35 Things To Do in Gainesville, Florida, with Kids

Cheer on the Gators in Gainesville, FL! Photo by the author

Gainesville, Florida, may be known as a college town, but there are so many other things to do in this city north of Orlando—and much of it is perfect for families and kids. As a Florida native and a University of Florida graduate (Go Gators!), I love to take the trip to Gainesville, FL, with my kiddos whenever I get the chance.

Here are some of our favorite activities and attractions in and around Gainesville, FL. From outdoor activities and sports, to museums and festivals, you are sure to find something that peaks your family's interest.

For more fun destinations for families around the Sunshine State, visit our Florida Family Travel Guide.

Houston Terror Dome

Activity Date: 
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Thursday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sun Nov 02 2025 except Thu Sep 25 2025, Thu Oct 02 2025, Thu Oct 09 2025. Also includes Wed Oct 29 2025, Thu Oct 30 2025.
Friday, September 19, 2025 Various times
Saturday, September 20, 2025 Various times
Sunday, September 21, 2025 Various times
Friday, September 26, 2025 Various times
Saturday, September 27, 2025 Various times
Sunday, September 28, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 3, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 10, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 11, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 12, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 16, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 17, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 18, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 19, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 23, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 24, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 25, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 26, 2025 Various times
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 30, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 31, 2025 Various times
Saturday, November 1, 2025 Various times
Sunday, November 2, 2025 Various times
Event Info
Cost: 
Tickets start at $24.95
Recommended Age: 
12+
Editor's Pick: 
Activity Types: 

Phobia Haunted House BW 8

Activity Date: 
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sat Nov 01 2025 except Sun Sep 28 2025. Also includes Thu Oct 23 2025, Wed Oct 29 2025, Thu Oct 30 2025.
Saturday, September 27, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 3, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 10, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 11, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 12, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 17, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 18, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 19, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 23, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 24, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 25, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 26, 2025 Various times
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 30, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 31, 2025 Various times
Saturday, November 1, 2025 Various times
Event Info
Cost: 
Tickets start at $18
Recommended Age: 
12 and up
Editor's Pick: 
Activity Types: 

Creepy Hollow Haunted House in Rosharon

Activity Date: 
Repeats every week every Friday and every Saturday until Sat Nov 01 2025.
Friday, September 26, 2025 Various times
Saturday, September 27, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 3, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 10, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 11, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 17, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 18, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 24, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 25, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 31, 2025 Various times
Saturday, November 1, 2025 Various times
Event Info
Cost: 
$40
Recommended Age: 
12 and up
Editor's Pick: 
Activity Types: 

REDRUM Fear Park in Richmond

Activity Date: 
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Fri Oct 31 2025 except Sun Oct 05 2025. Also includes Thu Oct 16 2025, Thu Oct 23 2025, Thu Oct 30 2025.
Saturday, September 27, 2025 Various times
Sunday, September 28, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 3, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 10, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 11, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 12, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 16, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 17, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 18, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 19, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 23, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 24, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 25, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 26, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 30, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 31, 2025 Various times
Event Info
Cost: 
Tickets start at $40
Recommended Age: 
13 and up
Editor's Pick: 
Activity Types: 

Haunted Trails in Old Town Spring

Activity Date: 
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sat Nov 01 2025. Also includes Thu Oct 23 2025, Thu Oct 30 2025.
Friday, October 3, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 10, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 11, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 12, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 17, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 18, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 19, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 23, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 24, 2025 Various times
Saturday, October 25, 2025 Various times
Sunday, October 26, 2025 Various times
Thursday, October 30, 2025 Various times
Friday, October 31, 2025 Various times
Saturday, November 1, 2025 Various times
Event Info
Cost: 
$35 general admission
Recommended Age: 
12 and up
Editor's Pick: 
Activity Types: 

12 Must-See Museum Exhibits in NYC This Fall

Christian Dior's wearable artwork is the subject of an installation at the Brooklyn Museum. Photo by author

The fall brings with it not only a smattering of seasonal changes and outdoor fun like apple picking but New Yorkers can also look forward to an exciting roster of new museum exhibits to explore at NYC's top culture spots.

We've rounded up 12 exciting museum exhibits citywide that we can't wait to see with kids this season. From museum exhibits honoring history makers like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the Obamas, to interactive picks at our favorite children's museums, and two huge fashion installations, there's something on this list for everyone, from toddlers to teens.

The Dr. Seuss Experience is Coming to Delight Kids in Chicago

The Dr. Seuss Experience will be in Chicago in October (photo from Houston exhibit).

Big news: the Cat and the Hat finally found Chicago! The Dr. Seuss Experience opens at Water Tower Place on October 8th, but tickets are available for purchase now.

One of our Houston writers was able to visit the exhibit in her city, and we're sharing her experience here ahead of the Chicago opening, as well as some tailored tips for attending the event in Chicago. Read on for all the installation details and tips for attending. But should you go yourself? Well..."If you never did you should. These things are fun. And fun is good."

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