Are you near Dahlonega, GA and in need of some easy weekend getaways? Look no further! There are great places to explore all around you, and these are just a few ideas to start. 1. Blue Ridge, Georgia Just an hour's drive from Dahlonega is Blue Ridge, a great place to enjoy both Georgia's natural wonders and its rich culture. Adventure through Chattahoochee National Forest, check out the latest at the Blue Ridge Mountains Art Association, and take a scenic 26-mile round-trip train ride on a historic track. This stop is ideal for all ages. 2. Moccasin Creek State Park Also an hour away is Moccasin Creek State Park, perfect for a weekend camping trip. Relax on the shore of Lake Burton or go out on the water for some fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. You can camp in a tent or bring an RV, or book accommodations nearby in a cabin or hotel. If you're looking for a last-minute, low-effort trek into nature, this is the place for you. more 3. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park The Great Smoky Mountains are a must-see feature of the Southeast US. Here you can observe wildlife and blooming wildflowers year-round, explore historic buildings and burial sites, fish, horseback ride, and camp out. Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the most well-known gateway to the mountains, but there are over a dozen others to choose from on either side of the border. Take advantage of all nature has to offer across the span of over 520,000 acres. 4. Spartanburg, South Carolina Just under two and a half hours away is Spartanburg, a diverse hub of history, art, nightlife, and nature. Stop by the Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, a stunning botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary. Then check out the Hub City Railroad Museum to learn about Spartanburg's long history of industrial productivity. There's something for everyone here. 5. Asheville, North Carolina Just under three hours away, Asheville has everything you could want from a weekend trip. In fact, you might even want to come back and visit for longer. Go on a zipline tour, visit the historic Biltmore Estate, and explore the Blue Ridge Mountains. Downtown Asheville is chock full of shopping and food, and the River Arts District is the place to be for any artist or art lover. Spring is fast approaching, and it's time to get up and go. Whether you want to shop, hike, or just relax, the world around you is ready to be explored, and the 2023 Ford Explorer is ready to take you away. Stop by Chestatee Ford today for a ride as primed for adventure as you are.
Dahlonega in Georgia is nestled among mountainous scenery which offers some superb hiking areas. The trails are rated from moderate to difficult so there's something to suit people of most abilities. Here are four of the best trails that enable you to make the most of the majestic landscape. The Appalachian Trail to Long Creek Falls A stretch of the Appalachian Trail (AT) heads through the Chattahoochee National Forest along the Three Forks Creek valley. The hike to Long Creek Falls is only a two-mile round trip, although it's rated as moderate because of the change in elevation. The trail takes you through a lush valley and at the end, you are rewarded with the rushing cascade of the waterfall. more Hiking through the beautiful forested valley, you'll see steep cliffs with blankets of moss, wildflowers, and possibly a variety of wildlife. Three boulder-strewn trout streams converge in the valley giving it the name. The trail to Long Creek Falls begins at a trailhead on Forest Road 58. Springer Mountain Loop This hike is a 4.7-mile loop taking in stretches of the AT and Benton MacKye Trail (BMT) that takes you to the summit of Springer Mountain. The gain in elevation requires a reasonable degree of fitness and is rated as difficult. The hike takes you through a hardwood forest and a shaded valley with a mossy, burbling creek lined with rhododendron bushes. You'll join the trail on Forest Road 42 and follow the AT white rectangular blazes. As you climb towards the summit of Springer Mountain, you can experience the stunning views from multiple overlooks along the way. On the return, you pick up the BMT following the white diamond trail markings. This is a beautiful hike in any season. Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain For a longer day hike or maybe an overnight camping adventure, taking the Appalachian Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain is a 15.5-mile round trip. Rated as difficult, the hike begins near the top of Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall in Georgia. The waters cascade over multiple tiers to create a dramatic sight. You start out at the AT Approach trailhead and follow the blue blaze markers. This trail takes you through stunningly diverse forests, crosses creeks, and offers superb vistas from scenic overlooks. On the return leg, you can change the route by taking the Hike Inn Trail, although that adds 1.7 miles to the hike. Woody Gap to Preachers Rock One of the easiest, but most rewarding hikes starts at the Woody Gap trailhead on Highway 60 and climbs to the rocky outcrop of Preachers Rock near the summit of Big Cedar Mountain. It's only a two-mile round trip that follows a short section of the AT with its white rectangle markers. It offers some of the best views you'll see, particularly in fall and springtime, and exemplifies the majesty of the mountains. At any time of year, these hikes give you the opportunity to enjoy some of Georgia's most amazing scenery. Preacher’s Rock, Appalachian Trail via Flickr by timcorradino Under the use of CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from original
Dahlonega, Georgia, sits in the heart of the state's beautiful, up-and-coming wine country. If you love wine as much as we do, there's no better way to spend the day than enjoying a glass of your favorite varietal in the tasting room of one of the many world-class vineyards in the area. If you're looking for a place to start, we suggest these four best wineries and vineyards in the Dahlonega area: Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery Cavender Creek prides themselves on offering a warm and relaxing wine experience you can enjoy with friends and family. Visit their tasting room to try their selection, listen to music, and talk with the wine stewards about how the wine is made. The vineyard itself grows Norton, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Manseng grapes, and Cavender's creations from those grapes are some of the best in the area. more If you want to stay at this winery, you can do so at their "Cabin in the Vines," a rustic 1820s handmade log cabin. But even if you just have an hour or two to spare, a visit to Cavender Creek is always rejuvenating. Wolf Mountain Vineyards If you want to try great gold medal wines, head to Wolf Mountain Vineyards. This winery has won over 200 medals with their thoughtful varietals. The vineyard itself is charming, covering Georgia hillsides to make for a picturesque view. Their wine-tasting room is just as charming. You can take a tour of their wine-making process and try firsthand some of the wines that put this vineyard on the map. Kaya Vineyard and Winery For a wine retreat, book a holiday at Kaya Vineyard and Winery. Their cottages allow you to stay the weekend on their beautiful property, tasting wines, exploring the world of wine-making, and enjoying the light lunch fare they offer in their tasting room. From chardonnays and cabernets to rosés and merlots, Kaya has a wine to match every palate, as well as some more uncommon varietals that will delight the senses. Sign up for one of their many tasting and tour packages to get the entire Kaya experience. Montaluce Winery and Restaurant Perfect for a distinguished date night, Montaluce offers a full wine experience with their chef-inspired restaurant and vintner-inspired wines. If you're here for the wine, their tasting menu will take you through a tour of their wares. Sign up for a 1.8-mile wine hike through the vineyard to get up close and personal with the history of the area and its wine. If you're here for the restaurant, you'll love the unforgettable items that line their brunch, lunch, and dinner menus — think cedar plank salmon, rabbit duet, and veal chops. Montaluce's offerings will let you spend the entire day wining and dining and enjoying the great Georgia wine country. Explore these and many other vineyards that consistently produce fantastic wines to find your favorite place to relax. A visit to a vineyard is always a peaceful, fun way to enjoy Georgia's beautiful days. Grapes via Flickr by tribp Under the use of CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from original
