Visitor Information
Your recreation destination along Georgia's Hospitality Highway (Ga. 400) Cumming/Forsyth County invites you to "Come Play in Our Backyard". Cumming/Forsyth County is one of Mother Nature’s favorite playgrounds where opportunities for hiking, camping and fishing provide exceptional possibilities to play in our backyard. Nestled along the shoreline of Lake Sidney Lanier and anchored by ancient Sawnee Mountain, Cumming/Forsyth County offers an outdoor paradise within a bustling metropolitan arena.
Where to Stay
Comfort Suites
905 Buford Road
Cumming, GA 30041
Phone:770-889-4141
www.comfortsuites.com/hotel/ga030
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Courtyard by Marriott
12655 Deerfield Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: 678-366-3360
www.marriott.com
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Hampton Inn
915 Ronald Regan Blvd
Cumming, GA 30041
Phone:770-889-0877
www.hamptoninn.com
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Marriott International
5750 Windward Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Phone:678-624-3116
www.alpharettamarriott.com
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Residence Inn by Marriott Alpharetta/Windward
5465 Windward Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30004
770-664-0664
www.alpharettaresidenceinn.com
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SpringHill Suties by Marriott
12730 Deerfield Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30004
678-867-7125
www.marriott.com/Atlss
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Sun Suites of Cumming
555 Lake Center Parkway
Cumming, GA 30040
Phone:770-781-5550
www.sunsuites.com
What to Do
Parks and Recreation
For more information about any of our amazing parks and their facilities, please go to Forsyth County Parks and Recreation or City of Cumming Recreation and Parks.
Sawnee Mountain Preserve – Exit 15
2500 Bettis –Tribble Gap Road
Cumming, Georgia 30040
770-781-2215
www.sawneemountain.org
850+ acre park dedicated to preserving greenspace; providing a natural habitat for local flora and fauna. Native plant garden, moderate hiking trail, panoramic view, playground, picnic pavilions and restrooms.
Mary Alice Park – Exit 14
1820 Mary Alice Park Road
Cumming, Georgia
770 781-3491
www.cityofcumming.net
Located on the southern end of Lake Lanier; public boat ramp with access to Lake Lanier, beach with designated swim area, picnic tables located throughout the park and a rental pavilion.
Shady Grove Campground - Exit 17
7800 Shadburn Ferry Road
Cumming, Georgia 30041
770 781-2215
www.forsythco.com
Open seasonally for primitive and RV camping; courtesy boat dock and access to Lake Lanier. Fishing is permitted and hiking trails abound along the lakeshore.
Forsyth County Central Park – Exit 17
2300 Keith Bridge Road
Cumming, Georgia 30040
770 781-2215
www.forsythco.com
3.75 miles mountain biking trails and free ride area for all skill levels; 27-hole Disc Golf Course, 1.3 mile paved walking trail and indoor walking track. Kayak and canoe classes, natural history, interpretative programs, summer camps for school age children.
Fishing
Buford Trout Hatchery – Exit 14
Highway 20 East
Trout Hatchery Road
Cumming, Georgia 30041
770 781-6888
View up to 1,000,000 brown or rainbow trout being reared for stocking; nature/bird trail, boardwalk, viewing platform overlooking a beaver swamp, family fishing pond, hatchery tours 1:00 PM each Saturday.
Rainbow Ranch – Exit 14
41 Ruth Lane
Cumming, Georgia
770-887-4797
Trout fishing any time; pay only for what you catch. Cleaned and bagged by staff; take home or cook it on one of the grills in the picnic area. Exhibition pond features 10 lb. bass and other rare fish. Open field play area.
Lake Lanier Fishing
Clay Cunningham
www.catchingnotfishing.com
770-630-2673
Ken Sturdivant
www.havefunfishing.com
770-889-2654
Shane Watson
www.lakelanierstripers.com
770-889-5549
Enjoy a day of bass or striper fishing on bountiful Lake Lanier with skilled and experienced guides; all equipment provided.
Chattahoochee River Trout Fishing
Chris Scalley
www.riverthroughatlanta.com
770-650-8630
Trout fishing on the Chattahoochee, an incomparable fly-fishing experience with a knowledgeable and well-equipped guide service.
A Day at the Lake
Lake Sidney Lanier – Exits 14,15,16,17
770-945-9531
Campground Reservations 1-877-444-6777
http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil
Over 692 miles of shoreline provides a variety of recreational activities; sandy beaches, picnic areas, playgrounds, numerous campgrounds, fishing, swimming, boating, and hiking.
Port Royale Marina– Exit 17
9200 Lan Mar Road
Gainesville, Georgia 30506
770-887-2690
www.paradiserentalboats.com
Habersham Marina
2200 Habersham Marina Road
Cumming, GA 30041
770-887-5432
www.habershammarina.com
Pontoons, runabouts, wave runners and overnight party boats for rent on Lake Lanier; be the captain of your own boat and enjoy exploring Lake Lanier for an hour, a day or multi-days.
Local Art/Artist Information
Arts Trail
Located in the middle of the Hospitality Highway, Cumming and Forsyth County offer a diverse arts experience in a charming small town atmosphere. From artist studios and galleries to live theater and bluegrass festivals, the arts are thriving and provide visitors and locals alike a unique opportunity to enjoy world renowned and collected artists in easily accessible surroundings. The yearly Bellezza Exhibit is an eagerly anticipated gathering and the Sawnee Artist Gallery located at Humpus Bumpus Bookstore presents shows of local artists on a rotating basis. Bonnie Flood Gallery features regional artists in the charming Vickery Village and Barbara A. Wood Gallery, located off Exit 15, showcase her original oils and limited edition prints. The bronze statues of Gregory Johnson can be enjoyed around the square in downtown Cumming and the somber War Memorial is a haunting tribute to all who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. His studio is also located in Forsyth County and open for tours by appointment. Additional information on our artists, galleries and entertainment can be found at
www.cummingforsythchamber.org
.
Local Artists:
For one of a kind hand painted furniture and accessories, visit Black Dog Art Studios where artist
Jay David
will custom build just the right piece for your home of office.
www.blackdogartstudios.com
Located next to Black Dog is Main Street Interiors where the regionally known artist
Cornbread
is the featured artist.
www.mainstreetinteriors.com
Sculptor and artist
Gregory Johnson
has his studio in Forsyth County and there his lifelike bronze sculptures which are found across the United States are created. From California to New York, Greg’s work memorializes soldiers, honors heroes and captures the spirit of children at play.
www.gregoryjohnson.biz
Vickery Village is the home to the
Bonnie Flood Gallery where Bonnie is the artist in residence. Along with her own original oil paintings, she also has works by regional artists
Bill Davidson
, Deborah Pellock,
Jane Gibout,
Judy Byran George,
Dimitry Proshkin
and
Murat Kaboulov. Handmade jewelry from natural stones and one-of-a-kind purses offer a variety of choices to the collector.
www.bonnieflood.com
Also in Vickery Village is the Peter Brandi Gallery with oil paintings hanging in a unique setting of antique furniture and reproductions.
World renowned and collected Impressionist artist
Barbara A. Wood
has made Cumming and Forsyth County her new home. Her original oils, limited edition prints, prints on canvas and artistry on pillows are found in her signature gallery where her belief that "color is the music of art" comes to life.
www.barbaraAwoodGallery.com
Many of our local artists are members of the Sawnee Artists Association. They feature art shows at the local bookstore, Humpus Bumpus, and also hold Belleza, a yearly exhibit presenting works of their members. Please visit their website,
www.sawneeart.org
for a complete listing and information on their shows and events.
The Cumming Playhouse presents live theater year round and from one man shows to full productions and musicals, there is something for every taste to be found in the Historic Old Schoolhouse.
www.playhousecumming.com
.
Parson's Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery is home to Thomas Kinkade Art. He is the most popular living artist in America. The Parson's Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery is one of the largest in the nation and located at Lakeland Plaza in Cumming. Please call for special events or information 770-888-9924. www.thomaskinkade.com
Other Attractions
