Gainesville Is More Than Just Sports
Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, but there is more to this town than college kids and Gator fans. Although the campus is worth a stop, the history and natural wonders will make you wonder why you haven’t visited before.
When to Go
Football season at UF lasts from August to January, which inflates lodging costs by nearly four times on the weekends when the team plays at home. Wait until the season ends for a chance to enjoy a laid-back pace without being surrounded by partying students and alumni who inundate the town. Summer months are luxuriously slow and an ideal time to explore.
Where to Stay
Nothing is better than a stay at the Sweetwater Branch Inn. Parts of the property date back to the 1890s. Stay inside one of the Victorian-style homes for a chance to mingle with other guests or select a nearby cottage for a more private experience. For a taste of campus life, Hotel Eleo offers modern accommodations sure to please even the pickiest traveler. If nightlife is more your idea of a good time, the Hampton Inn Gainesville is located on First Avenue in the heart of downtown for access to booze, food and plenty of good times.
At Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, you can spot alligators, wild horses and even bison.
Image: 6381380/istock
What to Do
Bring your bicycle to explore miles of pedal-friendly roads. The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail stretches 16 miles from the city into Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (above), where you can spot alligators, wild horses and even bison. And for more magic, stop into UF’s Butterfly Rainforest, a 6,400-square-foot screened-in enclosure where butterflies fly freely from plant to plant. Afterward, head out of town to nearby Cross Creek, home to famed Florida author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ 1930s estate.
The Yearling restaurant
Image: Courtesy Photo
Where to Eat
Gainesville is home to loads of inventive dining, thanks in part to its diverse collection of students. To eat like one of said students, try the weekday Krishna Lunch at the Plaza of the Americas on campus, where vegetarian cuisine reigns supreme. On the outskirts of town, Country Foodly has garnered a loyal following with traditional Southern breakfast fare peppered among Korean offerings like a bulgogi omelet that will make your tastebuds soar. And while you’re visiting Cross Creek, a stop at The Yearling (above) is an absolute must. Florida specialties like fish dip, blackened redfish and even gator make this small-town outpost shine.
Get Ready to Touchdown
A Gators keychain with a bottle opener means you're ready for anything.
Image: Courtesy Photo
A Book to Pack: With all this talk of Cross Creek and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, you would be remiss to venture to Gainesville without a copy of her bestseller The Yearling.
A Movie to Watch: For a CliffsNotes version of The Yearling, stream the 1946 movie of the same name. It was filmed in nearby Ocala National Forest.
A Record to Play: If you didn’t already know that Gainesville was home to legendary rock artist Tom Petty, you do now. Visit his statue downtown while listening to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 1977 self-titled album.
Must Have Souvenir: A Gators NCAA Bottle Opener Key Ring so you can party like a college kid.
