Looking for activities for the family to finish out the summer strong? Well look no further!

Here are 7 activities in Gainesville for the entire family to enjoy before diving headfirst
into the 2022-2023 school year.

Haile Equestrian Center Movie Nights

On the second Saturday of every month, the Haile Equestrian Center hosts a movie night with a
variety of classic and current films about horses. The Equestrian Center provides popcorn and
drinks, but make sure to bring your favorite candies and a comfy blanket for the movie!

Date: Saturday, August 13

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cost: Free for Haile Equestrian members; $40 for non-members

Back to School Food Truck Rally

Come enjoy an abundance of delicious and tasty foods from BBQ to empanadas and everything
in between, including vegan options, at First Magnitude Brewing Company. The rally will include
a special area for the kids to enjoy, equip with face painting, inflatables, board games, surprises
and more. There will also be live music by Code 787 for everyone to enjoy, and the over 21
crowd can order tasty and refreshing beers throughout the day!

Date: Sunday, August 14
Time: 2:00pm-8:00pm
Cost: Free

For more information, visit the event for the Food Truck Rally on First Magnitude’s Facebook
Page. 

Our Top 3 Favorite Brewpubs in Gainesville

These brewpubs not only brew exceptional beer, but make their Gainesville communities friendlier places to live. Read more

Jazz on the Green at Celebration Pointe

Drive on over to Celebration Pointe and take part in Jazz on the Green with live music, food
and drinks, lawn games, and more! Bring your blanket, watch the sunset and listen to the Larry
Newcomb Quartet while watching the kids play on the lawn.

Date: Saturday, August 13
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cost: Free

Story Time at Depot Park

On the 3rd Thursday of every month, the Alachua County Library staff gathers at the Flatcar
Stage at Depot Park for outdoor stories and songs. Families can bring their lawn chairs and get
some Vitamin D while enjoying company and listening to songs and stories!

Date: Thursday, August 18
Time: 10:30am-11:00am
Cost: Free

Family Movie Nights in Melrose

Mossman Hall in neighboring Melrose is hosting a family movie night with free popcorn and admission.
Guests can buy drinks and candy to elevate the Back to the Future movie watching experience!

Date: Saturday, August 20
Time: 8:00pm
Cost: Free

For more information call (352) 475-2924.

Artwalk Gainesville

Artwalk Gainesville is a self-guided art experience of local galleries, artist studios, and
cultural events. This event is held on the last Friday of every month, and is a fun way to
experience the wealth of creativity that Downtown Gainesville has to offer.

Date: Friday, August 26
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cost: Free

The map above reflects last month's participants. For the latest, we recommend visiting Artwalk Gainesville’s website the week before the event.

Town of Tioga's Free Concert Series

Tioga Town Center is hosting the last concert night of the year, so bring your lawn chair and
mats and come enjoy some music under the stars. Be sure to grab dinner from one of the town
center restaurants to enjoy during the concert!

Date: Friday, August 26

Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cost: Free

Hope to see you there!

Rain, rain doesn’t always have to mean things like fun go away. Even though most of the Florida rain pours down in May and June, Gainesville's rainy season can continue through mid-October, making it essential to have an epic list of activities that the kiddos can enjoy no matter what the weather brings. So, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite kid-friendly indoor activities to get things started.

Bragging Rights Amusements

The new kid in town, Bragging Rights Amusements in the up-and-coming Pleasant Street neighborhood of downtown Gainesville is packed to the gills with hundreds of new and vintage arcade games, all set to free play for kids and adults alike to enjoy! Pretty cool, right? No tokens or swipe cards are needed; simply walk up to a game you like and start playing.

Bragging Rights is currently hosting its very first Bragging Rights Contest, testing who can rack up the most points from 10 designated games, starting September 8th and ending October 9^th (challenge accepted). If you miss this contest, don’t fret! They are planning on creating a new contest each month, so follow Bragging Rights’ Facebook Page for the most updated information.

Address: 113 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32601

Hours: Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday 4-11 pm, Saturday 1-11 pm, Sunday 1-8 pm

Cost: $25 Entry Fee - Ages 6+

Escapology Escape Rooms

Love a good problem-solving thrill? We’ve got your spot. Escapology is a premium escape game experience in Gainesville, challenging groups to work together to find clues, solve puzzles, and unlock mysteries that will free them from the game room.

Escapology currently has three rooms available: “Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Castle Adventure” (woof, sounds like fun), “Mansion Murder” and “Antidote”, as well as two more room themes coming soon. If you’re interested, be sure to visit the Escapology website and book your spot now!

Address: 4480 SW 32nd Rd, Suite 10, Gainesville, FL, 32608

Hours: Monday - Thursday 2-10pm, Friday 2pm-12am, Saturday 12pm-12am, Sunday 12-10pm

Cost: $30 per person (Standard Rate)

Florida Museum of Natural History

Located on the University of Florida campus and open year-round, the Florida Museum is one of the nation’s top five natural history museums. The Florida Museum is home to exhibits like the Discovery Zone, Butterfly Rainforest, and Florida Fossils: Evolution of Life and Land. The museum also hosts fundraisers with other businesses and film screenings which take you behind the scenes of your favorite movies. Talk about an awesome night out.

To find out more information about what the Florida Museum of Natural History has to offer, visit their website and snag your tickets online if you are planning to visit one of the special exhibits.

Address: 3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32601

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm

Cost: Free General Admission (charge for special exhibits)

Cade Museum

Cue the creativity, friends. Located in Depot Park, The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention is home to exhibits, educational programs, and Creativity Labs encouraging learners of all ages to think like an inventor, meet inventors, and even become an inventor.

The Cade Museum’s permanent exhibits include “The Sweat Solution”, “At First Flush”, and “Mothers of Invention”. Along with these exhibits, Cade offers featured and traveling exhibits that are only available for a limited amount of time, so be sure to check the Cade Museum website for current offerings and take your little ones to check them out!

Address: 811 S Main St, Gainesville, FL, 32601

Hours: Thursday - Sunday 10am-4pm

Cost: Adults (18+) $15, Youth (Ages 5-17) $10, Children (Ages 0-4) Free, Seniors & College Students $12.50

Flip Factory Zone

Okay, we’re doing summersaults over this next one. Flip Factory Zone is Gainesville’s premier family entertainment park with offerings for everyone to enjoy. Attractions include over 60 trampolines, an arcade, a ninja course, laser tag, dodgeball, and much more! Flip Factory Zone also offers monthly memberships to enjoy the fun year-round at a discounted rate. Parties and events like school fundraisers, birthdays, banquets, and team-building activities can even be hosted here. Head over to the Flip Factory Zone website for details.

Address: 7400 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32605

Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 2-8 pm, Friday 2-10 pm, Saturday 10 am-10 pm, Sunday 11 am-8 pm

Cost: Varies greatly depending on the activity

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s an activity from this list, or something else totally awesome Gainesville has to offer, we hope the next rainy Florida day is sprinkled with the most fun your little ones (and yes, you, too) can imagine.

The fall season allows sellers to stage and decorate their homes in a unique way for buyers. However, it is very important that they keep the designs subtle to avoid cluttering the space and deterring buyers that may not share the same enthusiasm for the holiday season. You do not want the main focus of the house to be fall decorations, but the best features and selling points of your home.

Fresh Coat of Paint

This decorating tip is definitely not specific to the fall season, but will always help refresh a space. Neutral tones are usually your best bet for staging a home, because colors can be easily incorporated with decor. Shades like creams and off-whites would be a good choice to keep simplicity and create a warm and comforting environment for potential buyers touring the home.

Fall Wreaths and Florals

Add some variety to your porch or garden by planting flowers with seasonal fall colors. A few of the best plants that thrive during this time of the year are mums, pansies, violas, asters, and goldenrods.

To spice up your entryway even more and make your home appear more inviting, think about buying or creating your own wreath with decor such as flowers, leaves, pinecones, and acorns to hang on your front door.

Emphasize Coziness

When selling your home during the fall season, it is usually ideal to make your space feel as comfortable and inviting as possible. A few ways that this cozy space can be achieved is by adding comfortable plush pillows, fluffy throw blankets and lighting a few decorative candles to create that cozy ambience.

Incorporate Seasonal Scents

Seasonal scents help tie the fall decor elements together when staging a home. Whether that’s burning a fall scented candle, putting some cookies or an apple pie in the oven, or making apple cider on the stovetop, these fall scents should do the trick in creating sentimental and nostalgic memories of home.

Pinecones and Acorns

For a very natural looking aesthetic, pinecones and acorns are a simple and affordable way to dress up a space for the fall season. You could use natural pinecones and acorns that fall from trees, as they are usually quite abundant in the fall season, or you could buy them at your local craft store. Putting these in vases, bowls, or garlands can help give the space an effortless rustic look.

Fireplace Mantles

The fireplace mantle is a great place to create a focal point in your home with some simplistic and tasteful fall decorations. Take advantage of a few of the bigger statement decorations you have to draw the visitors attention to the mantle, but remember not to go overboard to avoid the space looking cluttered or tacky.

Final Thoughts:

We hope you enjoyed these tips for decorating your home for Fall when it is going on the market! Remember to keep it simple and focus on accentuating the most important features of your home.

New Town of Tioga Homes for Sale: Phases 18 – 21

If you’ve been hitting the refresh button on Zillow in the hopes that new Town of Tioga homes for sale will pop up, you’re in luck. Over 100 new homes are now under construction on the south end of the community, with more getting underway next year. The new homes are situated between SW 8th Avenue and Parker Road in unincorporated Alachua County.

Since breaking ground in 1996, the Town of Tioga has become one of the most popular communities in the Gainesville/Newberry area. With its variety of home styles, walkable tree-lined streets, and wealth of gathering spaces, it’s no wonder the Florida Realtors Group named Tioga the “Best Community in Florida”.

We’re excited about the trusted local builders bringing these homes onto the market — including Barry Bullard and Tommy Waters — and the smart, environmentally-friendly way this community is growing.

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Smart Growth, According to a Master Plan

Compared to other subdivisions in the Gainesville region, the Town of Tioga has a compact footprint. That’s by design. Tioga takes its cues from Gainesville’s beloved Duckpond neighborhood and the tenets of traditional town planning. You can read up on the history of the town’s development at our Guide to the Town of Tioga. 

Tioga’s developers have given careful consideration to preserving green spaces and making the streets pedestrian-friendly and inviting. More than a third of the space of these new phases will be left undeveloped. In our (obviously biased) opinion, only Haile Village (where Rabell Realty’s offices are located) rivals Tioga Town Center for walkability and charm among SW Alachua County’s planned communities.

Phases 18 and 19 is bringing 47 homes to the community, quite a few of them already on the market. See below for available homes.

Most Popular Tioga Homes for Sale

See More

View Details

$930,000

1 of 38

Town Of Tioga | Newberry

5 beds

3 baths

0 ½ baths

3,044 sqft

On Site: 240 Days

View Details

$147,586

1 of 6

Town Of Tioga | Newberry

0.18 acres

On Site: 219 Days

View Details

$89,808

1 of 6

Town Of Tioga | Newberry

0.11 acres

On Site: 210 Days

These homes are bound by SW 8th Ave to the north, Parker Road to the west, and a large open green space that will not be developed to the east. The lots are not as tightly plotted as Tioga’s development around the town square, nor will residents feel like they’re out in the open country. We think of this phase as the goldilocks phase.

Like other parts of Tioga, the streets and walking paths, when finished, will be beautifully landscaped. A proposed future recreation area and new school site are planned for the area next to the soccer field just north of this phase, adding to the area’s amenities and excellent schools.

The 20 homes of Phase 20 occupy a swath of land to the west of phases 18 and 19, and will be anchored by a future mixed use site. Mixed use means more retail, services, and dining options within walking distance or a short drive.

Phase 20, too, leaves a healthy green space protected from future development, giving future homebuyers the confidence that this community will keep its leafy charms in perpetuity.

The Town of TIoga’s newest additions are being built by Tommy Waters, Warring Homes, Pridgen Homes, Advanced Building Concepts, Dibros Design & Construction, and Pridgen Home builders.

Phase 21 was just plotted out. This phase is also adjacent to the future mixed use site, as well as future home development further south. 

This phase will bring 37 homes to the market in 2023. About 20 of those homes will be modest in size and more moderately priced. Again, generous open space brackets this phase, with the larger homes cozily ensconced by mature woods. Builders have not yet been announced, but we would expect the usual local stalwarts to be tapped for the job.

Cobblefield is one of Gainesville's tidiest and most energy efficient suburban neighborhood's. In addition to the pool and playground all residents enjoy, it's also tucked between Haile Village and Town of Tioga, so there's plenty to do nearby. Here's our top 5.

1. Farmers Market at Haile Plantation

Voted best farmer’s market in Gainesvile, the Haile Farmer’s Market has been connecting families with fine local farmers and artisans since 1998. The vibe is festive and friendly.

The market is independently owned and operated by local farmers, and all produce is grown locally by the folks selling it. It runs year-round, every Saturday in the Haile Village Center from 8:30am to 12pm.

In addition to the weekly farmer’s market, the Village Center plays host to annual events like Haile Oktoberfest, which draws a festive crowd of Germanophiles and beer lovers from all over Gainesville.

2. Movie Night at Tioga Town Center

Neighboring Tioga is a mixed-use development with a walkable town center, just north of Cobblefield in Newberry. The town center is a great place to watch a movie under the stars.

Here's what's coming up:

• Friday, June 17 – Soul!
• July 8 – Sing 2
• August 12 – Clifford the Big Red Dog

Don't forget to bring lawn chairs and blankets! There are plenty of places to get dinner before the movie, or grab take-out to enjoy during. Our favorites are Cilantro Tacos and Blue Highway Pizzeria.

For beer lovers, there's a World of Beer off the square, but this ain't New Orleans, so no guarantees you'll be able to enjoy your beer "under the stars".

3. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Set on 68 picturesque acres, Kanapaha is Gainesville's destination botanical gardens, noted for its shaded bamboo groves and giant water lilies (victoria amazonica).

The butterfly gardens are another highlight, especially during the more colorful months of June to September. And this being Florida, you'll also find some sinkhole gardens.

Trying to navigate by the map may prove overwhelming. Our advice: ditch the map and chart a meandering course. The more picturesque spots are popular for weddings and receptions, so don't be surprised if you bump into a tipsy bridal party as you stroll the flower-perfumed grounds.

Can you picnic at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens?

Absolutely! Guests are welcome to picnic in the gardens. Food trucks are there on most days, and they have a picnic area north of the entrance building, as well as gazebos and benches scattered along the ADA-accessible paved trails.

Doggies are also more than welcome.

Admission prices:

• Adults: $10
• Children (ages 5-13): $5
• Children under 5: Free (when accompanied by parent)

4. Diamond Sports Park

Cobblefield is home to lots of families with young children, and Diamond Sports Park is where all that youthful energy tires itself out.

The park features four baseball diamonds, a soccer field with lots of shade, concessions with picnic-style seating, and well-maintained bathrooms. What more could you ask for?

5. Archer Braid Trail

The Archer Braid Trail is a partly shaded 12-mile bike path running between the town of Archer and the University of Florida in downtown Gainesville. Cobblefield residents can connect with the the trail at SW Archer Road and SW 91st St or thereabouts.

The trail is great for biking to the farmer’s market at Haile Village, or just getting some exercise on two legs. The path is probably most popular with runners and cyclists who want to get mileage without traffic. As can be said of most of Gainesville, car traffic is usually pretty courteous around intersections.

The section of the path that runs through Haile Plantation is shaded, a good place to wind down and think about grabbing a bite to eat in Haile Village.

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To learn more about the neighborhood and homes for sale in Cobblefied, check out our neighborhood guide!

In a city as passionate as Gainesville, where people bleed orange and blue (go Gators!), it should come as no surprise to find an equally vibrant craft beer culture. We want to give a shout out to three microbreweries that not only brew exceptional beer, but also act as social hubs in their respective neighborhoods.

Whether you're just visiting Gainesville or a local on the lookout for some craft beer and camaraderie, we highly recommend a visit to any of these first-rate brewpubs. Cheers! and hope to see you there!

First Magnitude Brewery Company

1220 SE Veitch St | (352) 727-4677

First Magnitude offers a wide variety of craft beers in a low-key taproom and weekly tours of its facilities. Since opening with just five beers on tap in 2014, they now brew over 100 unique beers a year. The brewpub helped kickstart the revitalization of South Main Street in downtown Gainesville, turning an abandoned warehouse into a community hub.

Their year-round list is ale heavy, from pale to blonde to session brown. The golden, fruity, German-inspired hefeweizen is a good choice on a hot day. The drift session brown earned a gold ribbon at the Great American Beer Festival. Not too shabby!

The tasting room, known as The Source, is all reclaimed wood and exposed beams. You can also enjoy your beer(s) in the oak-shaded beer garden or the cavernous, covered warehouse.

They host a different food truck each week. Mexi Cocina, Filipino Flavors, and Big Rascal are just a few of the mobile kitchens in the mix. Find out who's going to be there this week by heading over to their food truck schedule. You can also bring your own food.

If beer isn't really your thing and you're just along for the ride, they also offers kombucha and soft drinks. Kids are welcome. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed, with the exception of service animals.

Biking to First Magnitude is totally doable. They're located off the Gainesville-Hawthorne trail with plenty of racks provided out front.

Website: https://fmbrewing.com/

Cypress & Grove Brewing Company

1001 NW 4th St | (352) 376-4993

This 15-barrell microbrewery's secret ingredient is artesian water from the original ice factory well that first occupied their current building in downtown Gainesville. The vibe is laid back and approachable. You don't need a PhD in Botany to order a beer here.

Their signature German-inspired beers stick to four simple ingredients – Floridan aquifer well water, malted barley, hops and yeast. The Porter, Blonde Ale and IPAs are all very well done and uniquely flavored.

For a reduced gluten option, ask for a Crane Song. It's a Japanese style lager inspired by the call of the crane that signals the blessed arrival of winter in North Central Florida.

Cypress & Grove hosts a different food truck every day. Eim Thai, Tommy Knocker's, and Big Lee's BBQ are a few of the usual suspects. Find out who's going to be there on the day you plan to visit here.

Much as First Magnitude is playing a hand in the revitalization of South Main, Cypress & Grove is putting the Grove Street area on the map as an up-and-coming corner of Downtown Gainesville. On Mondays between 4 and 7pm they host the Grove Street Farmer's Market, so you can stock up on locally grown veggies on your way home from happy hour.

There's plenty of room to stretch out here, with seating options at the bar, in the cavernous warehouse, or at picnic tables in the back yard. It's very kid-friendly. Unfortunately only ADA animals are allowed due to liability reasons.

Cypress & Grove is on the Gainesville-Hawthorne trail, so arriving by bike is definitely an option.

Website:  https://www.cypressandgrove.com/

Swamp Head Brewery

Last but not least, Swamp Head Brewery in Southwest Gainesville bills itself as "Inherently Floridian". Founded by a University of Florida alum in 2008, Swamp Head is Florida proud and consistently cranks out creative beers.

From the outside you might mistake the state of the art 30-barrell microbrewery for a UF science lab. Inside however, the tasting room -- known as The Wetlands -- is sunny and inviting. It fills up on game nights, but there's plenty of overflow seating outside.

Here's Craft Beer Geek's take on their IPAs: "So often session IPAs turn into a hops & water ordeal, but Swamp Head has done it right here, giving you full flavor and full body without less alcohol so you can enjoy this one all afternoon!"

An oatmeal stout flavored with locally roasted coffee known as Midnight Oil is a favorite among regulars. It's bold enough for a cold winter night yet not so heavy it can't be enjoyed on a summer evening.

Swamp Head hosts a daily rotating line-up of food vendors. Check the schedule here. The brewery is kid-friendly and dogs are allowed. Bonus points for being the first craft brewery to open in the city and a carbon-neutral operation!

Website: https://swamphead.com/

More Great Breweries in the Area

Blackadder Brewing Company - Belgian inspired beer, old world atmosphere

618 NW 60th St | 352-339-0324

Website: https://www.blackadderbrewingcompany.com/

High Springs Brewing Company - Live music, local BBQ and great brews

18562 NW 237th St, High Springs, FL | 386-232-8756

Website: https://www.highspringsbrewing.com/

Here in Gainesville we don't have to look any further than our own backyard for opportunities to connect with nature. Gainesville is a nature lover's city, home to a wealth of protected wetlands with walking trails running right through them!

Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Sweetwater Wetlands Park is the crown jewel of Gainesville's nature preserve/park system. The 125 acre landscaped wetlands teems with wildlife, including alligators, wild horses, deer, tortoises, and dozens of species of birds. 3.5 miles of boardwalks, observation decks and raised trails allow visitors to observe the wildlife from really close up without interfering with the natural habitat.

The park is not only beautifully landscaped and relaxing to walk, it helps protect the Alachua Sink and Florida Aquifer by naturally filtering out pollutants and harmful minerals, and provides habitat for the diverse local ecosystem as well as migratory birds.

In a relatively short distance you might see a cormorant drying its black iridescent wings in the sun, a kestrel swooping down from its nest high up in the trees, or a loon mincing across the water's green carpet with its gangly flipper feet. If you're really lucky you may see a herd of wild "cracker" horses making their way across the prairie. These dazzling animals were introduced to the region by the Spanish colonists and have since been adopted as the state's official horse. Leave your pets at home for this visit to avoid disturbing the natural habitat of wildlife.

A short stretch of trail is shaded by a towering oak canopy, but most of the trails are exposed to the sun. Be sure to bring your sun block and stay hydrated. Lean-tos are interspersed throughout the park for shade and rest. The open sky is glorious around sunrise and sunset.

Strolling around Sweetwater Wetlands 125 acres, you get the sense that the trails go on endlessly. In fact, the park makes up a mere 0.6% of Payne's Prairie's 21,000 acres. Payne's Prairie was Florida's first nature preserve. There are no roads across it, and it's only accessible from its southern and northern ends, which makes it an ideal habitat for wildlife and a case study in how preservation can be done in a way that is accessible to the public.

Cost: $5 per car, $2 per person (bicyclists, pedestrians, buses)

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

The Gainesville-Hawthrone Trail is another way to explore Payne's Prairie's diverse and unique ecosystem from a respectful distance. The 16 mile trail follows the former train line, wending its way through Downtown Gainesville before arriving at Payne's Prairie on the way to neighboring Hawthorne.

The most lush stretch of the trail is accessible from South 15th Street by Boulware Springs, where you can park and walk or hop on your bike. Cypresses and oaks provide shade most of the way. The trail is popular with cyclists, but you'll find an equal number of folks out for a leisurely stroll.

Sweetwater Overlook is a beautiful place to look out over Payne's Prairie. On the way you might spot a family of white-tailed deer, wild boar, and even the occasional armadillo rustling in the brush.

Heading back into town, reward yourself for your exertions at Cypress & Grove, a brewpub located right off the trail.

Cost: free

La Chua Trailhead

The La Chua Trailhead is one of the more interesting walking trails branching off from the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail in East Gainesville. The trailhead is located about a mile past Sweetwater Overlook heading toward Hawthorne. It's also accessible from SE 15th Street (which becomes Camp Ranch Road). On a warm day you're almost certain to see alligators basking in the sun, and a plethora of wading and migratory birds acting like it ain't no thing. 

With all the wildlife to be seen, La Chua gets crowded during the academic year. Most visitors stick to the paved boardwalk, but if you branch off onto the unpaved path during the dry months there's a chance you'll see wild horses and bison roaming the prairie. The bison were reintroduced in 1975 as part of the park service's goal of "restoring Florida's natural resources to pre-European settler conditions."

That last sentence sounds a bit awkward considering the Seminole history in Payne's Prairie. Payne's Prairie was a Seminole stronghold and the site of many battles during the protracted Seminole Wars that resulted in the tribe's forcible removal to Oklahoma and exodus to the Everglades by the mid-1800s. The park could do a better job of recognizing the complex history of indigenous settlement, conflict, and displacement in the region.

Cost: $4 per car

We've covered Payne's Prairie in all its glory. Now let's take a look at some neighborhood gems that are great for a quick dip into nature.

Cofrin Nature Park

Cofrin Nature Park is a forested area with a half-mile hiking trail, playground, and wetlands fed by Beville Heights Creek. Situated off NW 8th Avenue between the University of Florida's main campus and shopping along I-75, you could easily miss this hidden gem.

Cofrin Park has one thing that no other park in Gainesville has: hills! Though the trail is brief, it's steep for Florida and will give you a workout. It's also thickly forested, with light pleasantly filtering through the latticework of cypresses and oaks.

Another feature unique to Cofrin Park is its memorial garden, which is dedicated to the victims of suicide and their loved ones. Even if your family hasn't been touched by suicide, it's a serene place to sit and reflect. There's a labyrinth whose bricks are inscribed with the names of the deceased.

Cost: free

Loblolly Woods

Loblolly Woods provides Hogtown Creek a green buffer where it crosses NW 8th Ave just north of UF's main campus. It also gives residents a nice respite from the city.

The shaded trails run alongside clear waters with white sand banks that seem to glow in the dark around dusk. Loblolly is great fun for kids. There are lots of fossilized shark and ray teeth to be found along the creek. Keep in mind that the woods are a habitat restoration area, so be sure to stick to the trails and help keep Gainesville wild!

Cost: free

Other Great (Free) Walking Trails in Gainesville

• Depot Park - Awesome city park with extensive walking trails and an epic playground for the kids. Gets busy with joggers around quittin' time. Pop a Top and Boxcar located within the park for quick bites and brewskies.
• Bivens Arms - Cozy trails popular with dog walkers. Street noise is ubiquitous.
• Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park - Impressive jungley pine forest ringed around a sinkhole. Usually crowded.

Here in Gainesville we don't have to look any further than our own backyard for opportunities to connect with nature. Gainesville is a nature lover's city, home to a wealth of protected wetlands with walking trails running right through them!

Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Sweetwater Wetlands Park is the crown jewel of Gainesville's nature preserve/park system. The 125 acre landscaped wetlands teems with wildlife, including alligators, wild horses, deer, tortoises, and dozens of species of birds. 3.5 miles of boardwalks, observation decks and raised trails allow visitors to observe the wildlife from really close up without interfering with the natural habitat.

The park is not only beautifully landscaped and relaxing to walk, it helps protect the Alachua Sink and Florida Aquifer by naturally filtering out pollutants and harmful minerals, and provides habitat for the diverse local ecosystem as well as migratory birds.

In a relatively short distance you might see a cormorant drying its black iridescent wings in the sun, a kestrel swooping down from its nest high up in the trees, or a loon mincing across the water's green carpet with its gangly flipper feet. If you're really lucky you may see a herd of wild "cracker" horses making their way across the prairie. These dazzling animals were introduced to the region by the Spanish colonists and have since been adopted as the state's official horse. Leave your pets at home for this visit to avoid disturbing the natural habitat of wildlife.

A short stretch of trail is shaded by a towering oak canopy, but most of the trails are exposed to the sun. Be sure to bring your sun block and stay hydrated. Lean-tos are interspersed throughout the park for shade and rest. The open sky is glorious around sunrise and sunset.

Strolling around Sweetwater Wetlands 125 acres, you get the sense that the trails go on endlessly. In fact, the park makes up a mere 0.6% of Payne's Prairie's 21,000 acres. Payne's Prairie was Florida's first nature preserve. There are no roads across it, and it's only accessible from its southern and northern ends, which makes it an ideal habitat for wildlife and a case study in how preservation can be done in a way that is accessible to the public.

Cost: $5 per car, $2 per person (bicyclists, pedestrians, buses)

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

The Gainesville-Hawthrone Trail is another way to explore Payne's Prairie's diverse and unique ecosystem from a respectful distance. The 16 mile trail follows the former train line, wending its way through Downtown Gainesville before arriving at Payne's Prairie on the way to neighboring Hawthorne.

The most lush stretch of the trail is accessible from South 15th Street by Boulware Springs, where you can park and walk or hop on your bike. Cypresses and oaks provide shade most of the way. The trail is popular with cyclists, but you'll find an equal number of folks out for a leisurely stroll.

Sweetwater Overlook is a beautiful place to look out over Payne's Prairie. On the way you might spot a family of white-tailed deer, wild boar, and even the occasional armadillo rustling in the brush.

Heading back into town, reward yourself for your exertions at Cypress & Grove, a brewpub located right off the trail.

Cost: free

La Chua Trailhead

The La Chua Trailhead is one of the more interesting walking trails branching off from the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail in East Gainesville. The trailhead is located about a mile past Sweetwater Overlook heading toward Hawthorne. It's also accessible from SE 15th Street (which becomes Camp Ranch Road). On a warm day you're almost certain to see alligators basking in the sun, and a plethora of wading and migratory birds acting like it ain't no thing. 

With all the wildlife to be seen, La Chua gets crowded during the academic year. Most visitors stick to the paved boardwalk, but if you branch off onto the unpaved path during the dry months there's a chance you'll see wild horses and bison roaming the prairie. The bison were reintroduced in 1975 as part of the park service's goal of "restoring Florida's natural resources to pre-European settler conditions."

That last sentence sounds a bit awkward considering the Seminole history in Payne's Prairie. Payne's Prairie was a Seminole stronghold and the site of many battles during the protracted Seminole Wars that resulted in the tribe's forcible removal to Oklahoma and exodus to the Everglades by the mid-1800s. The park could do a better job of recognizing the complex history of indigenous settlement, conflict, and displacement in the region.

Cost: $4 per car

We've covered Payne's Prairie in all its glory. Now let's take a look at some neighborhood gems that are great for a quick dip into nature.

Cofrin Nature Park

Cofrin Nature Park is a forested area with a half-mile hiking trail, playground, and wetlands fed by Beville Heights Creek. Situated off NW 8th Avenue between the University of Florida's main campus and shopping along I-75, you could easily miss this hidden gem.

Cofrin Park has one thing that no other park in Gainesville has: hills! Though the trail is brief, it's steep for Florida and will give you a workout. It's also thickly forested, with light pleasantly filtering through the latticework of cypresses and oaks.

Another feature unique to Cofrin Park is its memorial garden, which is dedicated to the victims of suicide and their loved ones. Even if your family hasn't been touched by suicide, it's a serene place to sit and reflect. There's a labyrinth whose bricks are inscribed with the names of the deceased.

Cost: free

Loblolly Woods

Loblolly Woods provides Hogtown Creek a green buffer where it crosses NW 8th Ave just north of UF's main campus. It also gives residents a nice respite from the city.

The shaded trails run alongside clear waters with white sand banks that seem to glow in the dark around dusk. Loblolly is great fun for kids. There are lots of fossilized shark and ray teeth to be found along the creek. Keep in mind that the woods are a habitat restoration area, so be sure to stick to the trails and help keep Gainesville wild!

Cost: free

Other Great (Free) Walking Trails in Gainesville

• Depot Park - Awesome city park with extensive walking trails and an epic playground for the kids. Gets busy with joggers around quittin' time. Pop a Top and Boxcar located within the park for quick bites and brewskies.
• Bivens Arms - Cozy trails popular with dog walkers. Street noise is ubiquitous.
• Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park - Impressive jungley pine forest ringed around a sinkhole. Usually crowded.

Did you know that home organization is trending? Yep, you heard that correct, creating a neat, color coordinated space is now a thing! And…We’re not mad about it, in real estate this is something we always stress to our sellers. A home buyer will be more inclined to buy a home that isn’t cluttered. We put together some easy tips and tricks to organize spaces in your home. 

The Fridge-Start by cleaning out the entire fridge, yes take everything out. This will give you an opportunity to see the space you’re working with and get rid of all those old sauce bottles you’ve been holding onto for way too long. Group like items and then zone out your fridge. It will also help you if you put items into containers, this will keep items in their proper zones. You can also label or write expiration dates on your containers. Organizing your fridge like this, not only looks pretty, but it makes it easier when you are making your grocery list. 

What we love:
iDesign Linus Fridge Bins Soda Can Organizer

The Pantry-Just like the fridge, think categories. Since items are much larger and the categories are broader, make sure that they are not too specific. Examples of categories are Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner, etc. When you buy containers and bins, make sure that you grab a few large bins for bulk items. Organize your bins and containers accordingly, it may be smart to put snacks on a shelf that your kiddos can easily reach. Now it’s time to label, this adds a layer of instructions making it easier for you to find what you’re looking for.    

What we love:
The Home Edit Organizer Bins

The Closet-First, it is time to purge, if you haven’t worn something with in a year, you probably never will. Create a pile to donate. After you have sorted through everything its time to start sectioning off your closet. Start organizing by seasons. Grab a few clear bins for summer and winter, you’ll place these on a high shelf until the weather changes. After you have sectioned off your closet, organize your sections by color. Think rainbow order, this not only looks pretty, it also will help streamline your daily routine. 

What we love:
Premium Stacking Shoe Bin

Happy organizing! If you use any of these tips, please share a photo with us. We were inspired by the hit show Get Organized with The Home Edit on Netflix.