What to do and where to stay in Gainesville, Florida?

July 10, 2008 12:48 AM

What to do and where to stay in Gainesville, Florida?

I'm traveling over to Gainesville, FL from the UK for The Fest over the last weekend of October. I'm arriving there a few days early so I was seeing firstly if there is anything I have to do while I'm there and secondly if anyone could recommend me somewhere dirt cheap, like a hostel where I can get a private room or a reasonable hotel. Thanks guys!

Any other travel advice is also welcome, don't put hands in Alligator's mouths etc...

posted by stackhaus23 to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

Oh, the fest. I can't really give you travel advice, because it would consist of "call everyone you went to high school with. find a couch."
But you will have an amazing time, I promise.
Remember, the Plan-it-X people do a lot of shows out in the park by their venue.
Don't forget to get a very berry turkey sandwich at the gelato company on 1st. It will literally blow your mind. You will not understand how things between bread ever had the right to taste so wonderful.
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 1:33 AM on July 10, 2008

Will you have access to a rental car? If so, I'd recommend going for a long hike in Paynes Prarie (with real live bison!), maybe heading up to Palatka for a stroll through The Ravines, or taking a drive to St. Augustine to visit the historic downtown and the beautiful beaches. There's also a lot of great springsheads within easy driving distance of Gainesville, including Salt Springs and Ginnie Springs.
posted by saladin at 4:47 AM on July 10, 2008

Satchel's Pizza.
posted by jeanmari at 6:20 AM on July 10, 2008

WOW you're coming all the way from the UK to my little town for the Fest? Rock on. OK. This is a college town of approx. 125k people and there are no hostels. There are shitty little motels both north and south on 13th street, and I assume that most of the shows will be downtown, in which case 13th will be good because it's pretty close to downtown. I have about 800 million things to tell you about Gville if you want to memail me, I'd be more than happy to help you find a place to stay and tell you about cool stuff to do. I love this town.
posted by tatiana wishbone at 7:02 AM on July 10, 2008

I don't know how early you're getting in, but if you want to get to know American football, going to a Gator game is a very good way to do it. The Gators' homecoming is on the 25th. You could probably learn nearly as much by going to the parties that will surely pop up just to watch the Florida-Georgia game (a/k/a The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party) on November 1, even though the game's in Jacksonville, not Gainesville.

Be warned: the parking situation in Gainesville is absolutely horrific while school is in session.
posted by oaf at 12:17 PM on July 10, 2008

This is awesome guys...

I'll be getting there on the 28th October and I'll be leaving on the 3rd November. I won't have a car and I'm a vegetarian! I should have definitely added those things in the first place!
posted by stackhaus23 at 12:33 PM on July 10, 2008

I second Jeanmari's Satchel's recommendation. You'll find plenty of vegetarian/vegan fare there and at dozens of restaurants in and around the fest venues. It's a crunchy little town. (Cafe Gardens is a personal favorite.)

If you have the opportunity, take a hike through Payne's Prairie (saladin's correct--i've seen the bison, but beware the feral hogs) or Devil's Millhopper or San Felasco, then head back downtown for dinner at The Top (hands down, my favorite restaurant in town--try the Buffalo Tempeh) and a show at the Hippodrome. Finish that off with coffee and dessert at Mildred's and that's pretty much my perfect day.

The Harn Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Natural History have exceptional collections for being located in a small town. You'll find them on the U of F campus. While you're there, locate the Bat House on Museum Road and head over at dusk to see thousands of bats take off into the night sky. You'll never forget it. (Lake Alice is right across the street. You WILL see alligators just hanging around.)

Have fun!
posted by peacecorn at 3:54 PM on July 10, 2008

Seriously, what's the deal with Alligators?! Don't they kill people with their big sharp jaws of death???
posted by stackhaus23 at 4:07 PM on July 10, 2008

Sometimes. There are signs by Lake Alice saying not to walk small dogs near the water.
posted by oaf at 5:28 AM on July 11, 2008