Atlanta for Anniversary?

I haven't been there myself, but I've heard the Smith House in Dahlonega is really nice. It's about two hours north of Atlanta. Here's a link if you want to check it out: http://www.smithhouse.com/. I also recommend having dinner at the Sundial, which is on top of the Westin downtown. Very nice restaurant with a great view.

Check out Callaway Gardens for activities and rates over your weekend. Callaway is a beautiful place with a great restaurant and hotel. About a two hour drive from Atlanta. Could be a good spot for a romantic weekend.

Atlanta has great potential. The Ritz or one of the top end hotels along with the better restaurants can make for a great weekend. The aquarium and art museum are excellent indoor destinations.

Also consider the Georgia Mountains or Smokey Mountains. It's a longer drive, but would be a good break from Florida summertime. I am not knowledgeable about inns, hotels and restaurants in the area. Maybe another can offer.

If you want to relax in the beautiful (and much cooler) mountains, consider one of these options.

http://www.beechwoodinn.ws/

www.barninn.com

Lots to do in the area and the temps will be a relief from Florida. I think 1/2 the homeowners in the area are from Florida

Less than 2 hours from Atlanta and a straight shot south to the airport before your flight back (441/365/985/85 = same 4 lane (or more) road to the airport)

Those are some really great suggestions; I checked out the inn websites and am definitely interested. Thanks!

Check out the special dinner menus at the Beechwood Inn. They get rave reviews.

I know the folks who own the Barn Inn and they are nice folks AND do most of the party catering in the area...so great food there too!

Another suggestion is Glen Ella Springs - but although it is lovely it is too far away from other stuff IMO.

If you do any of the above, let me know and I have suggestions for other restaurants/ hiking/ waterfalls/ etc.

I was reading about the dinners at the Beechwood Inn & they have a special one that falls exactly on our anniversary...& we really enjoy wine....sounds like a possibility....

I haven't been to one yet, but plan to.

A friend (and former boss) LOVES that inn. She loves wine and the wine country and just enjoyed every part of the experience. To have a special dinner ON your anniversary = would be perfect.

There are so other good places to eat in the area if you decide to spend a couple of days up there. I live nearby so just let me know if you want more ideas.

You started your post with "I know it's sweltering in summer". The motto of the county is "Where Spring Spends the Summer" and it really is true. Because of elevation and transpiration (about 70% of the county is forested) it's usually 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Atlanta. Very nice! Reminds me of Maine or Mass where you need a sweater or at least a long sleeved shirt at night

Thanks for the great info; now I'm just waiting on details of my husband's conference before I can make concrete plans. Beechwood sounds exactly what we're looking for!

Call me a traditionalist but I would spend the weekend at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead and have my anniversary dinner at Bacchanalia.

To me, it just doesn't get any better than that!

Still considering North Georgia mountains for 2 nights, Friday & Saturday nights with a flight out of ATL on Sunday evening. Now the question is....my husband's conference ends on Thursday mid-day....is there a recommendation for 1 night on the way out of Atlanta? I think we will have had enough of the downtown by then...I thought about Chateau Elan, but the reviews are so horrendous, I doubt it would be a good choice...any other recommendations...BTW, our downtown hotel is the Hyatt Regency.

What about Stone Mountain? The Marriotts there are really affordable....if you were to choose one, which one? The Evergreen conference hotel or the "Inn".....actually the Evergreen seems to get better reviews on Tripadvisor & is cheaper....thoughts?

Just head on up to the mountains. You'll be there in less than 2 hours. Start your weekend in the mountains a night earlier.

I agree - no reason to stop anywhere on the way to the mtns - they are very close. And I'm not a fan of Chateau Elan or, really, Stone Mountain, unless I was going to do some biking/hiking (and I probably wouldn't choose July to do that in).

We just stayed at the St. Regis in Atlanta. It recently opened in April of this year. We usually stay at the ritz in buckhead. That's over...The St. Regis is most likely the nicest hotel we've ever stayed.The staff was very friendly, the food at Paces 88 outstanding and the outdoor pool and bar amazing! Oh, did I mention the standard room and bath area the largest anywhere. Simply gorgeous....

Starrs (& others) our plans are finalized, one night in Dahlonega & 2 nights at the beechwood inn. Do you have any other reccommendations for restaurants (in either town), wineries, shops, hikes, scenic drives, waterfalls....thanks.

Well, the most famous place in Dahlonega is The Smith House. It's family style, all you can eat southern cooking. The vegetables in summer should be superb. You are seated with others at a big table and pass the bowls. There are only a few restaurants like this left. None are new because of health regulations only long-existing ones are :grandfathered in". There's one left in Savannah (Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House) and one in Boone, NC that I know of.

A similar restaurant is in Dillard (about 5-6 miles north of the Beechwood). At The Dillard House, you are seated at your own table and they just bring platters and bowls of food.

Warning: the iced tea will be very sweet. You may want to order 1/2 sweet, 1/2 unsweet.

In Clayton, is the reopened Zeppelin's. It used to be a steakhouse, the Buck Creek Tavern. The owners have reopened it as a pasta/pizza place. GREAT flatbread pizzas. Good bar, including martinis.

Their signature salad, the Buck Creek salad is still on the menu. It is fantastic! Here's the menu -

http://www.zeppelinspastahouse.com/Menu.html

Next door is a nice gift shop option, Butler's II. Really nice household items in there. I buy my Votivo candles there and am eyeing the trout stemware.

The owners also have the "real" antique store a few doors up - Butler Galleries. Pricey, but beautiful stuff in there.

Just next door is Prater's book store in the old rock building. I always buy something from them, because I really believe in supporting independent booksellers. I discovered Charles Martin there and his book, When Crickets Cry, is set in the county.

You need to wander Reeves' Hardware. They have everything you need, from hardware to hunting/fishing/camping supplies, fine china and crystal and furniture. The stores go on and on for almost a block. I have friends that wander Reeves everytime they come up.

THE BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH IN THE WORLD is at Grapes and Beans. http://www.grapesandbeans.com/
No kidding. Order the greek chicken sandwich and see what I mean. It also comes as a salad. Their hummus plate is good. I love the place. I feel like I'm walking into a northern California place when I'm there. Very "granola" and their specials are great too. They use organic ingredients. Sit outside on the deck behind the restaurant if the weather's not too hot. Order at the counter and they'll bring your food to you. If you need Crocs, they can help you out there too

Another good lunch place is Fromage. They have killer desserts (which I avoid). It's kind of across the street from G&B, a little white house down a side street. VERY good food.

Talking about organic, there's a little organic farmer's market that sets up in front on Butlers II on Saturdays. I get their weekly email to tell me what's going to be on sale.
http://www.simplyhomegrown.org/
There's a woman who has flavored chevre cheeses every Saturday and I always buy the dill and the tomato basil. Sometimes buy a cake for the cake stand and usually a bouquet of flowers fresh from someone's yard. Stop by in you are in town on a Saturday morning.

The closest winery is http://www.tigerwine.com/ and they offer free tastings. They have award winning wines and I like their viognier. The folks at Beechwood will have more information and suggestions.

The REALLY good Mexican restaurant is La Pachanga, which is at the Days Inn (of all places). The Pancho special is incredible. I'm there on Friday nights, sitting at a long table. Based on what you posted, I don't think you'll be there this Friday though.

Rumor Haz It http://www.rumorhazit.us/ is a Key West themed restaurant, which I find weird in the mountains. It's not my favorite, but it's good.

Now, a local restaurant with absolutely no atmosphere is Miss Meg's. They serve great breakfasts, but you'll get that at the inn. Three nights a week they serve fresh seafood brought up from the Georgia coast. I think that's ALL they offer - just seafood. But, it's some of the best seafood you've ever had. The service may be the slowest you've ever had too. They aren't in a hurry and they let you know it. But, a friend said the best scallops she's ever had is from Miss Meg's and she'd eat there three times a day if she could. A young couple moved up and bought an existing restaurant. I think he was in the seafood business in Brunswick and had this idea to serve seafood on Thursay nights. Folks thought he was crazy - but he wasn't. They are packed on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, their seafood nights.

There's a good Thai restaurant in Tiger, but it's not great.

There's an old fashioned drive in (showing new movies) in Tiger if you want to celebrate your anniversary with a movie at the drive-in. Harry Potter is showing this weekend -
http://www.tigerdrivein.com/

The "inside" theatre is up the road in Franklin, NC - Rubye Cinemas. They have four theatres. I love it up there. Two adult admissions, a coke and popcorn to share AND change back from a $20 bill. http://www.rubycinemas.com/

One last dinner option - Isabelle's overlooking Tallulah Gorge -
http://www.isabellesonthegorge.com/index.cfm
It's been a while since I've eaten there. Ask the folks at the Beechwood how it is.

I lied - two more ideas -
New owners at the Lake Rabun hotel - http://www.lakerabunhotel.com/restaurant.html

And across the road from them is a very casual pizza place - Louie's on the Lake http://media.www.piedmontnavigator.com/media/storage/paper524/news/2003/11/17/Entertainment/Louies.On.The.Lake-573891.shtml
You'll think you're at summer camp

Have fun!

Wow Starrsy! I don't know of half these places and we live in GA an hour away! You're your own little travel guide to the mtns

LOL! I have more - and I'll add some hiking options too in a little bit. You need to bring the girls up there and we'll go out on the boat. Maybe we can find a weekday before school starts. I'd invite you to spend the night, but the girls need to grow a bit more. You'd be a nervous wreck with them there overnight. Way too many railings and lofts and bridges and stuff to worry about

Hikes - tell me what distance and difficulty and I'll give you some ideas.
This website may be helpful -
http://www.mountaintravelguide.com/Hiking%20Trails/georgia/rabun/Rabun%20County%20Hiking%20Trails.htm

And here's the waterfall version -
http://www.mountaintravelguide.com/Waterfalls/georgia/rabun/Rabun%20County%20Waterfalls.htm

The most popular waterfall is Minnehaha. It's an easy/short walk to the waterfall. You'll drive past the Lake Rabun hotel and Louie's on the Lake to get to it.

Rabun County has two state parks. Tallulah Gorge at Tallulah Falls and Black Rock Mountain State Park.

Tallulah Gorge has an easy "stroll" walk along the rim with overlooks. Some of the trail is the recycled rubber that is cushy. If you want a strenous hike, head down the about 1000 steps into the gorge.

Black Rock Mountain State Park is the highest (in elevation) state park in GA. Brasstown Bald (further west) is the highest state park peak, but all of Black Rock Mountain State Park is over 3000 feet in elevation - which is high for GA. There's a short (but sometimes steep) walk to Ada-Hi falls. If the water flow is low it's not a "wow" but a pretty easy walk. The Tennessee Rock trail is a nice 2.2 mile hike with just one sort of strenuous zig-zag - but the views make it worth the trek. The other 7+ trail is VERY strenuous.

Still in the park, but off Taylor's Chapel Road is a nice 1 mile stroll around Black Rock Mountain lake. Good for all ability levels and some great photo ops.

My good friend (and neighbor's) walk to to the Bull Sluice overlook. He settles in for some fun - watching rafters get thrown out at the end of the Section IV, Class IV portion of the Chattoga River - where Deliverance was filmed. I got tossed out on my first whitewater rafting trip back in the 80's. I started with one of the most difficult commercial runs (I was sure I was going to die). Lots of kayakers go through along with rafters.

If you want longer hikes, let me know and I'll ask the hiking group. I've had a bum knee and I've been taking it easy with the hiking.

Starrs--Give me a call and maybe we can come visit you--or come to us and we'll cookout! BTW, did I ever tell you that I loved that kit you gave me with the differentiated reading material. Good stuff and thanks again!

I'll stop hijacking the original thread now

Glad you liked it. Let's talk and see if we can find a time before school starts

Scenic drive? I think the prettiest drive in Georgia is 197 north from Clarksville and then 76 east into Clayton. I've always thought so. A stop at the Mark of the Potter is always a good idea. Look at the pottery. Maybe buy a souvenir. Feed the trout from the deck -

http://www.markofthepotter.com/

Along the way, you'll pass through The Dip - where water (sometimes a little, sometimes a lot) passes over the road.

The Mark of the Potter website had a good map of the area -
http://www.markofthepotter.com/information/images/motpmap.jpg

So, your route from Dahlonega could be -
Travel east on 115 towards Cleveland and into Clarkesville.

A short detour in Cleveland - If you are/were a fan of the Cabbage Patch dolls, you may want to stop at Babyland General (in the old hospital). The stop will only take about 30 minutes or so - Free admission
http://www.cabbagepatchkids.com/Cart_Pages/Tour/tour_intro-frame.html

From Clarksville, take 197 north (stopping at Mark of the Potter) and then turn right (east) onto 76 into Clayton (you'll cross over Lake Burton on the way).

--------------------

If you want to ramble a bit, you could turn north in Cleveland onto 75 and travel toward Helen. I'm not a fan of Helen, so I'd turn east a few miles before Helen* to travel through the Sautee-Nacoochee Valley - another beautiful drive.
Stop at the old Sautee store - http://www.sauteestore.com/
I think there's probably the Christmas Shop to the left of the store too. I went to Girl Scout camp in this valley and it's where I really fell in love with the mountains

* The Indian mound at that intersection is supposedly where the Indian maiden and her star-crossed lover were buried after they found their own way to be together (and for whom the valley was named)

http://www.markofthepotter.com/information/images/motpmap.jpg
Look at this map again (enlarge it on your computer). You can continue on 255 or 255A NE towards Batesville (the Batesville General Store serves great biscuits)
http://www.scenic197.com/batesvillegeneral.html
Ted Turner has bought up a lot of land in the area and I've heard he's built a really big barn in the area. No tellin' what Ted's up to...
He's the largest landowner in the US, but most of it's out west. He bought a good bit up here a few years back.
If you like horseback riding, there's a well-run stable here too - or take the river trail at the Dillard House

If you go that way to Batesville, you need to dip down south on 197 for a few miles if you want to see Mark of the Potter

From Batesville, you can continue up 197 until you get to 76. You'll pass the Fish Hatchery along the way (trout for the lakes), pass Moccasin Creek State Park and could stop for lunch at the Waterside restaurant at LaPrades (the old family style restaurant burned to the ground a few years ago)
http://www.lapradesmarina.com/restaurant/

If you want to stop at a nice gallery with gorgeous things for sale, stop at Burton Gallery (at the intersection of 197 and Burton Dam road - Brooks store is at the intersection) -
http://burtongalleryandemporium.com/

There's also a great al fresco pizza place near the gallery -
http://www.recommendationsonline.com/pazzo.html

Both of these are just a few miles north of Batesville, and south of the fish hatchery and Moccasin Creek.

Warning - 197 is a VERY curvy road

When 197 dead-ends into 76, turn right or east into Clayton. When you're at the intersection, you're near the turnoff into the Persimmon valley and there's a winery there, but I don't think they are open to the public at the vineyards (except for special occasions). There is a tasting room in downtown Clayton (between Reeves Hardware and Grapes and Beans)
http://www.persimmoncreekwine.com/index1.php

And, that pretty much brings up full circle and to my bedtime.

Have a great anniversary celebration up there. I love that section of the world (can you tell?).

I can't thank you enough for all the good info!