With temperatures warming and flowers blooming, there is no better time to enjoy the newness of nature for the first day of spring. And luckily for Gainesville, it is surrounded by multitudes of ways to soak in the sun, flora and fauna of this beautiful planet. So, grab your gardening gloves, flower baskets and sun hats, and jump into the first day of spring with these five activities!
Go Hiking
There are plenty of ways to get active in Gainesville, and hiking or biking on one of its many trails is a great one! While soaking up the trees and sunshine, you may even spot some of Gainesville’s wildlife, such as bison, gators, birds and more. Some popular spots are:
- La Chua Trail
- Bolen Bluff Trail
- Sweetwater Wetlands Perimeter Loop
- Loblolly Woods Trail
- Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
Visit a Garden
Gainesville is also home to many gardens and botanical gardens that can help get you in touch with nature as winter comes to an end. Bring a picnic blanket and have brunch or lunch with your friends or read a book while you get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. Some popular spots are:
- Wilmot Botanical Gardens
- Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (Spring Garden Festival March 23 & 24)
- Haile Community Butterfly Garden
- Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens
- Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History
Shop at a Farmers Market
Farmers markets are great ways to support local businesses and spend quality time with friends and family outside. You can find farm fresh foods, artisan crafts, baked goods and more at many of Gainesville’s local farmers markets! Some popular spots are:
- Alachua County Farmers Market (Sat 8:30 a.m. – noon)
- Celebration Pointe Farmers Market (Thu 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
- GNV Market at Heartwood (Thu 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Haile Farmers Market (Sat 8:30 a.m. – noon)
- Newberry Farmers Market (Sat 8 a.m. – noon)
Create a Flower Bouquet
Head over to Trader Joes and pick out a few bunches of flowers to create your own custom flower bouquet! Since spring is starting, there will be lots of variety and colors to choose from, and creating a bouquet brings fresh florals and a spring atmosphere to your home! This is also a good way to bond with friends and do a fun activity together.
Take a Dip in the Springs
Florida springs are perfect all year round, but as the weather gets warmer, they become even more enticing. Many are a short drive from Gainesville and make a wonderful opportunity for a mini road trip with friends! Some popular spots are:
- Rainbow Springs State Park
- Silver Springs State Park
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park
- Ginnie Springs
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