Are you traveling to Gainesville with your little ones soon? Don’t worry; it’s totally doable. The town is filled with fun activities, both outdoors and indoors, that both you and they will love. After all, why should you sacrifice your fun, too? Read on to discover some of our favorite things to do in Gainesville, FL, with kids, and start planning a wonderful family vacation!
Make sure you download our free Vacation Guide to discover even more fun activities in Gainesville! It features all our favorite local restaurants, events, shops, museums, outdoor adventures, and more.
Discover 5 Things to Do in Gainesville, FL, with Kids
Explore the Outdoors
We all know little ones have a lot of energy, and that’s why a nice stroll in the park can be very beneficial (and fun!) for them. One of our favorite spots in Gainesville is the Sweetwater Wetlands Park. You can enjoy a scenic walk through the marsh and even spot some wildlife! A little less wild park to visit is Depot Park. It’s one of the newest additions to the city and provides a great playground for kids. If it’s a hot day, they can splash around at the blue grotto waterfall!
Visit a Museum
Did you know Gainesville has a variety of museums you can visit with your children? The CADE Museum, for example, is right by Depot Park, so don’t hesitate to start with that one while you’re in the area. Another good museum to discover is the Florida Museum of Natural History. It’s one of the top five natural history museums in the country!
Go to the Butterfly Rainforest
Who doesn’t love butterflies? Take your children to the Butterfly Rainforest while you’re in town! Explore the 6,400-square-foot exhibit and marvel at more than 50 species of butterflies. Who knows, if you’re lucky enough, one might just land on you!
Unveil the Secret World of Bats at the Lubee Bat Conservancy
We saved the best for last. One of our absolute favorite things to do in Gainesville with kids is to visit the Lubee Bat Conservancy. These animals are some of the cutest yet so unknown by the general public, and at the conservancy, you get to discover their secret world! This non-profit organization strives to protect the several bat species and is home to a conservation and research center, as well as over 200 bats. They offer tours throughout the week, which usually last about two hours. Make sure you book in advance on their website as all tours need to be scheduled.
Enjoy a Fantastic Place to Stay
At Sweetwater Inn, we’re all for family getaways. That’s why we welcome families and even pets! Most of our rooms offer the option to sleep multiple guests with pullout couches. We also offer private cottages that are perfect for family stays! Take a look at Nora Belle’s Cottage, for example. This spacious cottage can sleep up to six people with two bedrooms and a pullout couch in the living room. It also features a kitchen and dining room, making it the perfect place to spend some quality time with the ones you love, and feel at home! Did you know we also offer a complimentary, homemade breakfast to our guests? It’s so yummy you’ll wish it were morning all day long.