Five Days in Northeast Georgia

I have Georgia on my mind — quite often, actually. Georgia is the one state we always return to for our family trips. We have visited numerous parks, mountains, cities, lakes and landmarks on various occassions. It is a second home. I am especially fond of the northern countryside with its fresh air, sparkling rivers, forested areas and verduous hiking trails.

Georgia has plenty to offer, so it may need to be visited in sections. Let’s start with the northeastern corner with a five day trip guide.

Day 1

Get started with a refreshing morning hike at DeSoto Falls located within the Chattahoochee-Oconee Forest in the city of Dahlonega. Desoto Falls is tied to legendary stories of a sixteeth century expedition led by the well known Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. The trails in the recreation area lead to two beautiful cascading falls –the Upper falls and the Lower falls. Both DeSoto Falls are less than a mile long with the Lower Falls at just a quarter mile, fairly easy for all ages including small children.

After the early morning hike, drive up to Blairsville and enjoy a classic American breakfast at Blairsville’s Skillet Cafe.

The next stop in Blairsville is quite special, Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm. This is a must see! My whole family — all ages– enjoyed the farm visit. Owned and operated by a husband and wife team, the farm offers tours to visitors (by appointment) with the opportunity to feed and even pet some of the alpaca. They also offer fiber art and glass bead classes, and have a small gift shop stocked with hand-made crafts and items. Did I mention how much my family loved this stop?

In the evening, set out for a four-course gourmet dinner in Dahlonega at Wolf Mountain Vinyards Winery and Restaurant. Note, this dinner is a splurge as prices are on the high end. If you are looking for a more budget friendly option, check out GrapeVine’s.

Day 2

Hardman Farm Historic Site is the perfect place to spend your morning. The historic site includes a nineteenth century house which was once the home of James Nichols who discovered Ana Ruby Falls, an early twentieth century barn, and a Native American burial site that predates the Cherokee. Also on the premesis is a section of the Unicoi Turnpike, an old Native American trading path. To get the most out of your visit, take the Historic Estate guided tour.

Afterwards, stop in to visit the Old Sautee General Store. Open since 1872, the store not only sells everyday products, but it also has historical artifacts on display. Here you can pick up a sandwich and have lunch in outdoor seating area. Located within the Sautee Shopping Village, visitors can also stroll into the surrounding small shops.

A short walk away is the Lavender Cottage & Garden. A great little shop filled with the aroma of lavender. All the products sold are lavender scented and lavender themed — even the earrings. My sister and I loved it; of course, we bought a few items for ourselves and some to gift.

If you are up for a short drive north, pass by the historic Stovall Mill Covered Bridge constructed in 1895.

For the afternoon, go to Helen, a town designed to look and feel like a Bavarian settlement. It is always fun to visit Helen with its unique shops, family friendly fun, and restaurants. My family and I always make sure to stop in at Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen for their delicious assortment of fudge — Yum!

TIP: If visiting in the summer months, take a bathing suit! You can take a relaxing ride through Helen, tubing down the Chattahoochee River.

In the evening, refuel with dinner at Cowboys & Angels for some good southern food.

Day 3

The morning is the best time to take advantage of natural parks because they typically open earlier than other attractions. Amicalola Falls State Park is open all year long and anytime as long as there is daylight. There are different options from where to view the falls. Go over the map to find the perfect route for you. My family and I travel with small children and grandparents so the last time we visited we opted to start by parking in front of the Reflection Pool, then drove up to the parking lot for the West Ridge Falls Access to view the lower part of the falls and finished with a drive up to the parking area to experience the falls from the upper platform. There is also a playground in the park for the kids to run and climb.

Next up is an underground mine in Dahlonega. The Consolidated Gold Mine dates back to the early 1800s, where gold was discovered long before the famous Gold Rush of the west. The mine is 200 feet underground, open to visitors to visit with a guided tour. Get ready to experience what it was like for miners a century ago and be sure to wear the hard hat. The Consolidated Gold Mine also offers gem mining and gold pan mining. The kids loved the hands-on experience– so did I!

For lunch, try out the historic Smith House for a family style dining experience. Here, you can also see a historic mine shaft.

Take a break in the afternoon to stroll through Dahlonega’s Historic Town & Art Trail. Find small shops in town and see the intriguing Chestatee River Diving Bell.

If you are still in the area for dinner, the Bourbon Street Grille is a delicious option with its Cajun infused menu. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. Our family typically sits in the covered outdoor area where there is space for a stroller, bags, and room for the kids to get up and walk around the table.

In the winter months, you can take an evening carriage ride through the city with Gold City Corral and Carriage Company; a family favorite.

Day 4

Today, take a tour of Glo-Crest Dairy Farm to see firsthand how milk is produced. Follow it up with a visit to Mountain Fresh Creamery where you can taste the direct result with a sample of the smooth rich milk and creamy ice cream treat. It is fun and educational for the entire family. Everyone in my family from toddlers to great grandparents enjoyed the experience — my kids especially liked the cotton candy ice cream.

TIP: Make reservations ahead of time to tour the dairy farm.

Once you have gobbled up your icecream, drive over to Babyland General Hospital, home of the Cabbage Patch Kids. Be prepared to make a purchase if you are with the kids; they love it and always want to take something home.

Continue traveling north to Tallulah Falls for an afternoon hike. There are options to view the falls from the top that are easier for small children. The hike down to the bottom is moderately difficult and may not be suitable for everyone.

Finish your afternoon with a visit to Goats on the Roof. Yes, there are actually goats on the roof! Not only is it a store with unique amish gifts, here you can also feed goats, swing in the playground, go gem mining, eat boiled peanuts or eat more icecream — nitro icecream. A food truck serving burgers, sandwiches and more is on site too.

Day 5

Time for a water adventure! Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboat at Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club in Lake Lanier Olympic Park and get out onto the lake. Fun fact, the 1996 Olympics were held right here. The park continues to host festivals and events to this day. While there, you can also visit the butterfly garden.

After the early morning lake fun, pass by the Hall County Farmer’s Market for freshly harvested produce and more. The market is open every Saturday morning until noon, and on Tuesday afternoons.

Keep your day going with a visit to Elachee Nature Science Center located in Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve. Walk through the hiking trails, see the reptile exhibit, witness bee pollination, and check out the aviary. The center is great for kids to explore and learn while having fun. It’s great for adults too.

If you still have some time, you can also visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville.

Finally, I recommend grabbing a bite at ‘Cue located in Cumming. A small restaurant with a great tasting menu and one fantastic take on bananas foster — has a hint of rum. Amazing!

There are loads more left to experience. Stay tuned for a follow-up post with things to do in northwest Georgia.