Slip Away 2016

Take a

Hike

Gardens, Trails & Parks

Lift Your

SPIRITS Discover our New Winery & Brewery

In This Issue • Amazing Corn Mazes • Events Calendar • 26 Top Dining Spots

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

d l i w s r e d n wo Bird Watching Poultry Park

Standing tall near the Gainesville Square, this 25-foot-tall marble obelisk topped with a bronze rooster is affectionately known as the Chicken on a Stick. Celebrating the global impact the poultry industry has on our economy, this bird has plenty to crow about. Chicken farming was first industrialized here by poultry pioneer Jesse Jewell.

Fried Chicken

Dirty Birds

It’s illegal to eat fried chicken with a fork in Gainesville, Georgia. True story.

So, if you’re feeling refined and want some yard bird, drop in at Papa Jack’s Country Kitchen in Flowery Branch.

Their fried chicken was voted the best in a survey of local diners.

Making their nest in Flowery Branch, the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons welcome thousands of fans each year to their training camp. Here you can get an up close look at the team as they drill and conduct practice games with other NFL teams. Admission is free.

Check the team’s website for details.

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

Fly Like an Eagle

While zipping along on a canopy tour at Lake Lanier, don’t be surprised to see the majestic American Bald Eagle who makes its home in the southern part of the lake near Buford. Other endangered and rare species to spot along the shoreline are egrets, herons, hawks and osprey.

Feather Your Nest

When it’s time to take a break from the lake, restock your wardrobe and jewelry box at Nest Feathers in Oakwood. This upscale specialty shop carries all the latest trends in fashion jewelry, home décor and gift giving. All that shopping making you hungry? Don’t miss Papa Sam’s sandwich shop in the back of the store. Their pimento cheese sandwich is the best.

Crack Myself Up

The Colored Egg in Gainesville is a great place to hatch a plan for lunch.

Open on Tuesday and Thursday only for dine-in service; this is one really good egg. Delicious fresh baked breads and treats, quiches and casseroles are on the menu – but arrive early, supplies are limited and sales are swift.

Chicks Dig It

Gainesville celebrates its love of all things poultry with the annual Spring Chicken Festival held in April. A parade, chicken cookoff with tasting booths and exhibits of art made from recycled materials are sure to please the whole family.

h

Contents Laid Back

Healthy

Pursuits

Luxury Hamptons |4 of the South

Trailblazing |16

From the highlands to the islands, Lake Lanier has blazed a trail for hikers, bikers and strollers

Atlanta’s northern suburb is a haven for weekenders looking to escape the city

People &

Places

Where shall we | 26 eat tonight?

High Spirits |10

Lake Lanier’s new winery and brewery are raising the bar Slip Away, the Official Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide, is published by the Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. Post Office Box 2995, Gainesville, GA 30503, 770.536.5209.

Editor In Chief: Stacey Dickson Assistant Editor: Renee Carden Advertising Sales: Melisa Sizemore, The Times Creative Services Manager: Kerri Ivie, The Times Publisher: Norman Baggs Morris Multi Media/The Times, 345 Green Street, Gainesville, GA 30501 Copyright © 2016 All Rights Reserved

Answer this mundane question with a bevy of yummy options we’ve tried

32 | Great Golf With many challenging holes on the water’s edge, Lake Lanier offers some hot links for golfers

Farm Fresh Goodness |30 Spend a corny afternoon exploring the farm markets and corn mazes of north Georgia

Buyers

Guide Boat Rental |23 Lodging |34 Map |35 Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

S N O T P M A H THE

n r e h t Sou ACCENT with a

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

W

ith more than 8 million visitors a year, Atlanta’s unofficial water source runs deep with the traditions of family gathering, fisherman’s tales and a legacy of gold. We may not be the tony hot spot just north of Manhattan, but we feel just fine about our small town charm. What we have is what you need to feed your soul. Lake Lanier is laid back luxury with a Southern accent.

FAMILY GATHERINGS New Yorkers aren’t the only city dwellers with a place to “resort” to on the weekends and all summer long. For more than 50 years, Atlanta’s jet set has chosen to slip away to the tree-lined shores of Lake Lanier. From back-to-basics primitive camping on an island to the luxurious amenities of a house boat with wifi, hot tub and grill master’s kitchen, Lake Lanier offers a myriad of options for families seeking a reprieve from the hustle of their daily grind.

Lanier Islands Resort shines like a jewel on the coast of Georgia’s Great Lake. Our favorite place to relax and getaway is from the balcony of a Legacy Villa overlooking the quiet coves of the resort’s golf course. The villas offer the perfect getaway for romance, reconnecting with the kids or just rejuvenating your spirit on a retreat for yourself.

ollar vacation Multimillion d K. homes? CHEC from an One-hour drive olis? CHECK. urban metrop s, great shops Quirky village ts? CHECK. and restauran the Think you’re in INK AGAIN. Hamptons? TH

FISHERMAN’S TALES A chance encounter with a local at one of the marinas could net a tale of trophy fish and the lost city buried under the depths of Lake Lanier.

Catch your limit on a chartered fishing tour or learn to captain a sailboat. Lake Lanier also plays host to professional anglers whose fishing lines have reeled in millions of dollars in prize money.

Not into baiting your own hook? Try the fresh seafood selections at one of the lake’s numerous restaurants.

LEGACY OF GOLD With the excitement surrounding the Olympic Games in Brazil this year, our memory turns back to 1996 and the Centennial Olympics held in Atlanta.

During this amazing event, Lake Lanier raised the gold standard for the sports of canoe, kayak and rowing by playing host to athletes from around the globe. Now, 20 years later, Lake Lanier Olympic Park is still a world-class favorite for these sports attracting high-performance events like the Pan

Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

American Championships and the Dragon Boat Worlds. Want to live your own Olympic dream?

It’s easy. Drop by the park and rent a kayak for an afternoon of paddling at the place where champions reached the pinnacle of their sport.

OFF THE HOOK Adrenaline junkies can get their fix at Lake Lanier with a variety of high energy activities from water slides and wakeboarding to flying high in a water powered jet pack. Zip lining is also a popular adventure sport in the area with two very distinct offerings. Lake Lanier Canopy Tours has lines running over the water and offers special events like full moon canopy tours at night. North Georgia Canopy Tours has its own unique water views with zips over the North Oconee River.

REFRESH YOUR SOUL Not everyone who visits Lake Lanier is looking for an adventure. Some are looking to rest, relax and calm their minds from the daily grind. Good news for those looking to get away without going too far from home.

There are plenty of options for rejuvenation here. Paddle board yoga, sunbathing and spa treatments all sound like excellent ways to unwind. Of course, shopping and dining round out a day at the lake, so don’t miss out on the abundant specialty stores and award winning restaurants while visiting.

Just like the city that never sleeps, Lake Lanier has a well-rounded calendar of activities no matter the time of year. Concerts, farmers markets, festivals and parades can brighten up any agenda. Be sure to visit our website at DiscoverLakeLanier.com for the latest happenings then you can count yourself among the savvy city folks who know how to slip away to Lake Lanier.

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

flying high fun

Did you ever play doctor as a kid, or fireman, or lawyer, or airplane pilot? All of these things are possible at INK, a child-sized world voted best in Atlanta by Parents magazine. Children of all ages can do everything from grocery shop and bank to ride a fire truck and fly an airplane. Ink is sure to bring out the kid in everyone!

Ink 999 Chestnut Street Gainesville, GA 30501 770-536-1900 www.inkfun.org

picture perfect

The center hosts over 20 exhibitions annually, artist workshops, art classes for children and adults, and summer art camps for kids. Don’t miss their museum-quality gift shop with one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artists. The Quinlan Visual Arts Center is also available to host your next gathering.

Quinlan Visual Arts Center 514 Green Street NE Gainesville, GA 30501 (770) 536-2575 www.quinlanartscenter.org

it’s showtime The Smithgall Arts Center is home to many events including Evenings of Intimate Jazz Series, Summer MusicFest and Movies on the Green.

In addition to arts programming, the Smithgall Arts Center is available for rent for special events including weddings, receptions, parties, meetings and corporate functions.

The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center 331 Spring Street SW Gainesville, GA 30501 770-534-2787 www.theartscouncil.net

go for the gold Home of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games canoe, kayak and rowing events - this park features a beach, boat dock and picnic areas.

Be sure to check out their kayak and canoe rentals; learn to paddle/row programs and special events held year round.

Lake Lanier Olympic Venue 3501 Clarks Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 30506 770-535-0397 www.lakelanierolympicvenue.org

Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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events

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

jan

Polar Bear Swim Dress up in your best holiday outfit, head to Lake Lanier Olympic Park & take the plunge on New Year’s Day Evenings of Intimate Jazz The Arts Council hosts world-class jazz performers for this series. Tickets sell out fast, so get yours early! Series runs January-May.

feb

Gainesville Theatre Alliance Every February GTA presents dual performances at two of their award-winning company’s theaters The Arts Council Pearce Series A variety of nationally acclaimed performances held in the lovely and historic Pearce Auditorium on the campus of Brenau University. Series runs February-May.

mar apr

may

jun

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Annual Art Gala Quinlan Visual Arts Center auctions off fine art during a gourmet dinner SCCA Road Atlanta The Sports Car Club of America races at Road Atlanta

In-Water Boat Show Sunset Cove hosts an in-water boat show that features top of the line boats. Come enjoy a day at the lake learning about all the newest boats and shop with vendors Moto America Road Atlanta hosts a professional motorcycle racing event bringing in competitors from all over the globe Flowery Branch Spring Festival The city of Flowery Branch and Boy Scouts put on the spring festival filled with music entertainment, vendors and lots of good food.

Strawberry Festival at Jaemor Bring your family to Jaemor Farms to pick strawberries, participate in the berry cookoff, take a farm hayrides, shop the vendors and explore the petting zoo.

Rubber Duck Derby & Festival Arts and crafts, jewelry, pottery, and more. The Derby brings in 20,000 rubber ducks race to the finish line for a $10,000 prize. All proceeds benefit the Hall County Boys and Girls Club.

Stars Over Elachee Guided tours of the night sky where you can gaze at the stars and the moon. A great event for kids.

Memorial Day Celebration Lanier Islands kicks off the summer season with its Memorial Day celebration filled with music, fireworks and patriotism!

Annual Lake Show Concert Lake Lanier Olympic Park hosts a live concert to benefit the John Jarrard Foundation. Come out and enjoy good music, good food and a corn hole competition.

The Arts Council Summer MusicFest featuring the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Live music under the stars all summer long during this stellar series of performing arts events. The highlight each year is a special performance from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Multiple genres of music are featured throughout the series

Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

CALENDAR jul

Pirates of Lanier Poker Run A gathering of swashbucklers who have helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for regional children’s charities. Events include a Captain’s Party, Cheeseburger in Paradise Cookout and fireworks.

Atlanta Falcons Xfinity Training Camp Get up close with NFL greats during the training camp for Atlanta’s home team. Activities for kids, meet and greet opportunities and lots of fun for fans of all ages. Admission is free. Camp runs through mid-August.

aug

Touch A Truck Touch A Truck is an event that allows children to explore big trucks and public safety vehicles in a safe environment hosted by Gainesville Parks and Recreation Grid Life EDM & Motorsports Festival An immersive motorsports festival by day with feel good electric music and light show at night at Road Atlanta.

sept

Snake Day Slither your way over to Elachee Nature Science Center for day of discovery about snakes of all kinds. Animal demonstrations, crafts, food and more.

Buford Corn Maze Wander the rows of one of North Georgia’s most popular fall activities!

Jaemor Farms Apple Harvest & Corn Maze Drop in for a visit to the busiest farmers market in North Georgia. Explore the maze and reward yourself with a treat from the pie kitchen.

oct

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Art in the Square A fine arts fair on the historic Gainesville square bringing a touch of class to the harvest season. Excellent early holiday shopping with art on canvas, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and more available Petit Le Mans A world-class sports car endurance race held annually at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, USA. Utilizing the rules established for the 24 hours of Le Mans by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), this high octane event attracts over 100,000 visitors.

Secret Santa Car Show Providing holiday blessing for children in need, this family friendly event features classic and futuristic cars, music, food and games. This year join in the fun with a new costume contest and parade.

Annual Holiday Marketplace Gainesville civic center hosts a festive holiday shopping event with vendors selling clothing, foods, teas, skincare, holiday items and more.

Lanier Islands Magical Nights of Lights and Winter Adventure Drive through holiday lights display, snow slides, tubing, ice skating and lots of outdoor winter fun.

Show runs through New Year’s.

Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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T

he taste preference of farm to table foods has led to a boom in the small batch brewing and winery business across the country. People with more discerning pallets are opting for fresh and locally sourced libations instead of big national brands. Luckily, Lake Lanier has several options for those who prefer to keep their cocktail flavors local.

Lake Lanier offers several beer growler stores and one wine specialty shop. From Gainesville to Flowery Branch, pick up a freshly tapped brew in the signature brown bottles called “growlers” favored by beer stores worldwide. At Growlers on Main, there are plastic growlers that make boating and poolside parties fun and safe at the same time. Other growler locations like Downtown Drafts and Tap It host food truck and community events where regional brewers debut their latest concoctions.

A craft

b w d a m brewery in Gainesville has started producing beer, and fans of the malty beverage are thrilled to have this new upstart in Georgia’s microbrew industry. Named a one of the most anticipated brewery openings for 2016 by Atlanta Magazine, Left Nut Brewing Company’s home is the renovated administration building at the Chicopee Mill, an historic former factory near the Chicopee Woods conservation area. Founder Pap Datta and his partners have literally built the brewery from the ground up starting with the brick warehouse’s dirt floors. Now, a state of the art microbrewery, they expect visitation to be high for tours and tastings.

This curiously named brewery raises some eyebrows. “It’s built on vernacular,” he says. “It symbolizes when you’re willing to give up

something that you value to do something you really desire.” This is exactly what the ownership team has done by making nearly a $2 million investment in their dream to brew.

Erected in 1927 by Johnson & Johnson as a textile mill which later housed their administrative facilities as the mill grew over the next several decades, Left Nut Brewery’s home base is steeped in local history. When most textile mills at the time were very dark, multi-story buildings, this building was the nation’s first modern, light-filled, mill building with all the latest conveniences.

The mill and village are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The renovation of the space occupied by LNB is the

B a ( b s i a t u t 6 p

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

beginning of a rebirth in the area where hopes are high for more development in retail, residential and office space in the historic mill structures.

LNB’s “core beers” are Lappland Blonde Ale, Mighty Banyan IPA and Shade Tail Nutty Pecan Ale (featuring Georgia pecans.) The brewery will also offer seasonal specials throughout the year including one that tastes just like a homemade oatmeal cookie. The target for the first year is to brew up to 5,000 barrels of beer with the capacity to eventually brew 60,000 barrels in their long range plans.

Left Nut hopes to integrate itself into the history and culture of the community. “Drinking beer is about dialog, and doing it with other people,” Datta says.

“It’s about talking, laughing,

and debating. So all of the beers will have a story associated with our name. They’ve all connected to us personally, or to the local folklore and legends.”

Stop in the brewery for a tasting tour and you’ll get a firsthand view of the brewing process, then top it off with a sampling of beers from their taps. Tours include a take home sample for your enjoyment and to share with friends.

Local establishments have already jumped on board to support this local brewery. Wild Wing Café and Monkey Barrel in Gainesville now serve LNB on their menus. Want to take some home? Pick up a freshly filled growler at Tap It

Growler Shop.

Much like a wine that has been aged, Sweet Acre Farms Winery is finally ready after years of labor and love. The wine tasting room has been built, the wines are stocked and the wine slushie machine is in place.

Owners Matthew and Lindsey Vrahiotes (the youngest winery owners in Georgia) have been on the journey of opening a winery at Lake Lanier for several years. A year ago the couple broke ground on the tasting room and now they are welcoming guests for tastings – it’s a dream come true for the

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

young couple.

Sweet Acre Farms won six awards in the 2015 Georgia Wine Trustees Challenge, including Best of Class. Their lemon blueberry wine took home the honor and was served at a food and wine festival dinner in Savannah. The winery also was awarded silver medals for their Quittin’ Time (lemon white muscadine) and Quittin’ Time )lemon blueberry.)

They also took home a bronze for their lemon blackberry wine, Sweet Ass Strawberry and white muscadine wine. The “Sweet Ass” wines were named after their donkey, Sweetie Pie. The fruit used to make the wines all comes from Georgia, except for the lemons which are not grown commercially in the state. Matthew said he started making small-batch hobby wine back in 2010, and his interest and expertise escalated.

For now the winery’s staple wines are Dry Blueberry, Semisweet Strawberry, Sweet Apple, Sweet Ass Peach, Bramblin’ Sam, Dry Muscadine, Semisweet Muscadine, Sweet Blueberry, Sweet Ass Strawberry, and Quittin’ Time — which is currently available in several flavors.

But even the taste of the staple wines may vary from year to year depending on the type of fruit used and the farms they came from. “So if you come in and you really, really like one of our wines you might want to buy a couple of bottles because next year’s wine might be a little bit different, either by choice or by circumstance,” Matthew said.

Sweet Acre Farms wines are also available at Downtown Drafts in Gainesville.

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

Growler[grou-ler]

Informal. a pitcher, pail, or other container brought by a customer for beer.

GREAT CRAFT BEER IN HISTORIC FLOWERY BRANCH

HOW IT WORKS...

Taste It! Make sure you love your brew before you buy!

Pick It! Get the right size for you with two different sizes: 64oz and 32oz.

Fill It! Pick your brew and we’ll fill your growler and seal it for a safe ride home.

Enjoy and bring it back!

5509 Main St., Flowery Branch, GA 30542 @GrowlersOnMain

678-960-3026 • growlersonmain.com

Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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L

TRAILBLAZ

ake Lanier has a wide variety of outdoor amenities and some of the best are not even near the water’s edge. Hall County’s abundance of public places where outdoor play is the order of the day are waiting for you. With 25 public parks, two dog parks, two amphitheaters, three

community centers, and 23 U.S. Corps of Engineers parks around Lake Lanier, there’s no shortage of places to explore. With the popularity of trails in the Atlanta metro region like the Silver Comet and Beltline, demand for looping trails around Lake Lanier’s shoreline with paved and natural paths is growing and the Hall

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from

Highlands to

County community has heard this cry for more places to play outside.

Community connectivity is what the new Highlands to Islands trails is planning to achieve. The series of connected trails are a network of paved paths going through different cities with access to local attractions, university and technical college campuses, scenic retreats and thriving small business neighborhoods. When complete, the trail network will cover 33 miles and connect Gainesville to Buford.

Currently, the Highlands to Islands trail system includes four completed sections -Wilshire Park, Friendship Roads, Midtown Greenway and Chicopee Woods.

All these sections have paved multi-use trails. The trails provide a scenic backdrop for slow paced strolls, cardio fitness walks/runs, family outings and even stellar photo sessions.

Each area along the trail has its own personality and is located near a wondrous tourist attraction. Wilshire Trails is great for families. It provides pavilions excellent for large gatherings and a covered bridge perfect for a quick photo opp. Friends can relax in the gazebo while parents have the chance to let their children release some of their

Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

energy on the playground. Nearby attractions include Green Street Historic District, Lakeshore Mall, the Solar System Tour and the Historic Downtown Square with shopping and dining. This park is also host to the annual Butterfly Release held each spring.

Friendship Roads offers free admission for pedestrians and cyclists into Lanier Islands resort.

While cars are charged a parking admission when coming onto the resort, guests arriving on foot or bicycle get into the park’s trail areas for free. Once on the Lanier Islands resort, hikers and bikers can enjoy miles of paved paths and off road treks near the shoreline with foot bridges and varied inclines. Stop for a bite at one of the resort’s many eateries or enjoy a beach day before heading back to the trail.

Midtown Greenway is especially nice during city hosted events such as Trick or Treat, Easter Egg Hunts and movies on the green. This centrally located trail section connects downtown Gainesville to central Hall County and the area near Chicopee Woods. Along the trail some sites to consider are INK, the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids and dining at Big Bear Café. Here you can hop the AMTRAK train to New Orleans or Washington DC daily.

The Chicopee Woods section is the oak path near Chicopee Village & Golf Course.

Here you will find a beautiful, scenic wooded area with mature oak trees offering a canopy of shade. Plus there’s a SORBA bike trail nearby for mountain bike

AZING

s to Islands enthusiasts. While enjoying the trails on the Chicopee Woods section don’t forget to stop by the Elachee Nature Science Center where you’ll find great ways to connect with Mother Nature. Once here you can have a nice relaxing picnic, witness a live bee hive and discover native plants in their garden. Elachee also hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year including star gazing, bird watching, guided trail hikes and camps.

In the nearby Chicopee Village area, don’t miss out on Left Nut Brewery. Our area’s only microbrewery is brand new and already a hit among locals and visitors.

While there try a local craft brew and meet up with friends to enjoy their factory tour. The brewery also is a great place for social events and celebrating special occasions.

There are more than 50 established trails in Hall County in addition to the Highlands to Islands trail system. Our parks offer spectacular lake and mountain views while providing a safe area for explorers of all ages. All of our trails with detailed maps and photos are listed on the Discover Georgia Trails smartphone app available on iTunes and Google Play.

Don’t have a smartphone?

No worries, trail maps are

also available online at DiscoverGeorgiaOutdoors.com Want even more adventure?

Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Gainesville is a woodlandthemed paradise with paved and natural trails through a planned garden space featuring native flora. The garden boasts many unique plants including numerous varieties of witch hazel and hydrangea. No matter the season, the garden is always in bloom. Special events also fill the calendar including concerts in their spacious amphitheater, guest lectures, food, craft and horticulture classes and more. The garden is a legacy of the Smithgall family who sought to preserve and protect this most scenic landscape on Lake Lanier’s northern shore. Plans are also underway for a children’s garden.

Need something with more zip? Try flying through a canopy of trees. Check out North Georgia Canopy Tours and Lake Lanier Canopy Tours where you can zip line in midair, walk across sky bridges and play disc golf. For an overnight adventure, book a stay in an authentic teepee or make plans to camp at one of the areas many camp grounds which also offer trails.

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

Camping resort

We’re the largest in north Georgia!

Choice of seasonal or overnight camping, Full facility cabins, On site lake or creek fishing, Pool, 18 hole miniature golf, Game room, Laundry room, Free kayaking and pedal boats, Creekside and lakefront sites, 50 large pull-thru sites, Cable and wi-fi, Reception hall, Camp store, Propane and more.

Bald Mountain Camping Resort 751 Gander Gap Road Hiawassee, Georgia 30596 706-896-8896 www.baldmountainpark.com

Miles of hiking trails Elachee Nature Science Center, in North Georgia’s 1,440-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve, welcomes visitors annually to its 12 miles of hiking trails, and to its SACS/ AdvancED-accredited,STEM-based environmental education programs for PreK-12, Camp Elachee, seasonal public experiential nature events, museum exhibits and through volunteer conservation activities.

Elachee Nature Science Center 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville, GA 30504 770-535- 1976 www.Elachee.org

Enchanting. Whimsical.

DELICIOUS.

Extraordinary Handmade Chocolates & Confections • • • • •

Chocolates, Truffles & Caramels Fresh French Macarons Exclusive Gourmet Chocolate Bars Old Fashioned Penny Candy Sugar Free, Gluten Free and Nut Allergen Free Options Available • We love custom & corporate orders!

5518 Main Street, Flowery Branch, GA 770-965-5577

7000 Lanier Islands Parkway Buford, GA 30518

Liberty-Candy-Company.com

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Trail Day

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

Nature Enthusiast

Staycationers

Family Day

Where to Begin?

Wake up to a lakeside view in a cottage at Don Carter State Park, then hike their trails and swim at the beach

With over 50 parks on and off the water, Lake Lanier offers many ways to start the day. All trails are listed on the free Discover Georgia Trails app

Elachee Nature Science Center is the perfect start to the day. Explore interactive exhibits or pick up a Discover Nature Pack and hit the trails with a fun activity guide.

Believe It or Not Spot

BYOH - Bring Your Own Horse! Don Carter State Park also has a brand new network of equestrian trails

Did you know that Cherokee Bluffs Park has an outcropping of native granite sometimes referred to by locals as “Stone Mountain’s Toenails”.

Take a walk from the sun to Pluto on the Solar System Tour. Start at the Gainesville Square and end at the lakeshore.

After your hike head on over to Mountain Fresh Creamery for some homemade ice cream

What better way to refuel than with a sweet treat from Liberty Candy in Flowery Branch. Here you’ll find handmade treats and your favorite sweets from yesteryear

After hiking head to the square and grab “Georgia’s Best” burger and fries at Collegiate Grill.

Don’t miss out on their handspun milkshakes.

While at Don Carter State Park, be sure to shop in their gift shop filled with regional crafts and trail supplies

The Flowery Branch Farmers Market on Thursdays spring-fall is a great place to pack a trail snack

Bring the hike inside at INK, the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids where everyone can be a kid again while exploring this tyke sized town

Snap a GoPro video while zipping through the treetops at North Georgia Canopy Tours

Share a fisherman’s tale with a photo of your trophy catch from one of the lake’s parks, beaches or docks

Strap on your GoPro and get a spine tingling video as you slip and slide down the Triple Threat water slide.

A moonlit paddle in a canoe or kayak at Lake Lanier Olympic Park is a great ending to the day

Sunset dinner at Fishtales or Pigtales on Lake Lanier is a popular stop for locals and visitors alike

Relax in a beach chair and take in a summer blockbuster on the Spectacular Screen at Lanier Islands

Refuel & Recharge

Along the Way

Capture the Moment

End on a Perfect Note

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

ATL Weekender

Couple’s Retreat

Get Togethers

Did you know that Atlanta Botanical Gardens has a sister garden in Gainesville?

Your annual Gardens membership is good at both locations!

A romantic horseback trail ride from The Stables at Lanier Islands is complete with a lakeside champagne picnic

Play pirate for a day on a scavenger hunt with Lord Nelson Charters and explore the lake’s many islands

Urban amenities with resort sensibility.

Legacy Lodge is the ATLs luxe getaway that’s less than an hour away

Pelican Petes is home to the only giant floating tiki hut on Lake Lanier. The view is unmatched as are the delicious frosty cocktails.

Reunions, weddings, corporate parties and friends can gather at one of many lakeside vacation rentals including The Ark which sleeps up to 45 and has a pool, dock and movie theater

From pontoons to houseboats, Paradise Boat Rentals at Port Royale Marina is the place to float your cares away

Looking for a high octane rush that will create memories of a lifetime? Rent a pair of waverunners at Paradise Boat Rental

Beach days at Lanier World are perfect for groups of all sizes. Pavilions with picnic menus are available.

A round of golf at Chicopee Woods followed by a cold one at Left Nut Brewery

Sweet Acres Winery offers farm fresh fruit wines. Don’t miss their refreshing lemon blueberry wine slushie.

Jaemor Farm Market is a hot gathering spot year round for groups. Their Big Barn plays hosts to lots of gatherings and special events.

Check out the new Public Art Walk highlighting sculpture, murals and other works of art in public places.

The covered bridge at Wilshire Trails Park is the perfect backdrop for a photo opp or a proposal!

Get together with friends and family at one of the Arts Council’s Summer MusicFest shows featuring a variety of music genres

Foodies consider Antebellum a must.

Named a Top 100 American Restaurant by Open Table.

Reservations suggested.

Windsong Sailing’s sunset cruises with Captain Dave are a top choice for your first mate

Be the envy of all your friends with a sunset selfie on board a luxury houseboat or excursion yacht

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The Best Location on Lake Lanier GAINESVILLE

MARINA & BOAT SALES

MARINA SERVICES • Covered & Uncovered Slips up to 80’ • Uncovered Rates Starting at $390/quarter • Dry Stack Storage up to 26’/Pontoons also • Easy Access to Docks • Security Seven Days a Week/Video Surveilance • Service Shop & Fiberglass Repair • Parts Department • Skogie’s Waterfront Eatery • Gas Dock & Pump-out Stations • Courtesy Dock • Climate-controlled Bath Houses with Extra Large Showers • Covered Pavillion

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

Covered Slips (9’ x 21’) Starting as Low as $510/quarter Covered Slips (12’ x 30’) Starting as Low as $690/quarter Short Term Leases Limited Availability

Pontoon Boat Rentals

Ski, Tube or Pleasure Cruise Call us Today for a Group Outing!

BOAT SALES • New Boats • Used Boats • Brokerage Boats • Financing • Extended Warranties • Floating Showroom

• A qua Sports Adventures Waverrunner, deck boats, runabouts, and pontoon boats 6900 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, Ga 30518 678-288-8916 • E nergy Watersports Paddleboards, kayaks, wakeboarding 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, Ga 30518 678-300-0018 • F ishtales Water Sports @ Aqualand Marina Jet skis, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, pontoons 6800 Lights Ferry Rd. Flowery Branch, Ga 30542 678-300-0018 •

boat rentals

• Gainesville

Marina Pontoons 2145 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, Ga 30501 770-536-2171

• H arbor Landing @ Lake Lanier Islands Resorts Tubing, skiing, pontoons, excursions yachts, and luxury houseboats 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway Buford, Ga 30518 • L ake Lanier Canoe/ Kayak Club Canoe, Kayak, Paddleboards and Pedal Boats Learn to paddle, Paddling events 3105 Clarks Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 30506 770-287-7888 • L ake Lanier Flyboard Flyboard 6800 Lights Ferry Road Flowery Branch, GA 30542 1-844-33-WEFLY (93359)

• L ord Nelson Charters Chartered Sailing Cruises, Pirate tours, Scavenger hunts, sailing lessons, Corporate Team Building 6950 Lanier Island Parkway Buford, Ga 30518 770-271-1888 • P aradise Rental Boats WaveRunners, Ski Boats, Party Barges, Deckboats 8800 Port Royale Dr. Gainesville, Ga 30506 855-944-7368 770-887-5715

• Windsong Sailing Sunset Cruises and instructional Programs 6800 Light Ferry Road Flowery Branch, Ga 30542 770-967-1515

Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

8 Brands • 1 Location Third Generation of Hayes Dealers fun in the sun Located in Aqualand Marina, Fish Tales Watersports has everything you need to enjoy a day in the sun.

Our rentals include Pontoons, Sea Doo Sparks, Paddleboards, Kayaks, and Canoes.

Fish Tales Watersports 6800 Lights Ferry Road Flowery Branch, GA 30542 770-967-9323 www.FishTalesWaterSports.com

Matt & Chad Hayes

5 mins. north of Jaemor Farms on Hwy. 365

1-866-262-7047 hayesofbaldwin.com

let’s go sailing today!

If you’ve ever wanted to experience sailing, here’s your chance! Join a romantic sunset cruise, celebrate a special occasion or join one of our educational classes on Lake Lanier.

You don’t have to own a sailboat to experience sailing! Claim your Slip Away Summer Adventure 10% discount.

Windsong Sailing Academy 6900 Lanier Islands Parkway Buford, GA 30518 770-967-1515 Info@WindsongSail.com www.WindsongSail.com

See our entire lineup at www.HayesChryslerDodge.com

800-872-9864 3115 FRONTAGE ROAD, GAINESVILLE, GA MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:30A-8:00P SATURDAY 8:30A-6:00P Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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Culinary EXPEDITION

eorgia’s culinary scene is hopping and the Lake Lanier area is brimming with tasty spots sure to delight your taste buds. We’ve been out and about sampling the local fare and have some great options to share with you when you’re trying to decide “what’s should we eat?”

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neighbors, the Atlanta Quillan’s Grill Falcons NFL team. Our favorite traditional “meat and three” is Locally Grown Ribeye Quillians Grill where 4930 Cleveland Highway homemade side dishes Clermont, GA 678-616-3023 and slow cooked entrees are the perfect fuel for a day of adventure.

LOOKING FOR A QUICK BITE?

MAKE A HEALTHY CHOICE

Sweet Magnolias Cafe & Bakery located on the square in Gainesville is a great place to grab a sandwich or salad and their can’t be missed Hello Dolly dessert bar for lunch then do a little shopping at the area’s quaint boutiques such as Dress Up, Rahab’s Rope, and District 101. Head south to The Branch and Common Grounds Coffee Shoppe for breakfast or lunch with a unique and relaxing atmosphere in downtown Flowery Branch. Start off with the “Train Whistle” and a cup of Dirty Bird inspired by their

Jumpstart your travels with a refreshing stop at Natural Juice Café where you’ll find the area’s only fresh pressed juice bar. Their salads, sandwiches and wraps are filled with low calorie, fresh and preservative free ingredients. Daily

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

Natural Juice Cafe

Superfood Salad 2480 Limestone Parkway Gainesville, GA 678-928-4833

specials and the salad bar can’t be missed for a guaranteed healthy choice. Headed out for a trail ride or beach day?

Drop by Jaemor Farm Market and stock your cooler with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, juices and homebaked breads.

READY FOR A FRESH CATCH? The Fried Shrimp Atlanta Highway Seafood Po’boy from Atlanta Market Highway Seafood Market in Gainesville Fried Shrimp Po Boy was named one of the 100 Georgia Plates Locals Love 100 Plates Locals Love 227 Atlanta Highway #900 in Georgia this year.

Gainesville, GA 770-287-8277 Even though we’re miles from the coast, this market brings in fresh caught fish from the Gulf of Mexico four times a week! Out for a boat ride and need to refuel? Head over to Hideaway Bay Marina and visit Fish Tales Lakeside Grille. Enjoy their fresh Ahi Tuna drizzled with a delicious sriracha honey soy sauce add a refreshing Mai Tai, and enjoy their fantastic view of the lake. It’s the perfect ending to your day or the perfect beginning of a fabulous weekend.

SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT! A visit to Lake Lanier without stopping for fried chicken is unheard of since we’re the poultry capital of the world – in fact, it’s illegal to eat this Southern staple with a fork around these parts. For Lake Lanier’s best fried chicken, run by Papa Jack’s Country Kitchen, you will want to savor every bite and lick your fingers clean. Then head over to Southern Baked Pie Company for comfort food with their chicken pot pie, so good, your family will think you made it from scratch. Drop by Green’s Grocery and score some picnic goodies with their homemade chicken salad, pimento cheese and fresh baked cakes.

FEELING FANCY? A must stop along the way is Antebellum, an Open Table Top 100 restaurant, located in downtown Flowery Branch, captivating

All Star Chef Nicholas St Clair Antebellum

Root Beer Braised Short Ribs Open Table Top 100 USA 5510 Church Street Flowery Branch, GA 770-965-8100 its customers with southern charm and an impeccable seasonally refreshed menu. Their Fried Green Tomatoes with Mimosa Ice, is a culinary experience. Chef driven with locally sourced ingredients and a lake view is Sidney’s claim to fame. Located at Lanier Islands Resort, Sidney’s celebrates nature through its menu, a marriage of joyful Southern cooking and farm-to-table cuisine seeking the very best flavor from every ingredient. Just off the square in Gainesville, Scott’s Downtown blends small town charm with urban chic. Don’t miss a tasty libation from their lounge bar and top it off with a fork tender steak. Upscale

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flavors in a more casual atmosphere can be found at 2 Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide Dog and Avocados in Gainesville. 2 Dog locally sources their ingredients and serve a wide array of unique salads and sides daily. Avocados serves breakfast all day and also offers a blend of tex-mex and southern favorites.

2Dog

BBQ Shrimp & Grits 317 Spring Street SE Gainesville, GA 770-287-8384

Avocados

The Square Omelette 109 Bradford Street Gainesville, GA 770-367-3117

SMOKIN’ HOT FLAVORS! No lake visit is complete without a barbecue feast. As can be expected, Lake Lanier offers a wide variety of choices for smoked meats and traditional southern sides. Pig Tales, at Aqualand Marine has a beautiful view, and a delicious menu with unusual mash ups including a burger topped with pulled pork and a bacon wrapped hotdog.

More traditional barbecue can be found at one of these local favorites: Southern Smoq in Flowery Branch has award winning smoked wings and turkey breast, and their side dishes are beyond compare; Smokehouse BBQ in Oakwood has been here for generations, dine in on a picnic table or order a feast to go; named one of the Atlanta area’s best BBQ joints, the Hickory Pig in Gainesville is a unique experience with dozens of sauce flavors and a tiny dining room full of character.

JUST LIKE MOM USED TO MAKE Cafeteria style dining featuring old fashioned Southern meats and vegetables can be found all around the Lake Lanier area. Made famous by shout outs from local celebs and appearances on network television, Longstreet Café is the gathering place for locals breakfast, lunch and dinner. Loretta’s in Oakwood is locally famous for their turkey and dressing – it’s not just for Thanksgiving! The best bargain lunch in

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

the area can be found at Rabbittown Cafe where a plate of meat and veggies can be had for $5!

PRETTY SWEET TREATS! Don’t leave before grabbing a sweet for the road. Tasty options abound for even the most discerning sweet tooth.

First stop is Liberty Candy, where nostalgia reigns supreme in this emporium of delights. Mix and match a box of homemade chocolates savor a scoop of ice cream or have a blast from the past with candy of yesteryear. Calliope Sweets just across the street bakes New Orleans inspired goodies and during the summer months offers traditional NOLA snowballs. In Gainesville, our favorite sweet treat can be found at La Mejor de Michoacan in Gainesvlle. A latin inspired ice cream parlor with handspun milkshakes and the widest variety of cream and ice based popsicles you’ve ever seen.

As you can clearly see, there are plenty of quality dining options in Lake Lanier area. It’s impossible to list them all here. You can browse more options online at www.

DiscoverLakeLanier.com and download our 100 Plates Locals Love Dining Guide.

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

meet & eat Visit North Georgia’s premier casual fine dining restaurant and special event facility just off the square in downtown Gainesville. The awardwinning restaurant offers lunch and dinner with prime steaks and fresh seafood. The Loft is THE place for meetings and special events.

SCOTT’S DOWNTOWN

Scott’s Downtown and The Loft at Scott’s 131 Bradford Street NW Gainesville, GA 30501 770-536-111 www.scottsdowntown.com

food with a view

hidden delights

Located in Aqualand Marina, Pig Tales Lake Lanier is the newest dining experience Lake Lanier has to offer. Our menu features bbq, burgers, wings and more. Join us for lunch or dinner for the best view on Lake Lanier.

Nestled away in Hideaway Bay Marina, Fish Tales Lakeside Grille will give you the dining experience you are in search of. Our menu has a wide variety of fresh fish, signature salads, and so much more. Join us to indulge in “The Best Seafood on Lake Lanier.”

Pig Tales Lake Lanier 6800 Lights Ferry Road Flowery Branch, GA 30542 678-828-7676 www.PigTalesLakeLanier.com

Fish Tales Lakeside Grille 6330 Mitchell Street Flowery Branch, GA 30542 770-967-3775 www.FishTales LakeLanier.com

Best butcher shop

A favorite local lunch spot!

Offering top-quality prime hand-cut steaks, groceries, produce, desserts, a large selection of beer and wines, delicious prepared foods including our famous chicken and The Green Egg. Green’s Grocery 974 Riverside Dr. Gainesville, GA 770-534-5621

Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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We’ve got an

EAR Fresh Goodness for

T

he Silk Road at Lake Lanier is a luscious puzzle path through the corn fields at the area’s two giant corn mazes.

Jaemor Farms and Buford Corn Maze have been thrilling thousands of explorers who dare to take the challenge of hide and seek among the rows of corn. Due to popular demand, in 2016, the Buford Corn Maze is expanding!

The maze already offers hayrides, pony rides, a pumpkins patch, farm animals, a play area, and inflatables. New activities this season include a farmers market and mountain bike racing. On Saturdays, they ramp up the fun by offering haunted corn maze tours and other spooky events. They also have plans to create venues for acoustic music, elegant weddings, corporate events and birthday parties.

Farming is more than just corn around these parts. Jaemor Farms has more than 350- acres of land and sees more than 750,000 consumers each year. The farm started off producing cotton and peaches more than 100 years ago. Presently, the farm grows peaches, strawberries, blackberries,

apples, pumpkins, other fruits and veggies. Their locally grown produce is available at their two markets and used in their bakery goods.

You’ll want to gobble up one of their fried fruit pies and make sure to get some homemade ice cream to go with it or just enjoy it by itself. The Pie Kitchen also offers fresh baked bread and homemade scrumptious cakes.

At the market, you’ll find jellies, jams, preserves and nut butters.

They also carry other Georgia Grown products, including local favorites Mountain Fresh Creamery milk and Nadine’s mouth-watering special recipes of chicken salad and pimento cheese.

Jaemor Farms also hosts a series of marvelous annual events including a Strawberry Festival, Georgia Bell Peach Festival, Date Nights on the Farm and Make It & Take It classes. Their corn maze also has hayrides,

farm themed slides, a petting zoo, skee ball, duck races, apple cannons and pumpkin chunking.

Flowery Branch and Gainesville also have their own array of fresh produce with local Farmers Markets from Spring to Fall. Every Thursday from May to October these markets (Flowery Branch on Thursday, Gainesville on Friday) draw crowds from all across the region.

The atmosphere is fun and lively.

You will find beautiful fresh cut flowers, baked goodies, fresh farm eggs, local honey and more.

Other notable items include grass fed beef, fresh herbs, handcrafted goods and seafood.

The markets also have a variety of specialty vendors to choose from. If you have a little pup of your own, you may way to visit 2 Lil’ Dogs and purchase homemade treats and jerky. For apparel and household items stop

by Garments & Gifts. There are plenty of artisan booths to check out such as Granola Bar & Grill, which peddles fresh roasted coffee beans.

If you’re in the market for handmade jewelry, try

Corn Maze season starts around Labor Day and runs through mid-November

s KAM by Design. There are loads of other places to try out once at the market so take your time and browse around. To stay up to date, find Flowery Branch Farmers Market on Facebook.

Georgia Grown Weblinks Buford Corn Maze: www.bufordcornmaze.com Jaemor Farms: www.jaemorfarms.com Flowery Branch Farmers Market: on Facebook Gainesville Farmers Market: on Facebook

What’s GROWIN’ On! APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV Strawberries

Serving you fresh fruits and vegetables year-round!

Spring Field Trips: April - May Strawberry Festival: Early May Summer Field Trips: Mid June - July Peach Festival: August 6th, 2016 Fall Field Trips: Mid Sept - Early Nov. Fall Corn Maze: Sept. 10 - Nov. 6 U-Pick Pumpkins: October

Peaches Blackberries Squash& Zucchini Runner Beans Watermelon Grapes

(Muscadines & Scuppernogs)

Apples Pumpkins *Please keep in mind all of our produce is weather dependent. Certain weather conditions can speed up or delay the ripening of our crops.

ALTO FARM & MARKET 5340 Cornelia Hwy (Hwy 365) Alto, GA 770-869-3999

COMMERCE MARKET 40081 U.S. Hwy 441 Commerce, GA 706-335-0999

jaemorfarms.com Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

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ome of 1973 Masters® Champion, Tommy Aaron, Lake Lanier provides ample opportunity for golfers to sandbag their travel companions over 18 holes of pure bliss. The following public courses are the best on and off the lake: Legacy on Lanier Golf Club Created by renowned designer Billy Fuller, Legacy on Lanier Golf Club offers stunning views of Georgia’s Great Lake. An unrivaled golf experience, the layout traverses a natural setting with twelve of their eighteen scenic holes on the water.

Lanier Islands Resort 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway Buford, GA 30518 Tee Times: 678-318-7861 www.lanierislands.com/golff

Hit the

Links

at Lake Lanier Reunion Golf Club With dramatic elevations and some of the most beautiful views around, Reunion Country Club is one of the most played courses in North Atlanta. The championship par 72 course designed by Michael Riley provides a fun and challenging experience for golfers of all levels.

Chattahoochee Golf Club Since opening in 1960, Chattahoochee Golf Club has been one of the premier public golf courses in northeast Georgia.

Built on 183 acres of rolling farmland, the course design allows for easy walking and is enjoyable for both scratch and high handicap golfers.

5609 Grand Reunion Drive Hoschton, GA 30548 770-967-8300 www.reuniongolfclub.com

301 Tommy Aaron Drive Gainesville, GA 30506 770-532-0066 www.gainesville.org/ chattahoochee-golf-course

Royal Lakes Golf & Country Club In the heart of South Hall County, situated on 150 acres with over nineteen acres of beautiful lakes, Royal Lakes Golf & Country Club features plush bermuda and rolling greens. The Scottish design will satisfy even the most accomplished player.

4700 Royal Lakes Drive Flowery Branch, GA 30542 770-535-8800 royallakesgolf.com/content/royallakes-golf

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

Chicopee Woods Golf A round of golf at Chicopee Woods resembles a casual stroll through the park. Golfers of all skill levels enjoy this championship layout that features 27 holes.

2515 Atlanta Highway Gainesville, GA 30504 770-534-7322 www.chicopeewoodsgolf course.com

Stay

travellog

Hampton Inn & Suites Located on I-985, just three miles from scenic Lake Lanier and minutes away from hiking & mountain biking opportunities. 84 comfortable guest rooms & suites, microwave & mini refrigerator, free hot breakfast, free high speed Internet, gym/fitness center & indoor pool.

Hampton Inn & Suites 4660 Holland Dam Road Flowery Branch, GA 30542 770-965-0357

Quality Inn

Jameson Inn

Convenient to local attractions, including Lake Lanier, the North Georgia Mountains, Elachee Nature Center, Chateau Elan Winery, Road Atlanta, the University of North Georgia and Brenau University. There are a wide variety of restaurants, cocktail lounges and specialty shops located in the surrounding area.

Amenities include complimentary breakfast with Belgian waffles, an Internet computer kiosk in the lobby, complimentary weekday newspaper, on-site fitness center, and a swimming pool. Rooms include comfortable Dreamium pillowtop beds, work area with free wireless Internet, microwave, refrigerator and cable TV.

Quality Inn – Oakwood I-985, Exit 16 Mundy Mill Road Oakwood, GA 30566 770-287-1000

Jameson Inn 3530 Thurmon Tanner Parkway Oakwood, GA 30566 770-533-9400

Glamping

Whitworth Inn

Don Carter State Park

A fusion of glamour and camping, North Georgia Canopy Tours offers the best glamping experience near Lake Lanier. With their authentic teepees equipped with climate control, comfy beds, luxury linens and wifi, you’ll forget you’re “roughing it” Teepees range in size and bedding configurations and can accommodate from 2 to 10 people.

Relax and enjoy the quiet country atmosphere of this attractive Bed & Breakfast inn only minutes from Lake Lanier. Ten uniquely decorated guest rooms, each with private bath, TV and air conditioning. Full breakfast is served in the morning in the sunlit dining room overlooking the backyard gazebo and gardens.

North Georgia Canopy Tours 5290 Harris Road Lula, GA 30554 770-869-7272 www.ziplula.com

Whitworth Inn 6593 McEver Road Flowery Branch, GA 30542 770-967-2386

Lake Lanier’s only State Park offers two-bedroom cabins with lake views, a campground for RVs and another for tent and hammock campers. Guests enjoy the sandy beach with bath house and kayak rentals. Boat ramps provide quick access to the lake, while a multi-use trail welcomes hikers and bikers to explore the hardwood forest.

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

Don Carter State Park 5000 North Browning Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 30506 Reservations: 800-864-7275 Park: 678-450-7726

F o L & 2 P G 7 w

A

Lake Lanier

area map Hall County, Georgia

Georgia 129 North Mountain Fresh Creamery

Clermont 129 Georgia 365 North North GA Canopy Tours Jaemor Farm Market

Lula 23

For more information on visiting us: Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau 2875 Browns Bridge Road Post Office Box 2995 Gainesville, GA 30503 770-536-5209 www.lakelaniercvb.com

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H

Exit 17, I-985 University of North Georgia Elachee Nature Center

Oakwood

H H

Atlanta

Lake Lanier

Gillsville

Gainesville

Exit 8, I-985 Lanier Islands Lake Lanier Canopy Tours

Buford

Exits 20-24, I-985 Downtown Square Olympic Venue Laurel Park

985

Flowery Branch

Exit 16, I-985 Road Atlanta Quality Inn Best Western Plus Jameson Inn

Exit 12, I-985 Hampton Inn & Suites Whitworth Inn Atlanta Falcons HQ Old Town Flowery Branch

GEORGIA

FREE Best of Lake Lanier App! Scan the QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to get the Best of Lake Lanier app and discover the Best of Georgia’s Lake Lanier. Or visit us online at LakeLanierCVB.com

View the Online Micro Map! Scan the QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to view the Lake Lanier Micro Map to find the everything you want to do at Lake Lanier. Or visit us online at LakeLanierCVB.com

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Lake Lanier Area Visitors Guide

& Suites

Located just 4 miles from Lake Lanier Islands Resort, this Buford hotel features an outdoor pool and deck, free Wi-Fi, rooms with 42” LED TVs, work desk and hairdryer.

Enjoy the on-site tness center and business center ce with computers, copy and fax services. A complimentary full hot breakfast is served with the morning paper daily.

4951 Bristol Industrial Way Buford, GA 30518

678-730-5050 www.hiexpress.com

Looking for an exciting getaway?

You’ll be in the center of it all at this affordable Lake Lanier hotel. Feel right at home in the well appointed, large guest rooms at this newly renovated Oakwood hotel. Enjoy the comforts of home with LCD TV, free wii, coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator in your room. Fuel up with complimentary full breakfast with coffee, cereal, fruit, juice, yogurt, eggs and other hot items.

4535 Oakwood Road, Oakwood, GA 30566

770-535-8080 • www.bestwesterngeorgia.com

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

Stay

travellog

vacation rentals

L

ake Lanier offers many wonderful options for vacation home rentals.

Browse these homes when looking for something more than a hotel can offer. Listings with a VRBO number can be found at www.vrbo.com; others have their own websites.

Heron Cove Guest House Coveside Suite – 1 Bedroom Cabana Suite – 1 Bedroom Private entrances, sauna, gardens, lake views www.heroncoveguesthouse.com

The Ark on Lake Lanier 14 Bedrooms (Sleeps 40) Private pool, beach volleyball, home theater, boat rental VRBO# 459652

Point Place 4 Bedrooms (Sleeps 8) Private dock, boat rentals, fishing guide service available www.lanierlakehome.com/ Point_Place.html

Sunset Summit 5 Bedrooms (Sleeps 14) Private pool, hot tub, open water lake views VRBO# 567141

Lake House on Large Cove 5 Bedrooms (Sleeps 13) Three deck areas, balconies and outdoor fire pit VRBO# 427011

resident specialist Thinking about buying a home on Lake Lanier? I am Lake Lanier resident and residential specialist.

I would love to help you find your new lake home or lake lot to build your dream home. Call or text me today!

Dana Valentine Berkshire Hathaway - HomeServices Georgia Properties 200 West Academy Street Gainesville, GA 30501 770-536-3007 www.danavalentine. bhhsgeorgia.com Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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LANIER ISLANDS RESORT

Stay

travellog Lanier

Islands Resort Set on the picturesque shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, this 1,200-acre resort provides a variety of deluxe amenities and services in a setting of unparalleled natural splendor.

Resort accommodations offer a wide range of features to make your stay comfortable and unforgettable.

To book your stay at any of the Lanier Islands Resort accommodations: 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway Buford, GA 30518 770-945-8787 Toll-free 800-840-5253 www.lakelanierislands.com

Legacy Lodge & Conference Center Over 200 guest rooms including King and Double Queens, and King Suites are equipped with fine amenities, including spacious walkin showers, granite surfaces, balcony or terraces, flat screen televisions, complimentary wireless Internet plus access to all hotel services including room service, concierge and valet.

Legacy Villas Composed of six bedrooms, each villa is equipped with premium amenities and views of the lake.

Located adjacent to Legacy Lodge, the villas consist of two King Rooms, two Double Queens, and two King Suites, each individually keyed and featuring a private bath and patio or deck. Villa guests enjoy Legacy Lodge amenities.

LakeHouses at Legacy

Blue Ridge Campground

Shoal Creek Campground

Beneath towering Georgia pines on the glimmering shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, the LakeHouses are rustic and relaxing, featuring two private bedrooms, two private bathrooms, washer & dryer, full kitchen, dining room, living room with a sleeper sofa, fieldstone gas fireplace and a deck with a Jacuzzi tub and gas grill. Accommodates up to 8 guests.

Sleep under the stars in a serene environment, suitable for RVs and tents. A boat ramp and fishing pier are conveniently located nearby to complete your perfect Lanier Islands camping experience.

Campers are also within easy access of all the resort offerings, including LanierWorld, spa facilities, golf course, boat rentals, restaurants and more.

Lakefront campsites are located approximately seven miles from Lanier Islands and boast large wooded sites with tables, fire rings and grills. Shoal Creek Campground is nestled in a very serene portion of Lake Lanier just off Buford Dam Road and Shadburn Ferry Road.

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Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau • DiscoverLakeLanier.com

Boat Sales

Boat Boat Boat |Storage | Service | Lakeside | Rentals Dining

2014

242 Limited S

Boating Centers

Family Reunion 2013 Lake Lanier

Pirates of Lanier Poker Run 2013

The Best Servic e in Georgia Boating

Centers

7 Convenient Locations Throughout Georgia!

Throughout Lake Lanier | Lake Allatoona Gainesville | Kennesaw Woodstock | Acworth | White

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