Location: Gainesville
Top Things to do in Gainesville
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Gainesville, Georgia (GA)
The city of Gainesville is the county seat of Hall County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,804. By 2015 the population had risen to an estimated 38,712. Because of its large number of poultry processing plants, it is often called the "Poultry Capital of the World". Gainesville is the principal city of, and is included in, the Gainesville, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville, Georgia Combined Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Gainesville
1. Laurel Park
2. Longwood Park
3. City Park
4. INK - Interactive Neighborhood for Kids
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By LynnL416 - Gainesville, United States
Hey Parent! Do you wanna see your kids enjoying themselves without having to spend a fortune??? This experience is unmatched for bringing your kiddos imaginations to life. Take the little ones (4-6yrs old) and watch as they flourish within the grown-up scenarios! INK MUSEUM is a great place for friends to laugh and try new perspectives! You’ll be glad you visited and want to make it a regular play date. L. Lewis
5. Don Carter State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Georgia State Park offering camping, cottages, hiking, kayaking and fishing.
Reviewed By CDL94 - Dahlonega, United States
I enjoyed walking the beautiful trails. The swimming area looked clean and inviting and the camp ground was well organized.
6. Wilshire Trails Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By ronc688 - Gainesville, United States
We had a lovely Sunday afternoon walk along the trail by Rock Creek. It was about 1 mile roundtrip. Even though it was hot, it was nice under the shade of the trees.
7. Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
The first 5 acres phase of our garden opened May 2, 2015. Located on 168 acres of land donated by Charles and Lessie Smithgall, the Garden is destined to be one of the largest and most diverse woodland gardens in the country. Ground was broken in April 2013 on the first 5 acre phase. The Gainesville location is a new destination for connecting with beauty and the natural world. Complete with a visitor center, outdoor gardens, and an amphitheater, it will also be a cultural center for the community hosting exciting exhibitions, events, and educational programs. The nationally recognized collections will expand the horticultural palette of Atlanta Botanical Garden. The Garden has already developed a sophisticated horticultural operation and the largest conservation nursery in the Southeast on the property. Endangered plants will be propagated on the site for the conservation program. We have a new 2.5 acre fantasy themed Children's garden opened in November of 2019.
Reviewed By infringerd - White, United States
My family and I absolutely loved this garden. It is much smaller than the garden in Atlanta but it is just as gorgeous and a great place for young children. It's easy to get to, parking is plentiful, trails/paths are paved. Clean restroom and a small gift shop are in the building you enter through. Water fountains in the building are not currently operation due to COVID but there is a place in children's garden where you can refill water bottles. In addition to the paved trails, there's also about a mile and half of wooded trails. Easy walking but some up and down hill. My mom is in her 70s and had no issues on the tails. The children's garden and playground is fantastic - playground, model garden train, pollinator garden and water features. My youngest child is 6 and this was a great trip for him - fun, plenty to see without getting bored or being over stimulated, and not so big that the wears out from all the walking. One word of caution: The garden is full of spiders. Apparently around 2014 the Joro spiders too up residence in this area of Georgia. They are big and they create this beautiful three dimensional webs. They look similar to garden spiders. Anyway, these spiders were everywhere. Just be careful you don't accidentally walk into one of their webs. Since we visited in October, the spiders were the perfect natural Halloween decoration.
8. Elachee Nature Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Z2307QRcarols
This is a wonderful gem in the Gainesville, Georgia, area. Tucked away in a wooded part of the state, Elachee has not only a great Nature Center for young children, but all types of trails. From paved trails for strollers or transport chairs, to dirt trails leading you over wooden bridges (including an awesome suspension bridge) , or if you prefer, hike along the streams with shoals in these woods. Enjoy the trillium, blueberry, and countless other fauna and flora found in this area. The nature center has small exhibits that would be just enough to hold the attention of a young child. There is also a quaint gift shop in the center.
