Share the article
There’s no denying that Savannah is a great winter destination, but Georgia has even more hidden gems off the traditional tourist trails.
Still with Southern charm and possibly more natural beauty, there’s one lake town at the base of the Blue Ridge that’s more than worthy of being your next idyllic getaway.
Perfectly suited for a short break or a week’s holiday. You can fly into Atlanta and be here in an hour.
Known as the ‘Queen city of the mountains‘, you have breathtaking natural landscapes to explore or old-fashioned streets lined with boutiques, galleries, surprisingly diverse eateries and outdoor cafes to enjoy during the region’s mild winters.
Way out there on the Chattahoochie
Gainesville (not to be confused with the college town of Gainesville, Florida) is a tranquil escape near the Chattahoochee River, which led until the formation of Lake Lanier after it was dammed.
Country singer Alan Jackson once sang, “Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee,
it gets hotter than a hoochie coochie”.
And that’s why winter is one of the best times of year to visit. You’ll have much less crowds and beautiful weather without the hoochie-coochie.
Gainesville’s history runs deep as a mining community dating back to the 19th century, formerly known as Mule Camp Springs.
Today, Gainesville is best served as a beloved mountain secret to escape the hustle and bustle of the city by relaxing on the lakefront or with a cozy staycation downtown.
Adding to Gainesville’s fascinating timeline, this legendary city was actually an Olympic venue in the 1990s, which you can still take a look at Olympic Park to learn more about how Gainesville became more than a dot on the map: from a gold rush giant to an Olympic venue, and back again to locals’ favorite getaway.
Lakeside Bliss & Mountain Trails: Enjoy the natural sights of Gainesville
Much of the Blue Ridge Mountains was on the wrong side of the headlines when Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented damage earlier this year, causing extreme flooding, destroying roads and essentially wiping small towns off the map.
While North Carolina wasn’t so lucky, this side of the mountains did come through, where you can still explore numerous hiking trails, such as exploring the Chattahoochee National Forest (check closures first) or Blood Mountain Loop.
Despite being located at the base of the Blue Ridge Hills, sparkling Lake Lanier requires much less effort to navigate.
There are several fun water activities for the whole family, including kayaking, jet skiing and much more pontoon boat rental are the most popular.
Lake Lanier is also dotted with luxury resorts ranging from rustic lodges to wooded cabins for the ultimate relaxing hideaway.
Some, like Forest Hills Resortalso have a nice spa. To save money, you can always stay at reliable chains like Hilton Garden Inn or Best Western Plus, but there’s one name you’ll definitely recognize that’s synonymous with fun waterfront getaways.
Margaritaville also has a ‘paradise on the lake’ here, but also offers a surprisingly unique experience for snow lovers.
Chill Snow Island license is a must visit. Here you can skate and ride down one of North America’s longest snow tubing slides, one of Gainesville’s favorite family destinations.
A surprising foodie destination
When you think of the South, you might think of simple comforts like barbecue, fried chicken and homemade pies.
Gainesville has all of the above and then some with surprising cuisine you might not expect.
For example, one of the most popular restaurants is Hello Hiloa Hawaiian restaurant owned by King’s Hawaiian Bakery.
Gainesville also has a thriving brewery and winery industry. Enjoy the peaceful scenery on the outskirts of the city Mulberry Springs Vineyard and Winerywith an impressive 4.9 star rating on Google.
Or mingle with the locals Tap It Gainesville Pints & Growlers with a wide choice of craft beer.
But sometimes it’s best to keep it simple. For classic southern dishes, enjoy a hearty barbecue at Bourbon Brothers smokehouse and tavern or order the best cheeseburger in town since 1947 Collegiate Grill.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
