Being downtown doesn’t have to mean expensive shopping or far away from everything. What it does mean, is unique. And it’s everything you need in one small compact locale. The Sun Center is great for a date or an afternoon out with friends.

On Wednesdays the Sun Center turns into a Farmer’s Market. People from all over come to the Union Street Station and set up their booths and sell fresh produce, home made soaps, hand crafted handbags, Native American flutes, honey and so much more. The prices are reasonable and haggling is allowed. If you like the earthy feeling of buy fresh produce, this is the place to do it. Stop by the Heaven Scents Candles booth. She makes her own candles and they smell amazing. Several people grow their own tomatoes, carrots and corn and sell them at the Union Street Farmer’s Market. My favorite thing to buy here is the fresh tomatoes. The man I usually buy them from will cut one up and then sprinkle it with salt and pepper for me. I like to eat it while I walk around and look at all the unique wears.

Looking for a little something special for the wonderful woman in your life? Not only does the Sun Center have great food, performances and people; they also have a little shop called Simply Gorgeous.

This small store is packed with wonderful items that will make any woman smile. Products like Vera Bradley, Birchcraft Studios, Arthur Court, Webkins, Pandora and so much more! Webkins are perfect for a little girl. A few children that I care for love them and are trying to collect all the different characters. Vera Bradley makes those beautiful quilt material handbags and wallets. Simply Gorgeous is always up to date on all the new seasons and styles from Vera Bradley. Arthur Court carries an array of serve ware and other items such as wine racks, coolers, platters and picture frames, all inspired by nature. Whatever the occasion Simply Gorgeous is your one stop shop for the special woman in your life.

The Hippodrome State Theatre located in Union Street Station (also known as the Sun Center) brings great theatrical performances to Gainesville. The Hippodrome has brought back the hilarious comedy “The Great American Trailer Park Musical.” This play has gotten such great reviews last year that they had to bring it back for round two! The ambiance at the front steps of The Hippodrome has been compared to the Metropolitan Theater steps in New York as a great place to just sit and hang out during the show’s intermission. Combine that with the full bar on the first floor, and you have a great night on the town.

All of Maude’s menu items are named after famous rock legends; like David Bowie and B.B. King. For years Maude’s just offered coffee and desserts. In recent years they remodeled and they now offer salads, sandwiches, and vegetarian and vegan selections. Sit and relax on their outdoor patio with free wifi or play a board game. Maude’s has an entire selection of board games that will bring you back to your childhood. Uno, Connect Four, Clue, Battleship and Master Mind, just to name a few.

After the show walk 10 steps to your right and you will be at the eccentric little café known as Maude’s. Maude’s has an old time atmosphere and they are always playing some sort of hipster movie in the back room. Order a chai latte and a B.B. King, a warm fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup on top. The chai lattés are sweet and cream and have the perfect amount of spice. They come in those really big mugs that make you feel like you are at the Central Perk with the cast of FRIENDS.

Maude’s has been there since 1995 and I will never go anywhere else for great coffee and desserts. I remember being in high school and going to Maude’s with my best friends. We would sit on their patio and play board games for hours. It is a place that brings back old memories and builds new ones.

All of these wonderful locations are within walking distance from each other. When you stop by tell them you read about them at gatormagazine.com

Guys if you really want to make her see stars when she thinks about you, let’s put a new twist on your “dinner and a movie” Friday night. Forget about the stars of the silver screen and check out the REAL stars at the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium on the Santa Fe College campus located in Building X. Inside the dome shaped building, you will be transported to outer space viewing stars, planets and other celestial bodies. Shows are on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and they even have kid friendly shows to help little minds grow and wander the galaxies.

Every Friday night at 7pm the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium features “Southern Nights”, a show telling how to identify planets and constellations from here in North Central Florida. This is a never ending series and no two shows are the same. After the show from Fall to Spring, go outside and take the opportunity to view the stars yourself through the provided telescopes.

Saturday nights at the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium are more about Astrology than Astronomy when they show “What’s Your Sign?”, a show that tells whether you really are a Capricorn or a Taurus. Many people go by what they read in magazines or on the internet, but “What’s Your Sign?” will show you how Astrology is really done through the stars. For more information on the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium or directions  call them at (352) 395-5225. Tell them you saw it on gatormagazine.com.

Before your star gazing night begins, stop by Cabana Cove for an incredible Caribbean inspired meal like their Plantain Crusted Mahi Mahi or their Coconut Shrimp served with a tropical salsa and make sure to grab a basket of Yuca served with homemade jungle juice for dipping. Cabana Cove is a taste of the Keys and Caribbean right here in Gainesville. Located off NW 43^rd Street, across from Thornebrooke Village, Cabana Cove offers delicious tropical dinners and gourmet pizzas for those who are looking for great food at modest prices. You can call Cabana Cove at (352) 377-3287 and tell them you saw Cabana Cove on gatormagazine.com.