Hi, all,

My husband and I are heading to Tallulah Gorge State Park in North Georgia this weekend for some hiking and fall foliage (although I hear the leaves haven't changed yet due to the drought - bummer!). Just wondering if anyone can recommend a decent place for dinner in the area. We're looking for something that is not too fancy or expensive, but more like downhome Southern cooking.

Also, anyone know if there is a haunted house in the area? How about pumpkin patches or farms selling homemade cider, pies, etc.? Thanks!!

Meredith

If you are taking I-985 which then turns into 23/441, your best bet for finding a great place to eat is just a little farther north in Dillard, at the Dillard House. You can check them out at www.dillardhouse.com and you'll also see that they have a great list of local events that will answer the second part of your question, but let me warn you, it is not the cheapest place to eat...but is very good. We did find a really good, cheap local diner called "Linda Lou & Mary Too" on the main drag in Dillard for good southern food as well.

Franklin, TN is just a few miles north of Dillard, and that would probably be your best bet to find a haunted house in the area.

Thanks for the suggestions, BWB!

Hi, again, everyone,

My husband and I had a great time in North Georgia this past weekend, so I thought I'd post a brief trip report:

We left Atlanta in the early afternoon on Friday, heading up 400 and over towards Cornelia, where we would be spending the night. We had all afternoon to kill, so we just drove around somewhat randomly, passing through many small towns and exploring whichever country roads looked appealing. Near Helen, we turned onto the road that goes through Sautee and stopped to buy some colorful gourds from a produce stand right there in Sautee village. With the help of a GPS navigation system, we enjoyed a leisurely drive through the valley and on towards Cornelia.

We chose to stay at the Hampton Inn in Cornelia because we could use some Hilton points for a free stay. Cornelia is about 20 miles from Tallulah Gorge State Park, and also about 20 miles from Helen. There was nothing special about the hotel itself, but it was decent enough - especially since it required the lowest number of points for a free stay!

That night after dark, we went to the North Georgia Corn Maze between Helen and Cleveland (http://www.northgacornmaze.com/) - so fun! This place also had a haunted house, hay rides, and a movie showing, but we opted to do just the maze.

For dinner, we had made reservations at Glen-Ella Inn - but unfortunately we had to cancel. The last seating was at 9 p.m., and we knew we wouldn't be done with the corn maze in time. So instead, we headed into Helen somewhat against our will (we're not fans of Helen) - but we knew we wouldn't be able to find restaurants still serving dinner anywhere else. We ended up at a place right on the river - Paul's, I think? - and had some decent prime rib. The restaurant had three bars attached to it, and since it was Oktoberfest, there were plenty of drunk people strolling around. The people-watching was quite interesting, but we still don't like Helen and wouldn't recommend going there.

First thing Saturday morning, we drove up to Tallulah Gorge State Park. You need a permit to hike to the gorge floor - they only give out 100 a day on a first come, first served basis. The hike was AWESOME. The weather was perfect, and the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. The hike starts with about 300 steps downward, then goes over a suspension bridge, then goes down another couple hundred steps. Anyone can do this part of the trail without a permit, but once you get to the bottom, you need to have a permit to continue on.

First, you cross the river by hopping over a few rocks and sloshing through some water. If you do this hike, your feet will get wet. (And if you are not careful, you may fall into the water - we saw a few people do this.) We were thankfully prepared with hiking shoes and water shoes - we changed into our water shoes twice for the river crossings. Once on the other side of the river, you follow the gorge floor for I don't know, maybe a mile or a mile and a half. There is no trail, really - you just head downstream by climbing over boulders. It's physical, but not too strenuous (although I have to admit I was SORE the next day!!)

The gorge has several beautiful waterfalls. You have to cross back over the river right at the top of Bridal Veil Falls. Here you have to wade through the water, which swirls all around you as it gathers speed for the waterfall. This was a little intimidating - the rocks you walk across are very slick, and the knee-deep water current was more powerful than it looked!

After crossing the water, you hike a 1/4 mile up a pretty steep boulder-strewn hill. This was the most strenuous part of the hike. At the top of the hill, it's an easy walk back to the starting point. We LOVED this hike and would highly recommend it!

We finished up around noon, and the park was still giving out permits at that time. I guess we didn't need to get there so early after all, but the park was really getting crowded by this time. It was nice to do the hike in the morning with only a handful of other people.

Next we had a delicious lunch at Isabelle's right there in Tallulah Falls, and then spent the afternoon driving across North Georgia - up to Lake Rabun and Lake Burton, over to Brasstown Bald, and finally back down through Helen and back home. The fall foliage was beautiful, especially up on Brasstown Bald.

This was the perfect overnight fall trip for us. We hope to go back to Tallulah Gorge again sometime soon!

(Whoa - I guess I lied when I said my report would be brief. Sorry!)

Great trip report. When you go back, lots of restaurant options up the road in Clayton and Dillard. I had a New Years Eve meal at Isabelle's and enjoyed it too.