Explore Commerce: Trails, history, and events

Commerce offers a range of reasons to visit: nearly four miles of multi-use trails at Fox Trails sit alongside historic sites, events, and recreational activities. This lets you tailor your trip to your family’s interests—whether that means getting outdoors, learning about local history, or enjoying activities together. This variety is especially useful when planning: you can decide in advance which of these themes will be most important for your trip, rather than reducing Commerce to just one type of outing.

Different ways to enjoy exercise and recreation

Fox Trails has nearly four miles of multi-use trails. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can make the trails a focus of your trip planning. The trails offer a different kind of experience than Commerce’s historic houses and events; which option better suits your day depends on whether you prefer being outdoors or want to focus on other activities. The stated length refers to the multi-use trails as a whole and gives you a specific point of reference for planning.

Funopolis Family Fun Center offers mini golf and more than 120 arcade games. Families can consider whether they would like to plan a round of mini golf together or whether the wide selection of arcade games better suits their interests. The figure of more than 120 games describes the range of what’s offered; it does not indicate how long a visit will take. This makes it possible to consider Funopolis as a separate recreational activity without committing the rest of your stay to any particular pursuit.

Historic sites in Commerce

The Commerce Commercial Historic District has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989. This provides a specific point of reference for local history. The Shankle House is also a historic 19th-century house in downtown Commerce. It is furnished with antiques and artifacts from the period. Those interested in history and historic objects will find a different way to explore here than on a walk along the multi-use trails or at a recreational attraction.

The grounds of the Seaborn M. Shankle House also contain a small 19th-century family cemetery. It is a distinct historic feature of the property. Another reminder of local history is the “Home of Governor L.G. Hardman” historic marker on GA 98 in Commerce. Along with the Historic District and the Shankle House, the marker can add to your exploration of local history, without requiring you to connect all the sites into a single walking tour.

Events and local culture

Commerce’s Summer in the City includes the Art-Tiques Vintage Market Festival. Cruisin’ Commerce is a classic car event, while Hometown Holidays features a tree-lighting ceremony. Fall Fest: Bands, Brews & BBQ offers locally brewed beverages. If you’d like to plan your trip around an event, these examples reflect the variety of events in the area.

The Commerce Cultural Center, formerly the Historic Presbyterian Church, is a destination for theater enthusiasts. It hosts local theater performances. This adds culture to the range of recreational and historic experiences in Commerce. When planning, consider whether a theater performance, a focus on history, or an outdoor activity matters most to your trip.

To explore more nearby destinations, you can also visit Nicholson, Jefferson, and Braselton.

For an overview of the wider area, see Jackson County.