Atlas Obscura needs to know about this most excellent place in Gainesville, Florida! Equal parts…read moremuseum, theatre, and local music venue, Theatre of Memory is an absolute must if you are looking for something fun to do (and a little bit different!) in Gainesville. Bill, the docent/curator/museum director, greeted us as we arrived and the tour began almost immediately. He exuded theatricality and really brought the place alive. From the wheel room, to the Beatles exhibit, through the platform shoe and tea collections, Bill had fun stories to tell about everything. We thoroughly enjoyed our late afternoon tour and returned later that evening for a music performance put on by an incredibly talented musician from Maine who played piano music and told stories inspired by nature and place to a sold out audience. This is a really cool place full of food for the thought. We have not stopped talking about things we saw or heard during our visit. A visit to Theatre of Memory is definitely recommended during your visit to the Gainesville area.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! This is a place I go for inspo and refreshment. I mention it in my little…read morepodcast episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q-7dXGM1wc https://open.spotify.com/episode/7AVDzYG9l9OUJzVAxF1e0t?si=1m6pyudZTC6FPpriw7ojwA

Nice selection of different items no Gems Minerals or Rocks…read morehmmm free though paid for the butterfly exhibit 13 each very nice small but very nice worth it no discounts offered

The first time I visited this museum was in 2017. It was awe and there's so much to see here and…read morenew things to learn about. This facility also includes a butterfly garden, which is very interesting. I have managed to visit every year. There plenty of parking at this facility, to include a parking garage as well. If you love museums and live in Florida, I highly recommend visiting this museum.

Time travel back to 1857 and a real working farm…read more The parking area is out by the barn and kearning center theres a gift shop too! I bought a hand made bird house. The land is lovely, and Im sure the walk to the house is awesome but my knees werent up to it quite yet.

We were looking for an easy and close activity around Gainesville for our family. This working farm…read morewas perfect. We found easy parking under the shade of some trees and started at the visitors center where we learned about how the Dudley family donated their farm to the state to preserve it. We picked up a self-guided tour map and explored the farmstead. We enjoyed the turkeys the best. The Tom (also named Tom) was in full display. There is a little gift shop behind the visitors center and we had fun chatting with the staff. It was a delightful walk back in time.

Family went over memorial weekend. There were quite a few interactive exhibits that didn't work…read more The 3rd floor was closed down and the 2nd floor near the planetarium didn't make sense. You can tell the museum is closing down. The shows in the planetarium were great. They were very educational and entertaining. Other than that my other favorite part was the "Currents of Time." Seeing the evolution of the Jacksonville area. I definitely will check out the new location once it's done.

What a happy celebration day for the museum as they transition to a bigger and modern caliber for…read morethe city. I learned that the museum of science is expanding to a new home and it will take some years for the official move and space. Throughout my travels , looking for staples in the community that offer hands on learning, family friendly spaces, and a budgeted treat truly takes time to explore. Today I walked through showcases filled with history from the Victorian era; some relics were plants and photos from the 1970! I hadn't been inside a planetarium in a few years and you still appreciate the wonder when you hear children awe at the science and story telling in front of their eyes. All the staff were incredible , helping answer and questions they had- a major shout out to Vystar credit union as a volunteer partner making the day impactful for the masses. Go visit your museum- science centers- arts locations as we are continuously evolving in science and expanding our living history. Today was special!

This museum for creativity and invention established in 2018 and located in a corner of Depot Park…read morein Gainesville inspires future inventors, entrepreneurs and visionaries. Open four days a week Thursday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. Admission $15 for adults, 5-17 $10, college students snd seniors $12.50 and under 5 is free. Established and named after Robert Cade, the lead inventor of Gatorade, reflects his view of combining science and art in a manner of purposeful creativity. There are exhibits on inventions and technology that came from University of Florida. The museum caters to people of all ages and young children. STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) workshops are available where attendants can meet living inventors. A little gift shop located at the front lobby. Parking is free.

We were back in Gainesville, and since it was a cold, rainy day, we decided to h go again using our…read moreNorth American Reciprocal museum membership. In exactly one year, they had changed and updated practically the whole museum except the Cade/Gatorade section which was partly updated. I was impressed. This is a great museum for kids of all ages ,and adults too, especially if they are interested in STEM, creativity and inventing. Plenty of fun, hands-on learning and inspiration for future careers.

While visiting Gainesville today we stopped by the Harn Museum of Art. This is a FREE admission…read moremuseum which we love. This place is great and they have so many great pieces. Didn't take many photos because I was involved in the moment with my wife and friends and amazed at all the nice art work they have. We stopped and asked the security officer a few questions. One was how long do these art pieces stay out for viewing and also do they transfer them to other museums around the country. He said they rotate out art work about every few years so it keeps things fresh and no they don't transfer pieces. All pieces stay in house. If you are ever in the area you must stop by the Harn Museum of Art! Also next the year Florida Museum of Natural History will reopen after a full renovation and you also must see that!!! Definitely recommend you visit this!

The Harn Museum of Art is one of my favorite places in Gainesville when I want something calming,…read morebeautiful, and grounding. The galleries are thoughtfully curated, the space feels open and inviting, and there's always a good mix of contemporary pieces, cultural exhibits, and rotating collections that keep things interesting. Their Art After Dark events on Thursday nights are such a nice bonus, the museum feels even more alive, and it's a great way to enjoy art in a relaxed, social setting without it feeling overwhelming. Perfect for a solo night, a date, or something different to do after work. I also love the outdoor garden area; it adds to the peaceful vibe and makes the whole experience feel refreshing. I always leave feeling inspired and reset.

Cafe is managed by The Chef's Garden catering and they serve a variety of different dishes - in a…read morevery small kitchen. Reservations are important - especially with any groups. My go to is tomato bisque soup and the gourmet grilled cheese. The Cobb salads are delicious too -- and a signature dish is Shrimp & Grits. When we were there, a server had called in sick and Tracy was running in and out trying to keep up - she did a great job! The museum is outstanding - the staff very welcoming and friendly. The exhibits are excellent and the displays highlight the work. Self-guided tours are no problem - as many placards provide insights. The grounds - simply beautiful. Definitely recommend a visit!

The museum was having a plant market right in front of the museum a few weeks ago and that's what…read moredrew me into coming here. The vendor I bought from told me that it was free that day to go into the museum and Gardens so my family and I decided to look at the beautiful garden to welcome spring. Sadly, we didn't have time to explore the inside of the museum, but that will be for next time. The garden is absolutely stunning and breathtaking with a plethora of colors and the river in the back it's just so pretty. I loved how you could just walk around and see the different parts of the garden and then stand by the river as well. They had super unique flowers. I especially loved the ones that looked like little red lanterns and I loved all the beautiful trees. I was so happy to come here and I loved that they had a little plant market that drew you in to come and actually check out the garden. I can't wait to go back and explore the museum and make a whole day out of it. You definitely need to add this to your list if you haven't gone yet.

Add the Lightner Museum as a stop when visiting St. Augustine! The museum is located in the heart…read moreof the city in what use to be the Alcazar Hotel, a Gilded Age Resort. The building architecture and the gardens are beautiful. There were many collections to peruse, which were housed on 3 levels. It took us about two hours to make our way through, but you could easily spend 3 if you take your time and read everything. The floors all have a front and rear. The best suggestion we were given is to start on the 3rd floor an make our way down. The staff on hand were friendly and readily available to answer any of your questions. You can make a reservation for lunch at the Cafe, which is located on the lower level of what was once a pool.

Love coming here! The history of the museum is fascinating and the exhibits are amazing! If you…read morelove art this is a place you'll not want to miss! You might even want to continue to support them by becoming a member. TIP: You can become a member of the museum for as little as $50. per year. Membership supports everything they do at the museum, from exciting new exhibitions and engaging programs, to the preservation of their historic building and collections. According to their website, every membership to the Lightner Museum includes: * Unlimited free admission to the museum's permanent galleries and exhibitions for a full year * Invitations to Members-only previews of special exhibitions * Discounts on select events and programs There are many more perks and additional levels of membership. For additional information and to purchase memberships online, go to lightnermuseum.org Support your local arts.

Gorgeous grounds and a huge huge variety of plants and flowers. Wow what a great place and…read moreexperience for those that are inspired by well maintained gardens healthy plants and trees and well groomed paths to follow and enjoy

We love visiting botanical gardens when we travel. However, much of the beauty in gardens can be…read moreseasonal. Early March is not a good time to visit much of this particular garden. The herb area, azaleas, camellia, bamboo, plus some of the water features were nice, but overall there wasn't very much to see. We were glad there were plenty of rain shelters in the garden, as they were needed during our visit.

Great local history museum! Free entry and downtown in a very convenient location. Definitely worth…read morestopping by.

We frequently attend the free lectures sponsored by Florida Humanities at the MATHESON. Always…read moreinteresting and sometimes outstanding. Great way to learn about little known aspects of Florida. Parking is limited (my guess is because people park here for other purposes than attending the museum) so I recommend getting there early.