Gainesville Area’s “Big City” Farmers’ Markets Bustle in Fall

While mostly rural, the 11-county region we call “Natural North Florida” has one large urban area.  Gainesville and Alachua County are large, that is, if you count the 75,000-plus college students at the University of Florida and Santa Fe College.  Without those venerable institutions, you’d see fewer Publix Supermarkets and more roadside farmers’ markets! Not …

Downtown Festival & Art Show, November 14 and 15, 2015

North Florida’s art scene swings into high gear on Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the arrival of the highly acclaimed Downtown Festival & Art Show. The streets of historic downtown Gainesville, from City Hall to the Hippodrome State Theatre will be transformed into a celebration of …

Gainesville’s “Free Fridays” Concert Series–Lots of Family Fun!

                Each summer and fall, Downtown Gainesville comes alive every Friday night from 8-10 pm as our local and regional bands and performing arts are showcased under the stars. Each year thousands come out to enjoy the FREE live concerts and shows in a family friendly environment.  For …

Dudley Farm HIstoric State Park in Alachua County is a Florida Gem

When driving on SR26 (Newberry Road) between Gainesville and Newberry, Florida, the casual observer is likely to overlook the less-than-imposing entry and driveway that leads to Dudley Farm Historic State Park (For your GPS: 18730 W. Newberry Road, Newbery, FL  32669). What lies at the end of the quarter-mile drive is astounding in terms of …

Welcome to London!…at Gainesville’s Harn Museum of Art, E.O. Hoppé Photos on Exhibit Thru 9/16/15

Now’s your chance to visit London, England while you’re still in Natural North Florida!  The University of Florida’s Harn Museum of Art is showing the work of influential photographer, E.O. Hoppé through September 16, 2016.  This is a “don’t-miss” opportunity to see images of royalty, street life, movie stars, circus performers and everyday Londoners, taken …

World Sea Turtle Day Celebration, Gainesville, FL–June 20, 2015

World Sea Turtle Day Celebration Jun 20th 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Florida Museum – 3215 Hull Road, SW 34th Street and Hull Road Gainesville, FL 32611       GET DIRECTIONS Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day with the Sea Turtle Conservancy! Children and families are invited to tour the Museum’s sea turtle exhibit with …

Head East From Gainesville to Blue Water Bay Restaurant in Melrose

Now that the intersection of US301 and SR26 has been “passed over” by the new overpass, the 20-mile trip east from Gainesville to Blue Water Bay is pretty easy. And when you get there, the food’s pretty good, too! Blue Water Bay is open for lunch Monday-Friday, 11AM – 3PM; dinner Monday-Thursday 5PM – 9PM. …

Learn About “Florida Cuisine” at Gainesville’s Matheson Museum, May 2015

  Florida’s food baffles lots of visitors.  As a surprise to many, oranges are not our largest agricultural output, nor are fish.  Would you believe beef cattle?  Natural North Florida is especially varied, and you’ll likely see more cattle ranches than citrus groves as you cruise our 10 county region.  Of course, we have fish, …

“Customer Fish”: Catch Fish–And Let Someone Else Cook Them!

Yes, you’ll still have to clean your catch, but in many coastal settlements and towns along our Natural North Florida coast, there are restaurants with “customer fish” on the menu.  There’s nothing quite like fish, fresh from the Gulf, served in the comfort of a restaurant, and usually accompanied by side dishes like grits, butter …

Take a Tour and Taste a Sample at Island Grove Winery, near Gainesville

I’m a product of college in the 60’s.  That means when I hear the words “local”, “southern” and “blueberry wine” in the same sentence, I think of the  Boones’ Farm Apple wine and “Mad Dog 20/20” common at fraternity parties.  But I’m a pretty open-minded guy and recently took the opportunity to visit Island Grove …