Overview
Gainesville is a city in Georgia's Historic High Country. The city of Gainesville is one of the larger cities in the Historic High Country along with Rome (Georgia) both with populations around 30,000. The city is located in Hall County (Georgia) in the Central High Country. The city is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is close to the shores of Lake Lanier and less than an hour's drive to downtown Atlanta. Gainesville is home to an Amtrak station.
5 sights · 2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Gainesville
Gainesville Ballet Company
Performances usually take place at Brenau University's Pearce Auditorium. Located at 1 Centennial Circle, Gainesville, GA.
Smithgall Arts Center
The Smithgall Arts Center is home to live music performances and a permanent art gallery.
Northeast Georgia History Center
Relates the past and future of the area.
Alta Vista Cemetery
Where you'll find the grave of Confederate General James Longstreet and poultry pioneer Jesse Jewell, who probably deserves the credit for all the chicken processing plants you see around here, among other individuals.
Poultry Monument
Chicken sitting on top of an obelisk at the corner of West Academy Street and Jesse Jewell Parkway in Poultry Park.
Elachee Nature Science Center
The Elachee Nature Center works closely with local schools in environmental education. Also open to the public there is a gift shop, museum, and 13 miles of hiking trails and mountain bike trails.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 88°F; winter lows dip to about 31°F. Wettest: Jan and Mar. (climate data from nearby Historic High Country)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PDK DeKalb Peachtree Airport, Atlanta — 40 mi away. Directions
- ATL Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta — 57 mi away (major hub). Directions
Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport has two runways and is used mainly for private and corporate charter flights.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Gainesville Ballet Company, Northeast Georgia History Center
- Lunch Zen Ramen and Sushi Burrito
- Afternoon Poultry Monument, Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Evening Recess Southern Gastro-pub
Day 2
- Morning Alta Vista Cemetery, Smithgall Arts Center
- Afternoon Elachee Nature Science Center
- Evening Luna's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Known as "The Poultry Capital of the World", Gainesville is where the big city merges with small farming communities. It is home to a racially diverse population with 42.21% White, 37% Latino, and 14.26% African American. It is a transportation hub for the surrounding communities so it's a great base. In-between Atlanta and the country side and many small tourist towns, it would be easy to overlook the several reasons to stay in Gainesville.
Get in
By plane
Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport has two runways and is used mainly for private and corporate charter flights.
The closet international airport is Atlanta's Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
By train
Gainesville is served by Amtrak via its Crescent route that operates daily between New York City and New Orleans.
Go Gainesville railway station
By car
From Atlanta, GA Approximately 1 hr.
Take I-85 North. At exit 113 I-85 forks. The right fork, I-85, continues to Greenville, SC. Stay left and take I-985 to Gainesville.
From Greenville, SC Approximately 2 hrs.
Take I-85 South. Take exit 137 for US-129/GA-11 toward Gainesville/Jefferson.
From Athens, GA Approximately 1 hr.
Take GA-15 Alt N/US-129 out of Athens and follow until entering Gainesville.
By bus
There is a Greyhound bus station located at 1780 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Get around
A car is most convenient for getting around town.
Gainesville Connection is the bus service for Gainesville. It operates six lines. Fares are $1 with free transfers within the hour.
See
See Poultry Monument
Chicken sitting on top of an obelisk at the corner of West Academy Street and Jesse Jewell Parkway in Poultry Park.
Do
Gainesville has lots of shoreline and coves along Lake Lanier, though depending on climactic conditions around the time of your visit it may look inundated or like a shrunken puddle.
- Attend the annual Gainesville Spring Chicken Festival.
Learn
Buy
Eat
Eat Zen Ramen and Sushi Burrito
Spicy ramen bowls and sushi.
Drink
Drink Recess Southern Gastro-pub
Sleep
Go next
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My experience
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