Florida Museum of Natural History
Florida Museum of Natural History
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Open to the public continuously since January 1998, Powell Hall houses exhibits and public education programs. It is located between the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art and the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in the UF Cultural Plaza at 3215 Hull Road, just east of Southwest 34th Street on the western edge of the University of Florida campus. Visitors to Powell Hall will encounter exciting featured exhibits and signature permanent exhibition halls that explore the state’s unique habitats and rich cultural history, including information about some of Florida's early Native peoples. Visitors may view a Calusa Indian welcoming ceremony and mammoth and mastodon skeletons from the last ice age. Enter a magical glass-bottom-boat theater, and ride, dive and fly through some of the Sunshine State’s most famous springs in a one-of-a-kind immersive experience.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
393 within 3 miles
Attractions
95 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- thehuntersfairy3 contributionsBeautiful museum!This is easily one of the nicest museums we have visited and the butterfly exhibit is spectacular! We were passing through on our way to Tampa and stopped in Gainsville for lunch. I am so glad we decided to check out the museum, we really loved it! It's shocking the museum is actually free with the exception of the special exhibits. Definitely don't miss it!Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten November 14, 2023
- Peggy L1 contributionFlorida history, nature, and artI loved this museum and purchased a partner membership before I went. It was less expensive to see special exhibits ( butterfly garden $14nd artic dinosaurs $10 because it allowed Free admission to these for 2 adults and an y number of children ages 3- 17. I brought 4 children. I was happy I did, because they Lso have the Harn Museum if art next door. I have gone back once already to see more of the Art Museum and the Butterflies who were resting the 1st visit because it was cold. A wonderful and educational venue I highly recommend this .Visited December 2023Traveled with friendsWritten January 16, 2024
- ycarneyVero Beach, Florida374 contributionsGreat place for the whole familyThis place is really a great place to see how Florida was millions of years ago. Great fossils, and the video they have when you first walk in is so cool because you can see yourself right next to prehistoric animals. I think they did an excellent job showing you skeletons of all the extinct animals. We really enjoyed going through the exhibits.Visited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 1, 2024
- Bubbly B132 contributionsHistoricalMy family & I drove to Gainesville to visit the Butterfly Rainforest. The museum shares the building with the rainforest. To visit the museum is free. To visit the rainforest costs about $15. Florida's history was perfectly depicted. We learned a lot and got a refresher about other things. Give yourself enough time to stroll and read. I'd say to plan to spend 1.5 hours. I'm so glad we got to visit. My absolutely favorite part was what I am calling a 4D wall. You must see it to believe it.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 20, 2024
- William GTavernier, Florida120 contributionsHistory restored.Fun and free experience (the butterfly rainforest was the only thing that cost money). There were so many areas to go here and each of them diversely different and very informative. Was cool to see the size of animals so many years ago, learn about indigenous people, the ways of water and so much more. Easily 2-3 hours of stuff to see and learn about. And with the butterfly rainforest in the same area, 4-5 hours makes for a full day.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 22, 2024
- Cassandra GHudson, Florida120 contributionsExperience and Learn!!!Wonderful exhibit. We want to come back and take a second look. Dinosaurs, insects, ancient people and estuaries plus much more. Sooo much to see and take in. The butterfly Rainforest was the BEST.Visited July 2024Traveled with friendsWritten July 9, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,010 reviews
Excellent
774
Very good
201
Average
33
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Cassandra G
Hudson, FL120 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
Wonderful exhibit. We want to come back and take a second look. Dinosaurs, insects, ancient people and estuaries plus much more.
Sooo much to see and take in. The butterfly Rainforest was the BEST.
Sooo much to see and take in. The butterfly Rainforest was the BEST.
Written July 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William G
Tavernier, FL120 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Fun and free experience (the butterfly rainforest was the only thing that cost money). There were so many areas to go here and each of them diversely different and very informative.
Was cool to see the size of animals so many years ago, learn about indigenous people, the ways of water and so much more. Easily 2-3 hours of stuff to see and learn about. And with the butterfly rainforest in the same area, 4-5 hours makes for a full day.
Was cool to see the size of animals so many years ago, learn about indigenous people, the ways of water and so much more. Easily 2-3 hours of stuff to see and learn about. And with the butterfly rainforest in the same area, 4-5 hours makes for a full day.
Written June 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bubbly B
Florida132 contributions
May 2024 • Family
My family & I drove to Gainesville to visit the Butterfly Rainforest. The museum shares the building with the rainforest.
To visit the museum is free. To visit the rainforest costs about $15.
Florida's history was perfectly depicted. We learned a lot and got a refresher about other things. Give yourself enough time to stroll and read. I'd say to plan to spend 1.5 hours.
I'm so glad we got to visit. My absolutely favorite part was what I am calling a 4D wall. You must see it to believe it.
To visit the museum is free. To visit the rainforest costs about $15.
Florida's history was perfectly depicted. We learned a lot and got a refresher about other things. Give yourself enough time to stroll and read. I'd say to plan to spend 1.5 hours.
I'm so glad we got to visit. My absolutely favorite part was what I am calling a 4D wall. You must see it to believe it.
Written May 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron T
Hilliard, FL7 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
If you are in the area especially with kids you do need to visit. Great place for kids to "hands on" fossils and stuff. No admission charge.
Written March 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ycarney
Vero Beach, FL374 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
This place is really a great place to see how Florida was millions of years ago. Great fossils, and the video they have when you first walk in is so cool because you can see yourself right next to prehistoric animals. I think they did an excellent job showing you skeletons of all the extinct animals. We really enjoyed going through the exhibits.
Written February 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peggy L
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Friends
I loved this museum and purchased a partner membership before I went. It was less expensive to see special exhibits ( butterfly garden $14nd artic dinosaurs $10 because it allowed Free admission to these for 2 adults and an y number of children ages 3- 17. I brought 4 children. I was happy I did, because they Lso have the Harn Museum if art next door. I have gone back once already to see more of the Art Museum and the Butterflies who were resting the 1st visit because it was cold. A wonderful and educational venue
I highly recommend this .
I highly recommend this .
Written January 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thehuntersfairy
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
This is easily one of the nicest museums we have visited and the butterfly exhibit is spectacular! We were passing through on our way to Tampa and stopped in Gainsville for lunch. I am so glad we decided to check out the museum, we really loved it! It's shocking the museum is actually free with the exception of the special exhibits. Definitely don't miss it!
Written November 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brittany M
Woods Cross, UT201 contributions
Jun 2023
We came specifically to see the butterfly garden exhibit and it did not disappoint. The museum itself is free and has some nice exhibits. If I was local, I would bring my kids to this fairly regularly. The butterfly exhibit costs but is well worth it. We just walked around slowly and took it all in. Took lots and lots of pictures of the flowers, plants, birds and butterflies. They also had a spider exhibit that cost extra, but we did not do that on this visit.
Written July 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting! We're glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to the Florida museum and look forward to you visiting us again.
Written July 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deborah B
Gulf Breeze, FL34 contributions
Mar 2023
My daughter and I really enjoyed our visit. It was very interesting and educational. Very neat store with lots of unique gifts and souvenirs.
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting and for your kind words about our gift shop! We're glad to hear you and your daughter enjoyed your visit to the Florida Museum and look forward to you visiting us again.
Written April 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marilyn S
98 contributions
Mar 2023
There was a good solid history of the geology of Florida through the eons. Lots of information about the native peoples of Florida. Lots of fossils of animals that have lived here. As it a tourist, I found it all very interesting and informative.
Written March 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting and for your kind words! We're glad to hear you enjoyed your
visit to the Florida Museum and look forward to you visiting us again.
Written April 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What is the cost at the museum?
Ben_Theretoo406
Chevy Chase, MD3,110 contributions
This is a little bit complicated. I will summarize it, and tell you how to access the museum website. General admission is free, although the university suggests an entirely voluntary donation of $6 for adults, $4 for youngsters. Note that this is a tax-deductible donation. For some of the special displays,such as the butterfly garden, a special add-on ticket is required at a separate price. The TripAdvisor listing includes a link to the website as well. Just double click "website" at the right side of the listing, then go to plan your visit/admission. The attraction is fascinating and well worth the cost involved.
staysinhotel
39 contributions
About how long does it take to walk through the museum? I know it is different for everyone based on how long you look at everything, but I just want a general idea of how long it will take. Thanks!
Florida Museum
Gainesville, FL
Hello,
Thanks for the question. As you stated, everyone goes at a different pace.
If experiencing the entire Museum, including the free permanent exhibits, as well as the featured exhibit (currently "Wicked Plants") and living "Butterfly Rainforest," exhibit, I would say plan at least two-three hours.
But again, everyone really is different, and some may be visiting with different ages or for specific purposes.
For example, some parents or grandparents bring young children and stay for hours in only the Discovery Room area. Other visitors will spend two hours only in the "Butterfly Rainforest" taking photographs. (Same day exit and re-entry is allowed with your hand stamp). If you plan to attend a live butterfly release in the exhibit, held at 2 p.m daily with additional releases at 3 and 4 p.m. on weekends (weather permitting), allow an additional 15-20 minutes. Others may want to simply take a peek in each of the two gift shops, while some may spend 30 minutes or more in each shop.
I hope this is helpful and that you enjoy your visit.
Kind regards,
Paul Ramey
Laura B
Atlanta, GA1 contribution
is there any handicapped parking close to the entrance?
Florida Museum
Gainesville, FL
Hello,
Yes, there are handicapped spaces just north of the Florida Museum front doors, as well as additional spots just past the parking attendant booth. After pulling into the parking lot, go straight past the parking booth on your right, and pull into the front circle area of the Florida Museum on your right (Look for a butterfly plant sale sign). After turning right, there are regular 45-minute metered spots on your left, and the handicapped spaces are a little further up on your right. Please let us know if you have other questions, and we hope you enjoy your visit.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing