City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Gainesville, Georgia
Gainesville, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains just an hour north of Atlanta, offers a blend of outdoor adventures, cultural treasures and family-friendly fun for travelers and boaters to explore from private boat docks for rent. Nature lovers flock to the area for boating, fishing and hiking, while history buffs enjoy discovering its Civil War landmarks. Other activities include boutique shopping, galleries, public art installations and a weekly farmer’s market in the downtown area. Keep reading to check out more things to do in Gainesville.
Lake Lanier
The 38,000-acre Lake Lanier is the heart of water-based fun. Created by the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River, the lake has more than 700 miles of shoreline for fishing, boating, swimming, paddleboarding and more. Explore quiet coves, lakeside parks and marinas.
Popular destinations on the lake include Lake Lanier Islands Resort and Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, which provide entertainment, dining and overnight accommodations. Lake Lanier Olympic Park, host of the 1996 Olympic rowing/kayaking events, offers public boat docks, a sandy beach, kayak rentals and scenic event spaces.
Elachee Nature Science Center
If you’re searching for a bit of nature exploration from a marina or private boat slip rental, Gainesville has a lot to offer. Elachee Nature Science Center presents hands-on exhibits, 12 miles of woodland trails, animal encounters (like “Chewy” the owl) and seasonal programs. Linwood Nature Preserve has more than two miles of woodland paths, a native plant garden and an Audubon wildlife sanctuary boasting more than 40 bird species. Don Carter State Park, the only state park on Lake Lanier’s shores, offers 1,316 acres of equestrian trails, camping, hiking, paddling routes and boat ramps, making it an excellent spot for trailering from a private boat lift for rent.
Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville
The 182-acre Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville showcases themed gardens (such as the Glade Garden, the Overlook Garden and a Children’s Garden), ponds, streams, waterfalls, trails, at installations and rotating events like Sip & Stroll evenings with wine tastings. The unique Solar System Trail guides you through a 1.8-mile and to-scale walking model of the solar system that stretches from downtown to the lakefront.
Northeast Georgia History Center
Located on the campus of Brenau University, the Northeast Georgia History Center shares exhibits, historic structures and immersive programs about regional heritage. Explore historic structures like the 18th-century White Path Cabin (home of Cherokee leader White Path) and a restored blacksmith shop. There are also interactive exhibits like the Land of Promise gallery, which has artifacts, videos and a 1936 tornado simulator. Other galleries at this location include the Folk Art Gallery, the Northeast Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the American Freedom Garden.
Beulah Rucker Museum
The Beulah Rucker Museum honors Beulah Rucker Oliver’s educational and civil rights legacy. She founded the Rucker Industrial School in 1911 for vocational and academic training for African American students. The museum is located in the original home-school 1915-era building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admittance is by appointment, and you can view photographs, artifacts and furnishings throughout four rooms.
