Musée d'histoire naturelle de Floride - Gainesville, Florida

Rachel Petry

Petit musée, très instructif avec de nombreuses explications données par le gardien

Sydney Brown

Absolutely fantastic museum with engaging displays and awesome research. We went as a group of 3 adults and learned a lot about Florida natural history including fossils, Native Americans, and Florida flora and fauna. The butterfly rainforest is an extra charge but highly recommend paying it! It not only supports conservation around these species but also the whole experience the museum provides.

Some highlights are included in my pictures but the majority of exhibits have an interactive component and a good chunk are at child/wheelchair height. Some of the text can be smaller and some of the exhibits can be dimmer so if you need reading glasses or a light source, I would suggest bringing those! For 3 adults that vacillated between skimming and reading exhibit text, we managed to see everything in about 3 hours.

Since we visited on a weekday we parked in the adjacent open lot advertised for the museum for $4, it covers the entire day but be aware, they do not accept cash! They also have picnic tables outside if you wanted to bring your own lunch. They do not have a café or anything inside the museum. As for the gift shop - be prepared to spend some money!

Natalia Spinelli

Hidden gem! Must visit! Florida local habitat and wildlife as well as so much science of evolution! Amazing place. Free admission except for temporary insect exhibit and permanent butterfly garden. So much to explore and learn. Truly a gem! Also stop at the bat houses 10min before sunset - pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the public parks. We will be back for more!!!! This is for families, adults, kids! Everyone!

SIFSG Productions

Nicole our friend that owns New World Wellness studio in Gainesville told us about a beautiful butterfly ? museum next to the UF University of Florida campus, so we went in the museum ?of natural history and had a blast ? I enjoyed the hands on kids area where we put fossil’s together and then we learned about the Calusa Indians in the Florida area. It was interesting educating ? ourselves and sad to find out about a people a vast number of them,
that we as descendants from British & Spaniards that literally ran them off their land ? because we coveted it.

We ended our museum trip on a good ? note ?️ though.
The butterfly ? garden ? of paradise is the best way I can expalain it, WOW!!!
Stepping into this outdoor enclosure that had lush vegetation ? with blooming flowers ? everywhere that made you wish you had one for your own.
Between the birds ? moths and different colors of flying everywhere butterflies ? filling us with a memory of a peaceful ☮️ tranquility & excitement at the same time.

Taylor Bryson

We stopped here on a whim while on our way to vacation, and we had a wonderful experience! It was probably the highlight of our vacation. It is definitely worth the stop for anyone who is interested in prehistoric history. There are tons of skeletons of extinct animals, a kids' discovery zone, Native American artifacts, and history. It is also a great leg stretcher on those long and hot car rides. If we are ever in the area again, we will be back for another visit.

amy aitapata

The museum is free, but there is a charge for the butterfly experience. They do have a discount for Florida residents. They have an *amazing* gift shop with a very good assortment of books. Their permanent displays are incredible, and even longtime residents of Florida will learn a lot.

Holly Shryock

This museum has plenty of interactive, learning displays for children of all ages. There is a discovery room with fossils, bugs, magnifying glasses, microscopes, and more. There are wings of the museum dedicated to ancient Florida peoples, extinct mammal fossils (including mammoths, mastodons, giant sloths), and so much more. The butterfly interactive exhibit was lots of fun for kids too. We will definitely visit here again.

Jessica Thurow

Huge fan of this place! There's a butterfly rainforest and permanent exhibits. The shark jaws were very impressive and the native history displays were informative.