Named as one of the best attractions in Gainesville, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens are a beautiful spot relaxing enough for a leisurely afternoon or fantastic enough for a wedding ceremony. The site includes 24 collections in the 62-acre garden. Visitors can stroll down the mile and a half walkway viewing such sights as Florida's largest display of bamboo or the Southeast's most expansive herb garden.

There are more than a dozen different gardens available to tour. The hummingbird garden is full of the vibrant red and pink tubular flowers that attract the Florida native, the ruby-throated hummingbird. The water gardens feature the world's largest species of water lilies floating along some of its streams and ponds. Four waterfalls trickle down into the pools below fulfilling the needs of exotic species of Amazonian vegetation and other water-dwelling plants.

The gardens were created and are operated by the North Florida Botanical Society. The gardens are closed on Thursdays, and ticket prices are $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-13 and free for children under the age of 6. Visit Kanapaha's website for more detailed hours.