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October 13, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Things To Do In High Springs Florida – Unforgettable Experiences

If you are planning a short visit to High Springs Florida, I am sure you will want to make sure you get as many fun filled activities as possible packed into your itinerary. But with a list of so many fantastic things to do at High Springs, how can you be sure which ones will make for the very best experience this year?

That is where I have your back as the following article has been jam packed full of unbeatable things for you to do during your next visit to High Springs. Choose your favorites and then ready, set, go! The good times await you!

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Ginnie Springs

First up on the list of absolutely breathtaking sights and memory-making fun things to do at High Springs is to pay a visit to Ginnie Springs – the perfect place to be if you and your party would like a taste of the fresh outdoors and don’t mind getting your feet wet.

Ginnie Springs is located on the south side of the Santa Fe River and features 7 picturesque, transparent springs, and deep, exciting, and entwining caverns. This is the perfect place for snorkeling, scuba diving, and just plain old swimming if you fancy. You can also have a go at tubing down the springs, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and even try your hand at the most popular spring-side games such as volleyball! There is no shortage of activities here!

If you are looking to combine a great time with a little time unwinding to the max then you will love the springs and their natural and peaceful landscapes. Sit and have lunch to the sound of rushing water while overlooking some of the many winding caverns and majestic forests.

If you are up for extending your family outing or time with friends, then you can also camp at the site down at Ginnie Springs with all of the camping features you need to really make your stay comfortable, memorable, and worthwhile.

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

Another unmissable destination while traveling through High Springs is Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park. The state park contains a number of natural springs featuring crystal clear water – the perfect place for spotting the most precious wildlife including, turtles, a number of different species of fish such as redbreast, spotted sunfish, catfish, bluegill, and many more. This a great place to practice and hone your fishing skills

Feeling peckish at the park? Not to worry as the site has a concession stand that sells fresh food and drinks to make your stay even more pleasant.

There’s no time for standing still at this park – take a walk on a nature trail, go paddling, explore the sights at the sandy beach and much more!

The Best Restaurants In High Springs

If you are looking to spend some time in High Springs Florida then, of course, you cannot be without something to eat. Where can you find some of the best restaurants in town? Take a look at the following mini list of two restaurants that will not fail to knock you off of your feet thanks to their great tasting food and marvelous restaurant atmosphere.

The Great Outdoors Restaurant.

Easily one of the most popular restaurants in High Springs is the Great Outdoors Restaurant. It is always packed and opens its doors to repeat customers around the clock – they must be doing something right!

One of my favorite things about this restaurant is that it has live music evenings, the perfect way to set the tone while you tuck into their mouth wateringly delicious grub. Thursday’s are happy hour all day, so if you are a fan of a cocktail or…three, make sure you get down there on the most important day of the week.

The Diner.

Are you looking to chow down on some all-American classics? Then you should definitely take a trip down to The Diner during your stay at High Springs. Their classic diner atmosphere is fun and upbeat and has an awesome young vibe, great for families and groups of friends.

High Springs Museum

Do you fancy taking a step back in time? Then you will be enchanted by a trip to the High Springs Museum in Florida.

This museum is dedicated to taking a look back at life in the 1800s to the early 1900s and has an enthralling exhibit on “The Railroad Center” revealing everything there is to know about this core element in High Springs’ history. Take a careful look at the collectibles and antiques from that era that have shaped High Springs and made it the way it is today.

Conclusion

There are so many things to do at High Springs! If time permits, I would thoroughly recommend visiting each of the attractions mentioned in this article. But some of the most famous of course, the iconic springs featured around High Springs are definitely the most important attractions to visit and are worth prioritizing.

October 13, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Hippodrome Theater Gainesville – A Historic And Romantic Wedding Venue

Choosing a wedding venue – one of the most difficult decisions you will make during the planning of your big day. There are so many choices to make for your wedding, from the type of food you will serve, the number of guests you will invite, not to mention the wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and outfits for the rest of the bridal party. But somehow, even if you have got all of the above sorted, it just won’t sit right if your wedding isn’t hosted at the right venue.

By this point you are probably fed up with looking through wedding venue after venue, trying to imagine the main hall filled with your guests, picturing the perfect lighting for your first dance and wondering where you would present your wedding cake. But before throwing in the towel on finding the perfect venue, giving up all together and deciding to host the wedding at your local bingo house and be done with the stress, why not consider taking a peek at one last venue? I promise, it will be worth it.

When thinking about the Hippodrome Theater in Gainesville Florida, some of the first things that probably come to mind are the spectacular Hippodrome Theater plays, their movie theater and the excitement of receiving your Hippodrome tickets. So why not combine the normal enthrallment and awe that comes with the spectacular Hippodrome Theater with one of the biggest and most important days of your life?

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Why Choose The Hippodrome Theater?

Ready to take an inside look at the Hippodrome Theater and find out just why it would be the perfect wedding location? Then stay tuned for everything you need to know.

The Hippodrome Theater will give a high end and classy feel to your wedding thanks to the historic style architecture of the building and its romantic layout. It would make the most picturesque location for both the reception and the ceremony should you wish. The historic style and well detailed columns outside of the building make for some classic and delicate photos.

The Hippodrome Theater – Spacing And What’s Included

Are you planning a big family wedding? Perfect, as the Hippodrome Theater in Gainesville Florida is the ideal location for a wedding with up to 200 guests. The theater contains three event spaces, allowing you to have plenty of choices for your special event.

The theater offers an additional bar service, which would include bartenders on the day, waiting on hand to make some of the best cocktails and drinks your guests have tasted, ready to stir up the evening for a wicked dance-off. That ticks another stress off of your list.

The Hippodrome Theater Location

The Hippodrome Theater is located directly in the center of Gainesville, making it a super easy location to find and quick to travel to, even with public transport. As it is in the center of Gainesville, it is surrounded by some of the best restaurants in town, so that you have somewhere to run to for a quick lunch or dinner on the frantic days before the wedding.

Hotels Near The Hippodrome Theater

Have you got family and friends traveling in from far for the big day? Then I am sure having the whole clan crash on your living room sofas and having blow up mattresses spilling out into the hallway is the last thing you expect to have to put up with the night before your wedding in order to put up your guests. A far easier and more comfortable option for everyone is having your wedding at a location that is close to some high class, nearby hotels so that your guests can relax the night before the wedding and arrive early to the ceremony.

That is another reason why I love the Hippodrome Theater as a wedding location, as it is situated near some brilliant hotels that your family and friends will love. Take a look:

Hampton Inn and Suites

Hampton Inn and Suites is the ideal hotel for your family and friends to stay at for the period coming up to and after your wedding. It is located a mere two blocks from the Hippodrome Theater meaning there will be no excuse for your bridal party to arrive late at the wedding – not even the bridesmaids!

Bookings at this hotel come with free hot breakfast so that your family and friends can pile in the grub that will keep them stuffed right up until the “I do’s”. The hotel also boasts an outdoor saltwater pool (how fancy) and gym, so your bridal party can do some last minute toning and relax before the big day.

Holiday Inn University Center

The Holiday Inn University Center is also an excellent hotel for your wedding guests to unwind before the wedding. The hotel is located in the heart of Gainesville and makes it easy to get to the Hippodrome Theater in a matter of minutes.

The hotel features gym access and a rooftop pool – the perfect location for your guests to work on that natural sunkissed glow before the photo session.

October 13, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Haile Plantation Golf And Country Club Gainesville – A Picturesque Wedding Venue

So you are planning your dream wedding, what will be the happiest day of your life and finally, it all seems to be coming together. You’ve got your perfect cake design, copied off of Pinterest with that thick and creamy icing that everyone loves and the most delicate piped flower details. Your flawless dress is with the dressmakers, having the finishing touches and details put on to it. You have found the very best caterers in town and the entrees will look stunning. And by some sort of miracle, you have even managed to land a bridesmaid dress that everyone (or almost everyone) seems to agree on. Happy days! Now you’ve just got to find a place to put it all…that can be the trickiest decision.

Are you fed up with looking through mediocre wedding locations? Venues with small and pokey dining halls and dark and dank looking dancefloors? Then you have arrived at the best place. Take a look at the following wedding venue – the Haile Plantation Golf And Country Club in Gainesville Florida, one of the most swanky and stylish wedding venues in all of Gainesville that certainly will not disappoint!

This article has been designed to give you an inside peek at this picturesque wedding venue and will provide you with all the information you need to know about sizing and location before giving this venue a final look at in person and that all important sign of approval. Check it out!

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Why The Haile Plantation Golf And Country Club Is The Best Wedding Venue

Are you thinking of booking the Haile Plantation Golf And Country Club for your wedding day? Then take a look at the following reasons why this will be the very best location for you.

Ample Space

The Haile Plantation Golf And Country Club in Gainesville Florida is spread out on 750 generous acres of a beautiful, well-kept landscape – providing you with ample space for the most important date of the year. There is also a majestic state forest, National Battlefield park and putting greens on site that add to the breathtaking scenery, not to mention the distant Bull Run mountains, making the most eye catching and serene backdrop for the photos on your big day.

The site is wide and spacious with beautiful gardens, making it the most fantastic wedding location for larger parties. This Haile Plantation Golf And Country Club can cater to weddings with up to 330 guests so that you can invite everyone on your list.

Easy Travel to The Venue

Do you have guests traveling in for your wedding from other states? Or perhaps, other countries? Then you will be glad to know that the Haile Plantation Golf And Country Club is positioned a mere 30 minutes from the Gainesville Airport, making it easier for your guests to arrive at the venue hassle free.

First-Class Services Offered

Would you like a hand planning some of the finer details of your big day? Then you will be ecstatic to find out that the Haile Plantation Golf And Country Club provides a full wedding service that will help you with the planning of your wedding. They can provide you with assistance with setting up before the event, cleaning up after the event, lighting and sound and other ballroom details for the most magical first dance. They can also assist you with the organization of parking on site and also provide you with the chairs, tables, and furniture for a well decorated main hall for your guests to sit in and enjoy the evening.

The Haile Plantation Clubhouse

The Haile Clubhouse is spacious – measuring an impressive 28,000 square foot. The majestic columns and curving grand staircase make for the perfect photo location in the grand lobby. The clubhouse extends out to views of the gardens and the Bull Run Mountains through arched frames and a detailed and well-crafted lounge.

The Great Oak Ballroom

The Great Oak Ballroom features a grand polished wooden dance floor, a raised stage with the most precious lighting and rocking sound system to get help get the party started.

It is the ideal location for up to 330 guests and is well-decorated with custom moldings on the ceilings and other delicate details that make for fine photos and a classy and refreshing atmosphere.

The Marsh Mansion

The Marsh Mansion is one of the more rustic spaces at the Haile Plantation Golf And Country Club. If you are putting together a simple more stripped back wedding where delicate lighting and quaint decorations come to the fore, this will be the perfect setting for your wedding reception or ceremony.

The Mansion is spread over 8000 square feet and features a private garden and lawn for a more secluded and vintage wedding experience.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a little bit of everything at the Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club in Gainesville Florida, making for the most luxurious wedding venue on the map. Make sure you consider this location as the most appropriate backdrop for your special day.

October 13, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Gainesville Florida Bike Trails – The Ultimate Bike Adventures

If you are anything like me, you simply love going for a bike ride. There is nothing that will help you put a spring in your step better than going for a quick whizz around your local park and soaking in the breathtaking view of the morning sunrise and listening to the birds chirp on the trees in the morning before peddling back to the house and getting ready for work.

I try to incorporate biking into my daily routine, although I can’t bike to work because it is simply too far, I often try riding my bike to the station and getting public transport into the office and then riding the bike back home. I also love taking the kids out with me on biking trails at the weekend and then stopping off for something tasty to eat before traveling back home.

Do you feel like you have exhausted your local bike trails and are looking for the very best bike adventures and picturesque sceneries to visit along your biking travels? Then take a look at the following article that will let you in on the very best Gainesville Florida bike trails that are perfect for families.

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Bike Safety In Gainesville

Before you get out on the wide open road, you will probably want to find out more about bike safety in Gainesville and how you can keep you and your family safe while on the trail and while biking down busy streets. Take a look at the following tips that will keep you safe on your bikes this weekend.

Bikes have the same rights as cars and are classified as vehicles by law in Florida so cyclists should come to a complete stop at stop signs, obey traffic light signals, obey the flow of traffic and traffic direction.
Drinking while cycling is prohibited.
Cyclists should also wear a helmet, have properly working brakes, use hand signals to indicate a change in direction and cycle no more than two abreast on roads to make it easier for vehicles to overtake.

Archer Braid Bike Trail

The Archer Braid Bike Trail is the perfect track for those who are looking to explore the sights between Gainesville and Archer. It is a 6.2 mile trail, the perfect length for those who would like to build up their stamina while riding. The trail is paved with asphalt making it a smooth ride for those who are looking for a peaceful and nontaxing escape into nature with family or friends. The trail passes through a majestic wood providing the perfect shade on warmer days and also allowing you to catch a glimpse of the awesome, natural scenery as you ride through the trail.

6th Street Rail Trail

Are you looking for a trail that is a little more challenging? Then you will love this 10 mile 6th Street Rail Trail that starts in the center of Gainesville Florida and then heads south. This trail is perfect for people of all skill levels and will help you to build up your stamina on a bike and push yourself to the limit. The trail is paved with asphalt making it an easier, smoother and more comfortable ride for those crossing it on a bike, on foot, or even on a skateboard.

Dog-Friendly Trails In Gainesville

As you already know, finding a dog-friendly bike trail may not be as easy as it seems. Alligators are known to live in the many springs and lakes across Florida so it is important to choose a trail that is far away from any wetlands, riverbeds or bodies of water to help avoid hookworm infections.

Here is a list of some dog-friendly trails in Gainesville that you will be able to enjoy with your bike and furry friend without worrying about any of the dangers mentioned above.

Cofrin Nature Park. This nature park is well known for being dog-on-a-leash friendly and for being the perfect place to cycle around on your bike. The trail is half a mile long and is surrounded by a blissful creek and a quaint wooded area. The park is open every day from 7 am to 8 pm so that you can take advantage of the long evenings and the bright mornings to go for a quick ride with your canine friend.
Alfred A. Ring Park. Another fantastic dog park with various benches and waste disposal trash cans. The trails in this park are more rustic and are easier for walking around rather than bike riding.

Conclusion

While biking through Gainesville make sure you visit the very best parks with paved paths and breathtaking views so that you can enjoy and soak in every moment with family and friends and maybe even your family pet.

When biking through Gainesville make sure you have got all of your safety gear intact and be sure to follow the highway laws in order to stay safe on the roads.