Florida is a beautiful state with many larger cities that are perfect for a fun vacation. While not as close to the beach as Miami or Orlando, Gainesville is a university town that boasts educational activities as well as many cool outdoor opportunities, all without costing a dime. This list of the top 25 free things to do in Gainesville will keep you busy no matter how long you’re planning to stay! (Though as an FSU graduate I understand if you can’t stay long).
Top 25 Free Things to Do in Gainesville
Hike the trail at Alfred A. Ring Park
This little park has an easy trail that is about 1.4 miles in length, which is short enough for a family with young kiddos to handle!
Feed the ducks at the NFRMC Duck Pond
This medical center has a locally famous duck pond with tons of green space for the kids to run around. A friend of mine who is in her 30s who grew up in Gainesville still remembers these ducks!
Visit the Florida Museum of Natural History
This museum has free admission! There are some special exhibits inside that do cost extra to visit, such as a butterfly rainforest, but you can see the main parts of the museum at no cost. (Note: As of May 2026 the museum is closed for renovations but plans to reopen in Fall 2026.)
Read a book at an Alachua County library
You guys know I love a good library! This library system has multiple locations where you can drop in, use the free WiFi, and find a quick book to peruse.
Now is the time to stock up on beach towels for summer. Combine a sale with stacking coupon codes to get towels starting at $8!
Tip: To get the best price grab 3 towels so you can use both coupons and earn the Kohl’s cash back. I gave you an idea of prices if you scroll down.
Current Kohl’s Coupons
15% off with HOME15
$10 off $25+ with GOSHOP10
Plus, earn $5 Kohl’s Cash on every $25 you spend!
An Idea of the Sales:
The Big One Oversized Turtles Beach Towel $13.99 (reg. $19.99)
-15% off HOME15
Makes it $11.89
The Big One Kids Butterfly Beach Towel $10.49 (reg. $14.99)
-15% off with HOME15
Makes it $8.91
Deal Idea with Stacking Offers:
Buy:
(3) Oversized Beach Towel – $13.99
Use:
-15% off with HOME15
-$10 off with GOSHOP10
makes it $25.67 for all three + get $5 in Kohl’s Cash back
That makes it $6.89 per towel after the Kohl’s Cash back!!
Are you an Alani fan? We don’t often see deals on this brand, but this week you can head into Kroger and score single drinks B2G1, making them just $1.49 each!
Kroger Alani Energy Drink Deal (ends 5/26):
- Alani Nu Energy Drink, 12 oz, $2.99 B2G1
(ends 5/26)
(buy (3), makes it $1.49 ea.)
Check out more great Kroger deals.
Score a sweet deal on a Shark FlexBreeze Pro Mist Fan. I’ve heard so many great reviews on this fan and it would be perfect for making summer more tolerable!!
Head over to Sam’s Club to get the lowest price anywhere online.
Get the Deal
Shark FlexBreeze Pro Mist Indoor Outdoor Fan – $159.99
currently $249.99 on amazon.
This highly-rated fan is cordless with up to 24 hours of battery powered cooling, meaning you can take it anywhere! Run out of battery? Just plug it in and keep the power going while recharging. It also has a detachable water tank that you can take with you. Plus it can be a pedestal or table fan!!
It’s also quiet, works indoors and outdoors.
This deal is good through 5/31.
See more online shopping deals!
If you normally wear Burberry Classic Eau de Perfume, you may want to grab it at Walmart while it’s on sale for $36 (reg. $145)!
This price is for the 3.4 oz bottle. Shipping is free with Walmart+.
Get the deal:
Burberry Classic Eau De Perfume for Women 3.4 oz – $36 (reg. $145)
See more deals at Walmart.
Head to the Publix or Kroger sales and grab Cheez-It Crackers for a great price! Pick them up for as low as $1.37 with an easy coupon deal.
Cheez-Its Deals (end 5/26):
-
Publix – Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers or Snack Mix 6.5-12.4 oz, B1G1 at $5.22 ($2.60)
(Excluding Items Marked Family Size and Gluten Free)
-$1.25/2 Kellanova Town House or Club or Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers printable
(use $1 of, makes it $1.60) - Kroger – Cheez-It Crackers, 10.5-13.7 oz, $3.99 B2G2
-$1.25/2 Kellanova Town House or Club or Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers printable
(buy (4), use (2) $1.25/2, makes it $1.37 ea.)
It is the perfect time of year to go outdoors! There are several days during the year that National Parks are FREE, and one of those days is Monday, 5/25!
Check out this list of the Park locations by state.
Fee-free days:
February 16: Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday
- July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
There are more than 400 parks to visit throughout the United States so there is sure to be one near you. This is also a great opportunity to look for some of these parks near your summer vacation spots.
The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.
See more freebies!
For Memorial Day weekend only, you can grab everyone’s favorite Anti-Gravity chair at the lowest price we’ve ever seen!!
The Sonoma Goods For Life Anti-Gravity Patio Chair is only $39.49 (reg. $99.99) after stacking coupons and Kohl’s Cash Back!
This popular chair is currently on sale for $69.99, but you can get 15% off with code HOME15 and get $10 off with GOSHOP10. That brings your price to $49.49
Plus you will also earn $5 Kohl’s Cash for every $25 spent. That will bring your final price to $39.49! Kohl’s Cash is redeemable from May 26th to 31 st.
Here’s the Deal:
Sonoma Goods for Life Anti-Gravity Chair – $69.99 (reg. $80)
-15% off with code HOME15
-$10 off with GOSHOP10
makes it $49.49 + Get Back $10 in Kohls Cash
like paying $39.49!
This offer is good through 5/25. Shipping is free on purchases of $49+ so free with just one chair!
Read More→
Head into Kroger and score Stem Insect Light Trap deals this week! Use Ibotta rebates or eCoupons to score Flying Insect Light Traps for $7.99, or Refills for FREE.
We do have multiple offers for each item, so you can grab a few of each if you need them for multiple rooms!
Kroger Stem Insect Trap Deals (end 5/26):
- Stem Flying Insects Light Trap, $12.99
-$5 off STEM Devices, select, limit 1, Ibotta mobile app
-$5 off Stem Device Starter Kit printable
-$5 off STEM Device, limit 1, Kroger Cashback eCoupon
-$5 off STEM Device, Kroger eCoupon
(use coupon or Ibotta, makes it $7.99) - Stem Flying Insect Trap Refills, 2 ct., $1.99
-$2 off Stem Product or Refill printable
-$2 off STEM Products or Refills, limit 1, Kroger Cashback (exp 5/19) eCoupon
-$2 off STEM Products or Refill, Kroger (exp 5/19) eCoupon
(use coupon, makes it FREE)
Check out the full Kroger ad for more great deal ideas.
