There are many beautiful nature parks in Gainesville. The Bivens Arm Nature Park is a 57-acre park that has marsh and a nature trail. Here you will probably see some of the natural wildlife. The best thing about Bivens Arm is that it is free to visit! The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to explore the beautiful flowers of Florida. Plan a visit in the spring or early summer to see the best blooms! The Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a unique home to twenty biological communities. Here you can see wild horses, buffalo, and alligators in their natural habitats! The Poe Springs Park is located on the Santa Fe River. Here you can swim, boat, or explore the nature trails. Finally, the San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is a great location to observe bobcats, deer, foxes, and many beautiful bird species. Take your bike to enjoy many of these beautiful parks.
There are many other ways to explore nature in Gainesville. A very charming location to visit is the Retirement Home for Horses. Here the horses that are rescued by the ASPCA can retire in luxury. Also, horses that retire from public service, such as police horses, can come here to live out their days. The farm is open to visitors on Saturdays, and the admission is two carrots!
The Morningside Nature Center, which is near to downtown Gainesville, is home to many unique Florida plants. The Nature Center holds events for school-age children throughout the year, to educate them about the conservation and history of the area. You can enjoy interactive exhibits and nature trails when visiting Morningside.
One of the most unique attractions of Gainesville is the Butterfly Rainforest, which is located in the Florida Museum of Natural History. Here you can explore screened in buildings that house around sixty different species of butterflies. The butterflies flutter free around visitors as the stroll through the recreated rainforest. Bring your camera! You are sure to get some stunning pictures at the Butterfly Rainforest! Outside of the butterflies’ habitat, you can explore the exhibits of the attraction, including the stunning “Wall of Wings,” an exhibit with thousands of butterfly and moths from around the world.
If you are planning a visit, you are probably wondering which of the Gainesville motels is right for you. Gainesville boasts six bed-and-breakfasts, including the Grady House, Herlong Mansion, the Laurel Oak Inn, Magnolia Plantation, the Rustic Inn, and the Sweetwater Branch Inn. These bed-and-breakfasts offer visitors the rustic charm of the South. Of course, the more traditional Gainesville motels abound. Along I-75 you can find hotels for every budget, from the Days Inn to the Super 8 to the Courtyard by Marriott. Whatever your tastes, there is a Gainesville motel for you!