For several years Gainesville has been voted one of the most livable places to live in America. Supported by the University of Florida, Florida's largest and oldest university, Gainesville serves as an educational, cultural, and medical mecca of North Central Florida. Also surrounded by beautiful landscape and natural preserves, Gainesville is also a very attractive place to live.

Nature lovers will appreciate Gainesville's various parks, prairies, lakes and other naturally preserved landscapes. Tour the 62-acre Kanapaha Gardens where you'll find 16 major collections of plants and other vegetation. Get a glimpse of bison, wild horses, alligators and nearly 300 other kinds of animals and birds at the 19,000-acre Paynes Prairie Reserve. At Devil's Millhopper Park you'll find a large sink hold where you can descend 232 steps to the bottom.

Feeling engertic? Walk, jog, bicycle, or even horseback ride through woods and wildlife on the 17-mile stretch of abandoned railway now known as the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Rail Trail. Or hike through nine miles of nature trails at the San Felasco Hammock where deer, bobcats, turkeys and other wildlife have been sighted.

The culturally minded will never be bored in Gainesville. Visit one of Gainesville's four museums such as the Florida Museum of Natural History or the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. Or just a short drive away are local historic sites such as the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic site in Cross Creek, author of the famous novel The Yearling, and historic Micanopy where you'll find many antique stores and craft shops.

Gator fans will easily stay entertained year round by college sporting events, but even non-Gators fans can find sporting entertainment in Gainesville. Racing fans can join the tens of thousands of others who flock to the NHRA Gatornationals each March. Poe Springs, Ginnie Springs and other area springs offer SCUBA divers and snorkelers temperate, crystal clear water year round where they can see various wildlife and explore underwater caverns. Those looking for a more relaxing afternoon can drift down the river on a rented tube observing the wildlife from above the water.

Whether your idea of entertainment is a day at the museum, a hike through the forest or an afternoon underwater in a cave, there's always something to do in Gainesville.