For those looking for a warm economical winter retreat without all the hustle and bustle of the larger more expensive seaside cities, Gainesville Florida may be the perfect spot for you! Flush with energy and surrounded by nature, you will soon read which cheap Gainesville activities make this flourishing city a top spot for an economical and unforgettable adventure!
If you’re lucky, you may land cheap tickets right into the small Gainesville airport itself. For others, looking at flying into Jacksonville (about 1 hour and 30 minutes away) or Orlando (about 1 hour and 45 minutes away) and renting a car could be a more economical option as well. Uber and lyft are widely available in the city, however to truly experience the many cheap Gainesville attractions, you will need a car. Consider some cheap car rentals HERE. For more info on planning an elite trip to Orlando, read one of our previous posts HERE!
Gainesville is widely known as home to the University of Florida and the Florida Gators (name for the sports teams affiliated with the University). The University attracts massive crowds during certain times of the year, most prominently Florida Football games and major University events like graduation. When planning any trip to Gainesville, you would do well to keep the University schedule in mind. Accommodations fill up fast and prices can get steep in this small city during peak times.
Due to its proximity to such a large University, though small, the city of Gainesville does have plenty of accommodations to choose from. If you don’t have a brother in law to crash with (like moi), consider perusing Airbnb, VRBO, or looking at the abundance of cheap Gainesville hotels near Butler Plaza (found HERE).
Without further ado, let’s begin with the top cheap Gainesville activities when gallivanting around this funky city!
Silver Springs State Park
Since the 1850s, Silver Springs has attracted visitors from across the country to gaze in wonder upon its crystal clear waters and world famous (and original) glass bottom boats. It has been a location for several Hollywood movie scenes and productions as well. Located just 50 minutes south of the city, this cheap Gainesville activity was once considered perhaps the top attraction in the entire state (until Mr. Walt Disney moved in). Today, visitors can tour the springs with either a 30 minute or extended 90 minute glass bottom boat tour. On our recent trip, we opted for the more popular 30 minute tour and found it an adequate amount of time to take in the glass bottom boat experience, while leaving enough time to enjoy the rest of the park. Also note that the 30 minute tour is on an enclosed boat (the extended tour was not), so consider the weather when making your decision as well. Book YOUR glass bottom boat tour HERE!
Overall, we found the tour more impressive than expected. The water was crystal clear making viewing of the springs and wildlife easy and enjoyable. We saw many types of fish and turtles, which if anything seemed attracted to boat, offering even more optimal viewing. We were informed that visitors are occasionally lucky enough to witness manatees and alligators as well. Our captain offered knowledgeable narration throughout the tour and was able and willing to answer any questions we had. He said that the clarity of the water is due to countless unground springs which funnel clear flowing water into the river 24/7. The spring water enters the river through numerous “vents,” many of which are clearly visible from the glass bottom boats many feet below.
The park has a small restaurant (closed when we were there and replaced by a food truck) and gift shop in addition to hiking trails, guided boat tours, and kayak rentals. Wanna hear something wild? Silver Springs also has its own sustaining population of wild rhesus monkeys. You heard that right, monkeys. Descended from just a handful of original monkeys initially released onto a small island for a tourist attraction, these rhesus monkeys quickly escaped their island prison and have been living in the park relatively unchecked since. Although we did not see any monkeys on our recent trip, many visitors do, making the park an even larger draw. It should be noted that although fascinating to witness, these monkeys can be aggressive and should be avoided or at a minimum enjoyed from a safe and reasonable distance. They have been known to chase tourists and we’ve read that many even have a rare but serious herpes infection.
Crystal River Manatee Snorkeling Tour
Crystal River is the only place in Florida where you can swim with Manatees. During the winter months, hundreds of manatees leave open water and descend on Crystal River, seeking the 72 degree year round temperatures generated from countless freshwater springs. Although you can technically see manatees in Crystal River year round, the best time for viewing is from December to February. This cheap Gainesville activity is located about 1 hour and 20 minutes southeast of the city!
Visitors can view the manatees by boat, paddleboard, or kayak however we believe the best way to experience these gentle magnificent giants is with a guided snorkel tour. Book like us through Plantation Adventure Center and Manatee Tours HERE or look for other options on Get Your Guide or Viator. Don’t worry, most tours provide thick wetsuits for those more chilly winter days. Our captain even provided us with some complimentary “Manatee Mocha” (mix of hot chocolate and coffee) to help us keep warm as well.
We found the tour phenomenal! The wetsuits kept us warm and our knowledgeable guides provided the best opportunity for finding and interacting with the manatees. We were lucky enough to have a “one in a million” manatee that actually seemed more interested in us then we with it. The manatee frequently came up to those in our group, gently holding on or resting its head in our laps as we floated in the bay. It was joined by several other manatees that were equally docile and enjoyable to see. The tour seemed very safe and well run. The wetsuits provide buoyancy to help float and pool noodles were available for the more faint of heart as well.
Paynes Prairie Preserve
Paynes Prairie Preserve seems a little out of place but because of this even more fascinating. The preserve encompasses savannah, forest, and marshland habitats and is the only place in Florida to see wild bison and horses. That’s right wild bison and horses inhabit this 21,000 acre preserve, in addition to over 300 species of birds, alligators and numerous other critters. This cheap Gainesville activity is located less than 20 minutes outside of the city as well!
The preserve allows camping, biking, horseback riding, boating, fishing and hiking. Hikers can choose from 8 different trails within the preserve. Bikers or those wishing to bring pets should click HERE to review the website and determine which trails are suitable for these activities. Upon arriving at the preserve, we would recommend first heading to the main entrance at the ranger station. Here, you can pay your $6 vehicle fee and helpful rangers will often tell you where best to see the bison and horses. For those looking to see gators, LaChua trail is likely your best option on any day.
In addition to looking for gators and bison, visitors should always make time for the visitors center and observation tower. The observation tower stretches over 50 feet into the sky and provides panoramic views of the southern rim of the prairie.
Devils Millhopper State Park
No list of cheap Gainesville activities is complete without mentioning Devil’s Millhopper State Park. This geological treasure consists of a 1.1 mile out and back trail (previously a 1 mile loop but the bridge is presently under construction) with an offshoot down to a deep limestone sinkhole, the main attraction of the park. The 232 step boardwalk follows Deer Run Stream as it descends nearly 120 feet into one of the largest sinkholes in Florida. The shaded slopes and numerous small streams actually create a miniature rainforest, with lush vegetation often visible in even the driest points of summer.
The naming of the park is actually quite fascinating. Early visitors noted that the funneled walls of the sinkhole resembled that of a “hopper” used to filter grain onto a millstone. They also noted an excess of animal bones filtered into the sinkhole as well and joked that the sinkhole was feeding bones to the devil, and thus the name was born.
This fascinating place is open daily from 8A-sundown with a $4 charge per vehicle, paid at a machine upon entry. There is a very small visitors center type pavilion with bathrooms and some picnic tables. The park is located on the northwestern edge of Gainesville and can be enjoyed for 30 minutes (if you just quickly wanted to go down to the sinkhole) or for up to 2 hours or so (if you take your time walking the trail and enjoying the sinkhole).
Florida Museum of Natural History and University of Florida (UF) Bat Houses
Located in the heart of the city, the Florida Museum of History is perfect for those interested in learning more about the unique biodiversity of the state as well as those simply needing an enjoyable and cheap Gainesville rainy day activity. The main part of the museum is FREE, however donations are accepted and encouraged. The museum houses millions of specimens and cultural artifacts from around the state in several permanent exhibits, and cycles new and interesting temporary exhibits (which often require a fee) as well. At the time of this post, visitors can visit the Butterfly Rainforest. Here, you will walk through a lush, tropical, and netted outdoor enclosure which is home to over 50 different species of butterflies as well as numerous fishes, turtles and birds.
Located just 1 mile down the road from the museum are the famed UF Bat Houses. Originally constructed to keep bats from roosting in the nearby UF sports stadium, the houses now lodge approximately 500,000 bats and are the largest occupied bat houses in the entire world!
The emergence of the bat for their nightly endeavors is now a bit of a spectacle. Viewing is free and visitors can park at a free lot adjacent to the field where the bat houses are located. The bats typically emerge 15-20 minutes after sunset, so plan on arriving maybe 30 minutes early to ensure you don’t miss the biggest swarms. Note that the weather will affect their behavior, and they may not fly at all on colder stormier nights.
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