Downtown Gainesville Travel Guide

Gainesville

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
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
Folk art on the Square in Gainesville
FDR came to Gainesville in the water of a tornado that devastated the city in the 30’s

Popular places to visit

Don Carter State Park

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.

Don Carter State Park
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.

Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville
Wilshire Trails Park featuring a garden

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.

Wilshire Trails Park
Elachee Nature Science Center

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.

Elachee Nature Science Center
Quinlan Visual Arts Center

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.

Quinlan Visual Arts Center

Smithgall Arts Center

You can make plans for a show at Smithgall Arts Center on your trip to Gainesville. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside.

Smithgall Arts Center

Top hotels in Downtown Gainesville

Chateau Elan

Chateau Elan

4.5 out of 5
100 Rue Charlemagne Braselton GA
Stay at this luxury resort in Braselton. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa and 7 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
The guys out front were excellent. Ro

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

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Chateau Elan
Belamere Swimming Pool Suites

Belamere Swimming Pool Suites

2.5 out of 5
2525 Antioch Rd Cumming GA
Stay at this hotel in Cumming. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Margaritaville at Lanier Islands and Mary Alice Park are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (265 reviews)
Everything was excellent

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

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Belamere Swimming Pool Suites
Home2 Suites by Hilton Buford Mall of Georgia

Home2 Suites by Hilton Buford Mall of Georgia

3 out of 5
2685 MALL OF GEORGIA BLVD Buford GA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,821 per night from 31 Jan to 1 Feb
฿3,821
฿4,512 total
31 Jan - 1 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Buford. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (481 reviews)
The rooms was clean neat

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Home2 Suites by Hilton Buford Mall of Georgia
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buford – Mall of Georgia by IHG

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buford – Mall of Georgia by IHG

2.5 out of 5
2730 MALL OF GEORGIA BOULEVARD Buford GA
The price is ฿3,387 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
฿3,387
฿4,016 total
9 Feb - 10 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Buford. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Mall of Georgia and Regal Mall Of Georgia ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (202 reviews)
Clean room, staff was great! Convenient location.

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buford – Mall of Georgia by IHG
The Guest Lodge Gainesville

The Guest Lodge Gainesville

2 out of 5
520 Queen City Parkway Gainesville GA
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gainesville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
I stay at this property a few times each month. While it's not always perfect, it's always perfectly handled. The staff are friendly and accommodating. The rooms are each unique in the decor, which I like! If there's ever any problems, they are always resolved quickly and with a smile. I will continue ...

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

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The Guest Lodge Gainesville
Lanier Islands Resort

Lanier Islands Resort

3.5 out of 5
7000 Lanier Islands Parkway Buford GA
The price is ฿5,363 per night from 7 Feb to 8 Feb
฿5,363
฿7,302 total
7 Feb - 8 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach lodge in Buford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (720 reviews)
The room was very nice and we had a great view! The included breakfast was amazing and the staff for both the hotel and breakfast were friendly and attentive.

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Lanier Islands Resort
See all 720 properties in Downtown Gainesville
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Downtown Gainesville Travel Guide