With an influx of thousands of freshmen to UF and Santa Fe College — and new residents arriving in town every day — this is a great time to boast about what the Gainesville area has to offer.
There are people who have been to Paris but never visited the Eiffel Tower. There are people who have been to New York City but never explored the splendors of Central Park.
And, as puzzling as it might seem, there are people who have been to Gainesville but have never descended the Devil’s Millhopper or attended a performance at the Hippodrome Theatre.
Don’t let that happen to you!
Gainesville has much to offer in terms of nature, history and entertainment. There is more to see and do here than in most cities our size because, yes, it is a college town (Go Gators!), but it’s also a thriving community away from the two campuses.
If you’re new to Gainesville, welcome to town! If you’ve been here awhile and plan on sticking around, you might as well immerse yourself in what the area has to offer.
“Gainesville is not just about sports,” says Evans Haile, Gainesville Orchestra director. “I encourage people to experience the professional performing arts organizations like the Gainesville Orchestra, Dance Alive and the Hippodrome. These organizations reflect the high level and diversity of the professional arts in Gainesville.”
Kristen Hadeed, founder of Student Maid, offers all college students a simple suggestion.
“Wander outside of the university bubble,” she said. “This is a really cool community!”
With that in mind, here is a list of worthwhile events to attend and places to visit in the Gainesville area (listed alphabetically):
Art Festivals: The Downtown Festival & Art Show during the fall and the Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival in April bring downtown Gainesville streets alive with visual art and entertainment. Art shows also take place during the year at Thornebrook Village and Tioga Town Center. Fun fact: Artwalk Gainesville is a free, self-guided tour on the last Friday of each month at downtown venues. (There’s one this week, on Aug. 26!) www.gvlculturalaffairs.org and artwalkgainesville.com
Bo Diddley Community Plaza: Take in the Free Fridays Concert Series, featuring mostly local acts, at the city’s newly renovated outdoor concert stage from May through October. “I love going to Free Fridays to dance to old rock and roll,” said Kari Bagnall, founder of Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary.” Each and every Wednesday, the plaza hosts the Union Street Farmers Market. Fun fact: The plaza’s namesake is the late, legendary R&B performer who lived in Archer. bodiddleyplaza.com
Dance Alive National Ballet: The professional dance touring company, based in downtown Gainesville, features an international roster of award-winning dancers from Brazil, Cuba, Italy, Turkey and Ukraine. Elegant and exciting, they are at the heart of the company’s undeniable success. Dance Alive performs several times a year at the UF Phillips Center. Fun fact: The company recently completed its 50th-anniversary season. dancealive.org
Depot Park: The City of Gainesville’s newest public park opened last weekend off South Main Street at Depot Avenue. The 32 acres include a large Adventure Play Area with the Blue Grotto Splash Pad, the restored train depot, a Pop-a-Top convenience store, a promenade along the water’s edge and a large picnic pavilion. Fun fact: The Cade Museum of Creativity and Invention will anchor the west side of the park next fall. depotpark.org
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park: From ground level, descend 230 steps on a zigzagging, wooden stairway to the bottom of a vast, ancient sinkhole where the air is cool and the landscape is lush. Fun fact: The natural funnel measures 120 feet deep and 500 feet wide. floridastateparks.org/devilsmillhopper
Dudley Farm Historic State Park: Go back in time to an authentic working farm of 19th-century Florida. Park staff in period clothing explain how to grind sugarcane, raise crops and perform other farm chores. Fun fact: The 18 buildings include a farmhouse, smokehouse and general store. www.floridastateparks.org/dudleyfarm and www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org
Florida Museum of Natural History: In a matter of hours, learn about Florida’s geology, zoology and other “ology’s” — and even explore a cave — without leaving the UF campus. In the fresh air, walk among Lepidoptera at the impressive Butterfly Rainforest. Fun fact: The museum was once housed downtown in the 11-story Seagle Building. www.flmnh.ufl.edu
Friends of the Library Book Sale: Browse more than 500,000 books, games, CDs, DVDs, posters, magazines and other donated items during this event held each fall and spring. The Collectors Corner features first editions and other hard-to-find books. Fun fact: All items cost 10 cents on the final day of the sale. www.folacld.org
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail: Journey this 16.5-mile paved trail on foot, bicycle, skates or horseback to experience a natural Florida landscape that includes Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and other conservation lands. Fun fact: Lakebeds along the trail supported steamboats in the 19th century. www.floridastateparks.org/gainesville-hawthorne
Haile Homestead: Read the writing on the wall — literally — at this 160-year-old house that was the focal point of a 1,500-acre cotton plantation. The home’s “Talking Walls” contain 12,500 words written by the family. Fun fact: Gainesville Orchestra conductor Evans Haile is the great-great grandson of plantation owner Thomas Evans Haile. hailehomestead.org
Harn Museum of Art: Admire extensive collections of paintings, prints and other artwork from Africa, Asia and other corners of the globe in permanent and temporary exhibits. Also, explore galleries devoted to modern and contemporary works, as well as photography. Fun fact: The museum celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015. www.harn.ufl.edu
The Hippodrome: Enjoy live, professional stage performances at this downtown landmark that was once a U.S. post office. The first-floor cinema shows art-house and independent films. Fun fact: The theatre company began in 1973 in a vacant 7-Eleven. www.thehipp.org
Hoggetowne Medieval Faire: Join everyone from jousters, jugglers and jesters to magicians and minstrels for two weekends of mirth and merriment at this annual event at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Fun fact: Every carnival ride is powered by humans. www.gvlculturalaffairs.org
Ichetucknee Springs State Park: Rent an inner-tube or raft on your way to the springs and then float for hours down this crystalline, spring-fed river. (The 45-minute drive from Gainesville is well worth it!) Fun fact: The 72-degree head spring was once used for chilling watermelons — and for baptisms. Brrr. www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings
Kika Silva Pla Planetarium: Lean back and stargaze at this Santa Fe College astronomy center. Some shows are set to music. Fun fact: The planetarium’s computer-controlled Goto Chronos mechanical-optical projector is one of only 10 in the world. www.sfcollege.edu/planetarium
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens: Stroll 62 acres of natural greenery, featuring 25 specialty gardens that celebrate a rich diversity of flora. The bamboo garden is Florida’s largest public collection. Fun fact: In the herb garden, a plant is known as the toothache tree. www.kanapaha.org
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park: Get nostalgic with a visit to the cracker-style homestead and farm of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author (“The Yearling”) in Cross Creek. Fun fact: Rawlings began writing at age 6 and by age 11 had a story published in the Washington Post. www.floridastateparks.org/marjoriekinnanrawlings
Matheson History Museum: Get a better understanding of the area’s rich history with a visit to the nonprofit museum at 513 E. University Ave. The museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history of Gainesville and Alachua County and surrounding regions. Fun fact: The museum collection includes more than 20,000 historic Florida postcards from every county in the state. mathesonmuseum.org/
Micanopy: Spend a lazy day or afternoon exploring this laid-back town, shaded by majestic oaks draped in Spanish moss. Micanopy is known for quaint shops, antique stores, eateries and cracker-era architecture. Fun fact: Cholokka Boulevard, Micanopy’s main street, was once an Indian trading route. www.micanopytown.com
Morningside Nature Center: Wander more than six miles of trails through a variety of landscapes in this city-owned park. A living history farm reflects life in 1870. Fun fact: Look for the center’s “Go Native” plant sale in the spring. www.cityofgainesvilleparks.org
Murals: Walk around downtown Gainesville and you will see more than a dozen murals that were painted during the past year by international artists as well as local artists. The 352walls/GainesvilleUrban Art Initiative is part of an international urban art movement. Fun fact: A guided tour of the murals begins at 6 p.m. during the monthly Artwalk Gainesville. http://www.352walls.org/
O’Leno State Park: Hike across a wooden suspension bridge built in the 1930s and follow the Santa Fe River to where it “sinks” underground, like a giant bathtub drain. Fun fact: This year’s Alligator Warrior Festival is Oct. 14-16. floridastateparks.org/oleno
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park: Make several visits to enjoy this 22,000-acre wilderness area that marks Gainesville’s southern boundary. The park is accessible from several points, including the La Chua Trail. “It’s a bit of a secret, but one of the best short hikes in town,” said Satchel Raye of Satchel’s Pizza. Fun fact: The land was once the largest Spanish cattle ranch in Florida. www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie
Phillips Center: Take in a Broadway touring show, a concert or a ballet at the University of Florida’s premiere performing arts center. The main auditorium seats 1,700, while the Squitieri Studio Theatre seats 200. Fun fact: “RENT” is coming to town Oct. 4-5. performingarts.ufl.edu
Priest Theater: Go back in time at this 240-seat movie house in downtown High Springs that opened in 1910 with Vaudeville acts and silent films. Today, watch first-run movies three nights a week. Fun fact: A Kickstarter campaign two years ago raised enough funds for a digital projection system and other updates. www.priesttheatre.com
Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo: Get face-to-face with more than 75 species of native and exotic mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and birds at this 10-acre facility on the northwest corner of campus. Fun fact: Students from SFC’s Zoo Animal Technology Program help maintain the facility and host a kids’ Boo at the Zoo event each Halloween. www.sfcollege.edu/zoo
Satchel’s: Devour a pizza and enjoy an atmosphere like no other in Gainesville. Options include dining inside Satchel’s old Ford Falcon van out front or amid his Museum of Junk out back. Fun fact: The restaurant is cash only, but the $1.50 ATM fee goes to local charities. www.satchelspizza.com
Thomas Center: Housed in a beautifully restored Mediterranean Revival-style hotel in the Duckpond neighborhood, the Thomas Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is home to art exhibitions and Jewel Box Concerts as well as some city offices. Fun fact: The Spanish Court is one of the city’s most popular wedding venues.
Waldo Farmers and Flea Market: Reserve a good chunk of the day to browse every aisle of this 50-acre, treasure-hunting paradise that attracts upwards of 900 dealers and 30,000 customers each weekend. Fun fact: Vendors cannot sell weapons or adult videos. www.waldofleamarket.com
Here are some more suggestions for things to see and do:
Get into the volunteer spirit by helping to care for more than 300 monkeys at the Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary. www.junglefriends.org
Bring some carrots and love to 335-acre Mill Creek Farm, where 130 retired horses receive dignified care and attention. millcreekfarm.org
Plug your ears and get revved up for the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals each March at the quarter-mile Gainesville Raceway in northeast Gainesville. gainesvilleraceway.com
Take a Tuesday evening tour of Swamp Head Brewery or one of the Saturday afternoon tours of First Magnitude Brewing Co., then sample some of their locally crafted beers in their tasting rooms. swamphead.com or fmbrewing.com.
Get fired up for the hometown heroes at a Gainesville Roller Rebels roller derby “bout” at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. gainesvillerollerrebels.com
Appreciate live community theater at the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre (acrosstown.org), the Gainesville Community Playhouse (www.gcplayhouse.org), the Actors’ Warehouse (actorswarehouse.org) and High Springs Community Theatre (https://highspringsplayhouse.com/).
Play a round of golf under the stars at West End Golf Course, one of the world’s largest lighted golf courses. Other 18-hole options include Meadowbrook, Ironwood and the University of Florida’s Mark Bostick Golf Course.
Take in a film or participate in the Thursday night Poetry Jam at the Civic Media Center, which also offers an extensive library offering alternative views. www.civicmediacenter.org
Dine at the original Sonny’s Real-Pit barbecue restaurant on Waldo Road, where founder Sonny Tillman, now 87, often drops by for a visit.
Sit outside the Bat House across from Lake Alice and wait for the show to begin each evening. Or arrange a visit with the Lubee Bat Conservancy (lubee.org) on the outskirts of Gainesville.
Paddle the Santa Fe River in broad daylight or under a full moon, setting out from the Canoe Outpost north of High Springs. www.santaferiver.com
Take a restful, healing stroll through the 4.6-acre Wilmot Horticultural Gardens north of UF Shands Medical Plaza. wilmot.med.ufl.edu/
Hike through one of the few remaining mature forests in Florida at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park. www.floridastateparks.org/sanfelascohammock
— Noel Leroux
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