Situated in the heart of Georgia, this university town has plenty to offer. From its humble beginnings as the birthplace of the University of Georgia, Gainesville has blossomed into one of the most lively destinations to reside and explore within the state.
Outside of school time, visitors will find lots to do within the city limits. From dinner and drinks at a local bar or restaurant to strolling through the beautiful parks, there’s always something fun to experience in Gainesville. This article will give you all the insider information you need on the best places to visit in this quaint, charming town.
Read our list below for all the best and most fun things to do in Gainesville, Georgia.
The 37 Most Popular Things To Do In Gainesville, Georgia
37. Gainesville Midland Locomotive
4.8 (4 reviews)
Location: 878 Grove Street Gainesville GA
36. Hall County Parks & Leisure
3.5 (8 reviews)
Location: 4175 Nopone Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 535 8280
Web Address: http://hallcounty.org/
35. Beulah Rucker Museum
4.4 (19 reviews)
Credit: Jerrye Roy Klotz,, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2101 Athens Hwy Gainesville GA
Tel: 470 525 5002
Web Address: https://beulahrucker.org/
34. Highlands to Islands Trail
4.6 (23 reviews)
Credit: Maria Marban, Google Maps
33. Longstreet Society
4.7 (29 reviews)
Credit: Robert Jones, Google Maps
Location: 827 Maple Street Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 539 9005
Web Address: http://longstreetsociety.org/
32. Lake Lanier Rowing Club
4.6 (42 reviews)
Credit: Christina M Hartley, Google Maps
Location: 3105 Clarks Bridge Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 287 0077
Web Address: http://lakelanierrowing.org/
31. Roper Park
4.7 (51 reviews)
Credit: DrWoots, License, Flickr
Location: Virginia Cir Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 535 3078
30. Cool Springs Park
4.3 (53 reviews)
Credit: Backyard Trail Builders, Google Maps
Location: 5579 Cool Springs Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 535 8280
Web Address: http://hallcounty.org/Facilities
29. Linwood Nature Preserve
4.7 (63 reviews)
Credit: Millie Patterson, Google Maps
Location: 415 Linwood Dr Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 531 2680
28. Thompson Bridge Park
4.6 (99 reviews)
Credit: Rodollfo Vizcaino, Google Maps
Location: Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 945 9531
27. Chicopee Woods Trail System
4.5 (124 reviews)
Credit: Flavio Villanustre, Google Maps
Location: Elachee Drive Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 535 6865
26. Rock Creek Veterans Park
4.7 (129 reviews)
Credit: Rock Creek Veterans Park, Google Maps
Location: 223 Northside Dr Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 531 2680
Web Address: https://gainesville.org/511/Historic-Parks
25. Sardis Creek Park
4.5 (161 reviews)
Credit: Robert Carlisle, Google Maps
Location: 2991 Antioch Church Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 945 9531
Web Address: https://sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Lake-Sidney-Lanier/
24. Ivey Terrace Park
4.5 (161 reviews)
Credit: Danuta Stann, Google Maps
Location: 607 Ridgewood Terrace Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 531 2680
Web Address: https://gainesville.org/510/Neighborhood-Parks
23. Keith Bridge Park
4.7 (179 reviews)
Credit: Xiaohan Chen, Google Maps
Location: 9720 Old Keith Bridge Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 945 9531
Web Address: http://lakelanier.com/directory/parks/keith-bridge-park/
22. Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve
4.6 (182 reviews)
Credit: James Smith, Google Maps
Location: 2125 Elachee Drive Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 535 1976
Web Address: https://elachee.org/hiking-trails/
21. Laurel Park Boat Ramp
4.6 (182 reviews)
Location: Gainesville GA
20. Vanns Tavern Park
4.5 (205 reviews)
Credit: wes swearingen, Google Maps
Location: 9300 Vanns Tavern Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 945 9531
Web Address: https://sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Lake-Sidney-Lanier/
19. Chicopee Woods Mountain Bike Trails
4.8 (230 reviews)
Location: Elachee Drive Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 531 2680
Web Address: https://negasorba.org/
18. Alberta Banks Park
4.4 (270 reviews)
Location: 5575 GC Crow Road #2704 Flowery Branch GA
Tel: 770 535 8280
Web Address: http://hallcounty.org/facilities/facility/details/Alberta-Banks-Park-1
17. War Hill Park
4.5 (275 reviews)
Location: 4081 War Hill Park Road Dawsonville GA
Tel: 706 344 3646
Web Address: https://dawsoncounty.org/parksrec/page/war-hill-park
16. Lanier Point Park
4.6 (281 reviews)
Credit: Jessica Shin, Google Maps
Location: 1579 Lee Waldrip Dr NW Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 287 0208
15. Little Hall Park
4.6 (281 reviews)
Location: Little Hall Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 945 9531
Web Address: http://sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/LakeSidneyLanier/recreation/Schedules
14. Clarks Bridge Park
4.4 (329 reviews)
Credit: Ricky Labra, Google Maps
Location: 3105 Clarks Bridge Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 535 6865
13. Old Federal Day Use Park
4.5 (512 reviews)
Location: 6175 GC Crow Road Flowery Branch GA
Tel: 770 945 9531
Web Address: https://recreation.gov/camping/old-federal/r/campgroundDetails.do
12. Frances Meadows Aquatic Center
4.5 (597 reviews)
Location: 1545 Community Way Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 533 5850
Web Address: https://gainesville.org/frances-meadows
11. Wilshire Trails
4.8 (601 reviews)
Location: 849 Wilshire Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 531 2680
Web Address: https://gainesville.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Wilshire-Trails-85
10. Laurel Park
4.6 (721 reviews)
Location: 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 535 8280
Web Address: http://hallcounty.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Laurel-Park-47
Our Top picks
9. Quinlan Visual Arts Center
4.9 (52 reviews)
Credit: Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Google Maps
Location: 514 Green Street NE Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 536 2575
Web Address: http://quinlanartscenter.org/
8. Elachee Nature Science Center
4.6 (55 reviews)
Credit: Elachee Nature Science Center, Google Maps
Location: 2125 Elachee Drive Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 535 1976
Web Address: http://elachee.org/
7. Northeast Georgia History Center
4.8 (84 reviews)
Credit: Northeast Georgia History Center, Google Maps
Location: 322 Academy Street NE Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 297 5900
Web Address: http://negahc.org/
6. Ink Interactive Neighborhood
4.6 (331 reviews)
Location: 999 Chestnut Street SE Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 536 1900
Web Address: http://inkfun.org/
5. River Forks Park
4.4 (447 reviews)
Credit: TheCoffee, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3500 Keith Bridge Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 531 3952
Web Address: http://hallcounty.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/River-Forks-Park-11
4. Longwood Park
4.5 (691 reviews)
Location: 20 Pearl Nix Pkwy Gainesville GA
Tel: 770 531 2680
Web Address: https://gainesville.org/508/Lake-Parks
3. Atlanta Botanical Garden, GAINESVILLE
4.6 (990 reviews)
Credit: Vicki DeLoach, License, Flickr
Location: 1911 Sweetbay Dr Gainesville GA
Tel: 404 888 4760
Web Address: https://atlantabg.org/gainesville-garden/
2. Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
4.8 (1,214 reviews)
Credit: Brian Hightower, Google Maps
Location: 5300 Winder Hwy Braselton GA
Tel: 800 849 7223
Web Address: http://roadatlanta.com/
1. Don Carter State Park
4.7 (1,259 reviews)
Location: 5000 N Browning Bridge Road Gainesville GA
Tel: 678 450 7726
Web Address: https://gastateparks.org/DonCarter
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Gainesville, Georgia! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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