Your Guide to the Best Airbnb & Vacation Rentals in Gainesville
Your Guide to the Best Airbnb & Vacation Rentals in Gainesville, FL
🏡 Your Guide to the Best Airbnb & Vacation Rentals in Gainesville, FL
If you're searching for an Airbnb in Gainesville or looking for the best vacation rentals in Gainesville, FL, you've come to the right place. Whether you're visiting for a University of Florida event, medical treatment at UF Health/Shands, a business trip, or just a relaxing getaway, finding the perfect place to stay matters. And not all short-term rentals are created equal.
In this guide, we’ll break down why StayGainesville is your go-to option for stylish, reliable, and locally managed vacation rentals—and why booking directly with us is smarter than going through Airbnb or VRBO.
📍 Why Gainesville, FL Is a Popular Travel Destination
Gainesville is more than just a college town. It’s a vibrant city filled with natural beauty, cultural events, and a thriving local food and music scene. Visitors come here year-round for:
🐊 University of Florida campus tours, football games, graduations, and alumni events
🏥 Shands Hospital, VA Medical Center, and UF Health for medical stays and appointments
🌳 Outdoor adventures like Paynes Prairie, Sweetwater Wetlands, and Devil’s Millhopper
🎶 Local festivals, art walks, and downtown concerts
👨👩👧 Family visits, extended work stays, and relocation transitions
With so many reasons to visit, the demand for short-term rentals in Gainesville is higher than ever—and so is the demand for convenience, comfort, and value.
🛏️ What Makes StayGainesville Different from Airbnb Hosts?
If you’ve searched “Airbnb Gainesville” or “vacation rentals Gainesville FL,” you’ve probably noticed a mix of individual listings. Some are great, and others… not so much. That’s where StayGainesville comes in.
We’re a locally owned and operated short-term rental management company, offering carefully curated vacation homes with hotel-level standards and hometown hospitality. When you stay with us, you get:
✅ Professionally cleaned and inspected homes
✅ High-speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and full kitchens
✅ Flexible check-in, local support, and on-call service
✅ Pet-friendly options, homes with pool access, and rentals for large groups
✅ Properties close to UF, Shands, Downtown, Celebration Pointe, and more
And the best part? You can book direct on StayGainesville.com to save on Airbnb and VRBO fees.
🐾 Pet-Friendly Gainesville Rentals
Traveling with your dog or cat? We’ve got you covered. StayGainesville offers several pet-friendly vacation rentals in Gainesville with fenced yards, nearby trails, and cozy layouts your furry friend will love.
These homes are perfect for:
🐶 Long-term stays with pets
🐾 Weekend getaways near dog parks and walkable neighborhoods
🐕 Families relocating or needing a pet-friendly rental during renovations
Our pet policies are simple, and we’ll help you find the perfect home that suits your needs—without the hidden fees some Airbnb listings sneak in.
🏫 Best Rentals Near University of Florida
Looking for an Airbnb near UF or a rental walking distance to the stadium? Whether you’re in town for a football game, a campus tour, or spring graduation, our homes near the University of Florida book up fast—and for good reason.
Popular picks include:
🏠 The Stadium House – Sleeps 10, walk to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
🏠 University Bungalow – 2BR classic home near Midtown
🏠 The Ridge – 3BR tucked into a quiet neighborhood just blocks from campus
Skip the overpriced hotels and enjoy the convenience of your own kitchen, parking space, and living room after a long day on campus.
🏥 Short-Term Rentals Near Shands and UF Health
Many of our guests visit Gainesville for medical care, procedures, or travel nurse assignments. StayGainesville offers a variety of homes just minutes from:
UF Health/Shands Hospital
Malcom Randall VA Medical Center
UF Health Cancer Center
North Florida Regional Medical Center
Our properties offer privacy, comfort, and full amenities—including washers/dryers, kitchens, and workspace areas—ideal for patients and their families.
🏊 Rentals with Pool Access
Want to cool off during your stay? We offer several vacation homes with access to community pools, giving you the perks of a resort without the crowds of a hotel.
Perfect for:
☀️ Summer visits
👨👩👧 Family trips with kids
🛏️ Relaxing after medical appointments or business meetings
Check out our “Stay Cool in the Pool” homes on StayGainesville.com for updated availability.
🗓️ Monthly & Extended Stays
Need a monthly furnished rental in Gainesville, FL? We specialize in extended stays for:
🌐 Remote workers
👩⚕️ Travel nurses
🏡 Relocating families
📚 Visiting professors or grad students
🛠️ Construction crews and corporate housing needs
Get the benefits of a fully furnished, professionally managed home with flexible lease terms—and skip the fees of corporate hotels or Airbnb’s 30-day surcharges.
🧭 Why Book Direct with StayGainesville?
While you can find many of our listings on Airbnb or VRBO, booking directly with StayGainesville offers:
💰 Lower rates (no guest service fees!)
🛠️ Faster service (local team, not offshore support)
🎁 Exclusive discounts and last-minute deals
📍 Local knowledge for food, events, and directions
🐾 Pet-friendly booking clarity with no surprise rules
We’re Gainesville locals who live and work here—our goal is to make your stay as smooth, safe, and stress-free as possible.
📞 Ready to Book Your Gainesville Stay?
Skip the filters, fees, and frustrations of booking platforms. Whether you need a weekend rental, a month-long stay, or group housing for an event, StayGainesville has the home you need—at a price that makes sense.
📲 Book direct at: https://www.staygainesville.com
📧 Email: info@staygainesville.com
📞 Call: (352) 519-3994
Stay Local. Stay Smart. StayGainesville. 🏡
We're here for you if your needs are:
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Looking for a comfortable, stylish, and well-located place to stay in Gainesville, Florida? Whether you're in town for a medical appointment, a University of Florida event, or a relaxing getaway, StayGainesville offers over 40 fully furnished short-term rentals in Gainesville, FL that feel like home.
🌿 Ultimate Guide to Nature Attractions Near Gainesville, FL Gainesville and its surrounding areas are rich in natural beauty, offering a diverse array of parks, springs, gardens, and waterways to explore. Whether you're interested in hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the outdoors, there's something for everyone. 🌳 City Parks in Gainesville 1. Alfred A. Ring Park * 📍 Address: 1801 NW 23rd Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605 * 🌐 Website: City of Gainesville Parks * 📝 Features: Over a mile of trails through upland mixed forest and slope forest, tracing the course of Hogtown Creek. 2. Depot Park * 📍 Address: 874 SE 4th St, Gainesville, FL 32601 * 🌐 Website: Depot Park * 📝 Features: A vibrant community park with playgrounds, splash pads, and a lakefront boardwalk. 3. Sweetwater Wetlands Park * 📍 Address: 325 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville, FL 32601 * 🌐 Website: Sweetwater Wetlands Park * 📝 Features: A constructed wetland with boardwalks, birdwatching opportunities, and native plant species. 4. Morningside Nature Center * 📍 Address: 3540 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641 * 🌐 Website: Morningside Nature Center * 📝 Features: A living history farm with heritage livestock, period gardens, and interpretive programs. 🌿 State Parks & Nature Preserves 5. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park * 📍 Address: 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, FL 32653 * 🌐 Website: Florida State Parks * 📝 Features: A 120-foot deep sinkhole with a 132-step staircase leading to the bottom, showcasing unique geological formations. 6. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park * 📍 Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667 * 🌐 Website: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park * 📝 Features: A vast wetland preserve with bison, wild horses, hiking trails, and birdwatching spots. 7. San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park * 📍 Address: 13201 San Felasco Parkway, Alachua, FL 32615 * 🌐 Website: San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park * 📝 Features: A forested park with trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. 8. Ichetucknee Springs State Park * 📍 Address: 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL 32038 * 🌐 Website: Ichetucknee Springs State Park * 📝 Features: A 6-mile river fed by nine springs, offering tubing, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking through shaded hammocks. 9. O'Leno State Park * 📍 Address: 410 SE O'Leno Park Rd, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: O'Leno State Park * 📝 Features: Historic park with hiking trails, picnicking areas, and the scenic Santa Fe River. 10. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park * 📍 Address: 18700 S County Rd 325, Cross Creek, FL 32640 * 🌐 Website: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park * 📝 Features: The former home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, with gardens and historic buildings. 11. Dudley Farm Historic State Park * 📍 Address: 18730 W Newberry Rd, Newberry, FL 32669 * 🌐 Website: Dudley Farm Historic State Park * 📝 Features: A preserved 19th-century farm with historic buildings, gardens, and interpretive programs. 💧 Springs & Water Features 12. Poe Springs Park * 📍 Address: 28800 NW 182nd Ave, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Poe Springs Park * 📝 Features: A spring with a 45-foot deep vent, offering swimming and snorkeling opportunities. 13. Ginnie Springs * 📍 Address: 5000 NE 60th Ave, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Ginnie Springs * 📝 Features: A popular spot for tubing, snorkeling, and scuba diving in crystal-clear waters. 14. Blue Springs Park * 📍 Address: 7450 NE 60th St, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Blue Springs Park * 📝 Features: A spring known for its vibrant blue waters and opportunities for swimming and picnicking. 🌸 Botanical Gardens 15. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens * 📍 Address: 4700 SW 58th Dr, Gainesville, FL 32608 * 🌐 Website: Kanapaha Botanical Gardens * 📝 Features: 24 major collections, including the state's largest public bamboo garden and a butterfly garden. 16. Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens * 📍 Address: 4990 NE 180th Ave, Williston, FL 32696 * 🌐 Website: Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens * 📝 Features: A 20-acre botanical garden set in a century-old limestone quarry, featuring waterfalls, koi ponds, and tropical plant displays. 🛶 Public Boat Ramps & River Launch Points 17. Lake Santa Fe Boat Ramp * 📍 Address: 2308 SE 30th St, Melrose, FL 32666 * 🌐 Website: Lake Santa Fe Boat Ramp * 📝 Features: A concrete boat ramp providing access to Lake Santa Fe for various watercraft. 18. Jill McGuire Santa Fe Lake Park * 📍 Address: 24500 NE SR 26, Melrose, FL 32666 * 🌐 Website: Jill McGuire Santa Fe Lake Park * 📝 Features: A park with a boat ramp, shelter, and play area, offering access to Santa Fe Lake. 21. Ellie Ray's Resort Boat Ramp * 📍 Address: Ellie Ray's Resort, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Ellie Ray's Resort * 📝 Features: A private resort with a boat ramp providing access to the Santa Fe River. 22. Sandy Point Campground * 📍 Address: Sandy Point Campground, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Sandy Point Campground * 📝 Features: A campground with a boat ramp offering access to the Santa Fe River. 🌲 Nature Preserves & Additional Parks 23. Barr Hammock Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Barr Hammock Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with hiking trails through pine flatwoods and cypress swamps. 24. Buck Bay Flatwoods Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Buck Bay Flatwoods Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with hiking trails through flatwoods and wetlands. 25. Four Creeks Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Four Creeks Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve protecting the headwaters of four local creeks, with seasonal trails. 26. Lake Alto Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Lake Alto Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with trails through pine flatwoods and lake shore hardwood forest. 27. Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve * 📝 Features: A reserve with trails through longleaf pine forests and wetlands. 28. Mill Creek Nature Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Mill Creek Nature Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with hiking trails through hardwood forests and wetlands. 29. Newnans Lake Conservation Area * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Newnans Lake Conservation Area * 📝 Features: A conservation area with trails and birdwatching opportunities. 🏞️ Other Notable Natural Attractions 30. The Bluffs at Paynes Prairie * 📍 Address: Located at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy, FL 32667 * 🌐 Website: Paynes Prairie Preserve * 📝 Features: Scenic lookout points offering panoramic views of the prairie, ideal for wildlife watching and photography. 31. Lookout Points at Paynes Prairie * 📍 Address: Located at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy, FL 32667 * 🌐 Website: Paynes Prairie Preserve * 📝 Features: Stunning views over the prairie from observation points, popular for birdwatching and hiking. 🛶 Kayaking, Canoeing, and Tubing Spots 32. Santa Fe River (Canoe and Kayak Launch) * 📍 Address: Various Launch Points (including near High Springs) * 🌐 Website: Santa Fe Canoe Outpost * 📝 Features: Enjoy paddling down the scenic Santa Fe River, a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing. 33. Suwannee River (Canoe and Kayak Launch) * 📍 Address: Various Launch Points (High Springs, Micanopy) * 🌐 Website: Suwannee River * 📝 Features: A popular river for long canoe trips with beautiful landscapes and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Gainesville, Florida, and its surrounding areas are a paradise for nature lovers, offering a rich variety of outdoor experiences from hiking and birdwatching to kayaking and tubing. Whether you prefer the tranquility of a botanical garden, the adventure of a hike through a state park, or the excitement of a spring-fed river, there's no shortage of beautiful places to explore. Each of these locations provides a unique opportunity to experience the natural wonders of North Central Florida. Feel free to visit any of these parks, preserves, and waterways and immerse yourself in the incredible nature surrounding Gainesville! While visiting Gainesville, be sure to stay in one of StayGainesville's comfortable homes and condos. We have a large variety of sizes, locations, prices and more! Stay local. Stay Comfortable. StayGainesville. 352-519-3994 info@staygainesville.com
