Jessica Hurov is the Alachua County Tourism Development Manager, a position she has held for the past five years. Visit Gainesville, Alachua County is the destination marketing organization for Alachua County, focused on increasing visitation, visitor spending and the positive economic impacts created by our visitors through the enhancement of nature, culture and sporting opportunities, deployment of marketing initiatives, distribution of the award-winning weekly What’s Good event guide, and more.
I decided to move to Greater Gainesville for the quality of life. Relocating from Boston, a major city with harsh winters and long commutes, Gainesville offered seasonable weather, shorter work-school-home travel distances, improved cost of living and, best of all, the famous southern hospitality which makes Gainesville such a special place to be.
I felt an immediate connection with the Greater Gainesville community. First through my children’s school and extra-curricular activities, which included everything from theater, dance, music and religion to football, swimming, tennis and soccer. Later it came through my volunteer work at their schools and serving as a board member for a variety of non-profits.
The area’s unique culinary exploration and excellent restaurants, including Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille and Prime & Pearl, put Greater Gainesville on the map. Our seven breweries provide ample choices for socializing and enjoying new craft beer releases, food trucks and live music.
Gainesville is also a pizza-lovers paradise. Whenever I have friends visiting from out of town, I always make sure to bring them to Blue Highway or Satchel’s for a taste of some of –– what I consider to be –– the best pizza in the entire world.
Greater Gainesville enjoys a reputation as a first-rate cultural destination with galleries, museums, living history, zoos, art festivals and live music. Gainesville itself is home to three thriving professional arts organizations: The Hippodrome Theatre, Gainesville Orchestra and Dance Alive National Ballet. On any given weekend, there are literally dozens of events and performances to choose from, many of which have free admission and are fun for everyone in the family.
The real reason I love living in Greater Gainesville is the people — and to me, it is home.
Favorite Restaurant: All of them!
Favorite Weekend Activity: Listening to live music, visiting downtown Micanopy and High Springs, kayaking, hiking through Sweetwater Wetland Park or the Hawthorne Trail, meeting up with friends at Depot Park or Heartwood Soundstage, or taking in a show or new exhibit at one of our theatres or museums.