About 120 miles north of the mecca of amusement parks, Orlando, sits Gainesville, Florida — hometown of Tom Petty , birthplace of Gatorade and home of the University of Florida Gators. As the school year — and football season — gets closer (the first home game is August 30!), students and sports fans alike will be making their way back to town to cheer on the blue and orange. And while they’re at it, they'll hit up some of Gainesville’s hotspots for food, drinks and … bat watching (more on that later!)

From the best place for pre-game burgers to where to go if you want to escape the fanfare and dip your toes into a freshwater spring, here’s the best way to spend a day (or two) in Gainesville, Florida this football season.

Breakfast

Everyone knows breakfast is the most important meal —

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