Things to Do in Gainesville While in Town for the Big Game

If you’ve started to plan your trip to Gainesville, Florida, you know the University of Florida Gators football rules the town. There’s nothing quite like attending a college football game here, where you’re surrounded by passionate fans, tailgaters and pregame energy. Plus, beyond the pregame festivities and post-game celebrations, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Gainesville, both on and off campus.

Experience the wonders of nature at Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Shaped like the head of an alligator, Sweetwater Wetlands Park is a 125-acre, man-made wetland habitat and one of the top things to do in Gainesville. Take a scenic walk along the park’s 3.5-mile-long nature trail, which features acres of ponds and wetlands. Check out the viewing decks to observe alligators, Florida cracker horses, bison and more than 200 bird species. Before you leave your Gainesville hotel for the day, remember to pack a picnic lunch to make the most of your time outdoors.

Savor new and old-school craft beers at Swamp Head Brewery

Founded in 2008, Swamp Head Brewery is a craft brewery located in the southern portion of the city. It features brewery tours on select days as well as a mix of food trucks on the premise (a monthly schedule is posted on their website), making it one of the more enjoyable things to do in Gainesville both before and after a game. In addition, they specialize in Florida-centric creations, featuring locally grown and available ingredients, and strive to make sustainability and domestic sourcing high priorities.

Chomp down at the Swamp Restaurant

Pull up a chair and grab some grub with your fellow football fans at Gainesville’s beloved Swamp Restaurant.

One of the top things to do in Gainesville—or any other town, for that matter—is to find a good local spot to eat. The Swamp Restaurant has been serving Gator Nation, young and old, since 1994 and has become one of the most famous college spots in the country. On game days, you’ll find the outdoor patio packed and fans lined up and down the street. Some of our top picks on the menu include the specialty wings with honey-sriracha sauce; the seared ahi tuna tacos; and the Argentine steak sandwich with thinly sliced steak, chimichurri, grilled onions, provolone and sunny-side-up egg on a rustic sub roll. Cool off with a spiced tea—iced tea with a shot of spiced rum.

Discover fresh ways to learn at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention

Named after the lead inventor of Gatorade, the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention aims to teach math and science through art. The museum, one of the top things to do in Gainesville for families, is located in a transformed Depot Park in downtown Gainesville and houses two labs designed to nurture innovation. In the Fab Lab, you’ll have access to 3-D printers and scanners, as well as laser cutters and hand tools. The Creativity Lab encourages you to think like an inventor by applying the arts and humanities to scientific experiments.

Explore the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

Sing along with kookaburras and other birds to be found at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo.

Situated on 10 forested acres, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo houses more than 75 species and approximately 250 individual animals in its collection, including the American alligator, white handed gibbon, red ruffed lemur, ocelot, bald eagle, Galapagos tortoise, African grey parrot and Matschie’s tree kangaroo. Students in the Zoo Animal Technology Program provide daily care for the animals and tours of the zoo grounds. Each tour is designed to give visitors a more educational and enjoyable experience and provide zoo students more practice working with guests. So, if you choose this activity as one of your things to do in Gainesville, you’ll not only be gifting yourself a great time, but you’ll also be helping students!