A lack of funds (or a lack of imagination) is no excuse for a lackluster dating life.
Break out of the vicious cycle of Netflix-on-the-couch dates and discover the romantic side of Gainesville. (Hint: it’s not limited to dinner and a movie.)
The GainesvilleScene team has searched high and low for the best date ideas in town. So, whether you’ve been going steady for years or are testing the chemistry on a first date, this guide is for you.
1. Enjoy a youthful night of skee ball and pinball at Barcade. A playful, competitive spirit paired with a pint of local brew is a win-win, even if you lose.
2. Explore Gainesville nature. We already rounded up the best spots for you here.
3. Try Token Tuesday at the The Top. It’s a financially savvy way to get loose on quality liquor for cheap.
4. Get in touch with your philanthropic side. You can monkey around at Jungle Friends, the local primate sanctuary or stock shelves at Bread of the Mighty food bank.
5. Check out a local band at one of Gainesville music venues and then walk over to Karma Cream for a sugary night cap. If you haven’t tried their cookie dough cupcake, you haven’t really lived.
6. The Samuel P. Harn museum is an underrated gem. Show off your artistic knowledge and browse the new exhibits that pop up. Don’t forget to spend some time gazing at the Monet.
7. Three words. Coffee, dessert and board games. Skip the booze and cozy up in a booth at Maude’s for a good ole fashion scrabble game or chess match. Loser buys a slice of cheesecake from the counter.
8. When UF classes end, take advantage of the empty campus. Climb trees, have a picnic in the Plaza of the Americas and catch some rays in the stadium.
9. A classier version of “Netflix and Chill” is a documentary screening at The Hippodrome. Share your compelling cinematic thoughts afterwards over chips and salsa at Boca Fiesta.
10. Grab post-dinner popsicles from The Hyppo and enjoy them as you stroll through downtown.
11. Spice up your weekend with a burlesque show at Market Street Pub. It’s dark, intimate and the drinks can’t be beat. Who knows? You might get inspired for a repeat performance at home.
12. Race to the top of the wall at the Gainesville Rock Gym. Belay on, love birds.
13. Pack up some fresh sammies (we recommend the deli counter at Lucky’s Market) and venture over to Bluefield Estate Winery for some Florida-esque wine tasting and a picnic.
14. Grab the all-you-can-eat brunch at Cafe C and then shop around together at the Haven Hospice Attic Resale down the street. People leave some pretty weird shit behind when they die. You can score some vintage records or just have a laugh at the absurd tchotchkes.
15. Skip the sit down dinner and try a new food truck. Start here.
16. Work up a sweat. Take a hot yoga class at Big Ron’s together or, guys, let your woman drag you to “Bring a Boy to Barre” class at Barre Forte. Follow up your workout with a beer at Swamp Head’s taproom.
17. Shoot some pool at Palomino’s. Loser has to do their most embarrassing dance moves at The Backyard next door.
18. Buy the biggest bag of carrots you can find and head over to Mill Creek horse sanctuary. You can wander around, read the stories of the retired/abused horses and pass out your carrots to the noble steeds.
19. Channel your inner Banksy and head to Norman Tunnel with some paint. You can paint an intricate mural of your love or something silly for passer-bys to enjoy the next day. Cap off the evening with a couple whip-its. Just kidding on that last part.
20. Pretend you’re in Munich and grab a hearty stein of beer at The Midnight. Grab a game off the shelf or find a spot at the outdoor picnic tables to conversate.
21. Wander the local farmers market on Wednesday. Buy some fresh produce you’ve never been bold enough to try and get cooking. (We’re talking about you, chard.)
22. Speaking of cooking, take a cooking class together at The Fat Tuscan. Italian food is pretty hard to fuck up, so it should be a stress-free experience.
23. The butterfly rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History is must-do. Your heart just might flutter as much as the butterflies do. The butterflies are more dormant in colder temperatures, so be sure to go when it’s warm out (95 percent of the year).
24. Head over to First Magnitude Brewing. Sample their different guest taps with a flight and then proceed to play oversized Jenga or corn hole. Our advice? don’t trust anyone who doesn’t appreciate a good stout.
25. Spend an afternoon at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Take a photo of one of the interesting plant-based recipe cards and try it when you get home. Homemade lavender ice cream anyone?
26. Head to Tall Paul’s on an off night for an overly intense game tournament. Start with darts, then connect four, then foosball, then shuffle board and finally, the outrageously frustrating swinging ring game.
27. Check out one of the local u-pick farms and go pick your own fruit. This will help you establish an earthy couple vibe on Instagram.
28. Go to one of the record stores around town, file through the lesser known artists and make up elaborate stories about how you saw them in concert. She’ll think you’re smart and cultured, and if you fess up, she’ll flip and think you’re hilarious (or a conniving prick). Risk reward. We say it’s worth it.
29. Put on your dancing shoes and hit up a swing dance or salsa class. There are always random Groupons for local lessons or you can hunt down the schedules on Facebook. If you have two left feet, skip this idea and see a podiatrist immediately.
30. Go on a Gainesville adventure with a specific exploration goal. Visit every coffee shop within city limits. Share a slice of pizza at every pizza place. Why? Just because. Plus, you’ll find out definitively which local spots are your favorite.
31. Head to the Loblolly Woods and collect shark teeth in Hogtown Creek. Grab a colander and read this quick guide to become archeological experts.
32. Have a thrifty day of romance. Tour all of the local thrift stores. Everyone needs a vintage jacket with shoulder pads, right?
33. When it starts to cool down and it’s not 97 percent humidity outside, grab a blanket and a cuddle buddy and head South on 13th Street to the Paynes Prairie look out. Pack a thermos full of hot coffee or cider, sit your happy ass on top of your car and marvel at the sunset.
34. Spend a leisurely morning enjoying some bubbly. Check out our guide for the best bottomless mimosas in town and drink up like the classy couple you are.
35. UF’s campus is famous for the flight of the bats every evening over Museum Road, so head to the bat conservatory and marvel at the mass exodus of winged mammals.
36. Grab a craft cocktail from The Jones and people watch on their charming outdoor patio.
And if you’re still together in the morning…check out our guide to breakfast in the Ville.
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