Sweetwater Cottages, Gainesville, FL

Steal away to Sweetwater's historic cottages for a romantic escape

by Alisson Clark | July 29, 2010

Sweetwater Branch Inn has managed to combine the best of a B&B stay – a convivial atmosphere where guests mingle and swap stories about last night’s culinary adventures – with the best of a vacation rental: privacy and the convenience of household amenities.

The six historic cottages that complement Sweetwater’s 12 guest rooms offer a truly gracious getaway. The management has restored these charming properties adjacent to the inn (and two on …

Satchel’s Pizza, Gainesville, FL

Take a trip to the east side for a memorable slice of Gainesville

by Alisson Clark | July 26, 2010

You go to Satchel’s for the pizza, but you get a lot more.

Like a table in a Ford Falcon van out front, or a bluegrass band/Greek orchestra/klezmer group onstage out back.

You get the quirky Lightnin’ Salvage  five and dime and junk museum,  the adjacent store where you can buy toys of yesteryear and assorted oddities. You get a bocce ball court and …

Paddle Florida, Suwannee River, FL

Paddle the storied Suwannee on a guided tour

by Alisson Clark | July 23, 2010

Paddling the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is one of those bucket-list, must-do Florida experiences. Stretching from White Springs north of Gainesville to the Gulf of Mexico in the town of Suwannee, the trail delivers some of the most pristine, undeveloped stretches of Florida wilderness you're ever likely to see.

The problem is, I'm a chicken.

As much as I love canoeing and kayaking, I'm afraid to head out on a 123-mile …

Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL

Kids laugh and learn at this top-notch museum

by Alisson Clark | July 19, 2010

The Butterfly Rainforest may get most of the attention, but it's just one of the top-drawer exhibits kids can explore at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the University of Florida campus.

Bonus: The museum's permanent non-butterfly exhibits are free for all ages. My son never tires of exploring the Native American chief's hut (pictured), watching the tiny robotic crabs jet along the floor of the mangrove swamp, and most of …

Cedar Key Bed and Breakfast, Cedar Key, FL

Gulf views and serenity in Cedar Key's secret garden

by Alisson Clark | July 13, 2010

Tucked away on a quiet side street with a view of the Gulf of Mexico, Cedar Key Bed and Breakfast is a peaceful escape in this picturesque town known for its clam farming, artsy shops and tightly knit (but visitor-friendly) community.

Folks from all over the South head to Cedar Key, west of Gainesville on the Gulf Coast, for fresh seafood and a dose of serenity. The island's history is …

Common Grounds, Gainesville, FL

Don't let the name fool you - this is no coffeehouse

by Alisson Clark | July 12, 2010

In a college town, live-music venues have to establish their street cred with a few criteria that separate them from the cover-band bars.

First, the infrastructure should show that the music, not the patrons' conversations, are the priority. Niceties like tables and chairs aren't required.

Pabst Blue Ribbon should be on tap for cheap. Bonus points for serving anything brewed locally.

National acts are welcome, as long as they espouse the same …

Mexico Lindo, Gainesville FL

Authentic food, a festive atmosphere and vibrant folk art make this a must-see dining spot

by Alisson Clark | July 09, 2010

Don't let Mexico Lindo's unassuming strip-mall exterior fool you.

Step inside, and you're transported. Every surface is decked out in the bright colors, folk-art carvings and art of the owners' homeland. I'm not sure how they managed to cram so many paintings, carvings, mosaics, wall-hangings and colors into one restaurant without it feeling like a souvenir shop, but the effect is charming and uber-festive.

It's not just the remarkable interior that packs 'em …

Newnan’s Lake, Gainesville, FL

Rent a boat, go fishing or snap photos at a lake steeped in history

by Alisson Clark | July 05, 2010

People have been fishing the shores of Newnan's Lake for 11,000 years.

No, I don't mean that old guy with the cane pole, although he looks like he goes back aways, too.

The prehistory of the area is evident by 100 dugout canoes that were uncovered when the lake reached its lowest level in the drought of 2000. (Check out a movie about the Florida Museum of Natural History's excavation of …

Tioga Monday Market, Town of Tioga, FL

Music, movies and shopping fill the summer at Tioga Town Center

by Alisson Clark | June 30, 2010

Even if you're not in the market for string beans and don't give a hoot about organic honey, don't write off the Tioga Monday Market.

Fresh produce is just a tiny slice of the offerings. You might go home with some handmade jewelry, African soap, browse gems and minerals from around the world, or indulge in a bottle of Moksa organic body butter or bath salts. The market springs …

Latino Film Festival, Gainesville, FL

Celebrate Latino culture with a month of movies

by Alisson Clark | June 28, 2010

Gainesville’s Latino Film Festival offers much more than movies.

Scheduled to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, the sixth annual festival September 9-October 16 is a chance to appreciate the diversity of all things Latino through gallery talks, children’s activities and even a reception with Edmundo Rodriguez, director of “La Fuga,” one of the films featured in the festival. The films and programs are free and open to the public.

 “La Fuga” a comedy …

Squirrel Ridge Park, Gainesville, FL

Dog days last all year at this off-leash park

by Alisson Clark | June 25, 2010

The bulldog is en route from Louisiana. The German shepherd is local, and the chihuahua racing around his legs is visiting from South Florida.

At Squirrel Ridge dog park, one of Gainesville's free, public off-leash parks, visiting pups are just as welcome as local dogs. Many off-leash parks require a local license to romp and sniff, but Gainesville's parks don't, meaning they're an idea spot to let Spot get his energy out …

Fanfares & Fireworks, Gainesville, FL

Celebrate the Fourth on the third? Why not?

by Alisson Clark | June 21, 2010

Gainesville has a wonderfully weird tradition of celebrating Independence Day on the third. While it's hardly surprising that our celebration is a little different -- we're a quirky bunch -- this tradition is rooted in courtesy. To avoid conflicting with city events on the Fourth, the University of Florida's celebration, put on by its TV and radio stations (public broadcasting stations WUFT-TV/DT and WUFT/WJUF-FM, commercial radio stations WRUF-AM/FM, and TV's WLUF) …

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Phillips Center, Gainesville, FL

This June 23rd, rock out (and have lunch!) with a Grammy-nominated musician

by Alisson Clark | June 16, 2010

The upcoming performance of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band is more than just a steal at $15. It's also a chance to learn about a cause anyone who steps a toe in Florida ought to take seriously: melanoma.

The 18-piece big band's show is part of the Chords of Color for a Cause summer festival, which has bathed the Phillips Center in lavender light and brought awareness about …

Swamp Head Brewery, Gainesville, FL

Sustainable beer? In Gainesville, it's a natural

by Alisson Clark | June 14, 2010

Local, seasonal food is big in Gainesville. Now locavores can wash down their meal with a sustainable, seasonal brew. Not that you have to be Michael Pollan to appreciate the freshness of a Swamp Head draft. The upstart microbrewery, which opened in 2009, brought home six medals from the Best Florida Beer competition this year.

Swamp Head keeps five beers in rotation year round: Wild Night Honey Cream Ale adds tupelo honey …

La Tienda, Gainesville, FL

Carnivores and vegetarians alike can find burrito bliss at La Tienda

by Alisson Clark | June 10, 2010

You can be pretty sure you're about to have an authentic meal when you see cheek on the menu.

I don't eat beef cheeks myself, but I appreciate what they mean. Let's put it this way: Taco Bell will never introduce a Cheek Chalupa, because authenticity isn't their bag. When I see lengua (tongue), cabeza (beef cheek/head), barbacoa de chivo (goat) and nopales (cactus), I'm ecstatic, because it virtually guarantees that anything else I …

West End Golf Club, Newberry, FL

For Father's Day or Anytime: Golfing at West End

by Alisson Clark | June 07, 2010

I’m told I have a target on the back of my head.

I’ve never seen it, but I assume the rumor is true, because every time I’m within 500 feet of an athletic activity that involves a ball, I get hit in the head. This phenomenon probably stems from my short attention span: When a normal person would be ducking or, say, catching the ball, I’m wondering what kind of wildflowers those are in …

Basketry of Botswana, Grinter Gallery, Gainesville, FL

The real story on giraffe tears and more at this international exhibit

by Alisson Clark | June 03, 2010

Step into Grinter Gallery, and you leave Gainesville for points far removed - on a given day you might find art from Brazil, prints from Latin America, or, this summer, baskets from Botswana.

The international art gallery hosts an array of handcrafted baskets collected from Botswana over the past decade by the University of Florida International Center's Sandra Russo and her husband, Frank Merillat.

The evocative names of the basket patterns include …

Sweetwater Branch Inn and Gardens, Gainesville, FL

Weddings, receptions and accommodations in one gracious, historic venue

by Alisson Clark | May 31, 2010

In the interest of full disclosure, I think Sweetwater Branch Inn is a pretty great place to get married, as I got married there 11 years ago.

The garden's brick-paved paths, fountains and gazebos held plenty of appeal, but another huge factor in choosing Sweetwater was the convenience - the wedding and reception could be held just steps apart from each other, meaning guests, most of whom were from out of town, didn't …

Lillian’s, Gainesville, FL

You won't find sheet music or guitar strings at Lillian's Music Store

by Alisson Clark | May 27, 2010

When it comes to nightlife, a college town cuts both ways.

On the positive side, there's almost always something going on, even on a Tuesday night in summer, when the student population is at its lowest ebb.

On the negative side, once you're past your twenties, going out amidst college kids can have the decidedly un-fun side effect of making you feel about 362 years older than everyone around you. You find yourself …

Ward’s, Gainesville, FL

This local market is so much more than a grocery store

by Alisson Clark | May 24, 2010

If cooking is not a favorite pasttime, you're doubtless wondering why I'd recommend visiting a grocery store while you're on vacation.

The answer? Ward's is much more than a market: It's a microcosm of Gainesville itself. Next to the large fellow in bib overalls browsing the meat aisle, you'll find Asian families stocking up on tofu and dreadlocked hippies replenishing their stock of Doc Bronner's.

At Ward's, the crunchy, organic, locavore side …

CSI: Crime Scene Insects, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL

Educational AND gross!

by Alisson Clark | May 20, 2010

It seems there's a CSI TV show for just about every city larger than Akron, so it was high time Gainesville got its own version.

The CSI that's just come to town has all of the corpses and crime scenes you'd expect, but with a difference: In CSI: Crime Scene Insects, the focus is on the insects that forensic anthropologists use to solve crimes.

Although the venue is the kid-friendly Florida …

Westside Park, Gainesville, FL

Slides of all kinds, plus pavilions and a skate park, make this a top picnic spot for the whole family

by Alisson Clark | May 17, 2010

The waterslide looks tame until you try it. If you're a theme-park thrill-monger, it might not even register on your adrenaline scale, but standing at the top of Westside Park's waterslide, I started to wonder why I thought it looked so manageable.

The slide, which lands in the public pool at Westside Park, is one of the attractions that makes Westside Park a natural for picnics and family gatherings. Two playgrounds, ballfields, plenty …

Crescent Cuisine, May 22, High Springs, FL

Celebrate local food at this 5th annual festival

by Alisson Clark | May 11, 2010

Area chefs will present their signature dishes--in a restored 1895 opera house, no less--in downtown High Springs, a historic small town north of Gainesville. Crescent Cuisine returns for its fifth year on May 22 with two seatings, one at 5:30 p.m. and another at 7:30.

Launched as a fundraiser for the High Springs Farmer’s Market, Crescent Cuisine takes its name from the arc of cities formed by High Springs, Alachua, and Lake City, …

O’Leno State Park, High Springs, FL

Swinging times and a swinging bridge at this state park

by Alisson Clark | May 10, 2010

Ever seen a river disappear?

That's what you'll find at O'Leno State Park in High Springs, just north of Gainesville. Cross the suspension bridge and head down the lovely hiking trails, and you'll come to the spot where the Santa Fe River plunges down into the ground, emerging three miles later. Only in Florida, my friends.

From swimming and fishing to cycling and canoeing (rentals of both are available at the park), …

Gainesville Book Company, Gainesville, FL

Bargain books are just the beginning of this quirky shop's charms

by Alisson Clark | May 04, 2010

Tom Clancy slinks around the corner and out of sight as I step into Gainesville Book Company.

He's so shy that many visitors to the bargain bookshop will never know he's here, but if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of him.

Tom Clancy is the resident cat at Gainesville Book Company, and he's one of many indications that this is not a typical corporate bookstore. The first clue is …

Utopia Chalet, Gainesville, FL

Escape to Utopia

by Alisson Clark | May 03, 2010

Far from the football fans and speeding scooters of campus, on a leafy side of town where the pace is leisurely and shoppers browse fine wines, fresh baked goods, and the bounty of the Fresh Market, you'll find the longest-standing spa in Gainesville, Utopia Chalet.

Offering herbal wraps, massage, facials, waxing and much more, Utopia gently reminds clients to turn off their cell phones when they slip into their robes—the experience is …

Emiliano’s, Gainesville, FL

Creative pan-Latin cuisine in a chic setting

by Alisson Clark | April 30, 2010

In college, we'd save our pennies for an outing to Emiliano's. The prices at this pan-Latin eatery are reasonable, especially for an urban downtown restaurant, but Emiliano's was a splurge for poor college students, and we treated the occasion with the pomp it deserved. At the end of the meal, my roommates and I would select a towering slice of cake from the dessert case, have a few bites, and save the rest …

Newberry’s Backyard BBQ, Newberry, FL

Ribs, pork, steak, and much more in a small-town setting

by Alisson Clark | April 26, 2010

When you're visiting Gainesville, it's worth the drive west of town for a meal at Newberry's Backyard Barbecue. Those who know their 'cue rave about the pork chops, spare ribs and barbecue beef. You'll also find smoked turkey, barbecue chicken and scrumptious sides like fried green tomatoes, corn nuggets and garlic toast. Burgers, prime rib, sandwiches, seafood and salads round out the menu.

You've got to like a place where food is …

Camellia Rose Inn, Gainesville, FL

Kick back in style in the B&B district

by Alisson Clark | April 21, 2010

Have you ever packed up from a weekend at a bed-and-breakfast and wished you could trade places with the owners, just so you could stay there every day?

Plenty of B&B guests find themselves struck with inn envy after a relaxing stay, but Pat and Tom McCants took matters a step further. After celebrating their 30th anniversary at their cousins' inn, Magnolia Plantation, they bought two Victorian homes on the same block …

Gator Football, Gainesville, FL

The ultimate college athletic event in the ultimate venue: The Swamp

by Alisson Clark | April 19, 2010

You hear it before you see it.

Walking up the ramps into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field, the thunder of a crowd of more than 90,000 fans rolls over you before you emerge from the concrete tunnel and into the brilliant sunshine. You pause there, before you emerge into the open bowl of the colossal stadium—the largest in the state. You can only see a strip of the human sea …

43rd Street Deli, Gainesville, FL

No, it's not on 43rd Street. But don't worry about that before breakfast.

by Alisson Clark | April 17, 2010

It's one of those Gainesville things: 43rd Street Deli is not on 43rd Street.

There's another location, but that's not really on 43rd Street, either. Should we get into the details? Nah. I'm willing to bet you're more interested in the menu. And you'd be right to be eager where that's concerned: From traditional breakfast combos to creative cuisine and vegetarian fare, the breakfast offerings have made the Williston Road location of 43rd Street …

Tipple’s Brews, Gainesville, FL

Local cheeses and truffles complement a top-shelf selection of beer and wine from around the world

by Alisson Clark | April 16, 2010

Red-velvet truffles. Locally made artisanal cheeses. Do I have your attention yet?

That's just one section of Tipple's Brews International Beer, Wine, & Cheese, a new store in southwest Gainesville. Divided down the middle, half beer and half wine, Tipple's also displays an array of hot sauces, cheeses, and desserts in the center of the store, with a focus on local products. On the beer side of the store, lauded microbrews like …

Ivy House, Alachua, FL

Southern-style food in a gracious turn-of-the-century Victorian home

by Alisson Clark | April 07, 2010

The house alone would be worth the drive from Gainesville.

The Victorian's octagonal turret, wraparound porches and lovely garden invite just about any excuse to step in and poke around. The Ivy House restaurant, however, provides not only a reason to explore this lovingly preserved home, but a delicious Southern meal, to boot.

The original Ivy House in Williston earned a reputation for miles around for its delicious fried chicken and …

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Gainesville, FL

Pack a picnic and spend a day roaming these breathtaking gardens

by Alisson Clark | April 05, 2010

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens isn't just a feast for the eyes. The 62-acre spread treats the rest of your senses, too.

Stand amid the whispering canes of bamboo or listen to the flow of waterfalls burbling over slippery rocks.

Inhale the sweet scent of roses and the spicy aroma of the largest herb garden in the Southeast. Step into the shade of the vinery and feel how the drop in temperature cools …

University of Florida Tennis, Gainesville, Fl

Crowds are smaller but the action is just as exciting at this unsung Gator sport

by Alisson Clark | March 31, 2010

You have, perhaps, heard of Gator football.

With those multiple NCAA National Championships and Heisman trophies, it’s kind of hard to miss. But I’m willing to bet you haven’t spent much time thinking about Gator tennis.

That’s a shame: The lesser-attended sporting events can be just as thrilling and, many argue, less compromised by the crowds, concessions, merchandise, and cheerleaders. Nothing against the Gator cheerleaders—but sometimes you just want to watch …

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Gainesville, FL

This historic church rose from the ashes to regain its former beauty

by Alisson Clark | March 29, 2010

This lovely downtown church knows the meaning of rebirth.

In 1991, a serial arsonist reduced the 1907 building of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church to a charred and smoking shell. The following year, another fire destroyed the 1923 parish hall, leaving only the bell tower. Rather than accept defeat, however, the congregation rallied, and using the surviving tower as inspiration and guide, they rebuilt, moving back into a new and expanded building in …

Butterfly Rainforest, Gainesville, FL

Free-flying butterflies make this gorgeous garden a top attraction

by Alisson Clark | March 23, 2010

Even without the butterflies, the place would be breathtaking.

Waterfalls flow through tropical gardens, bridges afford a view of koi swimming below, flowers bloom in profusion. But add hundreds of free-flying butterflies, and you've got a can't-miss experience.

The Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History houses 60 species of butterflies and moths—grab a laminated placard on your way in to see how many you can identify. …

Quilting Natural Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL

Don't miss this exhibit of Florida's flora and fauna rendered in fabric.

by Alisson Clark | March 22, 2010

The orange blossoms are so realistic you can practically smell them. The zebra longwing poised on the tree's waxy foliage looks like it's about to flutter away, which it had better do, because the green anole lurking to its left looks hungry. Unbelievably, all of these details are created from fabric in a quilt by Pauline Barrett, part of the Florida Museum of Natural History's temporary exhibit "Quilting Natural Florida II."

Save My Oceans Tour, Gainesville, FL

Celebrate the seas with a concert, movie and art installation

by Alisson Clark | March 17, 2010

Three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered in water. An upcoming multimedia tour will celebrate those oceans AND give visitors to Gainesville ideas on how to protect them—all while enjoying a rockin' concert, an innovative art exhibit and a sneak preview of an upcoming Disney movie.

The SAVE MY OCEANS tour comes to the University of Florida April 7 with an advanced screening of Disney's Oceans, which won't be released until …

Spring Arts Festival, Gainesville, FL

Music, art and more in downtown Gainesville April 10 & 11

by Alisson Clark | March 15, 2010

The Spring Arts Festival, a tradition as eagerly awaited as the azalea blooms, marks its 41st year in Gainesville April 10-11.

More than 120,000 visitors flock to downtown Gainesville for the festival, which includes 215 artists along a picturesque stretch of  historic Northeast 1st Street.

Named the top arts and crafts festival in the state by readers of Florida Monthly magazine in 2008, the festival was also ranked in the top …

Local Food Roadshow, Waldo, FL

A fundraiser for the locavore movement offers visitors a taste of Gainesville

by Alisson Clark | March 10, 2010

Local food is a big deal here. 

Restaurants tout the local origins of their meat and veggies, and grocery store prominently feature the produce that comes from nearby farms. Visiting locavores have a chance to sample the local goodies at an foodie-friendly event March 20 from 5-8 p.m. The fundraiser for Kitchen Incubator will feature the debut of Local Food Roadshow, a group of collaborating chefs and farmers presenting locally sourced appetizers. …

Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub, Gainesville, FL

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the perfect pour at this authentically Irish establishment

by Alisson Clark | March 08, 2010

The drink of choice for St. Patrick's day is not American lager tinted green with food coloring. Oh my, no. Sure, you'll find plenty of frat boys swigging just that at the bars on March 17. But for the best Irish experience in Gainesville, head to Durty Nelly's, where you can enjoy the full-bodied stout brewed in Ireland since the 1760s. 

Durty Nelly's Irish Pub, 208 West University Avenue in downtown Gainesville, only has …

Farmers’ Markets, Gainesville, FL

Goin' country or goin' granola? The choice is yours with 13 farmers' markets

by Alisson Clark | March 03, 2010

You expect the fresh corn, the tomatoes, and the organic baked goods at the farmers' market, but the entertainment is the icing on the (whole-grain) cake.

It might be live music—breezy coffeehouse folk, soulful singer-songwriters and the occasional rocker—or it could be browsing the arts and crafts on display alongside the produce. It could be the canine companions that strut next to their owners in one of the area's bustling markets, which range in …

University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

A look around the flagship University of Florida

by Alisson Clark | March 01, 2010

Prepare for a shocking revelation: I was not always a Gator.

Fans, friends and alumni of the University of Florida call themselves Gators—the name shared by the multi-national-championship-winning athletic teams—and often trade stories about when they became a Gator. Most of us like to say that we've been Gators since before we could chew food, but the truth is, I once owned—and wore—University of Miami apparel. I thought I wanted …

Mutts & Pups Dog Show, High Springs, FL

Westminster's got nothing on these mutts

by Alisson Clark | February 25, 2010

The pure breeds may be the only ones allowed at Westminster, but mutts are more than welcome at this dog show.

The 4th annual Mutts & Pups Dog Show at James Paul Park returns to historic downtown High Springs, Florida, March 27 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. If you're traveling with your dog, you can enter the events, which include Best Dressed, Best Kisses, Biggest Dog, Best Owner-Pet Look-alike, Best Singing/Talking, Best Trick, Smallest Dog, Best Owner/Pet …

Jacaré Brazil, Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville, Fl

Brazilian music rocks the Harn March 4

by Alisson Clark | February 22, 2010

Don't expect to stay in your seat when Jacaré Brazil takes the stage.

It doesn't matter how well behaved you might ordinarily be at a concert—Jacaré will have you bouncing, tapping and shimmying along to their infectious Brazilian rhythm. (Check out previous Jacaré shows on YouTube.)

The annual Jacaré Brazil Chamber Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on March 4. Led by Larry Crook and Welson Tremura, the chamber concert will showcase four …

Bowles Memorial Concert, Gainesville, FL

UF musicians strike up a tune for this maven of marching bands

by Alisson Clark | February 16, 2010

If you've seen the movie Drumline, you know Richard Bowles.

The late University of Florida band director's arrangements are legendary among marching bands and the fans who enjoy collegiate football and the halftime entertainment the universities' bands provide. In Gainesville, where college football reigns supreme, Band Director Bowles's memory looms large. On Feb. 20, a Memorial concert honoring Bowles comes to the University Auditorium in Gainesville at 3 p.m. But …

Travel Guide to Gainesville

Why you should visit Gainesville

by Alisson Clark | February 15, 2010

What makes Gainesville the ideal college town is exactly what makes it worth visiting.

Home to the flagship University of Florida, this cosmopolitan city—tucked into a ravishingly lovely natural area—offers a mix of high culture and folksy fun that extends from food to nightlife, from shopping to entertainment. Within the same block, you can buy a $5 bucket of beer, a lovingly preserved bottle of vintage red or a rebujito, a Spanish …

Philharmonia of Nations, Phillips Center, Gainesville, FL

This multicultural orchestra has international harmony on a string

by Alisson Clark | February 10, 2010

The orchestra has no home city, no official language. Philharmonia of the Nations—performing in Gainesville with pianist Jon Nakamatsu—represents more than 40 countries. Its young musicians hail from 5 continents. This global outfit comes to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to share the vision of music as universal language on Feb. 18. The performance will feature works by Sergei Rachmaninoff (Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. …

Rum Runners (formerly Fat Tuesday), Gainesville, FL

It's Mardi Gras all year 'round at this downtown party spot

by Alisson Clark | February 08, 2010

No, you haven't had too many of those famous Fat Tuesday's daquiris. The sign outside says Fat Tuesday, but the name of the bar is Rum Runners. But they serve Rum Runners, as well as Fat Tuesday frozen daquiris, in flavors from Raging Bull to Blue Wave to Margarita. Confused yet? Well, it's Mardi Gras, so belly up to the bar and don't worry about the semantics. All you need to know is that when Mardi …

Joshua Bell, Phillips Center, Gainesville, FL

All grown up, the boy wonder brings his violin back to the Phillips Center with pianist Jeremy Denk

by Alisson Clark | February 02, 2010

Joshua Bell is one of those people who's so good at everything he puts his hand to, you'd like to hate him. But you can't, because he's so darn nice. Exhibit A: The wunderkind who made his mark as a violin prodigy at 14 (and who's also a championship tennis player, by the way) will take time out of his globe-trotting schedule to meet fans after his Gainesville performance.

The Feb. 6 show features …

Gator’s Dockside, Gainesville, FL

Even if you're not a rabid Gator fan, you can pull up a chair at this sports-themed bar and restaurant

by Alisson Clark | February 01, 2010

At this family-friendly sports bar, you can find Gator fans glued to the latest recruiting news, college kids watching mixed martial arts, or families enjoying the weekly Kids Eat Free promotion.

The sports action at Gator's Dockside heats up this week for National Signing Day on Feb. 3, when ESPN Radio's Mark McLeod (host of the Mark McLeod Show) will broadcast live from the restaurant with FightinGators.com's "Hollywood" Bob Redmond. They'll analyze …

Gentle Walk and Talk, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Gainesville, FL

All fitness levels are welcome on this ranger-led hike

by Alisson Clark | January 26, 2010

Every Thursday from November through April, rangers at Paynes Prairie Preserve lead a two-hour morning walk through the wonders of one of Gainesville's most renowned natural features.

Walk the rim of Alachua Sink and get behind-the-scenes access to areas of the park that are normally off-limits to visitors. Along the way, you'll learn to identify the flora and fauna of the Prairie, which once was a lake where steamboats ferried crops and passengers. When …

Magnolia Plantation Inn and Cottages, Gainesville, FL

A secluded Charleston-style courtyard offers a quiet escape that's conveniently close to the city lights

by Alisson Clark | January 25, 2010

Stepping into the courtyard of the 1885 Magnolia Plantation Inn, it’s hard to believe you’re just a few blocks from the downtown nightlife district. Fine dining and culture might be a short walk away, but on the inn’s two acres of lush gardens, the burbling fountain and secluded gazebo feel a world away from the city.

The French Second Empire-style Victorian has been a BnB since Cindy and Joe Montalto renovated it in 1991. …

Floridiana Weekend, Matheson Museum, Gainesville, FL

From collectibles to ephemera, an antique show that celebrates all things Old Florida

by Alisson Clark | January 21, 2010

Historic postcards are prized by collectors, but the ones with writing on the back are treasured as two-dimensional time capsules of a bygone era. The back of my postcard from the Manor Motel—a funky 1950s roadside inn—extolls the virtues of the buffet, which went for a whopping 95 cents. Catch gems like this—along with rare collectibles and other Floridiana—at the Matheson Museum's Floridiana Weekend Saturday, January 30 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free.

Northwest Grille, Gainesville, FL

With fresh seafood and a creative wine list, this restaurant off the beaten path is worth finding

by Alisson Clark | January 18, 2010

Encrusted in black and white sesame seeds and seared to perfection, my ahi tuna arrived in a tasty wasabi sauce and accompanied by what must surely be the most generous broccoli portion in the Western hemisphere. Paired with a South African sauvignon blanc, Northwest Grille's entree proved to be the perfect birthday dinner. But birthdays aren't the only reason to stop by this local favorite. Renowned for fresh seafood, Northwest Grille also serves Black …