University of Florida Campus Tour
Architecture, history & things to do near University of Florida (UF)
Why Walk University of Florida Campus
The University of Florida's campus spreads across 2,000 acres in Gainesville, making it one of the largest campuses in the Southeast. The historic core features Century Tower, a 157-foot carillon tower commemorating students lost in World War I and World War II. University Auditorium, a 1924 Collegiate Gothic building, and the Plaza of the Americas, a grassy quad shaded by massive live oaks, define the campus center. The Harn Museum of Art houses significant Asian, African, and contemporary collections. The Florida Museum of Natural History features a tropical butterfly rainforest exhibit. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium ('the Swamp'), seating over 88,000, is one of the loudest venues in college football. Lake Alice, a 70-acre lake on campus, is home to alligators and serves as a natural area for ecology research.
About University of Florida
Founded
1853 (traces its origin to the East Florida Seminary; the modern University of Florida was established in 1905 under the Buckman Act and opened on its Gainesville campus in 1906).
Type
Public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university; flagship of the State University System of Florida and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU).
Setting
Campus of about 2,000 acres in Gainesville, north-central Florida, roughly 115 miles northwest of Orlando and 70 miles southwest of Jacksonville. The campus borders University Avenue and SW 13th Street (US 441).
Enrollment
Roughly 55,000-60,000 total students, with about 35,000 undergraduates; one of the largest universities in the U.S. by enrollment.
Mascot
Albert and Alberta Gator (American alligators); athletic teams are the Florida Gators. The "Gator" nickname dates to roughly 1911.
Free University of Florida Campus Tour with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free University of Florida campus tour with audio narration. Explore Century Tower, Plaza of the Americas, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (the Swamp), plus hidden spots like Lake Alice and Bat Houses, at your own pace without booking a group tour.
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Must-See Spots at University of Florida
- •Century Tower — a 157-foot carillon tower with 61 bells, the campus's central landmark and war memorial
- •Plaza of the Americas — the main campus green shaded by live oaks and palm trees, flanked by Library West and academic buildings
- •Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (the Swamp) — an 88,000-seat stadium sunk below ground level, one of the loudest in college football
- •Florida Museum of Natural History — the state's largest natural history museum, featuring a living butterfly rainforest exhibit
Signature Architecture
- •Century Tower — A 157-foot brick bell tower honoring UF students killed in World Wars I and II; planned for the university's 1953 centennial and completed in the mid-1950s. It houses a carillon that plays regularly.
- •University Auditorium — Collegiate Gothic building opened in 1925, featuring pointed-arch Gothic detailing and home to the Anderson Memorial Organ, a large pipe organ.
- •Ben Hill Griffin Stadium ("The Swamp") — The football stadium, opened in 1930, seats around 88,000-90,000 and is among the largest in the Southeastern Conference.
- •Smathers Library (Library East) — Opened in 1926 in Collegiate Gothic style; the original main library of the campus, fronting the Plaza of the Americas.
- •Harn Museum of Art / Florida Museum of Natural History — Located in the Cultural Plaza on the west side of campus; the Florida Museum's Butterfly Rainforest is a screened, live-butterfly exhibit open to the public.
Hidden Corners of University of Florida
- •Lake Alice — a 70-acre on-campus lake where alligators bask on the banks, serving as both a wildlife preserve and outdoor classroom
- •Bat Houses — two large bat houses near Lake Alice sheltering over 500,000 Brazilian free-tailed bats, visible at sunset departures
Notable Alumni
- •Tim Tebow — Heisman Trophy-winning Gators quarterback (2007)
- •Marco Rubio — U.S. Senator from Florida (UF law degree)
- •Erin Andrews — sportscaster and TV host
- •Bob Vila — television home-improvement host
- •Forrest Sawyer — broadcast journalist
- •Steve Spurrier — Heisman winner as a Gators player and longtime Gators head football coach
Campus Traditions
- •The Gator Chomp — fans extend both arms to mimic an alligator's jaws snapping, paired with the John Williams 'Jaws' theme.
- •'We Are the Boys from Old Florida' — alumni and fans link arms and sway while singing this song between the third and fourth quarters of football games.
- •Two Bits — for decades a fan (originally George Edmondson Jr.) led the 'Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar' cheer at home football games.
- •The Gator Growl — a large student-run homecoming pep rally and variety show held each fall.
- •The bronze 'Bull Gator' and 'Albert and Alberta' alligator statues outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium are popular game-day photo spots for fans.
Where to Eat Near Campus
- •Satchel's Pizza — a well-known independent pizzeria in Gainesville with quirky decor and outdoor seating.
- •Midtown eateries along University Avenue (such as Gumby's Pizza) frequented by students.
- •Reitz Union food court on campus, with chain and local vendors for students between classes.
- •Volta Coffee, Tea & Chocolate — a popular downtown Gainesville coffee shop.
Did you know? Gatorade was invented at the University of Florida in 1965 when a team of university physicians, led by Dr. Robert Cade, developed the drink to replenish fluids and electrolytes for the Gators football team — the product is named after the team, and the university still earns royalties from its sale.
Visiting University of Florida
Prospective students can book official campus tours and information sessions through the UF Office of Admissions; tours typically last around 1.5-2 hours. Self-guided walking is possible since the campus is open to the public. Most campus parking requires a UF decal on weekdays, so visitors should use designated visitor garages or pay-by-space areas. The Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art are free to enter (the Butterfly Rainforest charges a small admission) and open to the general public.
Walking Tip
The campus is very large and flat — bring comfortable shoes or rent a bike. Start at the Plaza of the Americas, walk to Century Tower, then head south to Lake Alice for wildlife. SNAP buses connect distant areas.
Best Time to Visit
Fall for Gator football and cooler weather. Spring for pleasant temperatures. Bat flights from the bat houses peak at sunset in spring and summer. Avoid July-August heat and humidity.
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