27 Things You Need To Know About Gainesville Before You Move There

1. Show Your Gator Pride

Better known as ‘The Swamp,” the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is home to the Florida Gators and is the largest in the state. A staple of the University of Florida campus and the entire community, you can find this house packed with around 90,000 people on Saturdays in the fall, or taking pictures next to the Tim Tebow statue in the off-season.

2. We’re All About Hydration

Gatorade was created right here in 1965 by a group of researchers trying to create a new beverage to keep the Gator football team hydrated during the hot games. The drink worked and became widely popular, and you can find it all over campus. Where you won’t find it? Tallahassee.

3. We’ve Got Famous Roots

A number of celebrities are originally from the Gainesville area. Besides more recent athletes (Tim Tebow and Ryan Lochte), singer Tom Petty and bands such as Sister Hazel and Less Than Jake also got their start in Gainesville. Sister Hazel still enjoys playing locally, and Tom Petty’s song “American Girl” is rumored to be about a girl at the University of Florida.

4. You Can Get Your Shot Of Adrenaline

The NRHA (National Hot Rod Association) Gatornationals is a national drag racing event held annually right here at the Gainesville Raceway. The event is known for history-making performances and has been a Gainesville tradition since 1970. Mark your schedules: The upcoming Gatornationals is scheduled for March 13-16.

5. A Slice (Or Two) Is More Than Nice

Leonardo’s Pizza by the Slice is conveniently located right across the street from the UF campus, and serves delicious pizza and garlic butter rolls for those on a college budget. It’s basically considered a sin to visit Gainesville and not eat at Leonardo’s. They also have gluten-free pizza crust and all sorts of salads. Don’t be surprised to see the line going out the door and down the street.

6. Midtown Is Where It’s At

If you ask any college student where they’ll be on a Friday night (or Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, for that matter) in Gainesville, the answer is going to be Midtown. This stretch of restaurants and bars is located directly across from campus on University Avenue, and is home to Gainesville classics like The Swamp Restaurant, 101 Cantina and Balls. And, since Midtown is within walking distance for many Gators, stumbling home after a rowdy night on the town is never a problem.

7. We Bring The Payne

Florida’s first state preserve established in 1971, it’s impossible to miss Paynes Prairie as you drive into Gainesville on Interstate 75. With eight trails for bike riding, horseback riding and hiking, this is the perfect place to visit for a wildlife getaway. Just make sure you bring lots of water if you plan on visiting during the hot Florida summer.

8. Downtown Has Everything You Need

If dancing and the club scene is more your thing, then downtown is the perfect fit. Filled with restaurants, theatres, nightclubs, parks and quaint shops, this area is perfect for an exciting Saturday night AND a quaint Sunday morning. In the center you’ll find Bo Diddley Community Plaza, which always brings live music and plenty of entertainment.

9. We Make History Cool

Located conveniently on the UF campus, the Florida Museum of Natural History was originally created in 1891 and is the state’s official natural history museum. The main exhibit explores the interesting flora, fauna and fossils of Florida. There’s no better place to get a sense of the culture around you.

10. You’ll Find We Have A Butterfly Effect

This museum has one exhibit that’s worth mentioning on its own. The Butterfly Rainforest features hundreds of free-flying butterflies and birds as well as turtles and fish within a lush landscape. And it’s a popular date spot in Gainesville too, because it’s not pricy to visit but still a beautiful experience.

11. You Can Browse For Your Dinner

Every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., Union Street in downtown Gainesville hosts a farmers market with all different types of yummy food and fresh fruits and veggies. This is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon or even for grocery shopping. Parking can be difficult, but it’s completely worth it.

12. We’re The Sunshine State?

Florida may be known for its sunny weather, but summers in this state include plenty of downpour too. In Gainesville, the hot muggy swamp turns even muggier when the sun trades in for rainy clouds. If you’re walking around campus or anywhere in this city during the summer, keep an umbrella on you at all times.

13. You Can Have Cookies All Night

Midnight Cookies is every college kid’s dream come true—a cookie delivery service open late. There are crazy flavors like bananas foster or red velvet, and they’re made fresh to order and brought right to your door until 2 a.m. during the week. You can even get milk too!

14. We’ve Got A Natural Wonder

Devil’s Millhopper is a 120-foot bowl-shaped cavity in the earth leading to a miniature rain forest. It’s also a National Natural Landmark that people have been visiting since the 1880s. It may not be the most exciting place in Gainesville, but it’s definitely different.

15. You Can Get Your Punk On At FEST

For the past 12 years this annual punk festival has taken over the city of Gainesville and drawn a huge crowd for four days of music by hundreds of bands at a dozen different venues. Get your tickets early: Over 10,000 people travel here for the event!

16. We’ve Got A Theater For Everything

A common question visitors ask while exploring downtown is “What’s that big building in the center of downtown that looks like an old courthouse?” That’s the Hippodrome Theater. Nicknamed “The Hipp,” this theater is a great place to see a play, a unique film, and even take acting classes.

17. You Can Get Your Summer On

Located on the Sante Fe River, Ginnie Springs is the perfect summertime getaway. With tubing, diving and kayaking, Ginnie has something for everyone. Come with a big group of friends for a day of drinking down the river, or bring the family for a barbecue by the water.

18. We’ve Got High Culture, Too

The Samuel P. Harn Museum opened in Gainesville in 1990 and displays more than 8,000 works of art. There are a wide range of collections to marvel at, including African, Asian and contemporary art and photography. And if you’re a student interested in art, the museum offers internships to get even closer to the masterpieces.

19. Breakfast And Dinner Under The Same Roof

A little hole in the wall restaurant just a block from campus, Bagels and Noodles serves up a unique combination of fare: Breakfast dishes along with Vietnamese cuisine. The service and atmosphere is unique to say the least, but the food and prices will keep you coming back for more. Try the pho, trust me.

20. They Are Gators, Hear Them Growl

The main event of UF’s homecoming is the Gator Growl. This student-run pep rally has been around for 90 years and brings in students, alumni, and Gainesville residents for a night of entertainment. The night features dancers, musical guests, comedy performers and a firework show as icing on the cake. Don’t worry about forgetting—people will be talking about it for months beforehand.

21. Our College Isn’t Just A Place To Study

There’s no denying that the University of Florida campus is the heart of the entire city of Gainesville. Although temperatures are high during the summer when school is out, strolling through the brick campus and admiring the architecture is basically a rite of passage. For a deeper understanding of the campus, book a scheduled tour.

22. You Can Get A View From The Top

If you’re looking for a more upscale dinner downtown, The Top is the place to go. Offering American style food (that’s also vegetarian friendly) with a hipster ambiance, this place is always packed on the weekends, so prepare for a wait. But be reassured: Once you get your table, whatever you order is going to be absolutely delicious.

23. We’re More Than Just Sports

Next to the Gators football stadium is the big white dome known as the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. It’s home to the basketball, gymnastics, swimming and volleyball teams, but the “O-dome” is so much more. It also holds graduation ceremonies, career resource fairs, concerts, speakers, family activities, and more. If you live in Gainesville, you’ll end up here at some point.

24. We Eat At The Swamp (No, Really)

If you go nowhere else in Gainesville, go to the Swamp Restaurant. The building was first built as a home for a UF professor in 1915, and has been a representation of Gainesville and the university ever since. Its big TV screens make it the perfect place to watch the game, and with live entertainment in the evenings, it’s perfect for a night out.

25. You Can Celebrate Local Art

For 32 years, the nationally recognized Downtown Festival and Art Show transforms downtown and brings out a crowd of more than 100,000 people. You can spend a weekend strolling through downtown watching more than 250 different artists work, or just sit and relax while watching live performances. And there’s even an Imagination Station for kids, so it’s wonderful for the whole family.

26. We’ve Got A Different Kind Of Miracle On 34th Street

When driving on 34th Street, you will notice a 1,120-foot wall with different messages in paint and graffiti. Built in 1979, the wall includes marriage proposals, birthday wishes, graduation announcements, celebrations and tributes. It’s technically illegal, but locals (including law enforcement) accept the wall as a Gainesville landmark.

27. Find Your Inner Peace

If you’re looking for a place of meditation or just somewhere to escape for a moment, the Baughman Center is the perfect spot. Built right next to Lake Alice on UF’s campus, the center features a serene pavilion with 1,500 feet of incredible architecture. To call it a beautiful spot would be an understatement.
Feature Image Source: Flickr user CRUSTINA!