Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Gainesville, GA

Gainesville is situated in northern Georgia’s Hall County, approximately 55 miles northeast of Atlanta.

Recognized as the ‘poultry capital of the world,’ Gainesville was established in the early 1800s by European-American settlers and has maintained its name since 1821, honoring a general who served in the War of 1812 against Great Britain.

The city has attracted visitors since at least the 1850s, with a notable increase following the development of Lake Sydney Lanier a century later.

In addition to its scenic landscapes, Gainesville boasts a myriad of other attractions in close proximity, thus we shall explore the premier activities available in and around the city.

1. Lake Sidney Lanier

Named in honor of the Georgia poet, Lake Sidney Lanier was established by constructing a dam on the Chattahoochee River during the 1950s.

Its intricate shoreline extends over 1,000 km, attracting nearly 10 million visitors annually.

Recreational activities include sailing, engaging in various water sports like jet skiing, and enjoying the pristine sandy beaches of the associated resort and waterpark.

Throughout winter, the islands of the lake are adorned with approximately 6 miles of Christmas lights, collectively forming the largest animated lightshow globally.

A drive-through exhibit features a Christmas village, amusement rides, and a live nativity scene.

2. Northeast Georgia History Center

This facility is more accurately envisioned as a museum, dedicated to the preservation of the rich history of this region of Georgia.

The collections and historical structures date back over 11,000 years, including an 18th-century wooden cabin which was once home to a prominent leader of the Cherokee nation, White Path.

Adjacent to this cabin is a historic blacksmith shop, while the indoor exhibition areas include a space called the Land of Promise, which narrates the story of the region’s inhabitants from ancient times to the present.

Additional features include a folk-art gallery and the Northeast Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

3. Smithgall Arts Center

Operated by a local non-profit organization known as The Arts Council, the Smithgall Arts Center serves as a focal point for Gainesville’s artistic and cultural activities.

This multi-disciplinary venue occupies a former railway depot dating back to 1914.

The small permanent collection of artworks inside, complemented by sculptures created by significant national artists in the surrounding garden, forms part of a wider arts program.

Other offerings encompass an annual jazz series, theatrical performances, and summer concerts.

4. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Surrounding Gainesville to the north and west, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is within an hour’s drive from the city.

This area of pristine wilderness features forests that scale the hills and mountains extending north towards the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Home to a variety of native species, ranging from bobcats to black bears, it draws hikers and nature enthusiasts from various regions.

In addition to over 700 km of hiking trails, including the beginning of the Appalachian Trail, the national forest also features Georgia’s highest point, Brasstown Bald, and the picturesque Anna Ruby Falls.

5. Alta Vista Cemetery

Situated just outside downtown Gainesville, the Alta Vista Cemetery serves as the final resting place for several prominent figures in the region.

Among the intricately carved gravestones, you will find that of James Longstreet, a notable Confederate general, alongside 100 veterans of the American Civil War.

Additionally, the graves of Jesse Jewell, instrumental in establishing Gainesville as the poultry capital, as well as two former governors of Georgia and astronaut Manley Carter, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash in 1991, are also located here.

6. Crawford W. Long Museum

The exhibits within this museum predominantly focus on the contributions of one individual, Dr. Crawford W. Long, a name that may be unfamiliar to many.

Nonetheless, his breakthrough in 1842 on the museum’s premises transformed the field of medicine forever.

Dr. Long discovered that ether could be utilized as an anesthetic, allowing patients to undergo surgical operations without feeling pain for the first time.

The museum showcases a variety of his personal effects and offers insight into life in the southern United States during the period leading up to the Civil War.

Additionally, it features the Pendergrass General Store, the only surviving pre-war business establishment located in Jefferson, which is a half-hour from Gainesville.

7. Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Gainesville

Surrounded by Georgia’s breathtaking natural scenery, Gainesville features an outpost of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, which provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about local flora.

The gardens include various short woodland trails that highlight the state’s indigenous plant and animal species for visitors.

The ‘Forest Pond’ is adorned with water lilies, offering a relaxing spot moments behind the visitor center of the gardens.

Additionally, a stroll along the woodland pathway from the entrance to the visitor center reveals an impressive array of flowers and other natural attractions.

8. Downtown Drafts

Downtown Drafts is among several craft beer establishments that are emerging throughout northeast Georgia.

Family-owned and family-oriented, this tap house provides a welcoming environment to explore beers brewed locally as well as from further afield.

The selection regularly changes, but patrons can expect to find a diverse range from IPAs to milk stouts among the approximately 25 offerings at any given time.

Even for those not particularly inclined towards beer, its downtown location permits easy access to gourmet sauces, snacks, and glassware.

9. Quinlan Visual Arts Center

As the second cultural center in Gainesville, the Quinlan Visual Arts Center was established in 1946, making it the oldest arts organization in northern Georgia.

In contrast to the Smithgall Arts Center’s multi-disciplinary focus, the Quinlan is dedicated specifically to visual arts, encompassing sculpture and works on paper.

Having undergone an expansion in 2004, the center now houses five distinct galleries that collectively present at least seven exhibitions annually.

The wide-ranging exhibits encompass all forms of media from photography to contemporary impressionism.

10. Splash Zone

Splash Zone, a modest outdoor water park, is part of the Frances Meadows Aquatic Center.

Suitable for visitors of all ages, it features two twisting body slides that reach the height of a three-story building.

Additionally, there are smaller slides ideal for younger children, splash buckets, and various interactive water features.

With ample shaded seating options available, Splash Zone also includes shallow pools suited for young children.

The broader center comprises a four-lane warm-up pool, a ten-lane competition pool, and a fitness facility.

11. Scale model of the Solar System

While traversing the downtown Gainesville area, visitors may encounter a series of monoliths representing the solar system, beginning with the sun at Downtown Square.

Each waist-high stone is topped with a scale model of a solar system object, accurately spaced from one another according to that scale.

The silver sphere symbolizing the sun measures nearly one meter in diameter, whereas dwarf planet Pluto is nearly insubstantial in size.

Stretching just under two miles, the model extends to the shores of Lake Sydney Lanier.

Collectively, this model incorporates several parks and open spaces along the route, along with informative facts intended to spark interest in astronomy among its visitors.

12. Beulah Rucker Museum

The Beulah Rucker Museum is housed within a building constructed in the late 19th century, which is listed on the United States’ National Register of Historic Places.

The museum narrates the story of Beulah Rucker Oliver, an African-American woman dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals in her community through education.

This establishment is recognized as the first museum in the region to focus on African-American heritage, detailing pivotal moments in Oliver’s life and the broader societal context of her time.

13. Piedmont Hotel

Delving into a distinct aspect of north Georgia’s history, the Piedmont Hotel museum offers insights into the past.

The three-story edifice, adorned with traditional southern-style verandas, was managed by General Longstreet and his notable second in command, Robert E. Lee.

Currently, the rooms are arranged to reflect the style of the hotel during its prime.

These spaces honor the legacy of Longstreet, a figure who has become increasingly contentious due to his support for the Confederate cause.

The museum’s artifacts and archival photographs trace the hotel’s history, including notable visits from future President Woodrow Wilson, whose daughter was even born within its historic walls.

14. North Georgia Garden Trail

The North Georgia Garden Trail comprises a route encompassing 26 distinct public gardens in and around Gainesville.

These gardens have been selected for their natural beauty and historical significance, featuring mature woodlands, meandering streams, and vibrant flowerbeds.

Among them is Gainesville’s Linwood Nature Preserve, a 13-hectare wildlife sanctuary and old-growth forest complete with several miles of walking trails.

Other notable locations include the Monarch Mountain Stop Pollinator Garden at Amicalola Falls State Park, an essential feeding station for monarch butterflies during their annual migration from Canada to Mexico, situated approximately an hour northwest of Gainesville.

15. BabyLand General Hospital

The final suggestion for experiences in Gainesville is a unique establishment that stands apart from any other on the planet.

Located in Cleveland, Georgia, approximately 25 minutes from Gainesville, this hospital is the birthplace of all Cabbage Patch Kids.

Within its walls, visitors can witness the extraordinary process of live cabbage patch births before exploring the expansive 250 acres of Cabbage Patch Land surrounding the hospital.

Should you find a connection with one of the uniquely crafted dolls, the adoption team is available to assist with the relevant paperwork!