Florida Museum of Natural History releases butterflies everyday.
The Hippodrome Theater
Ginnie Springs
Devil's Millhopper
Fried shrimp, collards & cornbread
David Zayas mural
The Renaissance Faire
Freshest Sushi
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Gainesville
"Where nature and culture meet"
photos by buddythetravelingmonkey.com/
Current Issue
Known for its preservation of historic buildings and the beauty of its natural surroundings, Gainesville's numerous parks, museums and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors. Because of its beautiful landscape and urban "forest," Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities in Florida.
Enjoy world-class museums, performing arts, and live music. Explore 8 state parks with more than 100 miles of trails for biking, birding and hiking or cool off in crystal-blue freshwater springs. When you’re done with your day, kick back at a craft brewery and savor innovative cuisine and specialty cocktails at inspired local restaurants.
CALENDAR 2023
EXPLORE
LODGING
RECOMMENDED
ELSEWHERE
Daily
Organic Blueberry Picking (T-Sat, through July 2)
Alachua: Round up family and friends and spend the day in the blueberry patch picking these plump organic berries in June. Shop for fresh veggies, flowers, fruit trees and other plants, take a stroll along the blueberry path or plan a picnic under the live oaks. Reservations: $25 PP Farm pass. 8-10:30am. 16419 W CR 1491.
Info: https://www.deepspringfarm.com/
Weekly
Grove Street Farmer’s Market (Mondays)
Start the week with fresh from Florida featuring farm fresh eggs, organic fruits and veggies, free-range beef and chicken, honey, cow and goat’s milk, cheeses, organic coffee and artisan-crafted foods and gifts. Free. 4-7pm. 1001 NW 4th St.
Info: https://www.grovestreetfarmersmarket.com/
Archer’s Farmer’s Market (Tuesdays)
Bring home seasonal freshness with locally-grown vegetables, eggs, meats, cheeses and prepared foods, unique handmade gifts and much more in the picturesque setting of the Archer Railway Museum. Free. 3-7pm.
16994 SW 134th Ave.
Info: http://www.archerhistoricalsociety.org/
GNV Market at Heartwood (Thursdays)
Make this your every Thursday after-work stop featuring more than 40 local vendors, fresh produce, live music and craft beer. Free. 4-7pm.
619 S. Main.
Info: https://www.gnvmarket.com/
Free Fridays Concert Series
Wind down with the region’s longest-running and largest free weekly outdoor concert series featuring local and regional musicians performing classic rock, reggae, R&B soul, ska, funk, blues and more! Free. 7-9 pm.
100 SW 2nd Ave.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/freefridaysconcertseries
Depot Park parkrun (Saturdays)
Bring the family and kick off the weekend with a free, fun and friendly community 5K around the Depot Park Pond – walk, jog, run, or watch – it’s up to you! The run is free but registration is required. 7:30 am. 874 SE 4th St. Info: https://www.parkrun.us/depotpark/
Monthly
Live and Local Concert Series
Relax with a night of live entertainment with tunes from emerging bands, singer/songwriters, independent artists and more, all local or connected to Gainesville’s music community. Free. 6:30-8:30pm.
Info: https://www.gainesvillefl.gov/
Artwalk Gainesville (last Fridays monthly)
Enjoy a free, self-guided tour of exciting visual art, live music, performances and cultural events in Gainesville’s collection of art galleries, studios, breweries and other performance venues. Free. 7-10 pm.
Various locations.
Info: https://www.artwalkgainesville.com/
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Guided Tour (1st Sat monthly)
Discover the beauty of Chinese royal bamboo, Victoria water lilies or Asian snake arums on a relaxing, ADA-accessible 1.5-mile stroll through 68 acres of vibrant gardens. Enjoy Florida’s largest public bamboo display or largest herb garden in the Southeast. Admission M-W, F: 9am-5pm; Sat & Sun: 9am-dusk. 4700 SW 58th Dr.
Info: https://kanapaha.org/
Birds and Brews – Guided Bird Walks
Grab your binoculars for an Audubon Society-led stroll to identify the area’s feathered friends, then enjoy a nightcap at First Magnitude Brewing Company. All birding skill levels welcome. Free. 5:45-7pm.
874 SE 4th St.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/depot.park/
Ongoing
Through June 26
Sunshine State Games
Various locations: Experience an Olympic-style sports festival for Florida’s top amateur athletes in events including artistic roller skating, basketball, dominoes, figure skating, powerlifting, soccer, ultimate frisbee,
water polo and more. Free.
Various locations.
Info: https://sunshinestategames.com/
OTHER FLORIDA HAPPENINGS
Ongoing
Fort Myers: Every first Friday of the month the Historic River District in downtown Fort Myers comes alive with art shows, live artists, dining and shopping. Takes place from 6pm to 10pm.
March 3 - 12
Daytona: This 10 day high octane party is considered to be the “World’s Largest Motorcycle Event” and attracts over 500,000 motorcyclists and enthusiasts who make the annual pilgrimage. Celebrations take place all over
town and include street festivals, concerts, motorcycle races at Daytona International Speedway, bike shows, rallies, manufacturer showcases and much more.
April 21 - 30
Annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration
Key West: This raucous annual event commemorates the founding of our
Conch Republic. The celebration includes a ton of fun events including a big Kick-Off Party, Conch Republic Music Party, Boat Parade, Art & Craft Fair, Pirate’s Ball, Red Ribbon Bed Races, a wacky “Drag Queen” Race and much more. Info: 305-296-0213
February 23
Gainesville: The Hippodrome Theater celebrates its 50th season with this cool music series where you can listen to great new sounds, experience art and meet interesting and talented people. Doors open at 6pm. Event takes place from 7 - 11pm at The Hippodrome Theater, 25 SW 2nd Place.
Info: 352-375-4477
MARCH
March 10 - 26
Gainesville: In this hilarious comedy, a disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, privilege, and entitlement. Previews March 8 - 9. Takes place at The Hippodrome Theater,
25 SW 2nd Place. Info: 352-375-4477
March 18 - 19
Gainesville: This premier horticultural event features more than 100 booths offering plants, landscape displays, garden accessories, arts and crafts, educational exhibits and live entertainment. Takes place from
9am - 5pm at 4700 SW 58th Dr.
March 25
Gainesville: Enjoy a display of military and non-military aircraft, classic cars, Swamp Tours aircraft rides, live music, kids activities, food trucks and more. Takes place from 10am - 3pm at the University Air Center, 4701
NE 40th Terrace.
March 25
Gainesville: Enjoy some amazing local and regional small batch brews, food and craft beer pairings, educational seminars and home brewing demos. Takes place from 1 - 5pm at Alachua County Fairgrounds, 3100 NE 39th Ave in Gainesville.
March 25 - 26
Gainesville Seafood Festival
Gainesville: Enjoy a variety of fresh seafood, arts & crafts, live entertainment, a Swamp Show, marine exhibit, children’s fun area, and more. Takes place from
1am - 7pm at the Alachua County Fairgrounds, 3416 NE 39th Ave.
Info: 352-264-6907.
March 30
Gainesville: The Hippodrome Theater celebrates its 50th season with this cool
music series where you can listen to great new sounds, experience art and meet interesting and talented people. Doors open at 6pm. Event takes place from 7 - 11pm at The Hippodrome Theater, 25 SW 2nd Place.
Info: 352-375-4477
April 13
Gainesville: The Hippodrome Theater celebrates its 50th season with this cool
music series where you can listen to great new sounds, experience art and meet
interesting and talented people. Doors open at 6pm. Takes place from 7 - 11pm at The Hippodrome Theater, 25 SW 2nd Place.
Info: 352-375-4477
April 21 - May 7
Silent Sky
Gainesville: The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt plays out against a landscape of fierce sisterly love, early feminism, and universe-revealing science
April 26
Gainesville: Your favorite players bring their amazing ball handling, outrageous athletics and non-stop on-court antics as they go head-to-head with the Washington Generals who will stop at nothing to defeat the world’s winningest team. Takes place at 7pm at the O’Connell Center, 250 Gale Lemerand Dr.
May 18
Gainesville: The Hippodrome Theater celebrates its 50th season with this cool
music series where you can listen to great new sounds, experience art and meet
interesting and talented people. Doors open at 6pm. Event takes place from 7 - 11pm at The Hippodrome Theater, 25 SW 2nd Place.
Info: 352-375-4477
JUNE
Gainesville: Signature dishes from North Central Florida’s best chefs and restaurants take center stage during this annual benefit for local charities helping children in need. Takes place from 5 - 9pm at the Stephen O’Connell Center, 250 Gale Lemerand Dr. Info: 352-372- 5854
Home to both “real” gators and the University of Florida’s “Fightin’ Gators,” Gainesville is where nature and culture meet. Alligators, bison and wild horses freely roam the 22,000 acres of Paynes Prairie State Park, a National Landmark which has lots of walking trails and platforms that provide fantastic views of the prairie and the 100 - 270 bird species that regularly visit here. And then there are the museums. The Florida Museum of Natural History hosts fascinating exhibits about Florida and also features a Butterfly Rainforest with hundreds of free-flying butterflies and birds from around the world. Just next door is the Harn Museum of Art - one of the country’s largest university owned art museums. The Harn’s impressive collection totals more than 10,000 objects including an extensive collection of Asian Art, as well as modern and contemporary art, photography and more. For foodies, Gainesville’s vibrant downtown delivers a plethora of excellent local restaurants that range from sushi to steak to everything in between. After dark, lively nightclubs and a professional theater keep things even more
HAILE EQUESTRIAN
Haile Plantation
7680 SW 46th Blvd | Gainesville, Fl 32608
352-665-7433 | haileequestrian.com | Open T - Sa
Gainesville’s Premiere Horse Facility
Nestled in the prestigious Haile Plantation, Regina Esterman’s beautiful new Equestrian Center provides quality instruction in hunt seat, dressage and western riding. No experience is necessary and there are horses to suit every level. You can also enjoy a 30 - 60 minute casual guided horseback ride in the Center’s large riding arena. During the summer and on school holidays, kids ages 7 - 16 are invited to enroll in Horse Camp where they’ll learn basic horse handling, safety and care and also be able to ride twice a day in both a lesson and fun ride. Additionally, Haile Equestrian offers an elite selection of
Warmbloods and Riding horses for sale, as well as horse boarding and leasing.
HIPPODROME THEATER
25 SW 2nd Place | Gainesville, Fl 32601
352-375-4477 | thehipp.org
Various Showtimes
Gainesville’s Cultural Centerpiece
As Gainesville’s only art House Cinema, this historic landmark is also fine to a spacious multi-purpose, state-of-the-art performance hall that offers live theatre, films, gallery exhibits, classes, and special events over 340 days a
year.
The thought provoking 2022/2023 lineup kicks off with Fahrenheit 451 which plays September 2 - 18. In Ray Bradbury’s classic dystopian world, the written word is forbidden and firemen burn books instead of fighting fire. The story is all the more chilling given what’s happening in the world today.
And what would an election year be without a comedy poking fun at…… you guessed it, elections. In Running Mates, protagonists Sam, his wife Sophia, and a mystery writein candidate compete for absolute domination in the mayoral race that turns out to be more about family than politics. Opens on October 14 and plays through October 30.
The Hippodrome’s upcoming holiday season is a double header of laughter and tradition. The theater is bringing back the best selling show of last season,
Murder For Two - but this time with a holiday twist. This ‘whodunit,’ which plays November 25 - December 23, is the perfect blend of music, mayhem, murder, and mistletoe!
SANDERS JEWELERS
Haile Plantation
9119 SW 52nd Ave |Gainesville, Fl 32608
352-331-6100 | sandersjewelers.net
Open Tu - F 10am - 6pm| Sa 10am - 5pm, Closed Su & M
Gainesville’s Home for Custom Jewelry
Old world craftsmanship with a dramatic vintage flair is the hallmark of Master Jeweler Rick Sanders. In addition to his stunning, highly sought after designs, Sanders also showcases fine diamond jewelry by Allison Kaufman;
beautiful bridal jewelry from Benchmark; modern day heirloom jewelry in 18K gold and platinum from Dove’s; a spectacular collection of cultured pearls from Imperial and many other special creations by some of the best designers
in the business.
306 NE 6th Ave. Thomas Center Building B Gainesville, FL 32601
Call For Hours | 352-334-5067
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department manages over 3,200 acres of parkland with numerous cultural, recreational, and natural areas and facilities. In October of 2013, the Department became one of 119 agencies in the country to be fully accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. One of the loveliest city parks you will ever visit.
COLDWELL BANKER
Jacqui Knowles 352-258-0110
Cindy Birk 352-871-2475
As Gainesville’s first Agrihood community, Flint Rock is a luxury residential neighborhood incorporating country estate architecture with three distinctive gated subdivisions. Nearly all of the 96 homesites back up to a conservation, greenway, or nature trail. Lot sizes range from .99 acre to 1.69 acres. Flint Rock emphasizes the principles of wellness, community and sustainability, while embracing the farm-to-table lifestyle. With over 250 acres of common area and greenway, including 151 acres of conservation preserve, 2½ miles of walking paths, a Residents’ Farmhouse, an event barn and gardens, Flint Rock offers a refreshing new approach to a timeless way of living.
Gainesville Hotels
4015 SW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL 32608
352-375-1550
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
3877 SW 37 Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32608
352-745-7777
3700 SW 42nd St, Gainesville, FL 32608
352-335-9100
4225 SW 40th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32608
352-371-4171
1714 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32607
352-371-3600
3370 SW 42nd St, Gainesville, FL 32608
352-378-1300
hōm hotel + suites a Trademark Collection Hotel by Wyndham
3905 SW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 376-0004
5020 SW 30th Ln, Gainesville, FL 32608
352-240-8900
908 NW 69th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32605
352-204-4960
7516 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32606
352-553-1350
3401 SW 40th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32608
352-378-1900
7451 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605
Phone: 352-415-1111
2900 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608
352-377-4000
LIMEROCK ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL
9158 SW 51st Rd | Haile Village Center | Gainesville, Fl 32608
352-240-6228 | limerockroad.com
Open M - Th 11:30am - 10pm; | Sa 9am - 11pm; Su 9am - 10pm
Crafted, Casual Comfortable Cuisine
Burgers and beer. Ribs and rum. Whatever you put together from the diverse menu at
this casual neighborhood grill will be right on point. You’ll find over two dozen juicy burger options here all served with a side of addictive hand-cut fries. Main Plates - just like the kind mom used to make - include a BBQ Combo Platter (ribs, pulled pork and chicken), traditional Pot Roast Dinner, Shrimp & Fried Grits Cake and lots of other old time favorites that are all made from scratch.
VOLCANIC SUSHI + SAKE
5141 SW 91st Way | Haile Village Center | Gainesville, Fl 32608
352-363-6226 | volcanicsushisaki.com
Open Su - Th 11am; - 9pm; F & Sa 11am -10pm
Gainesville’s Iron Chef Winner Winner of Gainesville’s 2017, 2018 and 2019 Iron Chef Competition, Owner Nestor Espartero is a master at creating fabulous Fusion dishes which reflect his passion for Asian, Latin and French cuisine. The food at his small, unassuming eatery is deliciously fresh, beautifully plated and artistically arranged (the wasabi is sculpted to resemble leaves). Chef Nestor’s flavors are often complex resulting in sensational dishes like the Sweet Salmon Teriyaki, Shaken Beef Tenderloin and Duck Curry. His signature rolls are also off the chart - especially the crunchy Haile Roll with tuna tartare and lotus root drizzled with eel sauce. Simply the best.
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse
201 SE 2nd Ave, Gainesville, Florida 32601
M 5 – 9pm | T – Sa 5 – 10pm | Closed Sunday
352-336-0077 | marksprimesteakhouse.com
Always available for Private Parties Mark’s Prime Steakhouse has a goal to create a unique dining experience that will please the palate and soothe the soul. We serve the finest beef, the freshest
seafood, premium wines and naturally fresh vegetables. We are pleased to have been serving the finest quality dining experience since November 2002, more than 10 years ago! We hope to see you very soon at one of our two great locations, Gainesville and Ocala!
Shula’s Steak House
Hilton Univeristy of Florida | Conference Center
1714 SW 34th | St., Gainesville (
305-664-2321 | shulas.com
If you love Don Shula’s famous steaks, you’ll really flip over his fresh, juicy chargrilled burgers. The legendary NFL Coach raises the bar with a big beefy patty that is always made fresh from his own signature blend of Premium Black Angus Chuck, Short Rib and brisket, perfectly seasoned and served with lettuce, tomatoe, pickle and your choice of cheese on a brioche style bun. Once you’ve tackled one of these bad boys, you’ll never suffer another “Mac-Attack” again.
We invite you to take some side trips to areas near by that have unique sights, unusual activities
and fabulous food. The Gulf Coast is the best coast!
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