The city of Gainesville is situated in the northeast area of George’s Hall county Atlanta.
Gainesville is popularly known as the poultry capital of the world and was founded by European American settlers
Far back in the 1800s, as a smuggler camp that is what grew to be the Gainesville city of today.
From the 1900s, Gainesville started attracting visitors and tourists because of its beautiful sights, such as Lake Sidney Lanier.
Therefore, by choosing to go to Gainesville for a vacation, or as a tourist, you are among the many thousands who have found and loved this great city.
Therefore now I’m going to be highlighting some of the great places you can see all activities to do while visiting Gainesville.
23 Fun activities and Places For You In Gainesville.
1. Lake Sidney Lanier
Address: Lake Lanier Rowing Club, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506,
Lake Sidney Lanier originated its name from a Georgia poet. The park was created by constructing a dam in the Chattahoochee River during the 1950s.
Because of its picturesque attractions, the lake draws a large crowd. It has a lovely beachfront and is one of the best things to see here.
The lake benefits the region in a variety of ways, including flood control, water supply, wildlife management, hydroelectricity, navigation, and so on.
If you’re planning a vacation, a stop here is a must.
The beautiful lake attracts over seven million visitors each year.
Rowing, kayaking, boating, waterboarding, fishing, open water swimming, and other recreational activities are available.
Accessing the lake is never a problem because there are numerous linkage points using boat ramps and park complexes that can accommodate a large crowd.
The lake also served as a venue for the Olympic Games in 1996.
Address: Lake Lanier Rowing Club, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506,
2. Northeast Georgia History Centre
Address: 322 Academy St NE, Gainesville, GA 30501,
The Northeast Georgia History Center is a museum whose primary aim is on preserving and sharing with people the history of this part of Georgia.
The notable edifices and artifacts that are found here have a long line of history that dates as far back as 11000 years.
An example of one is the construction of a wooden cabin in the eighteenth century, which was an area of dwelling for an iconic leader of the Cherokee nation.
The museum is also suitable for children, and you can bring the kids along to explore the history of this region.
3. Smithgall Arts Center
Address: 331 Spring St SW, Gainesville, GA 30501,
The Smithgall Arts Center is a non-profit association that is indigenous to Gainesville and recognized as The Arts Council.
You’ll find this art center in the central zone of the Gainesville arts and cultural region.
Presently, the art center is known to have outstanding leadership of art movements in Georgia and it also provides a vast array of performing literary arts, film plays, and visuals.
More so, the art center is available to the public to host conferences, corporate meetings, nuptials, small parties, etc.
4. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Address: 1755 Cleveland Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest possesses the best natural resources and outdoor recreation throughout Georgia.
The forest occupies about 867,000 acres of land cutting across 26 counties.
It also has 850 miles of walking trails, several picnic areas, campgrounds, beautiful streams and rivers, and many places where you could carry out recreational activities.
Inside the forest are species of flora and fauna, including black bears and bobcats, the forest entices a huge crowd of nature lovers and hikers from different locations.
If you enjoy nature’s view and wouldn’t mind a little walking in the forest you should try this out!
5. Chattahoochee Golf Club
Address: 301 Tommy Aaron Dr, Gainesville, GA 30506
The Chattahoochee Golf Club was constructed by a man named Robert Trend Jones Sr right on the bank of Lake Lanier, and it has been amongst the best open golf courses in North Georgia.
The Golf course Is found on 183 acres of farm area, part of the design was to allow simple passage, and it’s an incredible place to play golf for both scratch and amateur golfers.
Here is an excellent place to play golf, and you’ll also want to do this during spring. The Cherry trees, pear trees, and dogwoods are appealing to behold during this time.
6. Elachee Nature Science Center
Address: Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr, Gainesville, GA 30504,
Elachee is a word in Cherokee signifying New Green Earth.
The entire park shows why it is called Elachee, with its full vegetation.
The Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve is where this Elachee nature center is located right in the Upper Walnut Watershed.
This area is one of the natural regions prohibited from being destroyed by cotton plantations. This area of land is conserved for untold eras to come.
Tourists can walk and hike these trails which will be more enjoyable when done with family or friends.
Even children are not prevented from the fun activities as they can take part in camping events.
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7. Scott’s Downtown
Address: Scott’s Downtown, 131 Bradford Street NW, Gainesville, GA 30501
Scott’s Downtown is said to be one of Gainesville’s most popular restaurants. The restaurant is committed to serving only the best dishes to its customers.
They have a good customer relationship and provide visitors with the best dining experience possible, where good meals are combined with one-of-a-kind service and a fantastic wine menu, liquors, and beers.
Scott, a resident, owns the restaurant. The ingredients for these delectable dishes are sourced locally, and he supervises food preparation.
Their menu includes dishes such as Chilean sea bass and butter-poached lobster, as well as prime Angus Beef.
8. Kinsey Family Farm
Address: Kinsey Family Farm, 7170 Jot Em Down Road, Gainesville, GA 30506
The Kinsey Family Farm is a great place to have fun and be entertained. It’s a great place to take the whole family and should be on your list of fun things to do in Gainesville, GA.
The farm is a garden and nursery center that is ideal for families to visit in the fall. During this time of year, the farm entertains the children with activities such as fish feeding and animal feeding.
Winter Activities to do while touring the area include selecting the perfect Christmas tree and cutting down a Christmas tree.
Following that, you can warm up your body with hot chocolate from the shed. Monday through Saturday, the farm is open for visitors.
9. Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Atlantic Botanical Garden opened its doors in Gainesville in 2015.
If you enjoy horticulture, it should be at the top of your list of fun things to do in Gainesville.
The location has a wonderful outdoor garden facility for gardeners and nature lovers.
The terrain is lovely, with lovely garden displays that create a peaceful atmosphere.
The children are not forgotten in this lovely garden, as there is a Fairyland Trolley that connects two fairy villages in the children’s garden.
Adults can enjoy a walk on the beautiful trails that are surrounded by natural woodlands.
10. Alta Vista Cemetery
Address: 521 Jones St, Gainesville, GA 30501
The Alta Vista Cemetery dates back to 1872 when the city of Gainesville purchased 9.25 acres from Allen D. Candler.
The cemetery is a final resting place for Gainesville’s famous sons.
Here the graves of two former Georgia governors, a NASA astronaut, three Revolutionary War soldiers, and two famous songwriters are found.
Also included is the gravestone of Jesse Jewell, who helped make Gainesville the world’s poultry capital; both men are named after counties in Georgia.
The gravestone of Lt General James Longstreet, a well-known Confederate General, draws a lot of attention.
If you’re into history, then you’ll love this place as they can inspire you to dig deep into the lives of these important men and how they affected their society.
11. Downtown Drafts
Address: 115 Bradford St NE, Gainesville, GA 30501
Downtown Drafts is a one-of-a-kind beer shop that serves homemade beers.
If you enjoy good liquor, you should stop by on your way through the city.
The beer shop is family-owned and operated, and it welcomes visitors with children.
It has a cozy, welcoming ambiance as well as a large space for beer sampling of liquors made by breweries from the region as well as others from further away.
There is a rotating beer menu where you can be sure to find everything you want.
12. Quinlan Visual Arts Center
Address: 514 Green St NE, Gainesville, GA 30501
Quinlan Visual Art Center has provided a wide range of arts opportunities to help Gainesville become a culturally rich region for over 60 years.
The art center is located on historic Green Street in downtown Gainesville and is one of the area’s oldest arts organizations.
This is a place for art lovers/admirers, artists, students, and collectors.
The facility was founded in 1964 and later relocated to a larger space in 2004.
It now has five different gallery arenas that can hold as few as seven exhibitions per year, including two and three-dimensional artworks from folk art, abstracts, portraits, landscapes, photography, and realism.
13. Frances Meadows Aquatic Center
Address: 1545 Community Way, Gainesville, GA 30501
The Frances Meadows Aquatic Center is an elegant building with a four-lane indoor warm water pool, a 10-lane indoor competition pool, water, and land fitness classes, a lounge, family changing rooms, and a fitness center.
The center is excellent for hosting business retreats, personnel meetings, conferences, mini-conferences, workshops, training classes, etc.
There are also smaller slides and shallow pools available for kids to use, and also many seats out areas with umbrella shades.
14. Beulah Rucker Museum
Address: 2101 Athens Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30507
The Beulah Rucker Museum has a record going as far back as the late 19th century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The rooms in the facility are well adorned with modern furnishings, pictures, and antiques.
The museum was named after Beulah Tucker Oliver, a child of Caroline Wiley and Willis Rucker, who later became a teacher and had a devotion to empowering African American kids in her community via education.
Learn more about the history of Buelah Ticker’s lifetime, and accomplishments at this museum.
15. Piedmont Hotel
Address: 827 Maple St, Gainesville, GA 30501
The Piedmont hotel is another interesting spot in Gainesville you’ll love to explore.
The Museum started operating in 1876, and the historic building has hosted extraordinary people in the history of the Post Civil War.
The hotel was acquired and operated by Lt General James Longstreet, and he used the hotel as a base to be able to tout his political assignments throughout his period as a Republican.
The hotel houses archive photographs and artifacts that tell the history of the hotel. The environment here is lovely and is worth it when you visit.
16. Solar System Walking Tour
Address: Spring St SW, Gainesville, GA 30501
The solar system’s Gainesville solar adventure begins with the sun in Gainesville’s downtown Square.
Aside from a 1.8-mile walk through the downtown square to Lake Lanier’s shore, the scale model of the solar system features sculptures of planets.
This is a wonderful place to spend time with family.
You could also use it as a medium to stretch your feet on the concrete pathway that runs through various Gainesville parks.
There’s a lot to learn here, and if you’re a fan of outer space, this is a must-see stop during your visit.
17. Don Carter Park
Address: 5000 N Browning Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506
Don Carter Park is a new state park founded in Gainesville, Georgia and it is the first state park built on 38,000 acres.
The park is found on the north side of the reservoir, and it serves as an ideal recreational setting that will be fascinating to people who love water.
They have a trail that serves various purposes, and that allows walkers, bikers, skaters, joggers, and even non-motorized people to explore the lush forest.
You should give this park a try to gain access to a whole day of fun.
18. Poultry Capital of the World Monument
Address: 444 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville, GA 30501
The Poultry Capital Of the World Monument is a place you have to see before while in Gainesville.
The Monument was constructed to alter how chickens were slaughtered.
It was able to attain this by establishing a monument very high, and on top of it is a big life chicken.
The park has few parking spaces, and there are benches and gardens centered around the different monuments making it so impressive.
The park is very beautiful, so you can take pictures in the park.
19. Cool Springs Blueberry Farm
Address: 5975 Smith Mill Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506
The Cool Springs blueberry farm is a popular sight of interest suitable for the whole family and it’s located on five acres of Gainesville, Georgia.
On this farm, a series of activities are carried out throughout the year like their summer You-Pick blueberry season, parties, festivals, and family events.
The farm also has several outdoor activities aside from the blueberry season like summer camping, trick and treat, movie nights, and much more.
20. Laurel Park
Address: 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30506
Laurel Park is home to the region’s mega boat ramp.
The mega boat ramp has a length of 350 feet and a height of 1,048 feet, it was purposely constructed this way to give guests, and residents entry during drought weather conditions.
Also included in the park was the construction of a staging area, fishing tournament, additional parking areas, and restrooms.
21. Longwood Park
Address: 20 Pearl Nix Pkwy, Gainesville, GA 30501
Longwood Park is located on Pearl Nix Parkway opposite Gainesville High School.
The park is a great place to be and takes your mind off the usual everyday activities and anxiety from the workplace.
In the park, you’ll find walking trails that roam through the lake Lanier shore, a fishing pier with bench swings and a boat dock, and eight tennis courts.
It also includes a lighted tennis court, two pavilions, grills, full-service restrooms, gazebos, and several more.
22. City Park
Address: 830 Green Street Cir, Gainesville, GA 30501
The City Park is an interesting spot to have fun with friends, colleagues, and family. The park is furry friends with lots of amazing amenities.
The park stars four tennis courts, a concession building with restrooms, two baseball fields, softball fields, three pavilions with picnic tables, and various more
The environment is exciting, and the kids will love this place. There’s a children’s area where they can have their fun time
23. Paradise Rental Boats
If you love boat riding, the Paradise rental boats should be a top visit spot when you begin your touring Gainesville.
There are more than 70 new boats available for rent. The rides here are available and at affordable prices that suit your budget for you and the whole family.
There are numerous kinds of boats to select from, such as pontoons, wakeboards, houseboats, party boats, wave runners, and runabouts.
Here is a perfect spot for skiing, swimming, tubing, fishing, or relaxing under the sun. You can hold your birthday parties, company picnics, reunions, and family outings here at Paradise.
Conclusion
Without any doubt, you’ve been able to see the fun that awaits you in Gainesville if you’re willing to take the step.
There’s a lot for both you and your family, even friends to do, that’ll guarantee so much fun.
So, start planning and where necessary, book your reservations ahead so you won’t miss out on the wonderful time that awaits you in Gainesville.
