Gainesville (Florida)

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Gainesville is in North Central Florida. It is home to the University of Florida at Gainesville. Santa Fe Community College, one of the largest community colleges in the U.S., is also located in Gainesville.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

  • Interstate 75 runs north and south to the west of Gainesville.

[edit] By air

[edit] By Bus

  • Greyhound bus Lines has regular service to Gainesville, running through Jacksonville, Ocala and Tallahassee. The new bus station is located on SE 23rd street and SE 1st Ave, 23 blocks from the center of downtown.

*The Florida Jitney and Limousine Company. This unique little transport company provides great transportation options for its guests. All Jitney's are fairly luxurious with satellite televisions, satellite internet, complimentary beverages and snacks and a professional on board Travel Assistant and at great rates. The 24 hour scheduled service makes it a statewide leader in customer service. www.FloridaJitney.com Toll free in USA, 1-877-FL-JITNEY, 1-877355-4863. Local 1-352-259-2731. Current route connects the University of Florida to Orlando and Orlando Airport multiple times every day. Additional Service connecting to Tampa and beyond planned for Spring, 2008.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus

  • Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS), Phone: 352-334-2600, [2].

RTS provides fast frequent service throughout the City of Gainesville and to some of the outlying areas.

Bus service is provided on 35+ routes. Some bus lines provide service until 2:00AM on weeknights. Late night service, referred to as the Later Gator, is provided on some lines, Wednesday through Saturday from 8PM to 3:00AM.

Here's a breakdown on service levels:

Weekdays 6AM to 2AM (Most Serviced Lines), Service can run from every 8 minutes on most utilized lines to every 60 minutes on less utilized lines. Make sure to check individual schedules.

Saturdays: 7AM to 7PM on most lines. Service every 30 to 60 minutes. Special Late Night Bus service begins at 8PM and ends at 3AM. These buses run every 10 to 15 minutes.

Sundays: 9AM to 5PM, very limited service. Buses only run every 60 minutes.

During school breaks and the summer holiday, RTS service runs less frequently with most routes ending service by 11PM.

[edit][add listing] See

Statue of Albert A. Murphree, University of Florida campus
Statue of Albert A. Murphree, University of Florida campus
  • Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, 4732 Millhopper Road, 352-955-2008, [3]. W-Su 9AM-5PM. A bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep which contains a miniature rain forest. Visitors can enjoy picnicking and learn more about this sinkhole through interpretive displays. $2 per vehicle or $1 per pedestrian/bicyclist.
  • The Fest, [4] - One of America's premier independent music festivals concentrating mainly on punk; hundreds of bands, over three days in eight or more venues. Unmissable.
  • University of Florida, Phone: 352-846-2000, [5]. These folks are serious about their football and basketball. A full calendar[6] of entertainment in sports and the arts is available.
    • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. University of Florida's stadium known as "The Swamp" seats over 88,000. It's one of the largest (and loudest) anywhere.
    • Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 315 Hull Rd, Phone: 352-392-1900, [7].
    • Harn Museum of Art, SW 34th Street and Hull Road, Phone: 352-392-9826, [8]. Tu-F 11AM-5PM; Sa 10AM-5PM; Su 1PM-5PM.
    • Lake Alice on the UF campus. Lake Alice is a sanctuary for alligators and birds. At dusk, bats that roost in a nearby bathouse fly out to feed on the insect life that the lake nourishes. A trip out at dusk to watch the cloud of bats is a popular local pastime.
  • Florida Museum of Natural History, SW 34th Street & Hull Road, 352-846-2000, [9]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Nice Butterfly Rainforest exhibit (extra charge). Suggested donation: Adult $6, seniors, students, children $4, under 3 free.
  • Hippodrome State Theatre, Phone: 352-375-4477, [10].
  • Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 S.W. 58th Drive, 352-372-4981, [11]. M,Tu,W 9AM-5PM; Sa,Su 9AM-dusk. Adults: $5; Children 6-13: $3; Children under 6: Free.
  • Matheson Museum, 513 E University Av., Phone: 352-378-2280, [12]. Alachua County history.
  • The Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo. Tours by appointment.
  • Haile Village Center, [13]. An award-winning planning and development communitiy that is a throwback to the traditional style and beauty of a new england town. Restaurants, Shops, Events, Parks, and Trails.

[edit] Festivals

  • Micanopy Fall Harvest Festival
  • Festival of Trees at Gainesville Woman's Club
  • Old Time Christmas in Historic High Springs
  • Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
  • Dudley Farm Historic State Park Cane Grinding Day
  • Kanapaha Spring Garden Festival, Waldo Railroad Days
  • Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Writers Workshop "Writing the Region"
  • Newberry Watermelon Festival
  • The Fest

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, 100 Savannah Blvd. Micanopy, Phone: 352-466-3397, [14]. Alligators, wild horses, bison and over 260 species of birds live in many diverse habitats here. Eight trails provide hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling opportunities. Ranger-led activities during weekends, November through April.
  • Ginnie Springs Outdoors 7300 NE Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643. Phone: (352)454-7188. Bring the family or a cooler of beer and friends and float down the natural spring-fed river for next to nothing. Amenities include beach volleyball courts, campsites, picnic tables, shower/bath facility, and dive excursions.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Dragonfly Sushi and Sake Company, 201 Southeast 2nd Avenue (at Union Street Station), ☎ (352)371-3359, [15]. 11:30am - 10pm. A trendy downtown sushi bar, Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company offers an innovative and gourmet selection of sushi, sashimi and Eurasian Fusion fare that's thought by locals and visitors alike to be some of the best in town, in an atmosphere that's hip and vibrant. (29.650246,-82.323098) edit
  • Amelia’s, 235 S. Main Street (located in the downtown Sun Center). +1 352-373-1919. M-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-11PM, Su 5PM-9PM. Excellent Italian fare in a cozy restaurant located in the heart of downtown Gainesville. $12-$20.
  • Burrito Brothers Taco Co., 1402 W. University Ave. (behind the Student Center) +1 352-378-5948. M-Su 11AM-9PM. Famous, ever-crowded take-out locale situated right off the UF campus is ideal for tasty (and inexpensive) Mexican food.
  • Leonardo's Pizza by the Slice, 1245 W University Ave. +1 352-375-2007. M-Th 9AM-10PM, F-Sa 9AM-11PM, Su 9AM-10PM. Eclectic atmosphere and great pizza highlight this popular eatery near campus.
  • Mr. Han’s, 6944 NW 10TH PL. +1 352 -331-6400. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. [16]. A consistent recipient of the ‘best Chinese restaurant in Gainesville’ award, Mr. Han’s serves up outstanding Peking, Szechuan and Hunan inspired dishes. There’s a nightclub on the premises as well. $12-$40.
  • Liquid Ginger, 101 SE 2nd Place SUN CENTER, 352-371-2323. Open every day for dinner, 6 days for lunch (closed Sa afternoon) M-F 11:30-2:30 M-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-10:30PM, Su noon-10PM. A newer establishment in the downtown dining scene, Liquid Ginger offers an eclectic asian fusion cuisine at very reasonable prices. It can get quite crowded on weekends, so a reservation is good to have.
  • Falafel King, 3252 SW 35th Blvd, +1 352-375-6342. If you're in the mood for falafel, gyro, baba ghanoush, tabouleh or some amazing hummus, this is the place to go. Located in Butler Plaza, this small restaurant gives you large amounts of delicious food for a really reasonable price.
  • Bento Cafe, 3832 W Newberry Rd (352-377-8686) and 3841 SW Archer Rd (352-224-5123). In the mood for sushi? Perhaps a bento box with some Asian fusion food? Or maybe just some boba tea or sake? Bento Cafe, with two locations in Gainesville, has a large variety of Asian foods and wonderful sushi! There's even a Gator Roll for those looking for the ultimate Gator experience in Gainesville!

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are bars all over Gainesville. It's traditionally known as a huge drinking town. UF president Bernie Machen has tried to wage a war against alcohol and binge drinking since he took over several years ago.

The town in general isn't quite as hip and wild as it once was. As admission standards at the university continue to rise, a different crowd has trickled in. But there's still plenty of diversity, and partying, in Gainesville - plus the football and basketball team wins every national championship these days, making for a huge street party after the big game.

The area referred to as mid-town, directly across the street from the school on University Ave., has some of the more traditional Gainesville bars. Grog House, Salty Dog, Balls, XS, and Gator City (formerly the Purple Porpoise in Gainesville's heyday) all share the same building. Almost any night of the week one can find great specials and large crowds. Near by is the restaurant/bar Swamp housed in a former professor's house. It is a can't miss both for the atomosphere and the decent food.

The downtown area is a combination of clubs and more laid back bars. Places like the Market Street Pub, Lillian's (a former music store) and Stubby's, a bar that features hundreds of imported beers, cater to an older crowd. Clubs such as :08 and Sky having dancing and music but are usually most crowded on "lady's night."

Bars close at 2AM due to the "Rave Law", passed in the late 1990s when Gainesville became one of Florida's premier rave scenes. Last call can be as early as 1:30 AM. After the bars close roads can be dangerous due to drunk drivers.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Boulevard, +1 352 331-3336, Fax: +1 352 331-3337, [17].
  • Courtyard Gainesville, 3700 SW 42nd Street, +1 352 335-9100, Fax: +1 352 335-1502, [18].
  • Fairfield Inn Gainesville, 6901 Northwest 4th Boulevard, +1 352 332-8292, Fax: +1 352 332-2884, [19].
  • Holiday Inn, 1250 W. University Ave., +1 352 376-1661, [20].
  • Holiday Inn, 7417 Newberry Road, +1 352 332-7500, [21].
  • Holiday Inn Express, 3905 Sw 43rd Street, +1 352 376-0004, [22].
  • Motel 6 Gainesville - Univ. of Florida, 4000 SW 40th Boulevard, +1 352 373-1604, Fax: +1 352 335-8314, [23].
  • Residence Inn Gainesville, 4001 SW 13th Street, +1 352 371-2101, Fax: +1 352 377-2247, [24].

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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