6 Things To Do In Gainesville For Spring Break

There are times where you think that Gainesville can get pretty boring, or at least, not the ideal spring break destination. Something that I was told and continue to practice is to be a tourist in your own town. There are people who have lived in Gainesville their whole lives and haven’t done maybe, half the things on this list. So that’s what I’m here for, to tell you all the glorious things Gainesville has to offer whether you’re a student or not. Spring break is right around the corner and while everyone might be going home for that week, some of us will be doing our daily grind here in Gainesville. By then, hopefully this cold weather will warm up ASAP so we can go back to wearing tank tops and sandals. Here are some awesome things to do in Gainesville for Spring break!

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1. Head to Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park.

Perfect spot to enjoy nature and have a great workout. This is one of the most beautiful best-kept secrets in Gainesville. You can find a beautiful nature trail to follow at this state park and it’s even animal friendly, if you’d like to take your best friend Spot with you. The Millhopper is a sinkhole smack in the northern part of Gainesville. There’s a stream that follows down the limestone sinkhole.

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2. Watch the bats fly out from the UF Bat House at sunset.

This experience is definitely out of this world. UF’s Bat House is the world’s largest occupied bat house. If you visit the bat houses, it’s so rewarding to see nature come together so perfectly. As the sun sets the bats are seen in silhouette. Something about the sunset makes it worth your while all while learning a thing or two about these amazing animals.

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3. Paint the 34th Street wall.

You know that you have always wanted to paint that wall when you pass through 34th street. The wall is full of creativity and expresses what the gator nation really is. Try not to go too early, otherwise you’ll get a sunburn and it’ll just be too hot. I recommend painting around 3 or 4 so the sun isn’t at its strongest and it also gives the paint time to dry up. WARNING: DON’T SPRAY PAINT THE WALL! (It comes out messy and will take forever to finish.)

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4. Have a beer at Swamp Head Brewery.

Swamp Head Brewery has been a Gainesville legend since 2008. Tours are available on select days and are only $5. You must be 21 years or older and you get a free pint glass of one of Swamp Head’s year-round beers.

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5. Grab a croissant at Uppercrust Productions.

While your friends are getting all “cultured” during spring break in Mexico or the Bahamas, tell them you went to Paris and ate the best croissants ever. Uppercrust is an authentic French bakery. They have little nooks and crannies from France and even have a wide variety of wine to pick from in the back. I would also try their butter rolls with a French pressed coffee, SO GOOD!

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6. Take a dip in the Devil’s Den.

If you don’t have the money to afford a trip to see the beautiful Bahama blue water, take a trip over to the Devil’s Den! This “Den” is actually a cave and it another one of Gainesville’s hidden treasures. This cave houses an underground spring with water temperatures of about 70° year round.