Take Me Out to G'ville

Thursday, 06 May 2010 11:49

Summer in Gainesville is the perfect time to explore. As the streets become less crowded and the days become sunnier, this college town is the perfect setting for a throw-back summer adventure.

Stroll through one of the many natural attractions, museums and boutiques. Take advantage of summer food and drink specials at local eateries, and when you're ready to kick the excitement up a notch, take after our cover model finalists and opt for one of these (mostly free) Gainesville classics: Lake Wauburg, Gator baseball and the Florida Museum of Natural History. TGIS.

By Stephanie Granada; Photos by Sean Kelly

Do you want get to know our May cover model finalists a little bit better? Find out more about their fashion sense and also what they love about their classic Gainesville photoshoot locations.

Rachel - Florida Baseball at McKethan Stadium

Chris - Lake Wauburg

Alex - The Florida Museum of Natural History

Florida Baseball at McKethan Stadium
Nothing screams all-American "summer" like a day spent at the ball game. This season, stock up on peanuts and Cracker Jacks and watch as the No. 7 Gators take on the competition. With nine home games left in the season, you have plenty of opportunity to get in on the fun. And at $4 a ticket, a Gator baseball game makes for a date you can't afford to miss. Check out the full schedule at gatorzone.com.

Lake Wauburg
Sure you can lounge by a pool, but why just lounge when you can canoe, paddle boat, ski or sail at historic Lake Wauburg? With more than two shores to visit, and seven free activities to choose from—plus plenty of space for grilling or picnics, Lake Wauburg is the perfect place to spend a fun, summer day. And did we mention all this is free? Just don't forget your Gator 1 card. Wauburg is open until 6pm Tuesday through Saturday. www.recsports.ufl.edu.

The Florida Museum of Natural History
You can get lost for a day at the Florida Museum of Natural History on Hull Road. The museum is filled with treasures, from archaic fossils to interactive modules, and our favorite, the four-story Butterfly Rainforest. To get your heart racing, check out the gigantic fossils in display at the Hall of Florida Fossils. More than 90 percent of them are real and many were found within a 100-mile range. The museum hosts frequent events like Thursday museum nights, and most exhibits are free. For a full listing of exhibits and events visit, flmnh.ufl.edu.