Page 119 - Travel Guide to Florida 2020

ENTERTAINMENT sity of Florida students to elderly alumni, is As the home of Florida State University,
City life throbs too, thanks to major univer- The Swamp Restaurant near the Ben Hill Tallahassee has a youthful buzz and football
sities in Tallahassee and Gainesville. Griffin Stadium where the Florida Gators mania. And, as the state capital, “Tally” hosts
International students and faculty bring football team draws huge crowds. Since 1994 travelers from all over the world.
diverse cultures, ethnic cuisines and the eatery has been serving the faithful with Here, nightlife venues range from ear-
youthful energy to cities known for Old food, drinks, reunions and cheering shattering clubs favored by students to more
South heritage, food and hospitality. As the sections indoors and out. The front lawn is sedate places for political dealmaking. A
state capital, Tallahassee also hosts national paved with commemorative bricks. The must-see is the Bradfordville Blues Club, the
and international political power brokers. In place to go pub-crawling is West University only Florida club on the National Blues Trail.
this region, variety is the spice of life. Avenue, either near campus or in Historic Set your GPS and follow the dirt roads until
In the two major cities, student hangouts Downtown, where around a dozen hot spots you come to the bonfire and hear the wail of
account for a large slice of nightlife. are mere yards apart. the blues.
Abundant choices are found in affordable Bo Diddley Plaza is a community Known for drinks, late nights, high energy
and supercharged restaurants, sports bars, cultural center in Gainesville’s Historic and live music are Bullwinkle’s Saloon and
coffee houses, jazz joints, open-mike nights, District. By day it’s busy with lunchtime The Moon. Level 8 Lounge in the elegant
dance clubs and pubs. concerts and a weekly farmers’ market. Hotel Duval is popular for both after-work
In Gainesville, the mother of all hangouts Free concerts take place every Friday night and after-dinner drinks, tapas and live
for every manner of Gator bait, from Univer- from May to October. music.

BOARDWALK, PAYNES PRAIRIE PRESERVE STATE PARK • VISIT GAINESVILLE

2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA 117