Sights in Gainesville
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University of Florida
With more than 51,000 students and a 2000-acre campus, rambling University of Florida is the state’s oldest university. Established in 1853 as the East Florida Seminary in Ocala, UF later relocated to Gainesville and in 1906 the first class of students, numbering a paltry 102, cracked the books. The Holland Law Center stands near the site of American Indian burial mounds, and archaeologists have unearthed artifacts from pre-Columbian settlements here. For a campus map, visit http://campusmapufl.edu.
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Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
The highlight of these oasis-like 62-acre gardens is the water garden, which resembles an impressionist painting with four waterfalls, lily pads and a babbling brook courtesy of reclaimed wastewater from the regional utilities board.
From downtown take University Ave west to 13th St and turn left; continue to Archer Rd and turn right, following Archer 1 mile past I-75; the entrance is up the little dirt road on the right-hand side (look for the sign).
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Florida Museum of Natural History
The highlight of this excellent natural history museum is the expansive Butterfly Rainforest. Hundreds of butterflies from 55 to 65 species flutter freely in the soaring, screened vivarium. As you stroll among waterfalls and tropical foliage, peek at scientists preparing specimens in the rearing lab of this, the world’s largest butterfly research facility.
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D
Devil’s Millhopper State Geological Site
This geological site centers on a 120ft deep, 500ft wide funnel-shaped rainforest that’s entered by descending a 232-step wooden staircase. Water trickles down the slopes from the surrounding springs; some of it flows into a natural drain and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico. Rangers lead tours every Saturday at 10am.
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Graffiti Wall
Along the east side of SW 34th St just south of SW 2nd Ave, this graffiti-permitted wall is a flash point for the local political and creative zeitgeist. The only section off limits to taggers is the central panel - a moving memorial to the five UF students who were murdered in August 1990 by serial killer Daniel Rolling.
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Morningside Nature Center
Only 3 miles from downtown, this 278-acre nature center boasts seven natural communities, including hydric flatwoods, depression marshes and savannahs of longleaf pines. In addition to a picnic basket and a camera, be sure to bring your walking shoes: the center offers 7 miles of trails.
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