Things to do in Gainesville
-
A
Satchel’s Pizza
Two miles east of downtown, this wacky place has the best pizza on Florida’s east coast (and a darn good salad, to boot). Here, you can sit surrounded by funky outsider art and savor steaming build-your-own gourmet pies served on mismatched crockery. Grab a seat at a mosaic courtyard table or in the back of a gutted 1965 Ford Falcon. Most nights there’s live music in the Back 40 Bar; there’s bocce ball and a head-scratchingly eccentric junk museum featuring various bizarro collections. Satchel’s doesn’t take credit cards; the fees from the on-site ATM go to charity. Skip Satchel’s and you miss Gainesville’s soul.
reviewed
-
B
University of Florida
With more than 51,000 students and a 2000-acre campus, rambling University of Florida is the state’s oldest university. Established in 1853 as the East Florida Seminary in Ocala, UF later relocated to Gainesville and in 1906 the first class of students, numbering a paltry 102, cracked the books. The Holland Law Center stands near the site of American Indian burial mounds, and archaeologists have unearthed artifacts from pre-Columbian settlements here. For a campus map, visit http://campusmapufl.edu.
reviewed
-
C
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
The highlight of these oasis-like 62-acre gardens is the water garden, which resembles an impressionist painting with four waterfalls, lily pads and a babbling brook courtesy of reclaimed wastewater from the regional utilities board.
From downtown take University Ave west to 13th St and turn left; continue to Archer Rd and turn right, following Archer 1 mile past I-75; the entrance is up the little dirt road on the right-hand side (look for the sign).
reviewed
-
D
Stubbie Shirt Pub
When Berkeley Hoflund visited Australia, she fell in love with the beer. Upon returning, she opened this very orange, very Aussie, very awesome pub serving 255 types of international ‘stubbies and tinnies’ (beer bottles and cans, mate), plus quirky T-shirts, custom-made while you wait. Don’t try to outsmart the razor-sharp staff: they know waaaay more about beer than you. BYO food; they have games behind the bar.
reviewed
-
E
Florida Museum of Natural History
The highlight of this excellent natural history museum is the expansive Butterfly Rainforest. Hundreds of butterflies from 55 to 65 species flutter freely in the soaring, screened vivarium. As you stroll among waterfalls and tropical foliage, peek at scientists preparing specimens in the rearing lab of this, the world’s largest butterfly research facility.
reviewed
-
Tim & Terry’s
This general-store-meets-the-big-city dive is initially disorienting, but the friendly vibe sets you straight. Part sandwich shop, package store and instrument dealer, there’s also a stripped-down performance space showcasing bluegrass (Tuesdays) and other folk-country-rock music the rest of the week. Fantastic beer selection. A hippie favorite.
reviewed
-
F
Devil’s Millhopper State Geological Site
This geological site centers on a 120ft deep, 500ft wide funnel-shaped rainforest that’s entered by descending a 232-step wooden staircase. Water trickles down the slopes from the surrounding springs; some of it flows into a natural drain and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico. Rangers lead tours every Saturday at 10am.
reviewed
-
2nd Street Speakeasy
If you’re not paying attention, you’ll cruise right past the dark door leading into Gainesville’s chillest bar. Fringe-tipped crimson lamps, a mellow azure aquarium and cushy burgundy sofas are some of the cool features here. What’s coolest though, is that the volume of the lounge music is set so you can actually chat with people.
reviewed
-
G
Graffiti Wall
Along the east side of SW 34th St just south of SW 2nd Ave, this graffiti-permitted wall is a flash point for the local political and creative zeitgeist. The only section off limits to taggers is the central panel - a moving memorial to the five UF students who were murdered in August 1990 by serial killer Daniel Rolling.
reviewed
-
Morningside Nature Center
Only 3 miles from downtown, this 278-acre nature center boasts seven natural communities, including hydric flatwoods, depression marshes and savannahs of longleaf pines. In addition to a picnic basket and a camera, be sure to bring your walking shoes: the center offers 7 miles of trails.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Urban Threads
Urban Threads sells catalog returns from J Crew and Anthropologie. Some items are from the previous season, but there’s a boatload of current merchandise selling at steep discounts. Excellent selection of pants and tops, many for less than $20. Also: shoes and boots galore!
reviewed
-
H
Lillian’s Music Store
The crowd’s a little older than in the clubs along University, so they appreciate that elegant stained-glass partition and the 3ft-tall gorilla at the entrance. The barbershop seats are inspired and who can resist test-driving what must be the state’s largest urinal?
reviewed
-
I
Griffin Stadium
Nicknamed ‘the swamp’ (coz only Gators get out alive), this 88,548-seat stadium is home to the UF’s Gators football team, which plays seven games a year here from August to November. Visit www.gatorzone.com for info about the team and other Gator sports.
reviewed
-
J
Swamp
In a rambling two-story timber building with faded yellow paint, this timeless college hangout just keeps on keeping on. During the day you'll see lots of students here using the free wi-fi; by night bands and DJs put paid to study.
reviewed
-
K
Top
Combining 1950s kitsch, hunter lodge decor and giant owl art, this place is both hip and comfortable. Vegetarians will thrill at the options here and everyone will appreciate the working photo booth in the back ($2).
reviewed
-
1982
Cramped, dingy and musty, this sweet spot boasts both local and national bands, and a great beer selection. If the band sucks, you can play classic Nintendo games on one of four TVs behind the bar. Duck Hunt FTW!
reviewed
-
L
Market Street Pub
Half of this 1908-built pub opens for concerts on big nights, but the main room, with pool and darts, always has something happening, like its ‘double up for a dollar’ nights on Wednesdays.
reviewed
-
Harvest Thyme
Too much to drink last night? Refresh at this healthy pit stop serving organic coffees, fresh breakfast wraps, or if you slept late, deli sandwiches. Many veggie options and smoothies, too.
reviewed
-
M
Emiliano's Café
Emiliano's extensive Pan-Latin menu is divided into classic and contemporary, creative dishes. The wine and tapas bar on Friday and Saturday is set against live music and loungey jazz.
reviewed
-
N
University Club
Predominantly gay, but straight-friendly, this place is the hub of the local gay and lesbian scene and is famous for its drag shows. The entrance is around back. Free beer on Mondays.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Plaza of the Americas
For the cheapest (and most spiritual) eats, head to UF’s lunchtimes when Hare Krishnas play music and serve up vegetarian feasts on ecofriendly dishware for donations.
reviewed
-
O
Common Grounds
Delightfully retro, this cavernous venue offers punk, indie, hip-hop, rap – even the occasional stand-up comic. Come early and enjoy a frosty one on the Porch Bar.
reviewed
-
Liquid Ginger
This Pan Asian restaurant is cute and cozy. The basil chicken is light but zesty, and the two-page tea menu offers intriguing options, like ginger tea.
reviewed
-
P
Hippodrome
In an imposing historic edifice (1911), the Hippodrome is the city’s main cultural center, with a diverse theater and independent-cinema program.
reviewed
-
Q
Gainesville Raceway
This is one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) circuit and hosts the NHRA Gatornationals in March.
reviewed
