8 Fun And Exciting Things To Do In Gainesville GA

Gainesville is a historical city in the Northeast Georgia mountains. There are a lot of things to do in Gainesville, GA as this city is a home to several attractions too including the Gainesville Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

 Other popular attractions include the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, the Gainesville Theatre Alliance, and the University of Georgia Botanical Gardens. 

If you’re looking for things to do in Gainesville GA, here are eight fun and exciting options: 

1. Eat good food

There are so many great restaurants in Gainesville that it’s impossible to name them all. If you’re looking for recommendations, here are some places I’ve enjoyed over the years:

Copper Chimney – An authentic Southern restaurant with a Southern feel and menu. They have great Brunswick stew and grits!

Aiken’s Tavern – This is my favorite place for wings! They also have amazing burgers, sandwiches (their Reuben is my favorite), salads, and sides like mac-n-cheese or sweet potato fries. You can’t go wrong here!

Big Daddy’s BBQ – This little shack has some of the best-smoked meats around — brisket, sausage links & ribs (the best ribs ever) — plus homemade sides like mashed potatoes & collard greens; they sell out fast so get there early if you want them all!

2. Picnic at the Rock Quarry Garden

The Rock Quarry Garden is a small park at the end of Gainesville’s main drag. It’s perfect for picnics, especially if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path place to grab lunch with your dog!

The park has picnic tables, a playground, and a pavilion where you can relax with friends or family while enjoying some great food from nearby restaurants. The area also has plenty of trails to explore if you like walking outdoors (I know I do!). If your pup enjoys running around after sticks or chasing rabbits, this might be the spot for them too!

3. Shop Locally

➜ Support local businesses.

➜ Support local artists and artisans.

➜ Support local farmers who make the best food in the world! (Don’t be fooled by those fake foodies.)

➜ Support charities that help people in need, such as hunger relief programs or homeless shelters. You can also donate money directly to these organizations online through sites like Donors Choose or Charity Navigator (which has a free app).

If you’re looking for more ways to give back locally, check out how your city’s residents are repaying their debts with kindness over at The Gainesville Sun’s first annual debt repayment event!

4. Visit a Museum

Gainesville is home to several museums, which are great places to learn about our state’s history.

The Smithgall Arts Center houses a collection of art from Georgia artists and their families and contemporary art.

The Georgia Museum of Art has more than 35,000 objects in its collections that tell the story of Georgia’s people and culture from prehistoric times through today. There’s also an exhibit on Native American cultures that visitors can explore during their stay in Gainesville!

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame honors athletes who had made significant contributions to sports in America over time by displaying their artifacts alongside those of other famous athletes such as Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio during his playing days at Yankee Stadium back when baseball was still one game per week (and if you think this sounds weird right now… you’re right).

If you’re looking for something else fun but different than what we’ve listed above, then check out one of these three options: 1) A museum dedicated entirely to preserving native American cultures; 2) An outdoor museum dedicated solely to honoring soldiers who served during World War II; 3) A museum dedicated purely toward honoring military veterans from throughout history.

5. Enjoy Nature

Visit the Rock Quarry Garden: This is a great place to relax and enjoy nature. You can explore an old quarry that has been transformed into a garden, with beautiful plants and flowers growing in it now.

Take a hike at Ocmulgee National Monument: This monument is home to many hiking trails, including one that leads you along the Chattahoochee River!

Visit Chattahoochee National Forest: Hiking through this forest might be something you’d like to do while visiting Gainesville because it has many trees and plants growing there!

Visit Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: If you’re looking for something more active than just sitting around reading books or playing games on your laptop computer, then maybe this area would be perfect for your needs.

Since they offer opportunities such as kayaking down rivers which means no more sweating during hot days when temperatures rise high enough due too much humidity combined with heat waves coming from nearby cities like Atlanta – two cities located just southeast across state lines from where we live now.”

6. Get an Adrenaline Rush on Lake Lanier

Lake Lanier is the largest artificial lake in the United States. It’s a popular destination for boating, fishing, and watersports. Gainesville is just 11 miles from Lake Lanier, so that you can enjoy an adrenaline rush on this beautiful body of water!

If you’re looking for something more active than simply relaxing on your boat, there are plenty of fun activities on this lake, such as kayaking through narrow channels or tubing down its shoreline (or both). You can also rent paddleboards or go fishing at one of many waterfront restaurants and bars near Lake Lanier’s shoreline.

If you want to get off the water but remain close enough that you won’t have far to travel back home after spending some time outdoors with friends/family members, then consider renting an airboat ride through some parts of Georgia’s wetlands that surround this natural attraction.

7. Watch a Show at the Historic Smithgall Arts Center

The Smithgall Arts Center is a beautiful venue with an outdoor plaza and stage that draws people from all over town. The center also hosts a variety of shows throughout the year, including comedy and music performances. If you’re looking for something to do on a Friday night, this might be your place!

The Smithgall Arts Center has been around since before Gainesville was even officially established! It was built in 1892 by architect George Llewellyn and his wife Mary Ellen, both members of the Church of Christ denomination—which still exists today!

8. Go Fishing 

There are many ways to go fishing in Gainesville, GA. You can fish in Lake Lanier, the Chattahoochee River, or other local lakes and rivers. If you prefer not to drive around town but still want to enjoy some time on the water (or don’t have access to kayaks), we recommend renting one from one of our local businesses like Captain Phil’s Boat or Bass Pro Shop Outfitters & Rentals.

If you’re looking for more adventure than sitting at home reading a book by a campfire with your friends and family members, then check out what we have planned for next week:

Gainesville, GA, is a great place to visit. There are many fun things to do in Gainesville GA, that you may not have known about before.

The Rock Quarry Garden is a great place to picnic and enjoy nature. The Smithgall Arts Center hosts a show throughout the year, so you can check it out if you’re interested in seeing some live performances! Lake Lanier has water activities such as kayaking or boating on its banks and even offers an adrenaline rush by jumping off cliffs into cold waters!

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot of things to do in Gainesville, GA. Our city has many beautiful attractions and activities for everyone who visits. We hope this list gives you some ideas on what to do during your stay!