Located on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier and at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gainesville, Georgia is the tourism and economic center of Northeast Georgia. Gainesville sits halfway between the Appalachian Mountains and the urban city center of Atlanta. Also known as a City of Excellence, Gainesville is home to more than 42,000 people.
Stay at one of the nine downtown hotels so that you can more easily explore this vibrant and diverse area. If you prefer a resort or cabin, consider Lanier Islands Resort or Don Carter State Park, both are about 20 minutes from downtown Gainesville. And for those outdoor adventurers looking for a lakeside campground, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages six on Lake Lanier (visit recreation.gov) and Don Carter State Park offers primitive camping and RV options.
City Attractions and Events
With so many attractions and events there is always something going on around Gainesville-Hall County for both locals and visitors alike. We invite you to explore the dining, shopping and things-to-do sections, as well as to browse the calendar events below. We guarantee that you will find plenty of activities for the whole family while you Explore Gainesville.
If you'd like to add your event to the City of Gainesville's Calendar of Events, please submit the Calendar of Events form.
Gainesville has earned many nicknames over the years because of its people and valuable location. The most notable nicknames are are "Queen City of the Mountains" and "Poultry Capital of the World." The most recent and honorable designation came following the 1996 Olympics. An NBC broadcaster covering the rowing/kayaking event referred to Gainesville as the "Hospitality Capital of the World."
