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Community


Community

Experience for yourself what it means to be a Florida Gator.

Gainesville is a quintessential college town with a median age of 26. Whether you're interested in local food, beautiful scenery, live music, or sporting events, there's something for everyone. On our beautiful 2,000 acre campus, you'll find a bustling community where something is always happening.

On campus, you'll find over 50 dining locations, 7 libraries, several nature trails, activities on the North Lawn or Plaza of the Americas, and so much more. We even have the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Harn Museum of Art located conveniently on campus.

Ready to experience the Gator Nation? Attend any of our athletic events such as a football, basketball, gymnastics, and swimming. You'll be cheering on some of the top athletes in the country.

Off campus, you'll enjoy local restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops. There's plenty of live music, performing arts, outdoor recreation, festivals, and farmer's markets. Just south of campus is Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park with diverse wildlife and great trails. Nearby, you'll find over 1,000 crystal-clear freshwater springs that stay 72°F year-round, miles of beaches on either coast, and Florida's top theme parks.

Planning a Visit?

For recommendations and things to do, Visit Gainesville can help you plan your visit.

VisitGainesville.com VisitGainesville.com

 

Enjoy bowling or arts & crafts in the Reitz Union. Visit the bat houses at dusk. Check out the newest exhibits or permanent collection at the Harn Museum of Art. And discover the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Reitz Union        Bat Houses        Harn Museum of Art        Florida Museum of Natural History

You'll find a variety of dining options in our community including several local favorites.

Local Restaurants        Local Breweries

Cheer on the Florida Gators with any of our 21 NCAA Division I teams. View the schedule, purchase tickets, or see our rankings.

FloridaGators.com        2025 Men's Basketball National Champs

UF is known for our Gator spirit and orange and blue colors.

We have several top homecoming activities like Gator Growl, one of the hottest shows on any college campus. It's recognized as one of the nation's largest student-run pep rallies and brings famous performers to campus. The homecoming parade is a great activity for the family and considered one the largest student-run parades in the country.

Throughout the rest of the year, watch the bats fly at dusk, listen to Century Tower, meet our mascots: Albert and Alberta, and learn how to Gator Chomp (hint: it's right over left).

Homecoming Events        Learn how to Gator Chomp

1853

Founding Date

UF traces its beginnings to 1853.

224

Days of Sunshine

Experience 224 days of sunshine on average each year.

2,000

Acres

Our beautiful 2,000 acre campus is located in Gainesville, FL.