Sunday brunch has gotten to be a big deal in Gainesville.
And what’s not to like? Mimosas. Eggs Benedict. Meeting up with friends to see and be seen.
But, really, anybody can drive to brunch. Why not turn your Sunday brunch trip into an adventure on two wheels? A journey of exploration?
Here’s a leisurely Sunday brunch bike ride that will show you the best Gainesville has to offer on your way to your favorite cafe or restaurant.
Mile zero: Begin at Depot Park of course. Take a pre-brunch lap around the ponds and past the Cade before heading south on the Depot Avenue rail-trail.
Mile .07: Take a brief loop through Porter’s Quarter to see the shipping container house.
Mile 1.8: Cross the DNA Bridge. Take a selfie under its orange strands.
Mile 2.5: Cross Archer Road and enter UF campus for a lap around Lake Alice.
Mile 4.1: Stop and stroll the boardwalk though UF’s Natural Area Teaching Laboratory. It’s a short walk through green serenity.
Mile 4.2: Arrive Museum of Florida History and The Harn. Hey, would a little culture kill you? And butterflies!
Mile 4.9: Selfie at the Baughman and the bat houses. Maybe see if you can spot any real gators in Lake Alice.
Mile 5.8: Get your photo taken perched on the big gator outside the football stadium. If you’re really feeling ambitious, take a pre-brunch stadium hike all the way to the top tier of seats and back down.
Mile 6.6: Century Tower. You know what to do.
Mile 6.8: First brunch opportunities on University Avenue. The Swamp, The Social, etc.
Mile 8.2: You can leave the route just past GPD and take a left on the rail-trail. Just one block north will take you to Afternoon, another prime brunch spot. Then back to the route.
Mile 8.7: Take a stroll through the Thomas Center Gardens.
Mile 9.5: Enter downtown Gainesville, a brunch target-rich environment. Emilianos, Harry’s,
Boca Fiesta, Paramount Grill, the Top, etc.
Mile 9.6: Hang a left at The Hipp. Grab a cuppa at Starbucks or Maude’s.
Mile 9.9: Take a ride through Sweetwater Park.
Mile 10.3: Selfie at GRU’s giant water ball.
Mile 10.4: Daily Green on left. Last brunch opportunity of the route.
Mile 10.8: Back at Depot Park. Continue on route for a post-brunch beer at First Mag. BTW: If you like the ride so much you don’t want to stop yet, just head east on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Tail to rack up some bonus miles.
12.2: Back at Depot Park again. Time for some Sunday Raggae at The Boxcar. The Cade should be open by now, and that’s always worth a visit. Plus, there’s usually a flea market at the park on Sunday.
Is Sunday brunch in Gainesville great or what?
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