Living in Gainesville

The Hippodrome theater, located in downtown Gainesville, is a professional theatre company that produces works of Broadway, off-Broadway and classics year-round. It is also an art film house, featuring foreign and independent films.

Gainesville is the county seat and largest city in Alachua County in North Central Florida. The population of Gainesville in the 2010 Census was 124,354. Nearly 50,000 of Gainesville residents either study or work at the University of Florida. The university boasts state-of-the art gymnasiums, libraries, a museum and art gallery. During the school year, there are seminars, sports and recreation opportunities to take advantage of across campus. The large student population gives way to a great selection of dining, recreation and entertainment options in the city of Gainesville. There is also a wealth of outdoor activities to to explore in the region. The links below will lead to you many of these destinations and events:

• General City Information

• Gainesville Activities

• Gainesville Area Information

Housing and Transportation:

• On-Campus Graduate Housing
• Off-Campus Housing
• Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS)*

*UF students may use the RTS transit system free of charge with their UF ID card

UF’s Southwest Recreation Center features a multipurpose gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and martial arts, a strength & conditioning room, two group exercise rooms, eight racquetball courts, and two squash courts

On-Campus Resources:

• University of Florida Campus Map
• International Center
• George E. Smathers Libraries
• Center for Leadership and Volunteer Service
• Center for Student Involvement
• Campus Recreation and Sports
• Gator Sports Schedule
• Performing Arts Schedule
• Programs, Arts and Leisure Activities
• Samuel P. Harn Art Gallery

Check out alligators, wild horses, bison, boars, armadillos, herons, and other wildlife at Payne’s Prairie – a 10-minute bike ride from downtown Gainesville!

Outdoor Activities:

• UF Lake Wauberg Recreation
• Paynes Prairie Reserve
• Santa Fe Teaching Zoo
• Gainesville Cycling Club and Bike Trails
• Get your bike fixed for free!

Gainesville has many beautiful neighborhoods, with houses and apartments priced affordably.

Dining, Culture & Entertainment:

• Gainesville Dining
• Gainesville Drink Specials
• Gainesville Local Food Movement
• Union Street Farmers Market – Every Wednesday
• Alachua County Farmer’s Market – Every Saturday
• Haile Farmer’s Market – Every Saturday
• Gainesville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs
• Gainesville Art Walk – Last Friday of the Month
• The Hippodrome Theatre
• Harn Musueum of Art

Local News, Radio and Shows:

• Gainesville News
• Gainesville Public Radio
• Gainesville Events
• Gainesville Bands

Swim with manatees at the Manatee Springs State Park!

Nearby:

• State Parks: Silver Springs, Manatee Springs, Ginnie Springs, Crystal River

• Beaches: Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Cedar Key

• Ocala National Forest

• Skydive Palatka

• Rent canoes, tents, sleeping bags, etc. from The Outfitter on campus
  

Ginnie Springs is an amazing natural site only a 40 minute drive from Gainesville. Go swimming, tubing or kayaking in this pristine water. Also available are diving opportunities, camp grounds & more.