Gainesville has a lot to offer not just in terms of college fun but great date options to wow your significant other!
A romantic choice, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens has a gorgeous array of flowers and lush, vibrant plants as well as an extravagant arrangement of bamboo and an herb garden; the botanical gardens have a grand total of 24 major collections. There are also beautiful spots to sit and have lunch at, so be sure to pack a picnic! They also offer special events such as moonlight walks and orchid shows!
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Plan a small getaway staycation by booking a b&b right in your own town. Close enough to be "home" but far enough to feel like you're on vacation, Sweetwater Branch Inn ensures a romantic stay for couples. With two Victorian homes full of quaint rooms and several private cottages, Sweetwater Branch Inn provides a unique and enjoyable bed and breakfast experience. Located just blocks away from Downtown Gainesville, you can stay in and relax at the complimentary wine and cheese hour or walk to a nice restaurant or bar in the evening. When you wake up in the morning, expect a delicious homemade breakfast!
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Do you and your date love beer? Then taking a tour at Swamp Head Brewery would be the perfect date for you two! At this brewery's tour, you get to see behind the scenes of the brewing process! To start off your tour, you will receive a limited-edition pint glass filled with one of their popular beers to enjoy as you walk around and learn all the ins and outs of Swamp Head Brewery. Tickets are only $5 a person, so grab your beer lover and head over to this fun tour for an awesome date!
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Painting with a Twist Gainesville
Painting with a Twist is definitely makes for a fun date night! For $35 a person, you can sip on wine or beer while taking a painting class together, which is sure to be full of laughs if you or your date aren't exactly Pablo Picasso. You also get to take home your masterpiece as well as some new painting skills!
Corks & Colors Canvas and Pottery Studio
Another creative date is at Corks and Colors, a studio where you can paint your own pottery and canvases. They offer many different kinds of art classes from canvas painting to wheel-throwing, which involves using a wheel to make your own pottery. Classes start at $25 a person and include materials as well as instruction. Make sure to arrive 15 minutes early to grab a drink and choose your paint colors! Whether or not pottery becomes your new couple hobby it's certainly worth trying it out!
Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History
A date with someone you really love is almost always dream-like, but a day at the Butterfly Rainforest will make you feel like you're truly in another world. This beautiful exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History has hundreds of free-flying butterflies and birds from all around the world! The lush walkways include flowers, plants, waterfalls, turtles, and fish as you walk among the butterflies. Knowledgeable museum staff is also available to answer questions, so you can also learn a thing or two on this date. Tickets are $13 per person, and the live butterfly releases are at 2:00 p.m. on weekdays and 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. on weekends.
Rocky's Dueling Piano Bar is a lively choice for a date night in Gainesville. This bar promises a wonderful evening of live music, comedy, delicious drinks, and a fun crowd. With their prime location on Main Street, it's the perfect place to dance, sing, and drink with your date! They also have drink specials and keep the party until 2:00 a.m.!
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Looking for a simple day date? Take a lovely stroll or bike ride around Lake Alice at the University of Florida. While you're spending time together, enjoy views of alligators, turtles, and wildlife along the beautiful lake. Stay long enough to watch the sunset over the water, a perfect end to a perfect date!
Find more fun things to do in Gainesville and register on 352area, your free guide to everything in North Central Florida.
Cover photo courtesy of Unsplash
