At the Hotel Indigo Gainesville-Celebration Pointe, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. The hotel's prime location off Interstate-75 offers easy access to explore the University of Florida, local corporations and the historic downtown, as well as pristine natural habitats. The design of the 140 guest rooms nods to the local landscape with touches of wood and earthy tones, while providing luxurious amenities like C.O. Bigelow bath amenities, Frette linens, spa-inspired showers and locally sourced minibars. After a sound rest, you can start your day with a workout at the fitness center with its floor-toceiling windows, sample the locally inspired fare at the restaurant and relax with a cool drink by the outdoor pool and patio.
On-Site Fitness Center Available
Hotel Indigo's location inside the meticulously landscaped Tech Park makes it the ideal spot to delve into Celebration Pointe, a planned community with 1 million square feet of dining, entertainment, shopping, office space and luxury apartments and townhouses. The oak-lined City Walk features a range of shops and restaurants, while the 10-screen Regal Cinemas offers king-size recliners and a full-service restaurant and bar. If you're a nature lover, the paved Archer Braid Trail is just steps away, linking Celebration Pointe to the rest of scenic Gainesville.
The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens are just two miles west of the hotel, yet feel a world away. The 62-acre grounds span unique environments like the serene bamboo forest, an labyrinthine herb garden and a pond with water lilies pads that look more like platters than plants.
Steps from the hotel, the Archer Braid Trail connects the cities of Gainesville and Archer. The six-mile paved pathway is perfect for cyclists, runners or anyone in the mood for a stroll under the canopy of dreamy, Spanish moss-covered oak trees and other native foliage.
Touring the University of Florida's 2,000-acre campus, you'll see a blend of Gothic and contemporary architecture, like the carved facades of original buildings and the glass-faceted Reitz Union. Don't forget to stop by the famous “French Fries" sculpture in front of Marston Science Library for an Instagram-worthy pose.
Just east of campus, the historic downtown beckons with its cobblestone streets and local eats. Whether you're hankering for some ramen or gourmet popsicles, looking for vintage records, or planning a night of barbecue and karaoke—this is the place to be in Gainesville.
As the epicenter of the historic downtown, Bo Diddley Plaza is a popular stage for musicians of all genres—blues, folk, indie—especially during Free Fridays concert series that runs between May and October. The outdoor space is also home to the weekly Farmers Market, community yoga classes and festivals.
Bands have been rocking out since the '80s at the High Dive, an intimate, live music venue. The reclaimed pine-lined walls and eclectic art make for a perfect backdrop for a diverse range of music and even burlesque performances. Outside, the beer garden serves over 30 beers from local breweries.
Students and locals alike flock to Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on the edge of the university. The center hosts dozens of renowned artists every season—the Martha Graham Dance Company and internationally acclaimed Danish String Quartet are just a few examples in the long list of performers that have appeared there.
It only makes sense that Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Tom Petty's hometown should have a riveting music scene. Whatever you have a taste for acoustic or punk rock, downtown Gainesville offers it: Spots like Loosey's, Maude's Sidecar, Rockeys Dueling Piano Bar and The Wooly will keep you entertained without fail.
Hotel Indigo Gainesville-Celebration Pointe is equidistant to both Patticakes locations in Halie Plantation Village and the downtown. Here, you can indulge in the signature “Black Tie" cupcake — a chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting — and other sweet treats.
At Swamp Head Brewery, you can tour the facility and sample local beers inspired by its Sunshine State location. Among the creative flavors are the Wild Night honey cream ale, the Cottonmouth Belgian-style witbier and the Snakes on the Paynes Double IPA brewed with Paynes Prairie honey.
Known for innovative rolls, like the Cobra Kai (a crab-and-salmon masterpiece made with lemon, garlic-shiso pesto and berry balsamic), Dragonfly Sushi is always packed with locals. It doesn't hurt that the fish is flown in from Japan and the produce comes from local farms.
Brunch at the Paramount Grill is a must, because of innovative selections, like the andouille sausage-broccoli and gorgonzola omelette or a braised bison short rib breakfast burrito. More traditional choices — like the almond-crusted French toast — also are worth trying.
