Calling All Volunteers Football Fans. Welcome to Gainesville, Florida on Game Day

Sip Award-Winning Craft Beer on the Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail

Visit local breweries with the free Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail digital pass. Award-winning breweries offer the perfect spot to sample a refreshing hand-crafted pint while enjoying live entertainment, food trucks, and a taste of local culture.

Get the pass, check-in, have fun and earn points for free rewards. Score extra points by checking in to the Sippin’ Seven Ale Trail with the Visit the SEC passport.

Get a Taste of Local Cuisine

Get a taste of local flavor with pre-game bites, a post-game slice or a next day brunch. At Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, find rare sports memorabilia the Head Ball Coach paired a game day menu on Saturday and brunch buffet on Sunday. Satchel’s Pizza features a menu of calzones, pizza and salads with an eclectic atmosphere. Savor BBQ from Pearl Country Store in Micanopy recognized by Southern Living Magazine as one of the best barbecue restaurants in Florida. Find fresh flavors and a chef-inspired menu at Covey Kitchen and Cocktails located inside Hotel ELEO. Grab a sweet or savory treat at Uppercrust Bakery on your way out of town.

Plan Your Stay with Important Game Day Details

Plan ahead with the Florida Gators Football Game Day Guide, and get details including mobile ticketing, parking and shuttles, pre-game events, tailgating and more.

Visit Local Landmarks and Earn Rewards with the “Visit The Sec” Digital Passport

Football season is the perfect time for the best fans in the country to get rewarded for visiting their favorite SEC cities! Use your Visit the SEC pass to check in at the top restaurants, shopping and attractions in your favorite college towns. Learn more and get your pass for free.

While You’re Visiting, Follow Your Curiosity and Discover Something New. Choose from Over 30 (AMAZING) Free Things to Do in Gainesville and Alachua County

Explore a collection of FREE activities and destinations in Gainesville and Alachua County.

Make cool escapes in Gainesville and Alachua County at local museums and gallery exhibits. Beat the heat and make discoveries at the Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art located next door to each other at the UF Cultural Plaza. 

Explore over 100 miles of trails, including the paved 16-mile multi-purpose path on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, hiking trails at Morningside Nature Center and walking, equestrian and cycling trails at Turkey Creek Preserve. Across from Lake Alice at sunset, see hundreds of thousands of bats take flight from the UF Bat Houses.

Make a trip to historic small towns like Micanopy, Alachua and High Springs. Browse galleries, boutiques and antique shops. Relax and feel refreshed at a local cafe or restaurant.

Football season is the perfect time for the best fans in the country to get rewarded for visiting their favorite SEC cities! Use your Visit the SEC pass to check in at the top restaurants, shopping and attractions in your favorite college towns. Learn more and get your pass for free.

Arrive Early or Stay an Extra Day and Enjoy Weekend Events and Local Things to Do

As the hometown of eight Music Hall of Fame musicians, including Bo Diddley and Tom Petty, Gainesville is known for its music scene, and live music is heard across multiple stages. Don’t miss the Tom Petty: Among the Wildflowers exhibit at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. Get an exclusive look into the creative process of the hit record Wildflowers. 

Get outside and explore Florida State Parks. See roaming bison, wild horses and alligators at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Walk down the staircase into the 120-foot sinkhole at Devils Millhopper Geological State Park. Pedal mountain bike trails at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park.

Stroll through diverse plant collections at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, featuring the largest public display of bamboo in Florida and pet-friendly paved trails. Spot wildlife along more than 3.5 miles of boardwalks and trails at Sweetwater Wetlands Park.

Challenge your skills with games at Bragging Rights Arcade, Dave and Buster’s and Arcade Bar. Aim for the target at the Hatchetbury Axe Throwing Bar.