Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The town is known for its thriving music scene - the most notable band to hail from
Gainesville is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Indie rock and punk rock rule clubs today,
though music-lovers can find everything from bluegrass to hip-hop almost every night.
Gainesville is also a mecca for the outdoorsy. Surrounding the city are pristine wilder-
ness areas and a succession of stunningly clear springs just aching to be tubed.
WINGED FURY AT THE BAT HOUSE
Across from Gainesville's little Lake Alice, adjacent to a student garden, stands what ap-
pears to be two oversized birdhouses. However, these stilted gray-roofed structures are
actually the
Bat House
and the
Bat Barn
(
www.flmnh.ufl.edu/bats
), home to a family of
Brazilian free-tailed bats. Built in 1991 after the flying mammals' poop began stinking up
the campus, the population has since exploded to over 300,000. Each night just after
sundown, the bats drop from their roost - at the amazing rate of 100 bats per second -
and fly off to feed.
To witness this winged fury, follow University Ave west to Gale Lamerand Dr, turn left
and head south to Museum Rd, between Village Dr and Radio Rd. The batshacks are on
the north side of Museum Rd. There's a parking lot south of here, near Radio Rd, with a
sidewalk leading to an observation area. Parking is free after 4:30 pm weekdays and all
day on weekends.
Sights & Activities
