100 Things to Do in Greater Gainesville

ide Park, Alfred A. Ring Park

  1. Head to Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Parkto hike the nature trails, take in the beautiful views and descend the 132-steps into a sinkhole
  2. Be Zookeeper for a day and learn what it takes to care for the animals at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
  3. Watch the bats fly out from the UF bat house at sunset
  4. Dive off of one of Westside Park’s high diving boards
  5. Let the kids cool down at the Alachua Splash Park
  6. Explore the woods and pathways around Lake Alice and look for gators
  7. Go hunting for antiques at the Antique City Mall in Micanopy
  8. Walk the two-mile Tortoise Reserve Trail in Oakmont neighborhood
  9. Run stadiums and try to conquer Gator Mountain at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
  10. Take a tour of the historic Thomas Center hotel
  11. Visit the film site in Micanopy where parts of the 1991 movie “Doc Hollywood” was filmed
  12. Take a picture with Albert and Alberta outside of the Emerson Alumni Hall
  13. Visit Dudley Farms and experience the evolution of Florida farming
  14. Explore the live butterfly exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History
  15. Grab a unique cocktail from one of Sidecar’s mixologists
  16. Celebrate Murcia’s independence at “The Largest Small-Town Fireworks Display in America” in Alachua
  17. Visit Tipple’s Brews and fill up a growler with any of their specialty beers or selection of local brews
  18. Star gaze at the Samta Fe College Kika Silva Pla Planetarium
  19. Go paddle boating at Lake Wauburg
  20. Take the 352walls Walk tour of Greater Gainesville’s public murals and maybe even catch a muralist in action
  21. Bring the pups for a walk among the lush exhibits at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
  22. Join the Rowdy Reptiles for a men’s or women’s University of Florida basketball game
  23. Enjoy a leisurely boat ride on Newnan’s Lake
  24. Enjoy an afternoon of archery lessons at the Easton Newberry Sports Complex 
  25. Take photographs of alligators, buffalo, wild horses and more strolling along La Chua Trail
  26. Relax and unwind on a Wine Trail at Gainesville’s Bluefield Estate Winery
  27. Tour Innovation Square to gain inspiration from Gainesville’s young entrepreneurs
  28. Take in the live music performances at Bo Diddley Community Plaza on “Free Fridays”
  29. Check out the rare book sections of George A. Smathers Library
  30. See the 34th Street Wall, the popular 1,120-foot wall of graffiti with over 250 layers of paint
  31. Learn about the history of toilets, Gatorade and Mothers of Inventions at the Cade Museum
  32. Let the Gator Growl! Attend the largest, annual, student-run pep rally in the nation –– with past performers like Robin Williams, Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg and more
  33. Break out the fishing rod and catch bream and largemouth bass at Waldo’s Lake Alto Park
  34. Sway and sing to “We are the Boys” followed by Gainesville Native Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”at a UF Football Game
  35. Celebrate one of Greater Gainesville’s favorite fruits at the
  36. Sign up for a Gainesville Health & Fitness class for the ultimate total body workout
  37. Enjoy an evening of food truck cuisine at the original food truck rally at High Dive
  38. Dive into “the world’s favorite freshwater dive” where the clear-water and startling natural beauty entranced Jacques Cousteau at Ginnie Springs
  39. Shoot for a new drag racing record at the Gainesville Raceway
  40. Stifle those screams and find the way through the Newberry Cornfield Halloween Maze (avoid zombies and chainsaw–massacrers at all costs)
  41. Stroll through the picturesque, historic Duck Pond of downtown Gainesville
  42. Grab a freshly-baked croissant at Uppercrust Productions
  43. Find a great craft cocktail and better company at Gainesville’s newest establishment, Kin
  44. Enjoy a local theatre performance at the Gainesville Community Playhouse
  45. Indulge a homemade chocolate delight from Thornebrook Chocolates
  46. Kayak or canoe down the Santa Fe River
  47. Choose your favorite in season oysters at Prime and Pearl Restaurant.
  48. Scour for some great thrift finds at Plato’s ClosetSandy’s Savvy Chic Resale Boutique, and Urban Thread
  49. Spend an afternoon at the Retirement Home for Horses at Mill Creek Farm
  50. Bring a basket full of snacks and a cozy blanket for a relaxing picnic on the shady greens of the Plaza of the Americas
  51. Top off an evening with a Maple Bacon cookie from Midnight Cookies
  52. Go tubing on the Ichetucknee River
  53. Get your morning workout on at the San Felasco Park trails
  54. Spend Saturday morning exploring fresh produce, flowers and artisanal goodies at the Haile Village Farmers Market 
  55. Spend a Friday night cheering on the Gator baseball team at the Condron Family Ballpark
  56. Delight in delicious sushi downtown at Dragonfly
  57. Visit the site of the Battle of Gainesville at the Matheson History Museum
  58. Take your children to play at Depot Park
  59. Try to spot Growler, the resident alligator, at The Wetlands at Swamp Head Brewery
  60. Take a scenic drive down the beautiful Millhopper Road
  61. Challenge the locals to a friendly game of one-on-one at Westside Park’s outdoor basketball courts
  62. Take in “A Tuna Christmas”at the Hippodrome — a local holiday favorite
  63. Explore the Historic Haile Homestead, incorporated in 1854
  64. Take the day to relax and shop your heart out at Butler Town Center
  65. Put on your dunce caps and armor and join the jesters at the annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
  66. Browse the streets of downtown at Gainesville’s Annual Downtown Festival and Arts Show
  67. Indulge in the ultimate bread and breakfast experience at Sweetwater Branch Inn
  68. Indulge in a late-night Cuban sandwich at Flaco’s Cuban Bakery
  69. Book a tee time at Ironwood Golf Course for a day on the greens
  70. Jog along the Solar Walk on NW 8th Street
  71. Spend the afternoon sampling over 300 local, regional and national beers at the Hogtown Craft Beer Festival
  72. Grab a photo with the head ball coach (HBC) Steve Spurrier at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille
  73. Revisit your golden college years and do a Midtown Pub Crawl
  74. Visit the almost hidden gardens on the University of Florida campus
  75. Drive, drop and dink in a game of Pickleball at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center
  76. Meditate at the Baughman Center
  77. Watch a movie in a recliner with a glass of wine at the Regal Cinemas 10 & RPX at Celebration Pointe
  78. Explore Carson Springs, a non-profit animal rescue with over 75 animals from 28 different species
  79. Catch a local band playing at Heartwood Soundstage.
  80. Form a team of your most fearless friends and conquer the annual Savage Race, with obstacles, mud, fire and barbed wire
  81. Go scuba diving or snorkeling in the underground spring at  Devil’s Den Spring in Williston
  82. Rock and roll all night and party every day at the annual The Fest Music Festival
  83. Visit the homestead of “The Yearling” author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
  84. Head to the Ecopassage Observation Boardwalk or park along US 441 to watch the sunrise over Paynes Prairie
  85. Pick up some local art at the annual Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival
  86. Join the Crossfit craze at B3 Gym
  87. Roller skate, rock climb and go-cart the day away at Skate Station Funworks
  88. Take in a show from Gainesville’s own Gainesville Chamber Orchestra
  89. Play some old school pinball or Brewskee ball, AKA Skee-Ball, for free every Wednesday at The Arcade Bar 
  90. Go let the dogs out at Lebowski’s Pup Pub, an off-leash dog bar with food, drinks and events
  91. Don your orange and blue best and hit the town with Gator Stompin’, the world’s largest pub crawl
  92. Grub out on some barbecue, then shop for local produce and other goods at Pearl’s Country Store & Barbecue in Micanopy
  93. Glimpse into the past at the Living History Farm at Morningside Nature Center, where reenactors depict the daily life of a Florida family from the mid to late 1800s
  94. Take a fashionable trip back in time at Winters Past in Micanopy, and try on vintage clothing from the 1920s-80s
  95. Sift through colorful vintage fabrics and work on projects or homework by day, then mingle with friends over a beer or glass of wine by night at How Bazar
  96. Novice or expert, wheel the bikes out for a ride along San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Parks 30 miles of single-track trails
  97. Cycle the 6th Street Rail Trail or Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail and finish with a refreshing drink at First Magnitude Brewing Company
  98. Go on a self-guided art tour of public art in downtown Gainesville or High Springs, hunting for murals and popping in galleries and museums along the way
  99. Dress up for dressage, jumps and races at the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center
  100. Browse the historic district in downtown Newberry, fueling your walk with Joel’s Coffeehouse, making a stop at Sycamore Lane Vintage Market and having lunch at Farmhouse 1906

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