |
| Check out the alligators at Lake AliceLake Alice is a | | | | info: call Devil Millhopper Geological State Park at |
| great place to relax in nature, and still be in the middle | | | | 352-955-2008.5. Check out the Florida Museum of |
| of the City. Placed in the heart of the University of | | | | Natural HistoryThis is Florida's official natural history |
| Florida campus, you can find a great spot to sit down | | | | museum and features over 20 million specimens. It is |
| and watch alligators as they pop their heads out of | | | | the largest museum of natural history in the |
| the water. It is located at the corner of Museum and | | | | southeastern United States. Admission to the |
| North South Drive. There are benches to sit down at, | | | | museum is free although it is suggested to leave a |
| open grass to have a picnic, and a trail that wraps | | | | donation. There is a separate fee if you want to |
| around the lake. The best part is that it's completely | | | | check out the popular Butterfly Rainforest, where |
| free. Heck you could even take a date there and pull | | | | you can view thousands (yes thousands) of different |
| the romantic card while in reality you just care about | | | | types of butterflies. It is a remake of the Amazon |
| your own bank account but she'll never know.2. Take | | | | Rainforest. The museum is located on the University |
| a tour at the Santa Fe ZooDidn't think Gainesville has | | | | of Florida campus on SW 34th Street and Hull Road. |
| a zoo? Well at the community college it does! About | | | | For further info, here is the link to their site: Go |
| a 15 minute drive from the heart of Gainesville, Santa | | | | walking, biking, or rollerblading on |
| Fe Community College has the only zoo around north | | | | Gainesville-Hawthorne State TrailThis scenic trail lasts |
| central Florida. With over 200 different animals and 75 | | | | for 16 miles from the Gainesville Boulware Springs |
| species, you'll see numerous mammals, birds, reptiles | | | | Park through the Paynes Prairie State Park and the |
| and amphibians being displayed in a naturally wooded | | | | Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area. The wooded |
| environment. Tours are free and are held at specific | | | | trail features native plants and wildlife and upon |
| times on weekdays and weekends. Here's the | | | | arriving in Paynes Prairie you might see bison, wild |
| website for the zoo: Float down the warm crystal | | | | horses or cranes. Use of the Gainesville-Hawthorne |
| clear water of Ginny SpringsThis could be coolest | | | | Trail State Park is free according to the website. |
| place in the entire region. Within 45 minutes of | | | | Here is the link for hours, contact info, directions and |
| Gainesville, Ginnie Springs offers crystal clear water | | | | more: Relax at Lake Wauberg (note: this is only open |
| that is 72 degrees year round, perfect for floating | | | | to UF students, faculty, staff and up to four |
| down the river on a tube, snorkeling, and even scuba | | | | guests)Located only 8 miles from campus, this |
| diving. You can rent equipment from one of the local | | | | recreational site offers UF students, faculty, and |
| shops or bring your own. Take a cooler with some | | | | guests free access to boating, volleyball, a ropes |
| drinks down the river while enjoying the scenery | | | | course, a climbing wall, picnics, and more with their |
| (yes, the cooler floats also). You can choose the long | | | | Gator 1 cards. As far as boating you can take out |
| ride down the river (about 2 hours) or the short one | | | | kayaks, sailboats, paddleboats, and rowboats. The |
| (about 45 minutes). There's an admission fee of $10 | | | | site is open Tuesday through Friday from |
| for adults and $3 for children ages 7-14. There could | | | | 12:00pm-7:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from |
| be additional rental fees if you need equipment but | | | | 10:00am-7:00pm.Try out these activities above and |
| this is all definitely worth the money since you can | | | | you can save significantly on your stay in Gainesville. |
| spend the entire day and/or night at the Springs. | | | | Enjoy!Brought to you by |
| Here's their website: Go to Devil's MilhopperDevil's | | | | Talk Florida Gators football, basketball, and more! |