TOP TO BOTTOM: The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens; Free Fridays at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza; the Hippodrome State Theatre.
PHOTOS: (Top and Center) Visit Gainesville; (Bottom) Anna Mikell, Courtesy of Visit Gainesville.
T
he north central city of Gainesville—not to be confused with the Georgia city of the same name—is well worth the trip as a destination, not just a detour. Its cultural venues, historical sites, recreational areas and a quaint downtown that dates back to pre-Civil War days combine for a trip that offers a unique chance to immerse yourself in history while reconnecting with nature—all in one place. Start your Gainesville adventure in the downtown district, anchored by the Bo Diddley Community Plaza. Named for famed singer and guitarist Bo Diddley, the space is fittingly well-used year-round for festivals and music events, including the weekly “Free Fridays” concert series, which runs May through October. 352-393-8746. Nearby is the Hippodrome State Theatre, an ornate Palladium Classical Revival building built in 1911, and the anchor of what John Pricher, interim director of the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau, describes as “a vibrant arts community.” Home to the only professional theater group in the region, the Hippodrome houses a 266-seat theater, rehearsal areas, a movie cinema and an art gallery. 352-375-4477, www.thehipp.org. Not far from downtown, the University of Florida campus hosts the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, which boasts more than 8,000 works of photography, Asian, African, modern and contemporary art, and also hosts traveling exhibits. 352-392-9826, www.harn.ufl.edu.
The Great Outdoors Gainesville boasts a number of ways to connect with the outdoors. “Nature is all around here,” says Pricher. “You could begin your day hiking at one of the state parks and finish it swimming in a cold water spring.” One of the most popular natural destinations is the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. The habitat is home to more than 75 species, from bald eagles to tree kangaroos. An accessible trail through the woods gives visitors an upclose look at creatures in their natural habitat. 352-395-5601, www.sfcollege.edu/zoo. u Newcomer Magazine | 33