Outdoor Meccas:

Durango, CO  |  Bend, OR  |  Bishop, CA  |  Ely, MN  

Gainesville, GA  |  North Conway, NH 

Gainesville, Georgia:

Population: 31,100

Median Home Price: $275,000

Nearby Activities: Hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing, sailing

The Scene: A friendly micropolitan town on Lake Lanier, 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta, Gainesville's city hall hands out free peach pies every spring. The Chattooga River's Class II–V rapids are an hour away, as is the Chattahoochee National Forest.

OPTIONS: In 1996, Olympians competed on the waters of Lake Lanier. The 3,800 acre (38 hectares) man-made reservoir draws seven million tourists each year.

OUTFITTER: Lessons at the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club (www.lckc.org) will help get you up to speed.

GOOD EATS: Have chicken fried steak and a glass of local Chateau Elan Merlot at Long Street Café (www.longstreetcafe.com).

30 More Places to Live and Play:

Boise or Bust!

Outdoor Meccas  |  Adventure Cities  |  Small Towns

Cultural Hubs  |  Beach Towns  

Adventure's September 2006 issue features 31 amazing adventure towns; chaos at the top of Mount Everest; an inside look at surfing California's Lost Coast; 11 fall weekend getaways near you; the best high-tech footwear, world class adventure travel; hiking the Alps, and more!