Hello,
We're coming to Atlanta in mid June and plan to stay around 11 days in S Georgia and N Florida. We plan to stay at the Henderson Village for a night or two and then at the Elizabeth Point Lodge for a night or two. Where else would you recommend? We can pay up to $200 inclusive of taxes and breakfast per night, though anywhere that is cheaper, ie. a good bargain, would be good too. Prefer smaller B and B type places, or, dare I say it, 'boutique' hotels (that term has lost its meaning, I feel). Looking for charm, old-world hospitality, home cooking etc. Fond of beaches, tho' not the Daytona kind, hearty, local produce (organic, non-GM), local history. If there are better places in Georgia, we will stay there and revise our Fla plans, but I do want to stay at the Elizabeth Pointe.
FYI, I have lived in Florida, have visited Georgia before and have visite the US many times.

I think New Smyrna Beach would be a wonderful place for a couple of days. The Riverview Inn is one of the most charming inns I've ever stayed in.

I also think St. Augustine would be a very nice time. Lots of B&Bs and Inns in St. Augustine.

I can also recommend St. Augustine for a pleasant stay. A very nice B&B in the old town is the Augustin Inn. A great advantage is their private parking area, a rarity in the old town. Their web site is www.augustininn.com. The Casablanca Inn, right on the bay, is also a popular favorite. St. Augustine's historic old town and surrounding areas are very pleasant, and the beach is just across the bay.

Assuming you wouldn't want to go all the way to Miami, and assuming you will be renting a car and driving wherever you go, I'd suggest you stay in the northern half of Florida. Another nice town to visit is Defuniak Springs, with lots of old southern mansions around a natural round lake, and a really nice old hotel (more like a B&B) called the Defuniak Hotel. One of my favorite Florida places, still mostly unravaged by tourists, is Wakulla Springs. Right at the historic springs where early films such as "Creature from the Black Lagoon" were filmed, is the historic Wakulla Springs Hotel, a place you would love to stay if you like peace and quiet in a very tranquil wooded setting. Finally, a small and scenic historic town just inside the northern border of Florida is Monticello, with several B&B's and antique shops.

As for southern Georgia (from Atlanta to the south), I would suggest that you might want to consider Thomasville, a pretty town with lots of old southern mansions and some good B&B's. Also farther north is Milledgeville and a nice lake by the same name. Directly east of Atlanta is the town of Madison, with more lovely southern mansions than I have ever seen in any town. Finally, just north of Jacksonville on the St. Marys River is the town of St. Marys, again a historic spot with a really neat old hotel called (as best I remember) the Riverfront Hotel. And of course everyone can recommend Savannah.

These ought to be enough to give you a good start. Good luck.

I believe my memory has cleared. I think the name of the hotel in St. Marys is the Riverview Hotel. Anyway, it's a neat little town and there are boat tours out into the bay.

I have enjoyed my two stays at Elizabeth Pointe very much, and have heard good things locally about Henderson Village. (We live in South Georgia). I agree with the posts about St. Augustine, which is full of B&Bs. If you do think about going to St. Mary's, consider the ferry trip to Cumberland Island. It is operated by the park service out of St. Mary's. Be aware though, that you don't buy anything on the island, and you don't throw anything away. Take a sun hat and lots of sunscreen. It is a barrier island, in close to its natural state. Aside from the pristine beach, which was absolutely empty when we were there, you'll see wild horses, deer, and all kinds of birds everywhere, along with the ruins of a vacation "estate" once owed by one of the big industrialists, I forget which one. There is a B&B on one end of the island, very exclusive. John Kennedy was married in a chapel on the island, and stayed at the inn, which I'm thinking is called the Wentworth. Madison is a very pretty town, but I wouldn't really call it South Georgia. Tifton, which is down 75, from Henderson Village, has a living history museum called the Agrirama, that is interesting. If you are planning to pick up hwy 82 off of 75, you'll be in Tifton any way and might want to check it out.

Would just like to second Thomasville, the Agrirama in Tifton (haven't been in a few years but loved it when I did), and Wakulla Springs state park, south of Tallahassee. (The old Tarzan movies were also filmed there.) The lodge, built in the 30's, and restaurant are operated by the school of hotel and restaurant management at FSU.

If you want a splurge in Thomasville, stay at Melhana Plantation.

I second Melhana Plantation. My sorority had a formal there during my junior year of college and it was absolutely beautiful. It's very old South looking.

Wakulla Springs is also very nice. My parents stayed at the lodge three years ago and the rooms were well appointed. However, my dad wasn't happy that there were not any televisions in the room!

Thomasville is very beautiful as well (In Architectural Digest a couple of months ago they featured Ted Turner's big plantation there; the pictures in AD looked amazing).

At any rate, you will have a great trip. I think that those areas are wonderfully undiscovered and quaint.

mah, it is so funny that they won't allow televisions, isn't it? When my son was little I wanted to stay there but he was already addicted so we decided to find someplace that had them instead. They must be one of the last hotels in the US to not have TVs.

I get the no t.v. thing, but it's hard when you're used to watching the news every night (okay, maybe the West Wing reruns on Bravo too...).

I don't mean to be disagreeable, but I can't imagine wanting to spend my vacation in Wakulla or Defuniak. Sure they are nice towns to breeze through on a Sunday afternoon--on your way to somewhere else, but not a destination in themselves.
Amelia Island is lovely and you will enjoy your time at Elizabeth Point. St. Augustine would make a nice stop a bit further south. A bit more north in GA, St. Simons Island would also be a nice stop. From either St. Simons or Amelia you could day trip to Cumberland--or quite honestly you could day trip to St. Simons from Amelia.
I'm not familiar with Henderson Village, but if Savannah isn't on your itinerary it should be. Lovely historic downtown area...

Thomasville will put you on the other side of the state from Fernandina where Elizabeth Pointe is. That might be a consideration. When you leave Henderson Village, I suggest you take 41 South, instead of 75. It won't take you out of your way, as they run parallel. 41 takes you along the old state road through small rural communities and through long stretches of farm land. Just before you come to Ashburn, in Turner Co., you'll pass two antebellum mansions worth looking at. When you get to Ashburn, you can turn left and hit the interstate within a mile or so. Or stay on 41 to Tifton, where you will come to 75 coming into town. From there you can pick up 82 east toward the coast, or, 319, if you really want to go to Thomasville.

Maybe I misunderstood but I didn't think Nigello was looking for destinations but rather for neat places to stop on a road trip-places to spend a day or two or just a few hours. Maybe Nigello can clarify the request.

Hello,
I welcome all ideas, including places to stay (ie hotels) and places to visit (ie towns and cities). Thanks for all the ideas so far.