Beth’s guidebook

Beth
Beth’s guidebook

Stuff to do

This is a wonderful spring for diving and it has a boardwalk to overlook the river. It's about an hour from our house.
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Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park
18532 180th St
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This is a wonderful spring for diving and it has a boardwalk to overlook the river. It's about an hour from our house.
It's a very nice botanical garden with wonderful paths and places to discover and explore. Spend an afternoon and detox from the city.
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Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
4700 Southwest 58th Drive
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It's a very nice botanical garden with wonderful paths and places to discover and explore. Spend an afternoon and detox from the city.
This is a place where you can get up close with ELEPHANTS! I didn't know it existed until we had some guests who went there. Amazing.
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Two Tails Ranch
18655 NE 81st St
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This is a place where you can get up close with ELEPHANTS! I didn't know it existed until we had some guests who went there. Amazing.
I love the butterfly house. It's really special. You'll see creatures you've probably never seen before, and you'll learn things, too. Like, I learned that Monarch Butterflies migrate from North America to Mexico every year. Right? Everyone knows that. And Monarchs only live a short time. Ok. So how do they do that? Do they book a flight to Mexico City or something? And if so, wouldn't you love to be on that flight? I can hear it now : "In the event of an emergency, we're just going to open the doors, and y'all can fly out". But I digress. It turns out that it takes multiple generations of Monarchs to make that migration! Cool, right? So if you have few hours, go. You'll have to ditch your stroller at the door, and pretty much everything but cameras, but the staff will watch it for you.
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Il-Butterfly Rainforest fil-Mużew tal-Istorja Naturali tal-Florida
3215 Hull Rd
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I love the butterfly house. It's really special. You'll see creatures you've probably never seen before, and you'll learn things, too. Like, I learned that Monarch Butterflies migrate from North America to Mexico every year. Right? Everyone knows that. And Monarchs only live a short time. Ok. So how do they do that? Do they book a flight to Mexico City or something? And if so, wouldn't you love to be on that flight? I can hear it now : "In the event of an emergency, we're just going to open the doors, and y'all can fly out". But I digress. It turns out that it takes multiple generations of Monarchs to make that migration! Cool, right? So if you have few hours, go. You'll have to ditch your stroller at the door, and pretty much everything but cameras, but the staff will watch it for you.
I am not what you'd call a hiker. Some say I'm a rather lazy (I say deliberate) wanderer. I love this trail. Park right at the start of the trail, and just wander on down. You'll pass through several distinct ecosystems. My favorite is the palm grove. Love it. Then you come out on a long boardwalk that takes you out onto the Prairie. You might see buffalo and wild horses. No guarantee, because, wild. If it's hot, take some water. There are no facilities. Little legs will get tired, and need a ride. I think an umbrella stroller will do OK. There's one in the house if you need one. My favorite time to walk the trail is our first cool, crisp morning. Ahhhh
Bolen Bluff Trail
Bolen Bluff Trail
I am not what you'd call a hiker. Some say I'm a rather lazy (I say deliberate) wanderer. I love this trail. Park right at the start of the trail, and just wander on down. You'll pass through several distinct ecosystems. My favorite is the palm grove. Love it. Then you come out on a long boardwalk that takes you out onto the Prairie. You might see buffalo and wild horses. No guarantee, because, wild. If it's hot, take some water. There are no facilities. Little legs will get tired, and need a ride. I think an umbrella stroller will do OK. There's one in the house if you need one. My favorite time to walk the trail is our first cool, crisp morning. Ahhhh
I guess they named this the Devil's Mill Hopper because it didn't look particularly like anyone else's Mill Hopper. (My apologies to Mark Twain on that one-liner.) It's a pretty cool place to visit if you're young and fit. Oh, so many stairs! But if you feel like you need a little exercise, go here. You'll walk down to the bottom of a natural sinkhole. It is intriguing. I did it before it was a state park. Also before it had stairs. Holy smokes, I'm old! One of my favorite stretches of road in all of Alachua County is Millhopper Road. Take it from Gainesville out to 241. You'll feel like you're in the mountains. Helps a lot if you turn your AC way down first! I particularly love it in the fall. Won't take 15 minutes, but I expect you'll remember it. There's also an apparently really good biking trail on Millhopper Road. San Felasco Hammock Trail. And by good, I mean rough and tortuous. So NOT my style. Let me know if you love it, though
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Devils Mill Hopper
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I guess they named this the Devil's Mill Hopper because it didn't look particularly like anyone else's Mill Hopper. (My apologies to Mark Twain on that one-liner.) It's a pretty cool place to visit if you're young and fit. Oh, so many stairs! But if you feel like you need a little exercise, go here. You'll walk down to the bottom of a natural sinkhole. It is intriguing. I did it before it was a state park. Also before it had stairs. Holy smokes, I'm old! One of my favorite stretches of road in all of Alachua County is Millhopper Road. Take it from Gainesville out to 241. You'll feel like you're in the mountains. Helps a lot if you turn your AC way down first! I particularly love it in the fall. Won't take 15 minutes, but I expect you'll remember it. There's also an apparently really good biking trail on Millhopper Road. San Felasco Hammock Trail. And by good, I mean rough and tortuous. So NOT my style. Let me know if you love it, though
This is a cute little town about 30 to 45 minutes away from the house. Nice antique stores, a good restaurant, and a pleasant drive. Don't take I-75. That's never a scenic drive. Go up through Archer, Newberry, and then up 27-41 to High Springs. It's a pleasant way to kill half a day. Children will not like it. They will turn into Olympic class whiners.
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High Springs
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This is a cute little town about 30 to 45 minutes away from the house. Nice antique stores, a good restaurant, and a pleasant drive. Don't take I-75. That's never a scenic drive. Go up through Archer, Newberry, and then up 27-41 to High Springs. It's a pleasant way to kill half a day. Children will not like it. They will turn into Olympic class whiners.
Micanopy can be experienced on several levels: You can give it a quick drive through, you can get out and walk the two sidewalks, you can shop a little, get a bite to eat, or you can go to Coon Hollo. I've never been, but others think it's great for the little ones. McIntosh is a small town nearby that is a fun drive-through.
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Micanopy
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Micanopy can be experienced on several levels: You can give it a quick drive through, you can get out and walk the two sidewalks, you can shop a little, get a bite to eat, or you can go to Coon Hollo. I've never been, but others think it's great for the little ones. McIntosh is a small town nearby that is a fun drive-through.
Ah, the Itch! Absolutely wonderful state park that all ages enjoy. Ok, so the water is cold. "It feels great after you've been in a minute." You'll hear that a lot. And it really does. When we lived in Alachua, it was a tradition on Friday afternoon to go to the springs, get cold clear down to our bones and then jump in the car and eschew the AC all the way home. There are bathroom and cooking facilities there. Some people tube down the Ichnetucknee. It's a lot of fun, too.
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Dħul il-Park Nazzjonali ta 'Ichetucknee Springs - Entrata t'Isfel
U.S. 27
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Ah, the Itch! Absolutely wonderful state park that all ages enjoy. Ok, so the water is cold. "It feels great after you've been in a minute." You'll hear that a lot. And it really does. When we lived in Alachua, it was a tradition on Friday afternoon to go to the springs, get cold clear down to our bones and then jump in the car and eschew the AC all the way home. There are bathroom and cooking facilities there. Some people tube down the Ichnetucknee. It's a lot of fun, too.
This is on my list to do when I have a few spare hours. It's less "museum" and more learning by doing. I hear it's really entertaining.
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Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
811 S Main St
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This is on my list to do when I have a few spare hours. It's less "museum" and more learning by doing. I hear it's really entertaining.

The Mother Ship

You know why you love it! We are Gators to our very core. We met there, married there, raised our family there. It has sports, arts (The Harn is amazing), culture, a no-kidding world class Butterfly House, and everything your little heart desires.
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University of Florida
1310 Museum Rd
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You know why you love it! We are Gators to our very core. We met there, married there, raised our family there. It has sports, arts (The Harn is amazing), culture, a no-kidding world class Butterfly House, and everything your little heart desires.

Food scene

Best Sushi in town. You will be so surprised to find good sushi in a strip mall. And it's super close to the house, too. Prices are reasonable and the service is good.
Mahzu Sushi & Grill
5150 SW 34th St
Best Sushi in town. You will be so surprised to find good sushi in a strip mall. And it's super close to the house, too. Prices are reasonable and the service is good.
This is a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant with, hands down, the best Ceviche in town. Food is more authentic than other restaurants, too. It's not on a scenic side of town, but it's safe and reasonably convenient. Also very reasonably priced. When I'm in town, it's on my short list of places to go.
La Pasadita Mexican Restaurant
4126 NW 6th St
This is a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant with, hands down, the best Ceviche in town. Food is more authentic than other restaurants, too. It's not on a scenic side of town, but it's safe and reasonably convenient. Also very reasonably priced. When I'm in town, it's on my short list of places to go.
Here's a grocery store that does EVERYTHING wrong. Wrong side of town. Too small. Poor parking. Badly laid out. And it's WONDERFUL. They've been there forever, they buy local (heck I've sold them fruit from Peacock Terrace before), their butcher shop - which is the real deal - is fantastic. Honestly, everyone shops there when they can. You'll see local movers and shakers, broke old hippies, young mothers, college students, and everyone in between. Prices are great, selection is amazing and the experience is a bit like Disney meets the Souk in Instanbul. You know, crowded (but clean), weird stuff (in familiar packaging), elbow to elbow (but everyone is polite). Fun
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Ward's Supermarket
515 NW 23rd Ave
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Here's a grocery store that does EVERYTHING wrong. Wrong side of town. Too small. Poor parking. Badly laid out. And it's WONDERFUL. They've been there forever, they buy local (heck I've sold them fruit from Peacock Terrace before), their butcher shop - which is the real deal - is fantastic. Honestly, everyone shops there when they can. You'll see local movers and shakers, broke old hippies, young mothers, college students, and everyone in between. Prices are great, selection is amazing and the experience is a bit like Disney meets the Souk in Instanbul. You know, crowded (but clean), weird stuff (in familiar packaging), elbow to elbow (but everyone is polite). Fun
Piesanos is at 5757 SW 75th Street. It's a fairly new location. What can I say? YUM. Portions are easily big enough for two, the dip for the bread is fantastic, and the service is good. On game day, when all the places near the swamp are, well, swamped, run out Archer Road, past the Interstate, past Butler Plaza, all the way to Tower Road (75th). You'll enjoy your meal without feeling rushed. And then, guess what? You're actually pretty close to the Peacock! 15 minutes, and you'll get to see some back roads, too.
Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza
5200 NW 43rd St
Piesanos is at 5757 SW 75th Street. It's a fairly new location. What can I say? YUM. Portions are easily big enough for two, the dip for the bread is fantastic, and the service is good. On game day, when all the places near the swamp are, well, swamped, run out Archer Road, past the Interstate, past Butler Plaza, all the way to Tower Road (75th). You'll enjoy your meal without feeling rushed. And then, guess what? You're actually pretty close to the Peacock! 15 minutes, and you'll get to see some back roads, too.
Great salads. A local Gainesville tradition. Also, if you're hitting anything else on this side of town, it's an experience. (On this side of town I like Ward's Supermarket, Los Pasadita Mexican restaurant and the Haven Hospice Thrift Store. There's also a furniture place call Uniquities on Main that's interesting.)
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Satchel's Pizza
1800 NE 23rd Ave
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Great salads. A local Gainesville tradition. Also, if you're hitting anything else on this side of town, it's an experience. (On this side of town I like Ward's Supermarket, Los Pasadita Mexican restaurant and the Haven Hospice Thrift Store. There's also a furniture place call Uniquities on Main that's interesting.)

thrift stores, baby!

Sandy's has better quality items than you find in other similar establishments. Prices are still pretty good and are open to negotiation. A little bit. I like to look for furniture and housewares here. The clothing selection is good, but mostly for younger, thinner people.
Sandy's Savvy Chic Resale Boutique
4148 NW 13th St
Sandy's has better quality items than you find in other similar establishments. Prices are still pretty good and are open to negotiation. A little bit. I like to look for furniture and housewares here. The clothing selection is good, but mostly for younger, thinner people.
I almost always find something I can't live without at Goodwill. I'm a little sour on it right now because of their employment practices, so, I guess, decide for yourself. But I do find good stuff at good prices. I once made $710 re-selling a chair I bought there. Yep. I'm the reigning queen of the thrift store shoppers. They have the usual thrift store stuff; lots of clothes, shoes, some furniture and household goods. They have two stores in Gainesville. One is fairly close to the house. It's on 34th Street, near the closest Publix and the Post office.
Goodwill
I almost always find something I can't live without at Goodwill. I'm a little sour on it right now because of their employment practices, so, I guess, decide for yourself. But I do find good stuff at good prices. I once made $710 re-selling a chair I bought there. Yep. I'm the reigning queen of the thrift store shoppers. They have the usual thrift store stuff; lots of clothes, shoes, some furniture and household goods. They have two stores in Gainesville. One is fairly close to the house. It's on 34th Street, near the closest Publix and the Post office.
This photo is of their medical offices.. You don't want to got there! The store is off Main Street and 8th Avenue. 300 NW 8th Avenue. I like their selection of Gator stuff and the craft supply aisle.
Haven Hospice
4200 NW 90 Blvd
This photo is of their medical offices.. You don't want to got there! The store is off Main Street and 8th Avenue. 300 NW 8th Avenue. I like their selection of Gator stuff and the craft supply aisle.
The store is on South 13th Street. Great buys on Furniture and stuff. The pretty leaf print in the Master Bedroom came from here. And I can get behind their mission, as well.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
2301 Northwest 6th Street
The store is on South 13th Street. Great buys on Furniture and stuff. The pretty leaf print in the Master Bedroom came from here. And I can get behind their mission, as well.

Neighbourhoods

This neighborhood is full of big and small old homes, in various states of repair. It's an interesting drive since you'll see neat old Florida architecture. There is a duck pond in the middle of it, too. Be aware that you may see street people. The North east side of town is pretty safe, but I would watch my step either downtown or on the South East side of town. I used to live on the SE side, and it can be a little unsavory. Some times there's a tour of historic homes that happens in the duckpond area. Its a lot of fun.
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Duckpond
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This neighborhood is full of big and small old homes, in various states of repair. It's an interesting drive since you'll see neat old Florida architecture. There is a duck pond in the middle of it, too. Be aware that you may see street people. The North east side of town is pretty safe, but I would watch my step either downtown or on the South East side of town. I used to live on the SE side, and it can be a little unsavory. Some times there's a tour of historic homes that happens in the duckpond area. Its a lot of fun.

shopping

This is a pretty basic mall. You know the drill. BUT, it does have an indoor play ground close to Dillards. At least they used to. It can be a nice break if the weather is nasty.
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The Oaks Mall
6419 W Newberry Rd
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This is a pretty basic mall. You know the drill. BUT, it does have an indoor play ground close to Dillards. At least they used to. It can be a nice break if the weather is nasty.

Pariri dwar il-belt

Tivvjaġġa bit-tfal

Useful Phrase: Goooo Gators! Local Customs: Hating Georgia

You'll have to have a car, or uber a lot. My neighbor is an Uber driver, BTW. Packing is no big deal. You forget anything, hit one of the thrift stores I listed. Don't miss the Peacocks. They are gluttons for cat food. There's a giant bag in the pantry. Don't let them eat too much! One of them (I call him Patel, because Peacocks are from India) is fairly friendly and will eat out of your hand if you're patient.