Located just off of NE State Road 24, the Bartram is the most conveniently located complex in the area. It is a reasonable two-mile walk to the University of Florida main campus, or a one-mile walk to the 126 bus route which cuts across the campus along Museum Road. By car, just drive north on SW 23 DR and then turn left onto Mowry Road. The UF College of Veterinary Medicine, and the VA Medical Center, are even easier to get to. Leave your car at home and walk just under one mile to either campus.
Nature lovers will easily gravitate to Lake Alice, a 130-acre nature preserve, located a short distance away. An alternate, and very scenic, destination is the Bivens Rim Forest, another large nature preserve nearby. There are also numerous wetlands, lakes, conservation areas and nature parks all around Gainesville that are perfect for day trips.
Athletes and sports fans will appreciate the many stadiums and sports complexes in Gainesville and on the UF campus. This area boasts two local golf courses: the University Golf Course, and the Mark Bostic Golf Course, which is the home course for both the men’s and women’s Florida Gators golf teams.
There are three shopping malls within two to three miles: the Westgate Regency Shopping Center, which features a Publix market; as well as the Butler Enterprises and Butler Plaza West malls. Additionally, the shops of downtown Gainesville are a short commute by car or bus.
Popular nearby restaurants include Chuy’s, a Tex-Mex eatery, offering large portions in a retro-styled setting. There are several other restaurants established along SR-24, just west of the Bartram, including an Outback Steakhouse, a Chili’s as well as several other grills. The downtown area, about three miles northeast of this complex, hosts an internationally diverse set of restaurants such as sushi, Indian, Italian and Mexican, to list a few.
Regal has two movie theatres in the area; the Gainesville Cinema 14 located just west of this complex near the intersection of SR-24 and 34th St. The other Regal theatre, the Royal Park 16, is on University Avenue, just west of 34th street. There are several theatres and performing arts centers that host live productions including dance, indie films, plays and musicals. You won’t have to wander more than a few miles to get your culture fix.