asdaven

Hi
I'm trying to plan next summers vacation and I'm looking at North GA Mountains. I was initially looking to take a trip to the Western NC mountains and stay in Highlands, NC, where I could take day trips down to GA as well as sights in NC. So, in NC I've been to Asheville and saw the Biltmore, toured much of Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and been/stayed in the Boone/Blowing Rock area and toured that area of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Saw Grandfather Mountain and Mount Mitchell. On the first trip, when I went to the Smokies and saw the Biltmore, I stayed in Gatlinburg on the TN side of the mountains. Although, I drove over to Cherokee and also went to Asheville, I've seen mostly the TN side of the Smokies. I have not also toured the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Asheville. Have not seen Chimney Rock around Asheville either. So, I'm debating for this next trip whether to stay around Asheville, stay in Highlands, or stay somewhere in North Georgia? I'm leaning towards North Georgia because I've never been to the mountains there. Asheville would be nice and I could revisit the Smokies on the NC side, goto Chimney Rock, and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway south. Highlands I really like the sound of, being high elevation and surrounded by scenery, but it sounds kind of fancy and expensive as far as restaurants. But, would provide a good base for exploring, even going down into Georgia. But, still since I've been to NC twice, I would kind of like to stay in GA. But, I don't know where to start. There's a lot of places to choose from. There's no one main base town for the area. But, I guess it could be Helen or Dahlonega. Helen seems very neat. An ideal town for us would be small to medium size, with a good selection of shops and restaurants, and that you could walk around. Highlands seems ideal, but it seems most everything is super upscale. We still like good restaurants but not 30+ dollar meals. We have a week. I know I could split it up between 2 destinations or something. But, I would like to rent a cabin, which usually rent by the week. So, I just want to rent a cabin for a week in one place and just take day trips to places that are under 80-100 miles away. But, in North GA is there as much to do and see as Western Carolina? And is the scenery as spectacular? We re mostly into car touring/scenic drives, short hikes, attractions, and historic sites.

marlib1951

There are many small towns in North Georgia that would probably be suitable as a home base. Some of these little towns have lakes in the area; Hiawassee, Blairsville, and Clayton. Most have cabins you could rent on the lakes or on the mountain side. Also, there are many trails to hike, including the Appalchian trail. There is a small book (you could probably google it)about all the natural waterfalls in North Georgia which would be great hiking. Helen is kind of "run down", IMHO.

marlib1951

http://www.jjanthony.com/waterfalls/

Ackislander

Look at the Georgia and South Carolina state parks systems. Oconee State Park in South Carolina has nice cabins on a lake, and it is only a short distance from Highlands and Cashiers (people go up for lunch) and not far from North Georgia. Helen reminds me of Solvang, California -- ersatz experience for tourists.

asdaven

So ive narrowed it down to Blairsville, Clayton, Helen, or Dahlonega. Im still leaving Highlands, NC as an option too. Im still leaning towards Helen as a base. The less crowded places might be more favorable to locals or repeat visitors. But, im kind of into the touristy type places that have a lot going on, but on a small town scale. Helen and Dahlonega seem to be the two towns that have a "main street experience" and are destinations in themselves. Highlands you could say so but it maybe too upscale for us and might have to just visit that area on a daytrip. More into mountain scenery and waterfalls as well rather than lakes.
Thanks

padams421

I'd pick Dahlonega over Helen because Dahlonega is much more authentic than the manufactured for tourists experience of Helen. Helen is the Epcot of north Georgia towns. It's fun for a day but I wouldn't want to spend a significant part of a trip stuck in its traffic during summer and fall.

sanibella

Another vote against Helen and for another choice.

Kristinesonja

I'd vote Dahlonega. See main street, small mining experience, we went horseback riding, etc.

TeamW

Hi there - I have been to all of the places you mention so I had to throw in my two cents... Highlands, Highlands, Highlands, hands down. Dahlonega is great for a day trip, but not much else. Helen is "cute" but also just for a day. During the summer, both locations are hot and offer no respite from the heat.

Helen offers tubing and the place can be overrun with busses and huge punk tubes up and down the streets. Helen has some cute-looking shops on the outside, but when you go inside, they disappoint. If you took out the "made in China" merchandise they would be empty.

The Highlands is gorgeous and due to the elevation, is much cooler than anywhere in Georgia. We visited once in August, when it was 103 degrees in Atlanta and it was only in the 80's in the Highlands - what a treat! While the town is a little sleepy, it still offers shopping, restaurants, etc. It is more upscale than Helen but it's not snobby. The waterfalls and natural beauty around the Highlands is no comparison to the other two locations.

The Blue Ridge parkway is also a sight to see - the town of Brevard, NC is nearby and offers a cute little downtown too. It's not as quaint as Asheville, but a good home base. Nothing in Dahlonega, Ellijay, Blairsville or Helen compares to it -- you simply have to see to believe.

I own a vacation home in the N GA Mountains so I don't want to take anything away from them - but definitely not the same as the Highlands, Blue Ridge area... We live in Atlanta and use the N GA mountains as a weekend getaway but when we really want to enjoy the outdoors, we head to North Carolina. Good luck to you!