Gainesville, GA Area Guide

Established in the early 1800s, Gainesville saw a population increase during the gold rush in the 1830s, and many settlers stayed in the area after they struck gold. Gainesville remained a small town without any national recognition until the 1950s, when businessman Jesse Jewell started the poultry industry; eventually leading to what would be the state’s largest agricultural crop and earning Gainesville the nickname of “Poultry Capital of the World.”

Gainesville grew in recognition in the coming decades and was selected to serve as the location for the rowing and kayaking competitions in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Today, Gainesville has kept its small-town charm while offering more recreational activities and festivals for its residents. One well-known celebration, the annual Spring Chicken Festival, consists of different chicken cook-off competitions between residents, as well as a 5k race and a parade to celebrate the event.

Downtown Gainesville offers a central location for locals who want to dine out. Although you can find restaurants scattered around the town, the best concentration can be found right off of the downtown square near Bradford Street.

Check out Recess , a restaurant and pub that prides itself on being the first Southern gastro pub. With a commitment to fine dining as well as a varied drink selection, Recess offers a twist on traditional Southern cuisine. Try shrimp tacos or chicken and grits, and enjoy a craft beer or specialty cocktail made to order. Recess also hosts live music on Friday nights at 9 p.m., and people of all ages congregate here weekly.

Like any true Southern town, Gainesville has a popular barbecue restaurant. The Hickory Pig offers a full menu of barbecued items that are known throughout the region. Phil, the owner, helps with service most nights and is always quick to make a recommendation or bring out a sample for first-timers. Rated as "best barbecue" by Atlanta magazine, The Hickory Pig serves up true Southern barbecue.

For a quick bite, or to pick up some freshly baked bread, head to The Colored Egg , a bakery and café that serves up sweet and savory dishes. According to locals, the stuffed breads and the quiche specials shouldn't be missed. The owner, who is also the server most days, quickly remembers frequent customers' orders and offers different specials each week.

The nightlife does not compare to any big city or hip, trendsetting area, but there are a few pubs to wet the whistle of locals. The Mule Camp Tavern sits close to the square in Gainesville and offers a full bar, plenty of parking and even some live music each weekend. The Yellow Fin, typically known for its seafood, does offer a decent wine selection for a good nightcap.

Gainesville residents usually choose to drive around town and throughout the region, but there are other options for getting around that residents and visitors can take advantage of.

The square in Gainesville puts many establishments close together, so walking throughout this particular area is common for residents. Outside of this area, Gainesville has winding roads through its heavily wooded landscapes, so consistently bicycle-friendly streets may be difficult to find. However, parks in the area have biking trails for those interested in taking a ride.

Amtrak has a station in Gainesville that offers service on the Crescent line, which connects travelers to cities like New York, New Orleans and many others in between. If you need to travel around town, you can catch one of the local buses on Gainesville’s public transportation system called the Red Rabbit. The bus service offers three routes around town, with 130 stops.

Since Atlanta is about an hour away, you may have difficulty getting a cab to come pick you up, or using a phone app like Uber to book a car service. However, there are some private cab companies that operate in Gainesville.

Gainesville takes particular pride in its ample number of parks, with its Parks and Recreation Department winning the title of "Agency of the Year" 11 times over 15 years. With over 443 acres of land at its disposal, Gainesville has a park for everyone.

You can visit the site of the 1996 Olympic Games rowing competition at Clarks Bridge Park. Still used as a training facility for elite athletes, this park also offers boat rentals for the non-Olympians and a picnic area for those who like to watch.

Gainesville also has several smaller neighborhood parks spread throughout the town that give residents a space to walk their dogs or meet up while their children play on the playground. Additionally, Gainesville has a few parks with dedicated walking, biking and running trails for those who like to exercise outdoors.

Gainesville has a cost of living similar to the U.S. average, so the town remains affordable. The average home value in Gainesville falls around $152,670, although residents can also easily find condos and apartments to better suit their needs. Those renting a one-bedroom apartment will pay $818 on average, which is below the average for the city of Atlanta. Cost of living in Gainesville is less than that of Atlanta, so residents generally feel that the area isn’t too costly.

Gainesville’s main shopping mall, Lakeshore Mall, consists of chain stores like Sears and JCPenney. However, spread throughout the city, you will find smaller local businesses.

If you want to explore some local shops and boutiques, the area around the downtown square has the greatest concentration of shops. You can walk the streets and browse clothing, jewelry, home supplies and more.

Check out The Jeweled Attic , an antiques and collectibles boutique featuring home décor pieces, jewelry, furniture and more. Local artists also sell and display paintings or other pieces, lending an extra sense of community support to this popular family-run shop. The owners pride themselves on providing good bargains on gently used antiques, so shopping here won't be too expensive.

Gainesville also houses the Next Chapter Bookstore, a used bookstore with a unique story behind it. While the store sells a wide collection of books, CDs and even some hand-crafted gifts, Next Chapter was opened for the purpose of offering job opportunities to young people with disabilities in the area. Local residents frequently stop in to talk books with the dedicated staff that work here, and the store also hosts talks by local authors.

For food shopping, residents have the choice of stores like Publix, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly and Aldi Supermarket, a German discount market with high-quality items. From the end of May to the start of October, the Historic Downtown Farmers Market sells seasonal vegetables and fruits from the local farmers of the Gainesville area. Many residents make an event of the market since craft booths and other artisan shops also sell merchandise here.