This page last updated:
03.25.26 at 2:25 pm
Welcome to a completely unofficial suggestion of places to visit on UF campus and nearby. Here’s my recommended places with nice views or good eating.
View Nick’s Places on Google Maps
Or continued reading the list below:
On Campus
1. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Take a photo with the iconic Gator statue on the SW corner of the stadium grounds. They aren’t consistent with maintaining open field hours. It’s worth a stroll to see if you can get in. You’ll end up next to the old engineering building. It’s a nice little corner of campus. 🐊 Stadium Hours
2. Century Tower
This is my favorite area of campus. The tower sits right next to the music auditorium and is just south of the main library. There’s a Starbucks inside the main library if you need a snack or refresher. Every fifteen minutes, the tower bells ring their timeless notes. Rumor has it that every time a virgin graduates from UF, a brick falls from the building. You’ll notice it remains intact to this day. 🙃 More about the Century Tower
3. Carleton Auditorium
With over 600 seats, it’s the largest lecture hall on UF Campus. Sometimes, the doors are left unlocked after classes. This classroom is not the norm, but it is an impressive view to take in. It’s kind of mind bendy to take in the size of this classroom. Fun fact: my first job at UF was providing technical support in the classrooms. Imagine hundreds of heads turning your way as the professor declares, “Here comes the tech guy to fix it!” I didn’t have the vocabulary to describe the feeling at the time. Today, we call it intense social anxiety. 😨 Photos of Carleton Auditorium
4. Plaza of the Americas
Great people-watching spot with plenty of benches. When students protest, this is where they do it typically. This large lawn area is directly in front of the main library with nice views of the music auditorium and Century Tower. 🪧 More about The Plaza
5. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries
This is the main library and has a Starbucks inside it on the ground floor. Visitors can stroll through this building without a UF ID card. 📚 More about the Main Library
6. The Baughman Center
This place describes itself as “Designed to bring the picturesque outdoor setting inside, the soaring windows and delicate natural materials echo the serene Florida surroundings.” I think they did a great job. Situated on Lake Alice with nice landscaping surrounding it, it’s a great place to stroll.
The “Bat Houses” are nearby. Many people enjoy watching thousands of bats leave their homes at sunset. I always think this would be funny from the bat’s perspective. Little bat says, “Mommy, why are all these people waiting for us to go to fly?” Mom says, “They are just a strange people, Timmybat.” 🦇 More about the Baughman Center
Note: It’s a good 15 to 20 minute walk from the UF Bookstore to the Baughman Center. It could be a miserable walk on a humid summer afternoon. If you can, opt for a morning visit.
Off Campus
Need a good meal? Or perhaps need to be a little productive while here? That’s where the UF Hilton comes in.
1. 4-Rivers Smokehouse
This place tops the list for a reason. It’s just damn good BBQ. I’ve sent a lot of folks this way. I’ve been meaning to connect with a manager over there to see if I can score a free dinner for all of the referrals I make. 🍽️ For my money, it’s the brisket. But, all of their food is great. 4-Rivers Smokehouse Website
2. Blaze Pizza
Basically, it’s a build-your-own custom pizza with some premium ingredients like roasted garlic and the like. Try to plan your pizza toppings in advance to keep the line moving. If you have occasional sensory overload related to loud noises, you might opt to get your food to go. This place can be quite the ruckus. “Could you describe the ruckus, sir?” If you know, you know. 💁🏻♂️ Blaze Pizza Website
3. Hilton University of Florida Conference Center
Okay, it’s pretty standard bar food. But, during happy hour (5pm to 6pm), the quesadillas are half-price and quite good. One quesadilla can likely feed two average adults. Also, the bartenders here are great.
That said, I mostly added this place in case you need to print something. There’s a PC and printer in the lobby. They don’t charge for printing. Quick note: there doesn’t seem to be free WiFi anymore for non-guests. 🫤
But, now, back to the bar – need an adult beverage? Feeling daring? Ask for the “Nick Special”. The bartender will likely be confused; so then ask for a Grey Goose extra-dry martini with blue-cheese stuffed olives. Let’s try to make the “Nick Special” a thing. It would be soooo fetch! 🍸 Don’t knock it until you try it. More about UF Hilton
4. Krispy Kreme
According to a random person on Reddit, if you download their app, you’ll receive a notification when freshly made hot donuts are available. I hate apps. But, their donuts are great. Krispy Kreme
5. MacDinton’s GNV
Get. The. Smash. Burger. That’s all I need to say. But, what if you’re a vegan? Umm .. maybe stop complicating peoples’ lives? I kid, I kid! There’s a veggie burger option. I’m not sure if it’s good to be honest. The mac ‘n cheese bites are pretty great though. MacDinton’s Website
Note: As of March 2026, they don’t seem to have the full menu during lunch hours. The smash burger is still on the limited lunch menu, though.
6. The Top
I think of the top as “very Gainesville”. It’s quirky, fun – and also a little loud. The Top has a wide-ranging menu. The wait can be long during prime dining hours, though. There’s a large nice outdoor seating area in the back. The Top Website
7. The Swamp Restaurant
A classic Gainesville establishment. This place always seems kind of preppy/sporty to me. It’s not really my scene, but it’s a favorite for many Gator fans. The “Freshman 15 Burger” is a cute marketing idea, though. 🍔 The Swamp Restaurant Website
If you like pretentious college students that are wearing way too much cologne and the best polo in their closet to impress the uninterested girls at the bar, this is the place for you. LoL. Again, I kid! … mostly. This is actually a family-friendly place too. I don’t think they’ll be hooking me up with a free dinner anytime soon, though. 🤷🏻♂️ I roast because I care. And also because it’s a little too accurate.
8. Target
Just a quick note to let you know there’s a Target store on Archer Road close to I-75. I’m not saying I dislike Walmart. Here’s something nice about Walmart: Every time I go into a Walmart, the floors are always clean because some woman is dragging their kicking and screaming child across it. 🤣 Target Website
9. Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College
This is a good 20 minute-drive from UF. But it’s one of my favorite places to unwind and fuel my imagination. If you’re looking for some wholesome family fun, this is the place to go. One of my most vivid childhood memories to this day is my first visit to a planetarium. I was so puzzled as a kid. “How did he make it rain inside?” Spoiler: They used a squirt gun. Planetarium Website
Note: The Santa Fe College campus is actually quite pleasant. The lawns and green areas on the inside of the campus while the buildings are viewed from the outside. The area in front of the SF Library is my favorite part of campus. There’s a coffee shop inside the main library – but hours are often limited on weekends. SF Library Website
10. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (Gainesville, Florida) is a 68 acre non profit facility comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ½ mile paved walkway. You can spend up to two or three hours browsing around there. If you want to melt like that witch in The Wizard of Oz, go on a summer afternoon. Otherwise, opt for a morning visit. Botanical Gardens Website
Next Steps?
If you want to help the student workers here at the bookstore, I suggest completing the survey at the bottom of your receipt. The quarterly bonus plan is contingent on the numbers of surveys returned and “highly satisfied” customer ratings. Even if you were only mildly satisfied, maybe share a little white lie to help my co-workers buy some premium ramen?
If you’re like me, you might have realized you haven’t checked TikTok yet today. So, close this page and have a productive doom scroll. 🥲 “I feel attacked,” said your student from the back seat of the car.
If you found some value from this page, perhaps consider buying me a cup of coffee? It’s happy hour somewhere.
Buy Me a Cup of Coffee (Yeah *cough* coffee, right?)
Oh .. if you clicked the coffee link, you might be wondering: Why Nick Bluestar? Fun fact: That’s the screenname I use on TikTok. I’ve made some fan theory videos about the Apple TV Plus show Severance. If you want to ruin the remaining seasons of Severance, watch my videos on TikTok. Fair warning: I actually think I figured out some major upcoming plot points. You’ll find some other sci-fi content I made there too.
Contact: nick.edu@proton.me
astermedia.org 