What to do in Gainesville, GA

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Gainesville

Types of activities

Where to stay

Gainesville travel guide

St Maarten and St Martin featuring outdoor art

Gainesville Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Gainesville has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Gainesville, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Gainesville with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Gainesville

Gainesville is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Gainesville, and make it a breeze to explore Gainesville and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Gainesville to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Gainesville, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Gainesville.

Gainesville attractions

Gainesville has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Gainesville to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Gainesville.

Looking for things to do in Gainesville can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Gainesville or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Gainesville attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

Explore activities
Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
Book with ease
Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
Treat yourself
One Key members save % or more on select activities, hotels, cars and holiday rentals.
Learn about One Key

Recommended things to do in Gainesville

Number of things to do	3
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	Perfume or Cologne Making Experience in Georgia: £87
Top 5 things to do	Mix and Match Fragrance Experience or Make Perfume or Cologne Perfume or Cologne Making Experience in Georgia Atlanta: Fragrance After Dark - Make Perfume or Cologne
Half-day tours	Mix and Match Fragrance Experience or Make Perfume or Cologne Atlanta: Fragrance After Dark - Make Perfume or Cologne
With kids	Mix and Match Fragrance Experience or Make Perfume or Cologne Perfume or Cologne Making Experience in Georgia Atlanta: Fragrance After Dark - Make Perfume or Cologne

What to do in Gainesville

Popular places to visit

Don Carter State Park

You can take time to visit Don Carter State Park during your travels to Gainesville. Stroll along this relaxing area's lakeside or simply enjoy its cafes.

deep purple Queen of The Night or Black Hero Tulips in the garden surrounded by yellow daffodils and lush green leaves, trees and plants at Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Gainesville Georgia USA

Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville

Explore the great outdoors at Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville, a lovely green space in Gainesville. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Quinlan Visual Arts Center

You can enjoy some culture when you stop by Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Elachee Nature Science Center

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Elachee Nature Science Center in Gainesville. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Wilshire Trails Park

Explore the great outdoors at Wilshire Trails Park, a lovely green space in Gainesville. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Brenau University

Walk around the campus at Brenau University during your visit to Gainesville. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Lanier Technical College

Explore the campus of Lanier Technical College during your visit to Gainesville. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Lake Lanier Olympic Park

Explore the great outdoors at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, a lovely green space in Gainesville. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Chattahoochee Golf Club

Enjoy a round of golf in Gainesville at Chattahoochee Golf Club. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Explore areas of Gainesville

Midtown

When in Midtown, you can plan a visit to Wilshire Trails Park and Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

a gorgeous spring landscape at Lanier Point Park with rippling blue water surrounded by lush green trees and plants with blue sky, clouds and a rainbow at Lake Lanier in Gainesville Georgia USA

Downtown Gainesville

Downtown Gainesville might not have many top sights, but Wilshire Trails Park and Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Westside

When in Westside, you can plan a visit to Wilshire Trails Park and Gainesville Theatre Alliance, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lake Ranch Estates

Lake Ranch Estates might not have many top sights, but Xtreme Xperience at Atlanta Motorsports Park and Wilshire Trails Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

Day trip destinations from Gainesville

Just some old rusted original NASCARS cool photo opertunities.

Dawsonville

Frequently asked questions

Is Gainesville worth visiting?

Whether you're planning to enjoy the local charm and cultural hotspots or sample regional foods and explore the outdoors, there are plenty of things to do in Gainesville.

How do I spend a day in Gainesville?

Frances Meadows Aquatic Centre and Interactive Neighbourhood for Kids are two great places to kick-start your sightseeing adventures. Remember to explore the retail and dining options in Gainesville while you're there too.

What is the top tourist attraction in Gainesville?

Don Carter State Park is one of the top tourist attractions in Gainesville and should be high on every sightseeing list of the area.

Is three days enough to stay in Gainesville?

You can easily enjoy leading sights like Interactive Neighbourhood for Kids, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville and Chattahoochee Golf Club with a three-day stay in Gainesville. On average, most travellers plan three days here. There's plenty to explore nearby too, so stay a while longer and venture to Duluth.

Is Gainesville a walkable city?

If exploring on foot sounds like your kind of getaway, Gainesville is a perfect destination. Find leading attractions, such as Interactive Neighbourhood for Kids, within walking distance of downtown. You can also enjoy a stroll through Midtown, a vibrant neighbourhood located about 0.64 kms (0.40 miles) from downtown.

What are some activities to do in Gainesville with kids?

If you're searching for activities and sights for all the family, have a look at these terrific ideas for what to do in Gainesville with kids.

What to do in Gainesville for adults?

Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or outdoor adventurer, there are lots of things to do in Gainesville for adults.

Are there free things to do in Gainesville?

In Gainesville, Lake Lanier Olympic Park is an unmissable spot for anyone wanting to experience the city without opening their wallet. Also, check out the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for recommendations. It's a great way to learn about the best free things to do in Gainesville.