Southern Living magazine chose Gainesville as the South’s #10 Best College Town in 2022 , stating, “The hometown of the Gators has a lively and historic downtown, where arts and culture take center stage.” Arts, culture, innovation, and vision definitely make this growing city the place to be!
Gainesville, the largest city in northern Florida, is home to approximately 127,000 people with a median age of 25. Enjoy year-round accessibility to outdoor recreation, fun events, an exciting foodie scene, and an endless array of arts and culture choices, all within a short drive of Atlantic and Gulf beaches and popular theme parks. Plan your trip and see for yourself!
Also home to the the 5th largest public university in the nation, Gainesville boasts many top-level collegiate sports teams, including football, baseball, swimming, gymnastics, track, basketball, and more. Although football season in this college town is certainly a spectacle, Gainesville also features numerous cultural and outdoor activities that make it a unique town and desirable place to live.
- Average annual high temperature – 80° F
Average high temperature in July (hottest month) – 91° F - Average annual low temperature – 58° F
Average low temperature in January (coldest month) – 42° F
Annual days where low temperature < 32° F – 14 - Annual number of sunny days – 224
Average rainfall (inches)– 47 inches
Annual snowfall (inches) = 0
Outdoor Activities and Fitness
Outdoor Activities
- Depot Park
- Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
- Sweetwater Wetlands Park
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
- Hawthorne State Trail, La Chua Trail, Bolen Bluff Trail
- UF Bat House
- San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
- Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
- Lake Wauburg
- Newman’s Lake
- Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
- Blueberry picking (March – May)
- Surrounding Springs: Devil’s Den (35 min), Ichetucknee Springs (45 min), Gilchrist Blue Springs (40 min), Ginnie Springs (40 min), Rainbow Springs (50 min), Silver Springs (50 min), Crystal River (75 min)
- Nearby Florida Beaches: St. Augustine (1.5 hours), Jacksonville Beach (1.5 hours), Amelia Island (2 hours) Daytona Beach (2 hours), Clearwater Beach (3 hours)
Fitness
- UF Gyms (Southwest and Student Recreation Centers): Free membership with limited hours (or full hours at a reduced rate for residents) with access to group classes, intramural sports, etc.
- Gainesville Health and Fitness
- Yoga studios: Yoga Pod, Spotlight Yoga, Flow Space, Sanctuary Yoga, etc.
- Pilates studios: Club Pilates, Evolve Pilates and Fitness, En Core Pilates
- Orange Theory
- Pure Barre
- Cyclebar
- Community sports leagues: soccer, kickball, softball, etc.
- Biking trails
Museums, Culture, and the Arts
- Harn Museum of Art
- Florida Museum of Natural History
- Cade Museum
- The Hippodrome
- Curtis M. Phillips Center
- Gainesville Community Playhouse
- The Thomas Center
- Free Friday Concert Series at Bo Diddley Plaza
- High Dive
Farmer’s Markets, Breweries, and Restaurants
Local Farmers’ Markets:
- Monday: Grove Street Farmers’ Market
- Thursday: GNV Market at Heartwood
- Saturday: Haile Village Farmers’ Market
Local Breweries:
- Swamp Head Brewery
- First Magnitude Brewing Company
- Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
- Blackadder Brewing Company
Local Food Establishments:
- 4th Ave Food Park
- Afternoon Restaurant
- Alpin Bistro
- Bangkok Square
- Blue Highway Pizza
- Boca Fiesta
- Cintron
- Covey Kitchen
- Crane Ramen
- Cry Baby’s
Local Food Establishments:
- Curia on the Drag
- Daily Green
- Embers Wood Grill
- Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches
- Halo Potato Donuts
- Humble Wood Fire
- La Cocina de Abuela
- La Tienda
- Loosey’s
- Luke’s Bagels
- Mark’s Prime Steakhouse
- Maude’s Classic Café
- Nopal
- Opus Coffee
- Public and General
- Reggae Shack
- Satchels
- Superette Wine and Provisions
- Tamal
- The Top
- Uppercrust Bakery
- Volcanic Sushi and Sake
- …and many more!
