Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Fun Activities and Historic Landmarks of Gainesville, Florida


Gainesville is the largest city in Alachua County. The city was born after the proposed route of the Florida Railroad that links Fernandina and Cedar Key bypassed Newnansville.  The residents of Alachua County decided to create a new town in the railroad line and make it the county seat.  The city was named after Seminole Indian War General Edmund P. Gaines, a hero of the War in 1812, and was founded in 1853.

Gainesville offers a lot of fun activities and historical landmarks for family and tourist. The city is known for its beautiful landscapes that have a wide range of set and pine forests, wetlands and farms and panoramic view even while you are just driving through Gainesville. The city is leaving you breathless. Due to the city’s advocacy in conserving the natural beauty and its rich history, Gainesville is home to lots of parks and museums. Here are the fun places to go in Gainesvlle, Florida:

·         The Florida Museum of Natural History has a collection of 28 million artifacts. It has one of the world’s largest collections of butterflies and moths. The main attractions in the museum are the permanent exhibits that show Florida’s diversified culture and unique habitats.  This permanent exhibit includes a live butterfly display, nature artwork, and coastal wildlife and how people connect to the environment. There is also other exhibit like Fossil Plant Garden and the Florida Wildflower. Florida Museum of Natural History is located at the University of Florida.

·         Santa Fe College Teaching zoo is part of Zoo Animal Technology Program. The zoo offers hands-on experience to students in taking care of the animals. It is a fun program since children can enjoy working in the zoo after they graduated from the program.  The Santa Fe College Teaching zoo has a collection of 75 different species and animals. Visitors can enjoy strolling around the zoo.

·         Gum Root Park and Swamp Conservation Area covers 741 acres of forest wetlands including bald cypress, gum trees and pond cypress domes. It is a fun place for wildlife viewing and bird watching. Gum Root Swamp is a good place to visit for its diverse, natural habitats of different species of fish and birds.

·         Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art is for art enthusiasts. Visitors can take a look on Gainesville’s featured artists such as Ansel Adams, George Bellows and Maggie Taylor. It is known to be one of the largest art museums in the Southeast part. The museum is home to 6200 works of collected arts. It is located in the University of Florida.

·         Paynes Prairie is a historical place in Gainesville. It was granted as a U.S. National Natural Landmark. It is where Seminole tribe of the Alachua band settled in the 18th century under the leader, chief Ahaya the Cowkeeper. The park features exhibits and audio visual program that explains the areas rich cultural history.

·         Gainesville-Hawthorne State Rail Trail is made to provide a place for walking, jogging, cycling, and horseback riding. The trail is 16 miles from the Gainesville’s Boulware Springs Park and stretches through the Paynes Prarie Preserve State Park and the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.


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