Road trip from Sarasota to Gainesville
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Museums
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Outdoor Activities
Fun & Games
Nightlife
Shopping
Food & Drink
Museums
Nature & Parks
Concerts & Shows
Sights & Landmarks
Spas & Wellness
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ITINERARY
3h 32m184 miles30 stops
1
Pineapple Rocks
Amazing crystals, fossils, jewelry, dinosaur teeth, shark teeth, rock and roll memorabilia and other cool stuff you've never seen before. We have a great stock of minerals and rocks WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC by the flat and by the pound. We make our own wire wrapped jewelry and can turn your treasures into wearable art. You can design and make your own jewelry with a Sterling silver pendant, shark tooth, crystal or ceramic pendant. We have a fantastic collection of Rock and Roll memorabilia and posters from the 1960s and 1970.
2
Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex
Conveniently located less than two miles from downtown Sarasota, Arlington Park was selected as one of the South Florida locations on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail. This city park offers residents and visitors a 50-meter lap pool, 25-yard instructional pool, outdoor and indoor basketball courts, tennis courts, playground, outdoor fitness gym, ½-mile walking trail, and dog park. This park is owned and operated by the City of Sarasota Parks & Recreation District. Many recreational, as well as aquatic programs, are offered.
3
Village Bikes
4
Bobby Jones Golf Club
Nature Trails only at this time. 5.23.2020 Bobby Jones Golf Club is the only golf facility located within the city limits of beautiful Sarasota - a golfing mecca nestled on the Gulf of Mexico coast just one hour south of Tampa, Florida. The facility sits on 325 contiguous acres of virgin meadowland adjacent to Fruitville Road (State Road 780), the gateway to downtown Sarasota and its world famous beaches. This historic gem, initially designed by Donald Ross in 1926, has grown to include two 18-hole championship courses and a 9-hole executive course. A particularly unique feature of this complex is the absence of any building development on all but one golf hole.
5
Big Top Brewing Company
When we started Big Top Brewing Company, there were no craft breweries in the Sarasota area and we set out to fix that. We wanted to compliment Sarasota’s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, great architecture, the best art and design schools and world renown tourism. The best way we could do that was to craft beer that our home town can be proud of. We plan to continue the tradition of the arts and help Sarasota add beer town to its identity. Come step under our big top and see for yourself. Big Top Brewing Company artistically crafts world class beers, inspired by our passion, integrity, and the history of our home town.
6
Gulf Gate Public Library
7
The Ale and the Witch
8
Museum of Fine Arts
From a legendary permanent collection, to compelling traveling exibitions, the MFA is ready to inspire with diverse and ever-changing opportunities to experience art. Discover over 4,500 years of civilization in thousands of objects ranging from antiquity to the present- the only comprehensive art collection of its kind on Florida's west coast.
9
Gizella Kopsick Arboretum
10
Bayshore Boulevard
Home of the world's longest sidewalk.
11
WestShore Plaza
12
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
13
Al Lopez Park
Two popular flat loops, .8 and 1.2-miles, through the woods.
14
University of South Florida Botanical Gardens, Tampa
15
Baseline Golf Course
This is a 19-hole, public golf course.
16
Bonkerz Comedy Club - Ocala
Bonkerz Comedy Club inside The Lodge brings in the funniest comedians from TV & the movies the first Friday and Saturday of each month at 8pm.
17
Baseline Road Trailhead
18
Marion Theatre
19
Ocala Palms Golf & Country Club
20
Ocala Civic Theatre
Ocala Civic Theatre has been uplifting, inspiring, and entertaining our community for more than 70 years. Founded in 1950, OCT is one of the largest community theatres in the state and serves 65,000 local residents each season. We are able to present professional-quality live performances thanks to the talents and dedication of our volunteers, staff, and guest designers. In addition, OCT’s Education & Enrichment programs reach more than 1,000 learners of all ages year-round through skill-building and performance classes. Celebrating 70 Years of OCT History! Our story began on March 3, 1950 at the first organizational meeting of The Marion Players, a group of young people who decided Ocala needed a “little theatre.” They had a wide variety of theatrical talents and experience, and they all shared a deep desire to provide the highest quality entertainment for local audiences.
21
Young's Paso Fino Ranch
22
Haile Farmers Market
23
Spa Royale
24
Total Wine & More
25
Depot Park
Depot Park is a signature city park in downtown Gainesville providing a space for unique public outdoor enjoyment. Depot features a children's adventure play area with a custom splash pad of waterfalls, water soakers, and ground jets. A water's edge promenade hosts special events like food truck rallies, art festivals, and musical performances. The park is fully staffed and free of charge.
26
Stephen C. O'Connell Center
The Stephen C. O'Connell Center, also known as the O'Dome, is an 11,000-plus-seat multi-purpose arena located on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida. The facility is located on the northern side of the university's campus, and has been home to many concerts and sporting events since it's opening in 1980. The arena plays host to seven University of Florida Athletic Teams.
27
Havana's Wine & Cigar Lounge
Havana's Wine & Cigar Lounge aims to provide a relaxed atmosphere, where you can kick back on the couches and enjoy life.
28
Loblolly Woods Nature Park
29
Flip Factory Zone
The Flip Factory Zone is Gainesville's favorite family entertainment center. Indoor trampolines, 2 Story Laser Tag, Trampoline-Basketball, a Ninja Course, a High Flyin’ Ropes Course and we even have an amazing arcade with a concession stand! (Ropes Course and Cafe coming soon.)
30
Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary
Jungle Friends offers a Magical Monkey Experience through Airbnb Experiences to meet our monkey friends up-close and personal! We have amazing volunteer opportunities -- come for a few hours, a few days or a few months! We have on-site accommodations for our guests in our guest house! Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary provides permanent high-quality sanctuary care for over 200 New World monkeys being released from laboratory research, former "pets" needing homes, or monkeys who have been confiscated by the authorities due to abuse/neglect charges, as well as those found running loose. Jungle Friends is also committed to advocacy and education on behalf of all captive non-human primates, and to provide assistance to improve the circumstances of captive primates wherever possible.
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
1
Start:Pineapple Rocks
Sarasota, Florida·
5.0
(9) review
Amazing crystals, fossils, jewelry, dinosaur teeth, shark teeth, rock and roll memorabilia and other cool stuff you've never seen before. We have a great stock of minerals and rocks WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC by the flat and by the pound. We make our own wire wrapped jewelry and can turn your treasures into wearable art. You can design and make your own jewelry with a Sterling silver pendant, shark tooth, crystal or ceramic pendant. We have a fantastic collection of Rock and Roll memorabilia and posters from the 1960s and 1970.
2
Start:Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex
Sarasota, Florida·
4.5
(9) review
Conveniently located less than two miles from downtown Sarasota, Arlington Park was selected as one of the South Florida locations on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail. This city park offers residents and visitors a 50-meter lap pool, 25-yard instructional pool, outdoor and indoor basketball courts, tennis courts, playground, outdoor fitness gym, ½-mile walking trail, and dog park. This park is owned and operated by the City of Sarasota Parks & Recreation District. Many recreational, as well as aquatic programs, are offered.
3
Start:Village Bikes
Sarasota, Florida·
4.0
(9) review
3898 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239-6830
4
Start:Bobby Jones Golf Club
Sarasota, Florida·
3.0
(97) review
Nature Trails only at this time. 5.23.2020 Bobby Jones Golf Club is the only golf facility located within the city limits of beautiful Sarasota - a golfing mecca nestled on the Gulf of Mexico coast just one hour south of Tampa, Florida. The facility sits on 325 contiguous acres of virgin meadowland adjacent to Fruitville Road (State Road 780), the gateway to downtown Sarasota and its world famous beaches. This historic gem, initially designed by Donald Ross in 1926, has grown to include two 18-hole championship courses and a 9-hole executive course. A particularly unique feature of this complex is the absence of any building development on all but one golf hole.
5
Start:Big Top Brewing Company
Sarasota, Florida·
4.5
(91) review
When we started Big Top Brewing Company, there were no craft breweries in the Sarasota area and we set out to fix that. We wanted to compliment Sarasota’s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, great architecture, the best art and design schools and world renown tourism. The best way we could do that was to craft beer that our home town can be proud of. We plan to continue the tradition of the arts and help Sarasota add beer town to its identity. Come step under our big top and see for yourself. Big Top Brewing Company artistically crafts world class beers, inspired by our passion, integrity, and the history of our home town.
6
Start:Gulf Gate Public Library
Sarasota, Florida·
5.0
(92) review
7112 Curtiss Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231-8013
7
Start:The Ale and the Witch
St. Petersburg, Florida·
4.0
(91) review
111 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3434
8
Start:Museum of Fine Arts
St. Petersburg, Florida·
4.5
(964) review
From a legendary permanent collection, to compelling traveling exibitions, the MFA is ready to inspire with diverse and ever-changing opportunities to experience art. Discover over 4,500 years of civilization in thousands of objects ranging from antiquity to the present- the only comprehensive art collection of its kind on Florida's west coast.
9
Start:Gizella Kopsick Arboretum
St. Petersburg, Florida·
4.5
(97) review
901 N Shore Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-2052
10
Start:Bayshore Boulevard
Tampa, Florida·
4.5
(972) review
Home of the world's longest sidewalk.
11
Start:WestShore Plaza
Tampa, Florida·
4.0
(99) review
250 WestShore Plaza, Tampa, FL 33609-1918
12
Start:Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
Tampa, Florida·
3.5
(96) review
1630 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605
13
Start:Al Lopez Park
Tampa, Florida·
4.0
(97) review
Two popular flat loops, .8 and 1.2-miles, through the woods.
14
Start:University of South Florida Botanical Gardens, Tampa
Tampa, Florida·
3.5
(98) review
4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620-5150
15
Start:Baseline Golf Course
Ocala, Florida·
4.5
(76) review
This is a 19-hole, public golf course.
16
Start:Bonkerz Comedy Club - Ocala
Ocala, Florida·
4.5
(7) review
Bonkerz Comedy Club inside The Lodge brings in the funniest comedians from TV & the movies the first Friday and Saturday of each month at 8pm.
17
Start:Baseline Road Trailhead
Ocala, Florida·
5.0
(8) review
4255 SE 58th Ave, Ocala, FL 34480
18
Start:Marion Theatre
Ocala, Florida·
4.5
(90) review
50 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala, FL 34471-1153
19
Start:Ocala Palms Golf & Country Club
Ocala, Florida·
4.5
(9) review
5174 NW 26th St, Ocala, FL 34482-3250
20
Start:Ocala Civic Theatre
Ocala, Florida·
4.5
(81) review
Ocala Civic Theatre has been uplifting, inspiring, and entertaining our community for more than 70 years. Founded in 1950, OCT is one of the largest community theatres in the state and serves 65,000 local residents each season. We are able to present professional-quality live performances thanks to the talents and dedication of our volunteers, staff, and guest designers. In addition, OCT’s Education & Enrichment programs reach more than 1,000 learners of all ages year-round through skill-building and performance classes. Celebrating 70 Years of OCT History! Our story began on March 3, 1950 at the first organizational meeting of The Marion Players, a group of young people who decided Ocala needed a “little theatre.” They had a wide variety of theatrical talents and experience, and they all shared a deep desire to provide the highest quality entertainment for local audiences.
21
Start:Young's Paso Fino Ranch
Ocala, Florida·
4.0
(9) review
7950 NW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34482-1112
22
Start:Haile Farmers Market
Gainesville, Florida·
5.0
(7) review
5213 SW 91st Ter, Gainesville, FL 32608-7125
23
Start:Spa Royale
Gainesville, Florida·
4.0
(8) review
910 NW 57th St, Gainesville, FL 32605
24
Start:Total Wine & More
Gainesville, Florida·
4.0
(8) review
3965 Plaza Blvd Suite 10, Gainesville, FL 32608-2443
25
Start:Depot Park
Gainesville, Florida·
5.0
(94) review
Depot Park is a signature city park in downtown Gainesville providing a space for unique public outdoor enjoyment. Depot features a children's adventure play area with a custom splash pad of waterfalls, water soakers, and ground jets. A water's edge promenade hosts special events like food truck rallies, art festivals, and musical performances. The park is fully staffed and free of charge.
26
Start:Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Gainesville, Florida·
4.5
(74) review
The Stephen C. O'Connell Center, also known as the O'Dome, is an 11,000-plus-seat multi-purpose arena located on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida. The facility is located on the northern side of the university's campus, and has been home to many concerts and sporting events since it's opening in 1980. The arena plays host to seven University of Florida Athletic Teams.
27
Start:Havana's Wine & Cigar Lounge
Gainesville, Florida·
4.5
(8) review
Havana's Wine & Cigar Lounge aims to provide a relaxed atmosphere, where you can kick back on the couches and enjoy life.
28
Start:Loblolly Woods Nature Park
Gainesville, Florida·
4.0
(7) review
3315 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607-2407
29
Start:Flip Factory Zone
Gainesville, Florida·
3.0
(7) review
The Flip Factory Zone is Gainesville's favorite family entertainment center. Indoor trampolines, 2 Story Laser Tag, Trampoline-Basketball, a Ninja Course, a High Flyin’ Ropes Course and we even have an amazing arcade with a concession stand! (Ropes Course and Cafe coming soon.)
30
Start:Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary
Gainesville, Florida·
5.0
(7) review
Jungle Friends offers a Magical Monkey Experience through Airbnb Experiences to meet our monkey friends up-close and personal! We have amazing volunteer opportunities -- come for a few hours, a few days or a few months! We have on-site accommodations for our guests in our guest house! Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary provides permanent high-quality sanctuary care for over 200 New World monkeys being released from laboratory research, former "pets" needing homes, or monkeys who have been confiscated by the authorities due to abuse/neglect charges, as well as those found running loose. Jungle Friends is also committed to advocacy and education on behalf of all captive non-human primates, and to provide assistance to improve the circumstances of captive primates wherever possible.
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Sarasota and Gainesville?
The distance is 184 miles
What's the travel time between Sarasota and Gainesville?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 3h 32m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Sarasota and Gainesville?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Gainesville?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Gainesville
What’s the weather like in Gainesville?
The weather in Gainesville is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Gainesville in January
Weather in Gainesville in February
Weather in Gainesville in March
Weather in Gainesville in April
Weather in Gainesville in May
Weather in Gainesville in June
Weather in Gainesville in July
Weather in Gainesville in August
Weather in Gainesville in September
Weather in Gainesville in October
Weather in Gainesville in November
Weather in Gainesville in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Gainesville?
Plan your dream Gainesville trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Gainesville
A 2-day itinerary in Gainesville
A 3-day itinerary in Gainesville
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A 5-day itinerary in Gainesville
A 6-day itinerary in Gainesville
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Sarasota?
We have a lot of great trip options for Sarasota! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you