Part 3, Who Wants to Have a Social Life?
The Hippodrome Theater in Downtown Gainesville showcases live theatrical and musical performances and independent films. Photo taken by author.
I was skeptical about moving to Gainesville in part because I didn’t expect there to be much beyond large chain restaurants and retail stores. I was also dubious because Gainesville is not on the circuit to attract a lot of live performances from major bands. Surprisingly the town has completely exceeded expectations in these and many other areas. Here is a breakdown of my experience as someone who enjoys leaving the house occasionally:
Dining: There are a ton of incredible places to eat out at around Gainesville. They span a range of prices, styles, and cuisines. I gravitate towards cheap eats and mid-prices places, but my standards on these are still high. Many times I have been really impressed with what is available in Gainesville, and there is still plenty more that I have yet to explore.
Music: Okay, I have a toddler so my days of being out late to see a band are mostly over, but if they weren’t I would be out regularly enjoying the local music scene, which I’ve seen snippets of here and there. Great local bands that I’ve seen bits of have played folk, mountain, rock, and electronica music. The town also hosts the annual Fest, a 3-day bonanza of bands for the young and hip.
Culture & Entertainment: The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida and other local galleries such as the Church of Holy Colors and many others showcase the great local artistic talent of Gainesville and beyond. They also hold regular events for a range of interests. The City also hosts an annual Art Festival. For theater lovers there are also several options for taking in a performance at venues such as the Hippodrome Theater or the Acrosstown Repertory Theater. The Hipp also plays independent films and there are three theaters in town that play Hollywood films.
Retail: I don’t shop very much, but if I did there would be no shortage of good retail stores around Gainesville. There are the big chains at the Oaks Mall and Butler Plaza, and great independent shops and boutiques downtown. And, as much of the Gainesville landscape is suburban, there are a ton of strip mall gems, like those in Thornebrook Village. For those who enjoy hunting for pre-loved items, as I do, there are a couple dozen thrift stores around town as well.
I’m not an expert on Gainesville and there are many more places to see and great cultural aspects of the town that are not listed here. Please tell us about your favorite places in the comments section below!
About the author:
Christina moved to Gainesville with her husband, toddler, dog and cat in the summer of 2011. She writes about all of the great businesses, events and characteristics of Gainesville on her blog HappyGainesville.com. If you missed Part One of Christina’s guest blog series, you can find it here and find part two here.
