Satchels and Springtime in Gainesville

  Hi! I’m Tammy, the newest addition to the Natural North Florida blogging team. If you’re new to our site (like me!) welcome to the Sunshine State’s most authentic resource for all things off the beaten path, the hidden gems from Gainesville to Cedar Key to Steinhatchee to Tallahassee, and every nook and cranny in …

The Blue Trees are in Gainesville

One of the coolest public art projects I’ve seen in a while is going on right now at the University of Florida campus.  Last year UF Fine Arts decided to start celebrate each October even bigger and better than before since it is National Arts and Humanities month.  You might have noticed the Seward Johnson …

Stay Cool in Gainesville

Summertime is almost gone in North Central Florida but Fall is on the way! We’ve got a few ideas to help you keep cool while you’re exploring Gainesville. Start your day off with a visit to the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida’s Cultural Plaza. Admission is free and it’s a …

Bronze Statues Take Over Gainesville

First they visited Paris and Osaka. Now “Crossing Paths,” a collection of 24 large statues by J. Seward Johnson, has taken up residence across Gainesville, from the University of Florida campus to downtown. (UF’s North Lawn, near the Reitz Union, has 10 sculptures.) The exhibit runs through October 14. Giant statues include a dancing couple, …

Eat At The Jones Eastside Eatery in Gainesville

Located on the Eastside of Gainesville in a small roadside shopping strip, The Jones Eastside is a great restaurant that is open from 8am – 10pm every day.  They source locally whenever possible, and some of the ingredients in the specials are actually grown by the chefs!  The Jones has a great vegetarian and vegan …

Gainesville’s “Top” Restaurant: The Top in Downtown Gainesville

If you’re looking for a great meal in downtown Gainesville, The Top is one of the best places to go.  The menu has plenty of options for anyone.  The menu has something for everyone, including a great selection for vegans and vegetarians.  The ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible, and the sweet potato fries dipped …

Cofrin Nature Park: Get Outside in Gainesville

Located in the middle of Gainesville off of 8th avenue, just across from the Gainesville Health and Fitness Center is a 30 acre strip of land called the Cofrin Nature Park.  The park offers a 1/2 mile trail for hiking which goes through several different habitats including hardwood hammocks and seepage wetlands.  The wetlands are …

Big Bend Bound For Some Great Fishing?–Fly Into Gainesville Regional Airport

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) is an excellent choice for visiting anglers heading to the Big Bend.  With service from Atlanta (Delta), Charlotte (USAir) and Miami (American) and a good supply of rental cars, the airport is convenient to some great fishing spots.  It’s only about an hour from Yankeetown and about an hour-and-a-half from Cedar …

There’s No Omnivore’s Dilemma at Sisters Restaurant

The Gainesville restaurant Sisters bridges the gap between meat dishes, lighter fare and vegetarian and vegan food without sacrificing taste or variety. Want the Eggs Benedict without the ham? Substitute vegan sausage.  Prefer turkey sausage to bacon with your organic eggs? No problem. If you’d prefer to splurge on the real deal, that’s easily accomplished, …

“Ti Amo” Loves Fresh Local Ingredients: Dinner and a Show!

One of the highest rated places on the restaurant scene in Gainesville, Ti Amo is located downtown about a block away from the Hippodrome Theater.  The restaurant specializes in fine dining, and the menu has a decided mediterranean twist.  Ti Amo is a somewhat pricey restaurant, with full size entrees averaging about $20.  However, for smaller …