Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention — Attraction in Gainesville

I’ve been to a lot of museums, from the sublime — The Louvre in Paris and the British Museum — to the ridiculous Museum of the Sea and Indian near Destin (lots of withered shark(?) embryos in yellowing jars) and West Virginia’s Mothman ($4 entry, ‘nuff said).

The Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention is the only one that hasn’t left me glassy-eyed from information overload. A mind, after all, is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.

While inventors are its focus, the magic is in the creative ways it pays homage to those who make our lives better through science.

Cade — the lead inventor who created the formula for Gatorade, originally called Cade-ade — was a pioneer of out-of-the-box thinking. His story exemplifies the struggle inventors face bringing ideas to light and ultimately to the consumer. While the museum focuses on his career and also recognizes other players in the Gatorade success story, it gives equal time to the wonders of invention

Staff turns learning into fun, even for old timers who barely passed science and math classes. Whether perfecting the art of homemade slime, using a 3-D printer or experimenting in its two labs (“Osmosis” was the topic when I visited), there is no shortage of activities to keep minds engaged and more importantly, open to new ideas.

Dr. Cade, a nephrologist on the University of Florida faculty, wasn’t primarily an inventor, but he provided museum seed money in 2004 to create a tribute to a renegade breed. Men and women who swim against the tide of the status quo to reach new shores. He died in 2007 and didn’t live to see it fully conceived, but his daughter and son-in-law, Phoebe and Richard Miles took up the torch.

In 2018, they christened the Cade Museum for Creativity and invention, all 21,000 square feet of it. Always evolving, they currently are expanding an outdoor musical maze that will be a mini-forest filled with instruments the young and young-at-heart can try their hand at. Among many talents, Dr. Cade was an accomplished musician.

Teachers take note.

All this is from a man some said was “too dumb for medical school.” One of the most inspiring artifacts in the museum is a letter his instructor sent home to his parents, saying he would not amount to anything if he did not quit cutting up in class.

An added attraction of the museum is across the street, where Cade’s beloved Studebaker collection is housed. They are only on display during special events throughout the year, such as the Inventivity Bash...

Hours of operation have changed since my last visit. Check the website for updated times.

New to Gainesville, so this is my first visit to the Cade Museum. Parking is easy to access and is free, which is awesome. Please never change that. The exterior of the museum is impressive. Very modern and definitely fits the science theme. Entrance is clearly labeled, and easy to locate from the parking lot, thanks to the helpful signs guiding you. Interior of the museum starts off unassuming, but as you pass the front desk, and the colorful gift shop, it opens up to the breathtaking rotunda, with a wide, cylindrical, shape that allows natural light and a beautiful panoramic view of Depot Park via large windows. It also has a tall ceiling with a beautiful circular skylight. There is a large curved stairway that narrows as you approach the second floor, which leads to more activities, exhibits and stunning views of Depot Park.

The first exhibit I went through was The Sweat Solution, which gives an interactive look into the life of Dr. Cade and the invention of Gatorade. My guide Erin Jane, was extremely entertaining and informative, with deep insight into all aspects of the exhibit. She definitely knew her stuff, and made the tour an absolute pleasure.

I then wandered upstairs to explore, and found the new Moon to Mars exhibit. The introduction presentation was done by Jesse, who was also entertaining and knowledgeable, and even put up with my Martian fart joke due to the discussion regarding methane on Mars. Wild theories are always fun.

There was also a new "ice" skating rink in the middle of the rotunda. I didn't try it because I didn't feel like embarrassing myself, but the kids and adults who were skating around looked to be having a ton of fun; something to consider if you have kids, and adults that are kids at heart, and want an engaging place to visit with the family during a weekend afternoon.

All in all, my first visit to the Cade Museum was wonderful, despite the weather. I highly recommend this place if you want to learn the history of Gatorade, love science, and also want fun activities for the family, in a beautiful, relaxing, atmosphere, with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Will definitely visit again, in...

I had two different experiences here. I am an older mom in her 50's with twin sons and a special needs niece. The first day I went was wonderful. I was met by Gabi, and she was so nice and welcoming and explained to us everything about what was offered. We went to make bouncy slime balls and the women there were so friendly and so amazing we had such a great time but didn't have enough time to experience everything there was so we told them we would be back the next day. We did go back the next day and the women recognized us and made us feel welcomed back. HOwever, there were some of the male pple working in the lego and flight similator room where they also 3d print things and we got completely ignored. Even when we tried to ask questions we were brushed off. There were a few other families that came in. There were younger women in those families and they were absolutely lavished with attention by the males that were in that room. It was so blatantly obvious it was a super uncomfortable feeling. I even noticed that one of the women were trying to avoid the attention. It was a bad vibe. I was very sad to see that type of dynamic on that day. I will say there was one male on our first day who paid attention and made everyone welcome and was very funny as well as informative on the first day while we were making the bouncy slime. I didn't get his name but he just seemed excited to teach anyone about the information and science behind what was available along with the wonderful women that worked there. He had kind of shaggy hair, was very informative and a very positive vibe. My kids and my special needs niece really liked him and all the women that helped us. It seemed on the second day the man that was in the room that ignored us was only interested in his 'juggling' skills. There was also an older man there that seemed to be a manager that smiled but very aloof as well. I guess it depends on how you look what kind of experience you will have when you are there. But to the ladies of this place: YOU ARE AWESOME! You made our day and when we come back, hopefully you are there and we will look to you for another great...