There is hardly a better way to spend a lazy afternoon than going to the museum. Museums are places where you can learn and be entertained at the same time. One great museum located in Gainesville is the Florida Museum of Natural History. It is a great place to spend an hour or the entire day. Read on and learn a little more about the museum.


The Florida Museum of Natural History has become a popular destination in the city of Gainesville. It is home to a number of permanent exhibits that will leave you excited and wanting more. One of the most popular of the exhibits is the "Butterfly Rainforest: Where Science Takes Flight!" exhibit. In this exhibit you will see a four story enclosure that houses hundreds of live butterflies. The enclosure includes waterfalls, lush plants and even a walking trail. Also at the exhibit is a "Wall of Wings". Here you can see thousands of butterfly specimens and scanned images of butterflies and moths. In addition to this exhibit there is also the "Florida Fossils: Evolution of Life & Land" exhibit, the "South Florida People & Environments" exhibit and many more. Besides permanent exhibits, the museum is also home to many traveling exhibits. For example there is currently the "Tibet: Mountains and Valleys, Castles and Tents" exhibit. Here you can take a journey through the rugged mountains of Tibet and learn about the history of this region. You will see handcrafted jewelry and furniture, weapons and tools, and personal belongings of people from the region. The museum is always bringing something fresh for Gainesville area residents and tourists to see. It is truly a must see attraction if you are in the area.


If you would like to visit the museum you can find it at Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in Gainesville. For more information or to check on current hours call the information line at 352-846-2000. Have fun.