Community Livelihoods
Every college experience starts on campus, but the great ones extend into the community and link gown and town in meaningful ways. As emerging leaders and agents of change, SBE students often find much to learn and celebrate by immersing themselves into our local community during their time here at UF.
Adjacent is a video welcoming visitors to Gainesville and Alachua County. Below are a handful of some popular ways to sense and make sense of your new community.
Events & Lodging
Images and logos link to destination websites and additional details.
Visit Gainesville & Alachua County, FL
Click the link to view the Visit Gainesville calendar of upcoming events. “Help plan your visit with these submissions from local organizers. You can search by date or keyword, and change your layout from month or list view, by day or by browse by event images.” Additional local ideas, happenings, and lodging can be found in the Blog and Places to Stay links.
People & Places
Images and logos link to destination websites and additional details.
Visit Gainesville & Alachua County, FL
“Enjoy world-class performing arts, museums, festivals and live music on dozens of stages. 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.”
Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
811 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
“Our mission is to transform communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors, ​entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Our vision is to spread an inventive mindset across the world.”
Hippodrome Theatre
25 SE 2 Pl, Gainesville, FL 32601
“The mission of the Hippodrome is to provide a first-class regional theatre and artistic space committed to excellence in North Florida; to collaborate with extraordinary artists creating productions, education programs, events, and cinematic programming that reflect and elevate the diverse cultures and perspectives of our region; and to create and maintain ongoing engagement with our community.”
Nature & Outdoors
Images and logos link to destination websites and additional details.
Depot Park
874 SE 4th Street, Gainesille, FL 32601
“Welcome to Depot Park, the junction of past and future in downtown Gainesville, Florida.
What was once contaminated earth, the residue from the site’s history as a rail yard, is now a blooming field of wildflowers and native plantings lined by decorative tracks that commemorate this former railroad transportation hub.
The vision for Depot Park was to create a contemporary public greenspace to serve as Gainesville’s “Central Park”. To be a signature city park located downtown and provide a space for public outdoor enjoyment unique to the city.”
Nearby Freshwater Springs
Many locations in and around Gainesville.
“North Florida is home to over 1,000 freshwater springs and the largest collection of First Magnitude fresh water springs in the United States. The springs are a perfect way to get outside and explore the natural side of the state. Did you know the crystal clear water flows from underground at a refreshing 72 degrees Fahrenheit, or 22 degrees Celsius, all year round? Make sure to add a visit to the springs to your Gainesville and Alachua County itinerary.”
Sweetwater Wetlands Park
325 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32601
“Sweetwater Wetlands Park is not only a place to connect with nature, it’s a way to protect our environment. The park, which consists of more than 125 acres of wetlands and ponds, was created to improve the water quality of wetlands in Paynes Prairie and the Floridan Aquifer.
Now a thriving habitat, Sweetwater Wetlands Park is filled with vast numbers of plants and animals, including birds, butterflies, alligators and Florida cracker horses.
At the park, you can walk more than 3.5 miles of crushed gravel trails and boardwalks, experience the lush landscape from viewing platforms, and learn about the habitat through educational signs and tours.”
Farmers’ Markets
Logos link to market websites. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
Alachua County Farmers’ Market
Saturdays @ 08:30 to 12:00
5920 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32653
“Founded in 1972, the Alachua County Farmers’ Market was held in a downtown parking lot at the corner of University Avenue and Main Street. Since 1991, it has been taking place in the county owned pavilion it is held in to this day.
The mission of the Alachua County Farmers’ Market is to give local agricultural producers a place to sell products directly to the public so they can generate sustainable income from farming. By doing so, many farmers have been able to keep on farming instead of having to take other jobs or to sell their land for development.”
Haile Farmers’ Market
Saturdays @ 08:30 to 12:00
5300 SE 91st Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32608
“The Haile Farmers Market is an independent farmers market owned and operated by local farmers. We’ve been connecting farmers and families since 1998. All of our produce vendors are farmers, not brokers, so when you shop with us you can be sure that your produce is grown locally by the folks selling it to you. Take a stroll down the tree-lined streets of the Haile Village Center to browse for groceries, prepared food, and handmade gifts, then continue on for more shopping or brunching at the Village Center’s locally-owned shops and restaurants.”
High Springs Farmers’ Market
Fridays @ 12:00 to 16:00
23718 West US Highway 27, High Springs, FL 32643
The High Springs Farmers’ Market recently moved into a brand new, open air pavilion. Vendors include farmers, ranchers, value-added food providers, and retailers. Products include fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, seafood, pickled and canned goods, confections and treats, handmade soaps, botanicals and cosmetics, rocks and gemstones, tee shirts, and other retail items.
Tioga Community Farmers’ Market (Now on Tuesdays)
Tuesdays @ 16:00 to 19:00
205 SW 131st Street, Newberry, FL 32669
“At this market you will find a variety of produce (Fruits & Vegetables) from several local organic, hydroponic and conventional farms. Fruits and vegetables offered are seasonal and change throughout the year. We also have several artisan food vendors; jams & jellies, baked goods, confections and more. Many of our farmers and food vendors are also talented crafts people; fine art photography, jewelry making , wood bowl carver and herb crafts.”
Union Street Farmers’ Market (Now @ Celebration Pointe)
Wednesdays @ 16:00 to 19:00
4949 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608
“The Union Street Farmers’ Market opened for the first time on Apr. 3, 1996. Formed by a dedicated small group of local farmers with the assistance of Ken and Linda McGurn and the city of Gainesville, the original purpose of the market was twofold: (1) to provide local farmers a new venue to sell their produce at retail prices; and (2) to create a weekly family oriented event in the Union Street entertainment district that would reflect the vibrant diversity of this university community …
Every Wednesday afternoon, 52 weeks of the year (rain or shine), around 40 vendors selling conventional, hydroponic, and organic seasonal produce, plants, honey, fruits, baked good, free range meats, seafood and eggs as well as vegan and other types of prepared foods fill the green on Celebration Pointe Ave. Also each week there are multiple performers of live music on the main stage.”