Hidden Gems: Gainesville, FL

Who would have known that a college town in the middle of Central Florida could have so many beautiful attractions?

As a college student, there is more to life than being in the library (hopefully my parents are not reading this!), so I set out to explore the town that I am calling my home for the next four years. I was astounded to find some of the places that are right around the corner from me.

If you ever find yourself driving through or are looking for an enjoyable place to vacation make sure to check out these places in Gainesville!

Devil’s Den

This area is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen. It is an old sinkhole that many people now go to and swim or SCUBA dive and look at the underwater rock fixtures. The prices vary for whether or not you want to snorkel or SCUBA dive but the prices are extremely fair and cheap for such a cool location. Since it is a spring, it keeps a constant temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year so that you can swim there any day of the year! While you are snorkeling or SCUBA diving keep your eyes open for the fossil beds or the stalagmites. I was able to find an arrowhead when I went. This Spring will be a unique place you will go to in Gainesville.

 

Payne’s Prarie 

When people travel, they typically go to various cities. In Gainesville, you can enjoy the aspect of a city with the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature. Payne’s Prarie is the perfect place to go and stargaze after having dinner at one of the local restaurants. The sky is always so clear the community usually has a monthly stargazing event, and whenever there is an eclipse everyone comes out. There is also a lookout to watch the sunrise or sunset over. It is truly a piece of old Florida that is hard to find. This photo was taken on an iPhone, so you can only imagine how clear it is in real life.

Lake Alice

Although you cannot go swimming in this lake, I think that this is the gem of Gainesville. This lake sits in the heart of UF’s campus. It has a chapel that sits on the lake, which is non-denominational, so there is no need to worry about different religions. I really cannot put into words the beauty of this place. I love to go for walks to get rid of stress around the lake, read books, or just simply look at it. Here are pictures of not only the lake but the chapel named the Baughman Center as well.

 

So there you have it. The top three most beautiful places to visit in Gainesville. Make sure to see these places if you visit!