alachua county
Sugar Refined: Cupcakes Take Center Stage in Newberry
In my humble opinion as a food writer, there’s nothing quite like a properly baked cupcake. And if you add buttercream icing and some sprinkles, it gets even better. Sugar Refined Bake Shop is located in downtown Newberry at 25345 Newberry Road. There are always plenty of cupcake and pastry choices in the cases, and …
Small Town Escape: Newberry in Western Alachua County
Many consider Newberry to be a “suburb” of busy Gainesville, the county seat of Alachua County, Florida. Located at the crossroads of US27 and SR26, it seems Newberry is often overlooked by folks traveling through the downtown. Newberry’s official Main Street is US27, but it’s along east/west SR26 (Newberry Road/University Avenue if you’re heading west …
Bike, Hike or Ride Your Horse at San Felasco Hammock State Park, in Alachua County, Florida
This preserve has one of the few remaining mature forests in Florida. The limestone outcrops and extreme changes in elevation provide ideal conditions for many species of hardwood trees, including several champion trees. Bobcats, white-tailed deer, gray foxes, turkeys, and many species of songbirds make their homes in the 18 natural communities found in the …
Take a Tour and Taste a Sample at Island Grove Winery, near Gainesville
I’m a product of college in the 60’s. That means when I hear the words “local”, “southern” and “blueberry wine” in the same sentence, I think of the Boones’ Farm Apple wine and “Mad Dog 20/20” common at fraternity parties. But I’m a pretty open-minded guy and recently took the opportunity to visit Island Grove …
Finding Zen at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Take time for reflection with a meditative walk in nature at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville among 62 acres of thematic gardens along Lake Kanapaha
13th Gainesville Jazz Festival, May 2, 2015
Don’t miss this great event. It’s scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 7PM, at Tioga Town Center, just west of Gainesville. 7pm – Gary Langford and the EOS Band 8pm – Hard Luck Society 9pm – Chasing Time 10pm- Little Mike and the Tornadoes with Sheba the Mississippi Queen *Funding for this program provided in …
Save The Date: 12th Annual Reeling For Kids Fishing Tournament, Steinhatchee, June 5 & 6, 2015
The Doug Johnson Reeling For Kids Saltwater Challenge is the highlight of the tournament year on Natural North Florida’s Big Bend. The event benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Alachua County and attracts anglers from all over the southeast, including many professional football players who played in the NFL with Doug Johnson, or at …
Visit A Natural North Florida Wonder–Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park in Gainesville
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park near Gainesville, is a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest. Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices in the ground. Lush vegetation thrives in the shade of the walls even in dry summers. A significant geological formation, …
Early Spring Fishing “ON FIRE” in Alachua County Lakes!
Freshwater anglers looking for largemouth bass and speckled perch (crappie, specks) don’t have to travel far within North Central Florida to find some amazing fishing, especially in Alachua County. Despite its reputation as a “college town”, Gainesville’s proximity to Newnans, Lochloosa and Santa Fe lakes makes it the perfect jumping-off spot for some terrific freshwater …
Try Gainesville’s Sweetwater Organic Coffee It’s Caramelized–NOT Carbonized!
There’s nothing better than a good cup of coffee. And nothing worse than one made with over-roasted and burned beans. I’m not “dissing” the big coffee chains, but many coffee drinkers just don’t know any better than drinking what many consider “carbonized” coffee beans. Not only is the coffee roasted at Sweetwater Organic Coffee tasty, …