Gainesville Vacations and Tourism

This sleepy North Florida college town, home to the University of Florida, was the birthplace to the famous musician Tom Petty. He commemorated Gainesville as "Dreamville." We think this name is a great summary of this cozy, comfortable outpost, which Money Magazine once ranked as the Best Place to Live in the United States.

Why do we love Gainesville? Gainesville is a lush, green town where the tropics meet the Deep South. Palm trees mingle with Spanish-moss-draped live oaks. Good ol' boys go to the Gator football games, while hipsters sit in cafes discussing all things intellectual. Come nightfall, cocktail lounges and dive bars alike are packed.

Though Gainesville doesn't include a lot of historic sites, and it doesn't see a lot of tourism, it does offer nature lovers a wealth of outdoor activities and sights both in town as well as a short drive away. Gainesville also has a vibrant cultural scene and surprisingly good restaurants.

A tour of North Florida would be incomplete without a stop here. Just over an hour's drive from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Gainesville vacations could easily be combined with a trip to Saint Augustine. Make a long weekend of it. Stay in one of Gainesville's charming bed and breakfasts-- you're sure to leave dreaming of another trip to "Dreamville."

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