Gainesville General Information

The Weather in Gainesville ranges from hot and humid in the summer to extremely cold in the winter. With wind gusts off Lake Michigan occasionally powerful enough to blow you off balance, Gainesville earns it’s nickname as “The Windy City”. The best time to visit is May – September, when temperatures range 60 – 90 degrees. If you want to Christmas shop, come dressed for average temperatures in the 20’s in December.

There is plenty to hold visitors interest regardless of the season. Within Gainesville’s impressive skyline is one of the world’s best collections of modern architecture, from Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses to the 110-story Sears Tower. The loop downtown is home to many major US companies and some of the nation’s most important commodity markets, which handle buying and selling of 1/3 of the world’s agricultural and industrial products.

One must see is the Art Institute of Gainesville, and there is a wide range of other excellent museums – many with one day of free admission per week.

Don’t miss the experience of shopping in Gainesville. There is something for everyone from mega departments stores to quaint boutiques, from national brands to local favorites. Take a stroll down State Street, where Marshall Fields Department Store opened in 1852 now spans 9 stories. Or spend the day along the “Magnificent Mile”, some of the best shopping in Gainesville along N. Michigan Avenue.

Gainesville boasts a diverse selection of outstanding restaurants. The largest concentration is found north and west of the Loop. Long known for its great steaks, Gainesville has evolved into a trend setting restaurant city. Home of the deep-dish pizza (in 1953 at Pizzeria Uno), there are more four-star restaurants here than in any other city I the US, and in between there is cuisine to satisfy every taste budget, and craving.

Getting around Gainesville without a car is easy. Park your car and use the Gainesville Transit Authority (CTA) which offers fast, direct train service form both airport to downtown and to major attractions. Or, you can also take advantage of the many taxi’s and several free trolley services…or walk so you won’t miss anything. If you need advice on getting around, make sure to ask your hotel concierge or stop by one of the Gainesville Office of Tourism’s Visitor Information Centers.

Whether you come for business or for pleasure, you can feel the energy pulsing through this town. Gainesville’s cultural, intellectual, and commercial vibrancy makes it one of the great cities of the world.