AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER

7 Interesting Things

TO DO IN GAINESVILLE, GA

Road trips and exploring in my own backyard have continued to be front and center on my blog posts during these pandemic times. I finally got shot appointments for me and my husband but it required a drive to Gainesville, Georgia to get them.

Imagine how happy I was to make that second appointment knowing it would finally be a “get outta jail” card to feel like I could eat dinner with a friend, see relatives again and maybe plan a real trip down the road. 🙌

Then imagine my panic to realize that February weather up on the mountain might mean I wouldn’t be able to get out to that coveted appointment due to snow and ice! So I went in full on planning mode and booked a local hotel about three miles away from the shot location. 🤗

I figured it would kill two birds with one stone and allow me to explore another small city I don’t regularly visit as well as offer me the assurance of not missing that second appointment. Here’s a few reasons you might want to visit Gainesville yourself in the future.

WHERE TO STAY

I actually just went on Booking.com last minute to find the ten best hotels to stay in Gainesville. While my choice wasn’t the most expensive it had gotten much better reviews than some of the other properties that were listed for higher prices.

The Guest Lodge looked recently remodeled in a clean, contemporary way and the rooms had wood floors which is always a good thing when traveling with animals. The hotel is pet friendly and not just for service animals either.

Upon walking into the lobby, the clerk was friendly and quick at getting me checked in. There was no one else there so social distancing wasn’t an issue and the clerk was wearing a mask. There were cute tables and chairs scattered around for breakfasts that will be served again after the all clear on the Covid issue I was told.

Meantime, they have put up an area by the desk which offered a lot of different grocery items in case you didn’t bring anything. I brought a small cooler with snacks, drinks and a few favorite things to get us through because the weather was cold and rainy and we did not want to have to venture out for any reason that night!

Bright colored chairs, graphics and plants completed the lobby making it comfortable if spare but bright and clean looking. I asked for a quiet ground level room which she gave us and the ice machine was right around the corner.

Our room was spacious with two big queen size beds. The bedding was bright white and gray and was very comfortable. There was a small fridge to stash our cooler items and ice and a microwave to make coffee and tea in the morning.

The vanity area was fine and had room for hanging clothes and putting suitcases above. Amenities were available and I was glad I brought my own glasses since the plastic wrapped cheap ones are not much fun. A corner chair with table and plug in was a good place to work even though there was a desk in the room.

1-QUINLAN VISUAL ARTS CENTER

After going to our early morning appointments we decided to do some exploring and came up with more than a few things to do that we thought were pretty great.

Being artsy and all we usually look for galleries and museums to go to but it was recommended for us to check out Quinlan Visual Arts Center. It is located at 514 Green Street and there are more than a few reasons to visit.

Right now they have their yearly Gala Exhibitions up that will be running from March 15th through March 27th. You can see those for free admission Monday-Saturday from 8 to 8.

They will have some great art for sale in a three day silent auction from March 24th to March 27th opening at 5 PM and closing 11:59PM on the last day. You will also have the option of attending a live virtual auction on March 27th; tickets will also be available for purchase to attend in person in several different price categories.

The Center is now scheduling classes and workshops for the 2021 year. You can visit Monday-Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4 for free. We really enjoyed our visit and would go back again.

2-THE SPA ON GREEN STREET

Since we were already on Green Street, we decided to stop in and check out The Spa on Green Street located just up the way at 635. Set in the gracious surroundings of a colonial-revival estate we were impressed with how pretty the street appeal was on drive up.

The lovely white house has a wide front porch with chairs calling for a sit down rock and a people watching session. The wide stairs leading up reminded me of my grandparents home in Virginia. Trees, shrubs and plants were beautiful and offered shade to the porch.

The inside feels relaxing and soothing as soon as you walk in. I was surprised at how many services the spa offers: massage, facials, body treatments, sunless tanning, waxing, brow and lash treatments. They even offer acupuncture and private yoga sessions.

They have packages and single services. It is easy to book appointments and they have world class holistic doctors working with you on an individual basis to keep you healthy and happy. Many chronic issues are dealt with every day.

The treatment rooms were lovely and I know that the next time I visit I will have already booked an appointment to get just the right rest and relaxation required for a busy travel blogger and writer. You might like to try it out too. The video below will give you a better idea of what’s in store for ya!

3-DOWNTOWN DRAFTS

After a morning of exploring we worked up a thirst and decided to head over to the square to check out Downtown Drafts on Bradford Street. My husband is a big beer fan and I am a wine drinker. Luckily you can get both at this popular craft beer and wine cafe.

They say they have an ever changing selection of the best local, national and international craft beers like a New England Moonshadow Hazy named after that famous Cat Stevens song. Or how about an American brand called Hop Dang Diggity; the name alone brings a smile and makes it worth a try!

We sat in a spacious seating area and watched a little TV where they also offer games and free wifi if you need to check your emails quickly. It would be great to visit on a Thursday night where trivia is the fun plan for you and a group of friends.

They have often sponsored musical groups for entertainment on the downtown square where they are located-enjoy the video below. Check them out for March Madness and a beer soon!

4-CHATTAHOOCHEE GOLF COURSE

If you’re a golfer don’t forget to bring your bag and play a round on the beautiful Chattahoochee Golf Course. They say Spring time is the most beautiful in the state of Georgia and I wholeheartedly agree. The pear trees, cherry trees and dogwoods are absolutely breathtaking in April.

The course was originally designed by Robert Trent Sr. and lies in 183 acres of rolling farmland around the banks of Lake Lanier. There is a driving range, practice area and a Clubhouse with a restaurant for a quick bite when you get done.

Check the website out for updates on closures as they plan on doing some extensive renovation work to add 3 holes and redo the putting greens to bring the course back to a more original design throughout the summer months of 2021.

5-KINSEY FAMILY FARM

Next stop was a visit to Kinsey Family Farm located on Jot-em Down Road; yes that is the actual name of the road! As the name implies this is a family run business and you are likely to meet up with more than a few of them while wandering around.

It’s a great place to bring the kids for year round activities that have expanded over the years. Spring provides a beautiful back drop to pick out plants for your yard from the nursery including gardening tools, fountains and features for sale right on property.

Fall is the best time to come pick our the perfect pumpkin and decorations while Christmas provides the best spot to pick out and cut your own fresh tree for the prettiest of holidays. Right now you can find flowering trees, shrubs and garden perennials that will spruce up any outdoor area and the kids can enjoy a tractor ride.

6-YELLOWFIN

After all of this exploring it was time to check out where most the locals told us we needed to eat. Number one on most lists was YellowFin. Located on Bradford Street next to it’s sister restaurant Re-cess Southern Gastro Pub, YellowFin is owned by Christopher Richardson and offers the best in fresh seafood.

We were glad to see seared fresh tuna and tuna poke on the appetizer list and ordered the poke to nosh on with cocktails while looking the rest of the menu over. It was fresh and delicious with soy, sesame oil, ginger and crispy wontons.

Oysters Rockefeller and mussels in white wine sauce were just as tempting and probably would have been delicious as well. My husband went for a cup of Shrimp Bisque that he said was creamy, spicy and luscious. I tried the Bang Bang Shrimp tacos and thought they were some of the best I ever had.

If seafood isn’t your thing they also have a land lovers menu that offers Black and Bleu Bistro Steak, Grilled Ribeye and Rack of Lamb. Chicken fans will want to opt for the Carbonara or the Piccata with lemon and capers.

The place has a nice casual fine dining atmosphere, the staff are well trained and the signature drinks are fantastic. I can highly recommend it to you for your next visit to this small town with big flavors.

7-ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDENS GAINESVILLE

One last thing we wanted to recommend you try is the Atlanta Botanical Gardens arm located on Sweetbay Drive. If you are a member or have ever visited the Atlanta arm you know what a beautiful job they do. This is such a great place to spend the day and it is perfect for curious children to be entertained and enthralled with nature.

Under conservation and research there is a new tool located up in the trees called SlothBot to keep watch over the plants and animals by monitoring the environment. Through April 11th, Orchid Daze will be going on with thousands of beautiful fragrant blooms on display.

Watch for peak blooming updates for the luscious display of tulips through April 30th. Or how about grabbing the kids for an Easter egg dying lesson on March 26th. There are classes, exhibitions and events going on all the time.

They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 until 6 and are staying open an additional hour until 7 through April 30th. New experiences bloom all year in the Gardens so there is always something interesting happening. Tickets are available for timed visits online and can be linked to your phone or printed out at home. Masks are required for all 4 and up and recommended for under 4.

CONCLUSION

So as you can see there is a surprising amount of interesting things to do in this little town as it turns out. I was happy I had made the decision to stay in a hotel and do some exploring while getting that necessary second shot.

I can’t wait to get busy making some actual travel plans again for this fall and next spring. In the meantime, I plan on another visit to Gainesville real soon. Maybe you should too. BTW, did I forget to mention that Dunkin’ Donuts is right next door to The Guest Lodge? Grab some anytime with a good cuppa!

If you liked what you read, you might also enjoy reading more blogs under Explore the World. Other recent road trips have included small towns in North Georgia like Clayton, Helen and Lake Rabun. There are also some great restaurant reviews all around Georgia under Edible Fare. Take a read and enjoy!

Hey, don’t be a stranger! Have you been exploring in your own backyard? What have you discovered? Look for my newsletter, The Quirky Tourist, coming your way at the end of the month too. Until then…

Cheers,

ArtsyChowRoamer

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