Things to Do in Downtown High Springs, FL: Restaurants, Breweries, Shops & Nearby Springs

High Springs, Florida is one of North Central Florida’s best small-town destinations for travelers who want a little bit of everything: charming downtown streets, local restaurants, antique shops, coffee, craft beer, live music, and easy access to some of Florida’s most beautiful freshwater springs. Located about 20 miles northwest of Gainesville, High Springs is known for its natural springs, the Santa Fe River, tubing, kayaking, cave diving, hiking, and old Florida character.

For guests staying with StayGainesville, High Springs makes a wonderful day trip, weekend getaway, or home base for exploring the springs. You can spend the morning browsing local shops, enjoy lunch downtown, cool off at a nearby spring in the afternoon, and come back for dinner, dessert, or a drink at High Springs Brewing Company. The City of High Springs describes its downtown today as a place with diverse shops, eateries, bed-and-breakfasts, small motels, the Community Playhouse, and access to year-round outdoor recreation on the Santa Fe River and surrounding natural areas.

Whether you are visiting for a springs trip, a UF weekend, a family getaway, a girls’ weekend, or a quiet Florida escape, here are the best things to do in downtown High Springs, FL.

Start with Downtown High Springs Restaurants, Cafes, and Breweries

Downtown High Springs has an impressive food scene for a small town. The restaurants are relaxed, locally loved, and easy to pair with a day of shopping or springs-hopping.

A great place to begin is The Great Outdoors Restaurant, one of High Springs’ best-known downtown dining spots. Located in historic High Springs, The Great Outdoors offers classic and modern American dishes, hand-cut steaks, seafood, craft cocktails, beer, wine, vegetarian options, vegan options, gluten-free options, patio dining, live music, and Opera House music events.  This is a strong choice for dinner after a day on the river, date night, family dinner, or an easy meal with out-of-town guests.

For craft beer, stop at High Springs Brewing Company, a family-owned and family-operated brewery and the first craft brewery in High Springs.  The brewery is a favorite gathering place downtown, with a casual taproom, outdoor space, and a rotating food truck calendar. It is also part of the Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail, which makes it a fun stop for visitors exploring local breweries around the Gainesville area.

Right across from the brewery, Prohibition Pizza is a must-visit for pizza lovers. The restaurant describes itself as a family-driven New York-style pizza spot in the heart of High Springs, with handmade dough, fresh natural ingredients, artisan pizzas, wings, salads, desserts, and a community-focused atmosphere. Their dough is fermented for 72 hours, and toppings are sliced fresh daily.  This is an especially easy pairing with High Springs Brewing Company: grab pizza, enjoy downtown, and make an evening of it.

For a hearty casual meal, The Steak-Out at High Springs is another downtown favorite. Located on High Springs Main Street, The Steak-Out serves cheesesteaks, pizza, salads, sandwiches, and American comfort food.  It is a good option when your group wants something casual and filling after swimming, tubing, kayaking, or shopping.

If you are in the mood for Mexican food, El Patio offers a High Springs location on Main Street with a menu that includes Mexican favorites such as fajitas, burritos, chalupas, chile rellenos, chimichangas, enchiladas, tamales, tostadas, salads, and flautas.  This is a nice choice for families, groups, and anyone looking for an easy sit-down meal.

For breakfast, lunch, burgers, sandwiches, and classic comfort food, Blue Star Grill is a practical stop. Their menu includes breakfast items like omelets, pancakes, waffles, French toast, breakfast sandwiches, and Benedicts, along with lunch and dinner options such as wings, clubs, wraps, subs, burgers, pasta, fried dinners, salads, soups, and desserts.

Another casual dining option is Watershed Restaurant, which lists menu sections including starters, tacos, nachos, salads, handhelds, burgers, baskets, drinks, desserts, dips, chips, and kids’ meals.  This is a good option for groups looking for relaxed pub-style food near downtown.

For something different, Spins: Sweet & Savory offers a fast-casual concept built around Hungarian chimney cake bread, also known as Kürtőskalács, with sweet and savory fillings.  It is a memorable stop because it is not something guests will find everywhere.

For coffee, baked goods, and gifts, stop by Colsie Coffee & Bakeshop. Their social pages describe Colsie as a downtown High Springs spot for espresso, baked goods, and gifts.  For dessert, Florida Creamery High Springs is a vintage-inspired ice cream shop on US 27 in downtown High Springs.

You can also visit Serendipity Soda & Sweets, a neighborhood spot for homemade ice cream, handcrafted sodas, candies, and antiques through Heritage Row.  It is especially fun for families, couples, and anyone who loves an old-fashioned soda fountain feel.

For a local bakery stop, The Station Bakery & Cafe is a small, family-owned and operated bakery and cafe in High Springs.  And for a classic casual burger stop, Bev’s Better Burgers is another longtime High Springs name; Visit Florida describes Bev’s as a classic American drive-in-style spot with picnic tables.

Shop Downtown High Springs: Antiques, Gifts, Art, and Local Finds

One of the best ways to enjoy downtown High Springs is to park once and wander. The downtown area is known for antiques, vintage goods, art, gifts, and locally owned shops. Visit Florida specifically highlights the High Springs Farmers Market, Unique Notions, Antique Center of High Springs, The Bird Nest: Vintage Market, Decades on Main, and The Mantle as shopping stops in High Springs.

Start with Decades on Main, a large antique and vintage shop on High Springs Main Street. Their listings describe Decades as a downtown shop with 16 rooms and around 6,000 square feet of antiques, vintage pieces, home decor, furniture, jewelry, gifts, books, art, and curated finds.  It is the kind of store where guests can spend a lot more time than expected.

Another strong antique stop is the Antique Center of High Springs, which features vintage and period pieces such as books, typewriters, tinware, pottery, tools, toys, kitchenware, china, furniture, and other collectibles.

For decor, antiques, and gifts, The Bird Nest: Vintage Market is located on High Springs Main Street and features furniture, home decor, vintage goods, antiques, candles, jewelry, and gift items.  If you enjoy browsing for unique home pieces, this is an easy downtown stop to add to your list.

For art lovers, Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies is both an art gallery and an art supply store in downtown High Springs. Lanza features fine art, paintings, jewelry, pottery, local artisan work, and quality art and craft supplies.

For gifts, candles, crystals, plants, apothecary items, and local art, Unique Notions is another downtown shop to visit. Listings describe it as an eclectic market featuring local art, herbal apothecary items, small-batch soy candles, crystals, plants, and fair-trade goods.

The Mantle Boutique is an upscale resale boutique with furniture, home decor, gifts, and an ever-changing selection of unique finds.  Lion’s Lair Boutique is a downtown boutique specializing in lingerie, swimwear, apparel, garment care, gift cards, and in-person or remote fittings.

Additional local shopping stops include Thompson Flower Shop, a High Springs florist and gift shop on High Springs Main Street; On The Hunt of High Springs, a gift shop with toys, purses, jewelry, hunting apparel, and outdoor-themed items; and Lace & Grace Couture, a local boutique with clothing and pickup or shipping options.

For local produce, handmade goods, and community atmosphere, plan your visit around the High Springs Farmers Market. The market is located at 23517 NW 185th Road in downtown High Springs and is open year-round on Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Add Arts, History, and Small-Town Entertainment

High Springs is not just a food-and-springs destination. It also has local arts, history, and community entertainment. High Springs Playhouse offers live community theater, with showtimes typically listed for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees.

The High Springs Museum is located downtown behind City Hall inside the Old Schoolhouse and offers a look at local history. The museum lists Saturday hours from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and free admission, with donations welcomed.

For guests who love minerals, crystals, gemstone jewelry, and unusual gifts, High Springs Emporium Rock Shop is another worthwhile High Springs stop. The shop describes itself as the Springs Heartland’s oldest rock and mineral shop, offering minerals, crystals, gemstone jewelry, and gifts.

Explore the Springs Near High Springs, FL

High Springs is famous for its access to some of Florida’s most beautiful natural springs. These springs make the area especially popular for swimming, snorkeling, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, camping, and scuba diving.

Ginnie Springs Outdoors is one of the most well-known springs destinations near High Springs. Ginnie Springs features seven crystal-clear springs with 72-degree water year-round, along with swimming, snorkeling, diving, paddling, tubing, camping, and rentals such as tubes, paddleboards, and diving equipment.

Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is another beautiful nearby destination. The park includes Gilchrist Blue, a second-magnitude spring with outstanding water clarity, plus Little Blue Spring, Naked Spring, Kiefer Spring, and Johnson Spring. Swimming, snorkeling, paddling, hiking, picnicking, camping, and nature study are popular activities there.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a classic North Florida springs experience. The park is known for the Ichetucknee River, eight major crystal-clear springs, tubing, paddling, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and nature trails.

Poe Springs Park is an Alachua County park near High Springs with picnic shelters and Santa Fe River access. The county park page is the best place to check current water-area status, hours, and seasonal entrance fees before planning a swim day.

Rum Island Spring and Park gives visitors access to the Santa Fe River and Rum Island Spring. It is a more natural, low-key place for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sunning, canoeing, and river access.

For hiking, camping, and a more wooded state park experience, visit O’Leno State Park and River Rise Preserve State Park. These parks are closely tied to the Santa Fe River landscape and offer outdoor recreation near High Springs.

If you want a guided paddling experience, Adventure Outpost offers guided kayak and canoe tours across North Florida waterways.  For rentals and shuttle-supported paddling, Rum 138 offers kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals, local art, events, and access to Santa Fe River adventures.  Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures also offers Santa Fe River paddling experiences, including the “8 Springs in 8 Miles” paddle trip starting at Poe Springs Park.

High Springs is also a major destination for cave diving and scuba. Cave Country Dive Shop offers snorkeling, scuba, rental equipment, technical dive support, gas fills, service, and courses.  Extreme Exposure is another High Springs dive shop offering scuba gear, technical diving equipment, training, repairs, guided diving, and Florida cave training.

A Perfect High Springs Day Trip Itinerary

For an easy High Springs day, start with coffee at Colsie Coffee & Bakeshop, then spend the morning browsing Decades on Main, Lanza Gallery, Unique Notions, The Bird Nest, The Mantle, and the Antique Center of High Springs. Stop for lunch at The Great Outdoors, El Patio, Blue Star Grill, The Steak-Out, or Prohibition Pizza.

In the afternoon, head to Ginnie Springs, Gilchrist Blue Springs, Rum Island, Poe Springs, or Ichetucknee Springs, depending on whether your group wants swimming, tubing, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, or a quieter river day. After your springs adventure, return downtown for dinner, live music, pizza, ice cream, or a relaxed evening at High Springs Brewing Company.

Stay IN High Springs with StayGainesville

High Springs is the kind of destination guests remember. It feels relaxed, local, outdoorsy, and charming all at once. You can browse antique shops, support small businesses, enjoy local food, listen to live music, visit a brewery, explore the Santa Fe River, and cool off in crystal-clear spring water — all in one trip.

Whether you are visiting High Springs for the springs, a weekend getaway, a UF trip, or a North Florida adventure, StayGainesville gives you a comfortable home base for exploring the area. Book your stay, slow down, and enjoy one of North Central Florida’s most charming small towns.

Don’t just visit High Springs. Stay nearby, explore more, and make the most of your North Florida getaway with StayGainesville.