About Gainesville

US Airways Magazine - Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville – Where Nature and Culture Meet in North Florida

Gainesville is a university community located in North Central Florida midway between the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. The area is known for its natural beauty with its stately live oaks and many springs, lakes, and rivers. There are a number of parks in Gainesville and the surrounding area where residents and their families can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, bicycling, camping, and other sports. The climate encourages outdoor activities throughout the year. Gainesville offers the excitement of a large city with the convenience of a small town. Culturally, the city is enriched by the influence of the University. The population of Gainesville is approximately 111,000 with a surrounding population of 220,000. The city offers a diverse cultural environment, excellent public schools, and a low cost of living, which makes Gainesville an attractive and affordable place to live. Gainesville was ranked #1 in the Top 10 College Towns: Great Cities for School & Life After Graduation by Livability.com.


Explore Gainesville in 60 Seconds


Fun in Gainesville

Dance, Musical and Theatrical Performance Venues

UF Performing Arts

The Phillips Center for Performing Arts, The University Auditorium, The Baughman Center hosts a variety of musical and theatrical events in three venues.

The Phillips Center for Performing Arts

Museums

Cade Museum

The Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention is named for Dr. James Robert Cade, a professor of renal (kidney) medicine at the University of Florida and the lead inventor of the sports drink Gatorade.

aerial view of the cade museum

The University Gallery

University Galleries is comprised of three art galleries that play an integral role in the teaching mission of the School of Art + Art History, College of the Arts at the University of Florida, as well as serving the entire UF and Gainesville community.

University Galleries

Santa Fe Gallery

The broad range of quality artwork shown at the Santa Fe Gallery, Exhibition Halls, and in public spaces on the Campuses suggests to college students, faculty, staff and visitors the endless variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional arts.

Woman looking at abstract painting

Athletics and Outdoor Activities

Lake Alice

Lake Alice is a signature feature of the University of Florida campus. It is a proven sanctuary to alligators as well as many birds.

View of lake alice

Restaurants

Gainesville is home to many diverse restaurants. From locally owned to large chains, you won’t go hungry in our town.


Housing in Gainesville