Downtown is particularly popular with those looking to explore Gainesville's dining and nightlife scenes as it is highly concentrated with restaurants serving all cuisines, and bars and clubs serving all music tastes.
West University Avenue is another diverse hotspot for food and drink. As it is especially popular with the city’s student crowd, don’t be surprised when one drink turns into 5.
Located between Downtown and the University of Florida campus, College Park and Fifth Avenue offer the best of both worlds. Whilst Downtown will show you the city’s best food, drink, and entertainment, the university campus will provide you with your dose of culture.
However, the keenest of culture cats might prefer to stay southwest of the University of Florida Campus where the city’s museums are concentrated. As well as the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Harn Museum of Art, this locale blesses you with the university’s performing arts centre and a number of other entertainment venues.
Butler Plaza, located slightly south of Downtown and the university, is a one-stop shop for all your retail therapy needs. With everything from brand outlets and fashion chains to vintage and second-hand stores, it will be hard not to burn a hole in your pockets.
Families and nature enthusiasts might prefer to stay around the outskirts of the city near its nature reserves and state parks. Devil’s Millhopper is northwest of the city, while the Sweetwater Wetlands, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park area in the south.
Whilst Downtown and the university campus areas are walkable, to get between them and to other areas around the city, it is best to take a bike, bus, or taxi.
