Things to Do in Gainesville

Anyone with a compass and a good pair of shoes can walk through a forest. Lake Lanier Canopy Tours' guides make it their mission to give lovers of the outdoors a unique view of nature from ziplines and sky bridges that snake through the treetops around Lake Lanier Islands Resort. All in all, 30 ziplines stretch above terra firma to form several distinct paths for exploring the canopy. The Lakeside tour follows four sky bridges and several ziplines that pass over Lake Lanier itself, and the Legacy Night tour takes riders equipped with headlamps and lanterns across seven ziplines. The company's most adventurous excursion, the Pine Isle tour, makes its way across a total of 11 ziplines, including the Duals, twin lines that send riders side by side for 1,500 feet at speeds upwards of 50 miles per hour.

Professional guides accompany every adventure to make sure participants are safe as they soar down the lines, traverse sky bridges, and negotiate with eagles for permission to use their trees. All of the tours are designed and built by Association for Challenge Course Technology professionals, and all gear, decks, cables, helmets, and harnesses are certified for safety.

Two towers jut out of facing beaches, joined by cables that span an unusually placid portion of Lake Lanier. When New Wave Cable Park's small groups of customers suit up, however, the cable comes alive, towing boarders to and fro at blistering speeds. Nestled in a secure inlet surrounded by white beaches, the Park is sheltered from boat wakes so that beginners can acclimate themselves and can safely try out new tricks. A brand-new kicker box makes it even easier for boarders to grab some air and, for advanced riders, fistfuls of cloud.

In 2001, the first of many ziplines began to sprout from the grounds surrounding the Old Mill Farm. The cows would inspect the strange contraptions quizzically, but they soon grew comfortable with the droves of smiling guests whooshing overhead. Today, spread across more than 100 acres near the North Oconee River in Lula, Georgia, North Georgia Canopy Tours lead groups on high-flying adventures. Complete with commemorative photo packages, the tours entertain guests with serene views and exhilarating activities. The ziplines reach up to 70 feet off the ground and extend as far as 850 feet, allowing zipliners to catch glimpses of flying squirrels migrating south in V formation.

Staff also welcome visitors to stay overnight in 15 campsites and several authentic Native-American teepees equipped with amenities such as electricity and air conditioning. The walls of each teepee bear custom-painted Cherokee symbols representative of the seven Cherokee Clans, for which North Georgia Canopy Tours' seven campgrounds are named.

When searching for a business venture that would let him spend time with his kids, former commodities trader Mike Nasatir looked to his daughters for inspiration—a decision that paid off when he founded The Painted Penguin. The family business showcases the art of ceramics, inviting participants with any level of experience to unhurriedly paint their bisque and plaster pieces in the company of friends, family members, or particularly chatty coffee mugs. When designing their own pieces or attending any of The Painted Penguin's parties, customers can enlist the help of staff members, who are always on hand to provide tips or inspiration.

Psychedelic lighting, clouds of fog, and thumping beats fill Laser Tag of Buford’s 7,000-square-foot, two-level arena. From behind rectangular obstacles and stacks of barrels, up to 28 players dodge incoming laser blasts while firing at foes during battles that commence every 20 minutes. Throughout each bout, computerized weapons and sound system¬–equipped vests help participants stay abreast of their score, while a large scoreboard updates sideline observers and astronauts watching from space. After their game, guests can explore the facility’s remaining 4,000 square feet, which house an arcade with more than 20 games and a concession stand stocked with snacks and drinks.