Guide to Greater Gainesville
Sightseeing
Perhaps the most iconic, must-see place for anyone visiting Gainesville. This is the trail where you're most likely to spot a gator...or dozens of them. Also great for photography and birding. Located just a short 10-11 minute drive from the house.
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La Chua Trailhead
4270 SE 15th StPerhaps the most iconic, must-see place for anyone visiting Gainesville. This is the trail where you're most likely to spot a gator...or dozens of them. Also great for photography and birding. Located just a short 10-11 minute drive from the house.
This is a local favorite spot on UF Campus for watching the sunset. Check out the Baughman Meditation Center overlooking the lake or walk along the edge to look at the turtles. You might even spot a gator or two if you're lucky. Then head across the street to the UF bat houses, where every night at dusk you can watch tens of thousands of bats head out for the night to hunt for food.
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Lake Alice
This is a local favorite spot on UF Campus for watching the sunset. Check out the Baughman Meditation Center overlooking the lake or walk along the edge to look at the turtles. You might even spot a gator or two if you're lucky. Then head across the street to the UF bat houses, where every night at dusk you can watch tens of thousands of bats head out for the night to hunt for food.
This park has great trails for walking and great spots for picnicking. There is also a large playground and splash pad for kids and two restaurants on site selling burgers, beer, and wine. The Humble Wood Fire pizza food truck can usually be found there as well. From Depot Park, you can access the Depot Trail, the nearby Cade Museum ( another newer local favorite), and First Magnitude Brewery, all by foot.
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Depot Park
874 SE 4 StThis park has great trails for walking and great spots for picnicking. There is also a large playground and splash pad for kids and two restaurants on site selling burgers, beer, and wine. The Humble Wood Fire pizza food truck can usually be found there as well. From Depot Park, you can access the Depot Trail, the nearby Cade Museum ( another newer local favorite), and First Magnitude Brewery, all by foot.
Woodland park with wetlands, wildlife viewing & 3 mi. of unpaved walking trails. Great spot for hiking close to the house. There are frequent guided tours offered in the mornings. One of the best spots for bird watching and gator spotting. There is a fee to park there, so cash is needed.
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Sweetwater Preserve
309 SE 16th AveWoodland park with wetlands, wildlife viewing & 3 mi. of unpaved walking trails. Great spot for hiking close to the house. There are frequent guided tours offered in the mornings. One of the best spots for bird watching and gator spotting. There is a fee to park there, so cash is needed.
You can't visit North Central FL without a trip the springs! Ichetucknee is our favorite one to float or kayak down, closely followed by Gilchrist Blue Spring.
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Ichetucknee Springs
You can't visit North Central FL without a trip the springs! Ichetucknee is our favorite one to float or kayak down, closely followed by Gilchrist Blue Spring.
This is our favorite spot to hike in Gainesville. There are two very different types trail systems available to hikers--The one north of Millhopper Road is significantly longer, has a wider trail that's great for running and the path is usually dryer, sandy in some places, and full of pine trees and nice rolling rills. It's great for bird watching and you'll also see plenty of squirrels, an occasional wild hog, or armadillo. The one south of Millhopper Rd is also beautiful, but can become quite muddy after it's rained. The trails are narrower with lots of twists, turns, and elevation changes. The trail is shorter but they wind through a densely forested area full of lush greenery, palms, a couple swamps, a bridge or two, and if there aren't too many people out, you're very likely to run into deer.
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San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
11101 Millhopper RdThis is our favorite spot to hike in Gainesville. There are two very different types trail systems available to hikers--The one north of Millhopper Road is significantly longer, has a wider trail that's great for running and the path is usually dryer, sandy in some places, and full of pine trees and nice rolling rills. It's great for bird watching and you'll also see plenty of squirrels, an occasional wild hog, or armadillo. The one south of Millhopper Rd is also beautiful, but can become quite muddy after it's rained. The trails are narrower with lots of twists, turns, and elevation changes. The trail is shorter but they wind through a densely forested area full of lush greenery, palms, a couple swamps, a bridge or two, and if there aren't too many people out, you're very likely to run into deer.
Night Life
Cypress and Grove has a great atmosphere, with both indoor and outdoor seating options, games like pool and foosball, and there is usually a food truck on site.
https://www.cypressandgrove.com/home
MONDAY - THURSDAY 3 PM - 9 PM
FRIDAY 3 PM - 10 PM
SATURDAY 12 PM - 10 PM
SUNDAY 12 PM - 9 PM
1001 NW 4th Street
Gainesville, Florida
Tap Room: 352-376-4993
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Cypress & Grove Brewing Company
1001 NW 4th StCypress and Grove has a great atmosphere, with both indoor and outdoor seating options, games like pool and foosball, and there is usually a food truck on site.
https://www.cypressandgrove.com/home
MONDAY - THURSDAY 3 PM - 9 PM
FRIDAY 3 PM - 10 PM
SATURDAY 12 PM - 10 PM
SUNDAY 12 PM - 9 PM
1001 NW 4th Street
Gainesville, Florida
Tap Room: 352-376-4993
Gainesville's three story Arcade Bar. Located at 6 East University Ave and 15 N Main Street. Next door to Pop-a-Top and The Dime.
Open Tues-Sun 8pm-1:45am
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Arcade Bar
6 E University AveGainesville's three story Arcade Bar. Located at 6 East University Ave and 15 N Main Street. Next door to Pop-a-Top and The Dime.
Open Tues-Sun 8pm-1:45am
This lively sports bar with a rooftop terrace offers a pub-grub menu & plenty of brews on tap. Located in Midtown, across from UF Campus.
Sunday 11AM–12AM
Monday 11AM–12AM
Tuesday 11AM–12AM
Wednesday 11AM–12AM
Thursday 11AM–12AM
Friday 11AM–2AM
Saturday 11AM–2AM
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The Social at Midtown
1728 W University AveThis lively sports bar with a rooftop terrace offers a pub-grub menu & plenty of brews on tap. Located in Midtown, across from UF Campus.
Sunday 11AM–12AM
Monday 11AM–12AM
Tuesday 11AM–12AM
Wednesday 11AM–12AM
Thursday 11AM–12AM
Friday 11AM–2AM
Saturday 11AM–2AM
Homestead Park is a completely unique take on a community gathering place, featuring a 9,000-square-foot open-air marketplace, 7 tiny house retail shops, 2 tiny house restaurants, a wine shop, a candy store store, a large outdoor beer & wine bar, axe throwing, and 2 sand volleyball courts. They also host all sorts of events such as fitness classes, birthdays, tournaments & leagues, car meets, and so much more! The park is located in Williston, FL about 30 minutes southwest of the Blue Bungalow. It's a great spot to checkout before or after visiting the Devil's Den or Two Tails Ranch elephant sanctuary.
Homestead Park
Homestead Park is a completely unique take on a community gathering place, featuring a 9,000-square-foot open-air marketplace, 7 tiny house retail shops, 2 tiny house restaurants, a wine shop, a candy store store, a large outdoor beer & wine bar, axe throwing, and 2 sand volleyball courts. They also host all sorts of events such as fitness classes, birthdays, tournaments & leagues, car meets, and so much more! The park is located in Williston, FL about 30 minutes southwest of the Blue Bungalow. It's a great spot to checkout before or after visiting the Devil's Den or Two Tails Ranch elephant sanctuary.
Food scene
Great pizza and amazing craft cocktails in the heart of downtown.
Their pizza menu changes weekly, with very unique pies you won't find elsewhere.
115 SE 1st St, Gainesville, FL 32601 (352) 888-7533
Sun 10am–10pm |*Mon–Thu 11am–10pm | *Fri–Sat 11am–12am *Serving Sidecar until 12am and 2am respectively
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V Pizza & SideCar - Gainesville
115 SE 1 StGreat pizza and amazing craft cocktails in the heart of downtown.
Their pizza menu changes weekly, with very unique pies you won't find elsewhere.
115 SE 1st St, Gainesville, FL 32601 (352) 888-7533
Sun 10am–10pm |*Mon–Thu 11am–10pm | *Fri–Sat 11am–12am *Serving Sidecar until 12am and 2am respectively
Upscale Louisiana style southern food and seafood located right downtown. Make sure you save room for dessert--their oreo beignets are to die for!
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Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille
110 SE 1 StUpscale Louisiana style southern food and seafood located right downtown. Make sure you save room for dessert--their oreo beignets are to die for!
The most popular sushi place in town. There is almost always a wait, but the food is definitely worth it!
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Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company
201 SE 2nd AveThe most popular sushi place in town. There is almost always a wait, but the food is definitely worth it!
Arguably the best steakhouse in town, also located right downtown next to Big Top Brewery.
https://marksprimesteakhouse.com/
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Mark's Prime Steakhouse
201 SE 2nd AveArguably the best steakhouse in town, also located right downtown next to Big Top Brewery.
https://marksprimesteakhouse.com/
Multiple local food trucks and restaurants to choose from here, with ample outdoor seating and occasionally live music. Our favorite is Muñeca's, a delicious local taco shop with great vegetarian and vegan options and hand-crafted cocktails! Opus Coffee, Satch Squared (Detroit style pizza), Baker Baker (pastry shop) and Fehrenbacher's Artisan Sausage is also there.
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4th Ave Food Park
409 SW 4th AveMultiple local food trucks and restaurants to choose from here, with ample outdoor seating and occasionally live music. Our favorite is Muñeca's, a delicious local taco shop with great vegetarian and vegan options and hand-crafted cocktails! Opus Coffee, Satch Squared (Detroit style pizza), Baker Baker (pastry shop) and Fehrenbacher's Artisan Sausage is also there.
A self-service restaurant and tavern in northeast Gainesville. Elevated sandwiches & salads offered in a vintage-chic pub with outdoor seating & a gourmet market. After 5 o'clock, their dinner menu expands to include house prepared small plates. The bar offers a large selection of international wines, fine spirits, cocktails and craft beers.
http://www.publicandgeneral.com/
Hours:
11:30am-10pm Tues-Sat
Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm
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Public & General Restaurant
1000 NE 16th AveA self-service restaurant and tavern in northeast Gainesville. Elevated sandwiches & salads offered in a vintage-chic pub with outdoor seating & a gourmet market. After 5 o'clock, their dinner menu expands to include house prepared small plates. The bar offers a large selection of international wines, fine spirits, cocktails and craft beers.
http://www.publicandgeneral.com/
Hours:
11:30am-10pm Tues-Sat
Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm
Very uniquely Gainesville pizzeria. Eat in a van, under a plane, or in a greenhouse. Enjoy Satch made stained glass windows, local art, homemade sodas, and live music. There's a playground for the kids and a friendly smile all around.
Hours:
Tues-Sat 11am-10pm
1800 NE 23rd Ave
Gainesville, FL 32609
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Satchel's Pizza
1800 NE 23rd AveVery uniquely Gainesville pizzeria. Eat in a van, under a plane, or in a greenhouse. Enjoy Satch made stained glass windows, local art, homemade sodas, and live music. There's a playground for the kids and a friendly smile all around.
Hours:
Tues-Sat 11am-10pm
1800 NE 23rd Ave
Gainesville, FL 32609
Best Brunch Options Near the Blue Bungalow
Casual American outlet offering vegan, veggie & gluten–free options, plus a kids' play area & patio.
Open Mon-Fri 10am-2pm
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East End Eatery
1202 NE 8th AveCasual American outlet offering vegan, veggie & gluten–free options, plus a kids' play area & patio.
Open Mon-Fri 10am-2pm
This is a cute, farm-to-table breakfast, brunch/lunch place with nice outdoor seating. It's a pleasant 15 minute walk from the house.
It's a small, order at the counter restaurant, so it's best suited for parties of 6 or less. Walk-ins only, no reservations.
https://www.afternoonrestaurant.com/menu
Hours:
Thursday-Tuesday: 9a–3p
Wednesday: Closed
231 NW 10th Ave
Gainesville Fl, 32601
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Afternoon
231 NW 10th AveThis is a cute, farm-to-table breakfast, brunch/lunch place with nice outdoor seating. It's a pleasant 15 minute walk from the house.
It's a small, order at the counter restaurant, so it's best suited for parties of 6 or less. Walk-ins only, no reservations.
https://www.afternoonrestaurant.com/menu
Hours:
Thursday-Tuesday: 9a–3p
Wednesday: Closed
231 NW 10th Ave
Gainesville Fl, 32601
Coffee Shops
Great coffee spot downtown. Their lattes are amazing.
202 SE 2nd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
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Wyatt's Coffee
202 SE 2nd AveGreat coffee spot downtown. Their lattes are amazing.
202 SE 2nd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
Bright cafe & bakery with patio seats offering organic light bites, sourdough breads & pastries.
Walking distance from the house.
Hours:
TUESDAY - FRIDAY
8 AM - 6 PM
SATURDAY
8 AM - 4 PM
SUNDAY - MONDAY
CLOSED
627 N Main St.
Gainesville, FL 32601
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Vine Sourdough Bakery
627 N Main StBright cafe & bakery with patio seats offering organic light bites, sourdough breads & pastries.
Walking distance from the house.
Hours:
TUESDAY - FRIDAY
8 AM - 6 PM
SATURDAY
8 AM - 4 PM
SUNDAY - MONDAY
CLOSED
627 N Main St.
Gainesville, FL 32601
Great spot for getting work done or just enjoying a cold brew or sipping some hot tea. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Located in the Auk Vintage Market, so you can stroll around and shop from local venders while you're there.
2029A NW 6th St, Gainesville, FL 32609
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Curia On The Drag
2029 NW 6th StGreat spot for getting work done or just enjoying a cold brew or sipping some hot tea. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Located in the Auk Vintage Market, so you can stroll around and shop from local venders while you're there.
2029A NW 6th St, Gainesville, FL 32609