Gainesville's municipal power plant was built in 1899. Gainesville was the first southern city to have electric streetlights.

Gainesville is often referred to as the "Poultry Capital of the World."

Hall County is split by the Chattahoochee River and Lake Lanier, the most northerly impoundment of the river. Lake Lanier is a major recreation and tourism site and served as the venue for many of the rowing and kayaking events in the 1996 Olympic Games.

There are several festivals held annually in Hall County, including the Georgia Mountain Jubilee held in late April, and the Holiday Marketplace, held in mid-November.