Work’s Done! Time for Fun in Gainesville, FL

Chris Watkins

Julianne Raymond Flinchum has an easy answer when asked what she loves most about her home. “Mainly, it’s how unique Gainesville is. The way I put it is that it’s like living in a big city, but one where everyone knows your name,” she says. “It offers a lot of really beautiful nature – lots of springs and trails – not to mention a lot of culture, different styles of cuisine and music. At the same time, it’s so warm and welcoming.”

Flinchum has lived in the city for half her life, so she’s well-versed when it comes to after-work activities that are both easy to access and enjoyable. Here is just a small sample of fun things to do in Gainesville that she recommends taking advantage of after you clock out for the day.

Enjoy Dinner and a Show

Need a way to unwind from the day? Head to Amelia’s Italian Restaurant for dinner and drinks, then catch a show at the Hippodrome Theatre (or Hipp, if you want to sound like a local). “Amelia’s is definitely a date night vibe,” Flinchum says.

With a menu boasting luxurious dishes, like lobster ravioli and veal marsala, it’s a perfect prelude to a show at the Hipp, which is just around the corner and offers theater, film and visual art programming, not to mention drag shows and live music.

Another option? Catch a show at Gainesville Community Playhouse, then grab dinner at Esperanza.

Toss an Axe and Grab Some Cake

After sitting at your desk all day, moving around after work is a must. So if you’re looking for some uniquely fun things to do in Gainesville, try your hand at ax-throwing at Swamp Axe, an ax-throwing bar, then hit up The Top for some delicious food.

“Kiss my axe,” declares a vibrant mural inside Swamp Axe. While axes and ales may seem like a recipe for disaster, the bar offers training and takes precautions designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Plus, the spot offers a weekly ladies’ night and league play.

Afterward, hit up The Top, a casual restaurant that serves up modern American fare, like burgers, surf and turf, pasta and, for dessert, cake – carrot and cranberry or chocolate. Yes, you need to try a piece.

Venture Outside for Fresh Air and Fun

For those who love the outdoors or just need a little fresh air after a day inside, head to Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, then hydrate at Cypress & Grove Brewing Co.

The 16-mile paved trail runs from Boulware Springs Park through Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and other local and state conservation land.

“It’s super cool. Some of the overlooks you can go to in Paynes Prairie are really pretty,” Flinchum says. “The last time I biked it, I saw wild horses. You can see wild bison, and, obviously, lots of gators. You can walk within  five to 10 feet of sunbathing gators.”

Finish up with a pint at Cypress & Grove Brewing Co. and grab a bite at one of its regular food trucks. Flinchum especially recommends hitting the taproom on Monday nights, when the Grove Street Farmers Market sets up shop there. 

Sip on Wine and Relax With Live Music

Grab a few friends or colleagues and sip wine at Superette, a neighborhood wine bar and bistro, before heading to Bo Diddley Plaza for a free concert.

“Superette has a really lovely outdoor area you can sit in that has dangling lights,” Flinchum says. “They do great charcuterie and great food.” 

Stop in for international flavors, like the muhammara (a Turkish dip made with roasted red peppers and walnuts) or baklava, before relocating to Bo Diddley Plaza on a Friday night for the Free Fridays Concert Series. The series runs from April through September. “They do a wide variety of different genres of shows,” Flinchum says.

Recent acts included reggae, bluegrass, jazz and swing, classic rock and R&B.

Get Thrifty and Work Up an Appetite

And finally, no list of fun things to do in Gainesville is complete without a little retail therapy. Go thrifting at Flashbacks Recycled Fashions, where you’ll find modern, vintage and everything in between, then enjoy a satisfying dinner at Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches.

“Flashbacks is awesome because it’s really cost effective, and they have a wide variety of clothes. They have genuine vintage clothing and what the kids think vintage is,” Flinchum says with a laugh.

A good chunk of the shop’s stock – clothing, shoes, jewelry, outerwear and even cassette tapes – can be seen online, but as at any thrift store, poring over the racks is a must for the best finds. Just across the street is Germain’s, which Flinchum says launched as a food truck before opening a restaurant proper. Her favorite order is the Korean fried chicken sandwich served with kimchi slaw, but she says all the joint’s offerings are fabulous: “They’ve been killing it.”