The Gainesville center point is about the area of Shands at AGH and the area of Florida Museum of Natural History.
Gainesville, FL is the home of the University Of Florida. It is a big city with a small town feel. I recommend visiting the Florida Museum of Natural History and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. If you stop by Lake Alice - there is a good chance you will see an Alligator! I recommend visiting between April and November.
Football season is big in Gator country, so avoid weekends with home games between late August and early December. Hotel prices skyrocket during these weekends as alumni and Gator fans travel in to catch the games, as well as those coming to cheer on the opposing team. You can score a better price on a hotel room during the late fall and winter, as long as you don't pick a weekend with a home football game. The colder weather detracts visitors who are looking for sunshine.
During the spring and the summer, the hotel room prices start to creep back up. You'll also see higher-than-average rates during the Gatornationals, an annual drag racing event held at the Gainesville Raceway in mid-March. The National Hot Rod Association sponsors this event and draws enthusiasts from around the country.
When you're looking for a group rate, check out the Gainesville hotels that offer better pricing when you book together. You may qualify for free room vouchers or discounts, and you'll always get the best group rate. One property that offers group discounts in the Gainesville area is America's Best Value Inn.
AAA members can also qualify for better rates at properties such as America's Best Value Inn, Quality Inn University, EconoLodge University, Wyndham Garden Gainesville, Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville, and Hilton Garden Inn Gainesville. Additional hotels offering AAA discounts include Red Roof Inn Plus Gainesville, Sleep Inn & Suites University/Shands, Residence Inn by Marriott Gainesville I-75, Holiday Inn Express Gainesville, and Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Gainesville FL. Baymont Inn & Suites Gainesville and Quality Inn are budget-friendly properties with additional savings available to AAA members.
One of the best value hotel properties in the area is Doubletree by Hilton Gainesville, which boasts upscale amenities at a reasonable price. The outdoor pool is open seasonally and includes sun loungers and umbrellas on the deck. This property also connects to a shopping center and offers room service and cocktails in the lounge. Each room has a pillow-top mattress, a refrigerator, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with cable, and complimentary toiletries. A complimentary shuttle operates within a 2-mile radius and parking is free for guests.
If you are looking for a home away from home, check out the Residence Inn by Marriott Gainesville I-75 or Home2Suites. Both properties offer spacious accommodations with kitchens in the rooms, boasting full-sized refrigerators and microwaves. Guests at either property will also have access to barbecue grills, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi. The Residence Inn hosts complimentary receptions on specific days and has a snack bar or deli in the lobby.
The Sweetwater Branch Inn is another property that delivers impressive value for the affordable price. Free breakfast is available daily, which includes freshly made options such as French toast casserole, potatoes, grits, eggs to order, frittatas, crepes, and meats. This intimate property has 20 guest rooms with fireplaces, pillow-top mattresses with Egyptian cotton sheets, free wireless and wired internet access, and complimentary newspapers. You can rent a bicycle to explore the area or relax on one of the five spa tubs. Join
When you visit the area, make sure to set aside some time to walk around the University of Florida campus. Other top attractions include the Ichetucknee Springs State Park, which offers river tubing excursions during the summer months, the Florida Museum of Natural History, and the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. The Harn Museum of Art has an impressive collection of African and Asian pieces, while The Matheson History Museum is a must-see with its collection of vintage postcards.
Visitors have several transportation options while in Gainesville. Bus service is available through the Regional Transit System. You can also rent a car at the airport or at locations throughout the city. Most hotels offer free parking for guests. Gainesville is also one of the top 10 bike-friendly cities in the U.S. with plenty of dedicated bike lanes, trails, and bike racks at businesses throughout the city.
Whether you're cheering on the Gators at a home game or enjoying a relaxing vacation, you're sure to have a great time in Gainesville.
Below are reviews of the city of Gainesville, FL from an actual visitor's perspective.
Awesome town!
Gainsville is the perfect Southern Community, everyone was so very nice to my son and me!!!
Going to the drag races for the Gator Nationals!
There was a nice restaurant connected to the hotel.
Visited The Gator and the National Drag Races.
Gainesville is a very nice town. Shands Hospital is a very excellent hospital.
All was good!
Visited Natural History Museum Butterfly Exhibit.
A lot to offer, clean.
I was there to see doctors at UF HEALTH.
Very easy to get around town. The shops and restaurants being close to the hotel was great.
A great city!
Historic, safe and quaint!
Hotel is okay.
There are many options for dining out and I was satisfied with the food options.
Proximity to hospital.
Proximity to local hospitals, University of Florida, movie theaters, shopping and a variety of restaurants.
Gainesville and the area are nice. We were there to take our dog to the University Animal Hospital.
The museum and the butterfly garden!
Room was very clean and comfortable. Staff was friendly and helpful.
Loved the city. We plan to visit again soon.
Everything is at your fingertips!
Everything is very close to hotel!
University of Florida
Beautiful college campus.
We ate at Northwest Grille and recommend Harry's Seafood. We come for medical reasons and we do not spend time sightseeing.
The hotel was clean, and the rooms were nice. Plenty of restaurants and a mall close by, about 3 mikes from Shands Hospital.
It is a beautiful city and we love those GATORS of UF! GO GATORS!!!!
MANY DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS!
Lovely tree shaded streets. Went to Kanapaha Gardens and biked on a trail.
Was at a conference and did not leave the hotel.
I was in Gainesville for a college gymnastics meet.
I was in Gainesville for a college gymnastics meet.
We are here for a doctor's appt. We have enjoyed shopping in the Archer Road area near the interstate. Have not been to other areas. We found a wonderful little church to attend, Oak Park.
Words cannot express how overjoyed I was in being there!
Very clean and comfortable.
Fabulous!!!The room was very clean and comfortable.
Lots of restaurants and shops.
Beauty of the area and the people are very warm in their greetings and they are very helpful, as this was my first time in this area.
santa fee teaching zoo and a lot of hiking
Great staff. Nice shopping areas close to hotel.
Gainesville Airport was fantastic.
Sante Fe College and my granddaughter.
Loved the butterfly rainforest!
Was in Gainesville for mother in-law's surgery at North Florida Hospital
Gainesville is a very vibrant city, anchored by the University and a great student body. We visited for the University health system which is outstanding.
Every one was very pleasant and helpful.
Gainesville has a great assortment of parks for grandchildren to play.
I love the museum, Butterfly World and the open country.
Restaurants & shopping!
I had a place to lay my head, food to eat, and resources to do other things. It was a blessing to be here and more of a blessing to have my purpose fulfilled.
Restaurants were great!
Lots of shopping and food options. It is a really welcoming city with a lot to do.
Un lugar muy tranquilo, pronto estaré viajando más a menudo porque mi hija menor viene a estudiar aquí
Lots of good restaurants.
Desk manager was friendly and helpful.
Great place to stay in Gainesville!
There is a lot to do in Gainseville. We went downtown for dinner one night and there was a free open air concert going on. Gainesville is nice because it has everything! The hotel is clean and close to the main roads, there are plenty of restaurants, both fast food and nice sit down places.
Beautiful
Good atmosphere and the surroundings, near the UF Hospital where I was going to have surgery the next morning.
Lots of things to do!!
Love it!
we were there for a wedding. Gainesville/Alachu Enjoyed the weekend.
Good
Everything is close by
Location
Lots of wonderful attractions and activity choices in that area.
Gatornation!!!!! Go Gators!!!!
Close to Mall.
It is a very nice town, friendly and everything is accessible.
Great college town!