Mar 12, 2021

Wine, GrapesDahlonega, GA, located just an hour north of Atlanta, is the home to the University of North Georgia’s main campus. The first major gold rush in the United States took place in Dahlonega, and the town is still a great place to live or visit. The Real Estate Scorecard even named Dahlonega as one of the best places to retire!

7 Best Things to See in and Around Dahlonega, GA

1. Historic Downtown Dahlonega

Downtown Dahlonega is charming and offers historic streets, a public square, and green-space parks. There are over a dozen restaurants and wine tasting rooms, galleries, many unique retail shops, and museums in Downtown Dahlonega. Historic Downtownton Dahlonega is also full of beautiful buildings from the 19th century.

2. Chattahoochee National Forest

Chattahoochee National Forest is a great place for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, offroading, driving ATVs, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The scenery is beautiful and there are some gorgeous waterfalls in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

3. Wineries and Vineyards

Dahlonega is considered the Wine Tasting Room Capital of Georgia and the Heart of Georgia Wine Country. The vineyards in Dahlonega-Lumpkin County produce 100 acres of European, American, and French hybrid wine grapes each year and the wineries offer tastings, tours, and incredible views!  Alcohol is intended for adults of legal drinking age. Do not drink and drive. Drink responsibly and with moderation.

4. Spas

The relaxing environment makes Dahlonega and the surrounding area perfect for spas. With fresh air, beautiful views, and relaxing spa services, the Dahlonega Spa Resort, the Jolie Day Spa & Salon, and the Oasis Day Spa at Mountain Laurel Creek are great for those looking for a high-quality and relaxing spa treatment.

5. The Holly Theater

The Holly Theater was originally built in 1948 and it opened as a movie house. However, it has since been restored and become a playhouse. The Holly Theater has been registered on the National Register of Historic Places.

Each year, the Holly Theater offers between three and five children’s theater productions and between four and six main stage theater productions as well as concerts and summer camps for children ages 3-18.

6. Ghost Tours

Another thing Dahlonega is known for is its ghosts. Two famous photographs of ghosts have been taken in Dahlonega and the city has several ghost stories.

The Dahlonega Haunts Self-Guided Tour consists of the historic courthouse (the Dahlonega Gold Museum), Picnic Café, the Fred Jones Building, Bourbon Street Grille, Holly Theater, Mount Hope Cemetery, the Butler Building (Piazza Restaurant), Humble Candle, the Conner Storehouse (Back Porch Oyster Bar), and Park Place Hotel.

7. The Consolidated Gold Mines

The gold mine was founded in 1896 and is the largest hard rock gold mine that is east of the Mississippi River! Visitors can take an underground tour which heads 200 feet underground, see how miners blasted quartz veins in order to find deposits of gold, and learn how to pan for gold.

Visitors can also go gemstone mining to find emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amethyst, quartz, topaz, garnets, and moonstone. They can then take the gems to the Lapidary Studio where they will be turned into a sparkling jewel.

Visit Chestatee Ford in Dahlonega, Georgia today for great service and a wide variety of new and used cars! We’ll help you make the right purchase for your budget and lifestyle.