Visitor Guidelines

1. Visitors are responsible for their own transportation.
2. Normal working hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; occasionally, extended working hours can be arranged.
3. Permission of the staff must be obtained before library materials can be photocopied.
4. Visits lasting longer than three weeks must be accompanied by a brief proposal of planned activities and must first be approved by the Board of Directors; at least 30 days advance notice is desired.
5. Microscopes and the usual museum supplies are available. Instructions for the use of the AEI's EntoVision micro-imaging system are available here.
6. Museums and collections are under increasing financial pressure. Some have instituted bench fees. The American Entomological Institute does not charge bench fees, but we instead ask that long-term visitors commit a portion of their time for identification and curation of the American Entomological Institute collection

Gainesville lodging

There is one motel within walking distance of the AEI (0.7 miles/1.1 kilometers): the Quality Inn (3455 SW Williston Road; Gainesville, FL 32608; 352-378-2405; 29.600559ºN, 82.373397ºW). Another choice is the Howard Johnson Express Inn (3820 SW 13th Street; Gainesville, FL 32608; 352-371-2500; 29.617412ºN, 82.340744ºW) but it is further away (3.1 miles/5 kilometers) and one needs a car or taxi. Both the Quality Inn and the Howard Johnson Express Inn have wireless internet service.

Directions to the AEI

View southbound on SW 34th Ave. The green sign marks the entrance to SW 56th Ave.

SW 56th Ave, heading east. The AEI is on the right.

View of the AEI through the trees.

Coming from the north or south on Interstate 75:
Take the fourth Gainesville exit if coming from the north or the first Gainesville exit if coming from the south (both are numbered Exit 382); at the end of the offramp, turn left (east). At the stoplight at the intersection of Williston Road (SR121) and SW 34th Street, turn right (south) on SW 34th Street. Proceed for 0.35 miles/560 meters) and turn left on SW 56th Avenue. SW 56th Avenue is an unpaved road. The AEI is the first driveway on the right-hand side of the road (about 260 yards/ 240 meters from the entrance to SW 56th Avenue).

Coming from the Gainesville Airport:
Leaving the airport, you will come to a T-intersection with NE 39th Ave. - turn right. Go to the intersection with Waldo Road/SR-24 and turn left (south). At the intersection with SR-26/University Avenue, SR-24 goes to the right. Continue straight. At this point, Waldo Road become Williston Road/SR-331. Follow Williston Road to the intersection with SR-441/SW 13th Street.

If you are staying at the Howard Johnson Express Inn (see below), turn right on SR-441/SW 13th Street and proceed for 0.2 miles - the motel is on the left.

To go to the AEI from this point, continue on Williston Road across SW 13th Street and go west for about 2.2 miles. At the intersection of Williston Road and SW 34th Street, turn left (south) on SW 34th Street. Proceed for 0.35 miles/560 meters and turn left on SW 56th Avenue. SW 56th Avenue is an unpaved road. The AEI is the first driveway on the right-hand side of the road (about 260 yards/ 240 meters from the entrance to SW 56th Avenue).

If you are staying at the Quality Inn (see below), do not turn left on SW 34th Street but continue on Williston Road. The Quality Inn is about 0.25 miles from the intersection, on the left hand side of Williston Road (just after the I-75 overpass).

Coming from Jacksonville:
From Jacksonville International Airport/Interstate 95, take Interstate 295. After about 17 miles, this will intersect Interstate 10. Take Interstate 10 west (toward Lake City/Live Oak). Proceed for 19 miles to the intersection with SR-301. Take SR-301 south to Starke. Continue through Starke to Waldo (in all, 37 miles from Interstate 10 to Waldo). Obey speed limits in Lawtey and Waldo - they are strictly enforced. At Waldo, take SR-24 to Gainesville. At the intersection with SR-26/University Avenue, SR-24 goes to the right. Continue straight. At this point, Waldo Road become Williston Road/SR-331. Follow Williston Road to the intersection with SR-441/SW 13th Street.

If you are staying at the Howard Johnson Express Inn (see below), turn right on SR-441/SW 13th Street and proceed for 0.2 miles - the motel is on the left.

To go to the AEI from this point, continue on Williston Road across SW 13th Street and go west for about 2.2 miles. At the intersection of Williston Road and SW 34th Street, turn left (south) on SW 34th Street. Proceed for 0.35 miles/560 meters and turn left on SW 56th Avenue. SW 56th Avenue is an unpaved road. The AEI is the first driveway on the right-hand side of the road (about 260 yards/ 240 meters from the entrance to SW 56th Avenue).

If you are staying at the Quality Inn (see below), do not turn left on SW 34th Street but continue on Williston Road. The Quality Inn is about 0.25 miles from the intersection, on the left hand side of Williston Road (just after the I-75 overpass).

Map of our Location

Here is a map of our location (29.599589ºN, 82.364987ºW) from Google Maps.