Weekend Getaway from Atlanta?
 

My boyfriend will be going to a work conference in Atlanta at the end of August. I'll join him toward the end of the conference and we're interested in doing a weekend trip from Atlanta. We're both from NYC so want to get away from the city setting. We were thinking a beach weekend or something that will keep us cool during that time of year. I was contemplating Savannah but that's 4 hours away and won't it be too hot to really enjoy it? Any suggestions of where to go/stay would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

How about Asheville, in the NC mountains? It's a little more than 3 hrs away, but leaving ATL on a Friday afternoon can add another 30 minutes at least.

While I haven't been, the Highlands/Cashiers area of NC might be closer.

For a weekend, any beach is going to be a looooonnngggg boring drive across the state. Savannah isn't really a beach city, either; it's charming and worth a visit, but it is a southern coastal town and therefore really muggy.

I agree with the Asheville idea, but it too will be a drive for just a weekend.

Face it: you are in the deep south in August. If you want to keep cool, stay in the airconditioning!

You might consider going to Lake Lanier. It is a resort area just north of Atlanta. They have a fun water park, golf and marina in addition to the sandy beach. Book early, because it is a big deal in the summer.

You ought to try the mountains in and around Murphy, NC, just two hours north of Atlanta (just over the border from Blairsville), and very easy to get to via I-75 to I-575 through several small GA mountains towns, and it is a very easy drive, I just love it there! If you need any info, feel free to email me!

laya, check out Big Canoe...It's a gated community with rentals about an hour from Atlanta in the Georgia mountains. Near Dalonaghea(sic) and Ellijay and Blue Ridge. I'm pretty sure the website address is bigcanoe.com

There's a great pool, man made lakes, Southern Living homes to tour, hiking trails, etc.

Not being disrespecful, but lots of Atlanta Yankees have weekend homes at Big Canoe.

The beach is just too far and yes, it will be hot.

Oh, and you know what else? Check out Chateau Elan. It's grand and would be very romantic.

My wife and I escape the heat of a dog day in Atlanta by going to the NC mountains. We have a place that is only 2 hours from Atlanta. Nothing like the refreshing spray of a beautiful waterfall during the day and a cool sleep at night with the windows open. Nothing like a cool breeze and a distant view of magnificant mountains at day. Nothing like a dip at night in the hot tub and then a moonlight stroll through the evergreens. Nothing like standing in ankle deep cold water of a mountain stream and skipping rocks during the day. Nothing like retiring to the bed at night, falling into a restful sleep only to have to pull the covers over you sometime during the night. Oh well, I'm getting a little carried away. In any case that would be my suggestion laya0316!

Geez smokyboy, reading your post gets me all excited. We're going up in 17 days, can't wait!!!!

Check out Dahlonega - neat little mountain town about an hour's drive north of Atlanta.

If you want cooler I'd head to the mtns...Cashiers/Highlands will even be cooler than Asheville by about 4-5 degrees at least. It should be about 3 hrs or a little more. It's a quaint small town but with good restaurants and close to lots of hiking trails and waterfalls...you can go horseback riding in the morning and then eat in a fancy restaurant for dinner.

Of course, I'm going to chime in and second all the mountain choices. On the way to Highlands, you will drive through Rabun County GA. If swimming in a crystal clear mountain lake appeals to you, you could rent a pontoon or ski boat and spend a day on gorgeous mountain lakes. Call Anchorage Boat Dock for rental referrals. There are cabins in the mountains to rent. If you go to Highlands, there's a nice Hampton Inn there (mountain decor).

Let me clarify my post - Highlands is the town I was referring to with the quaint downtown and good restaurants. I really don't know much about Cashiers. We recently had an excellent lunch at Old Edward Inn - they also have rooms and a spa.

I suggest Highlands, NC or the ritz Carlton on Lake Oconee, south of Atlanta.

I SECOND the Ritz Carlton on Lake Oconee! We have a lakehouse on Lake Oconee and we have gone over there several times for dinner, etc. It is only an hour drive from Atlanta. Chateau Elan is nice to look at on the outside but the rooms are "tired" and plain. The mountain suggestions are nice but if you don't want to drive that far, check out the Ritz on the lake!

Here's a third for the Ritz on Oconee. But, it won't be as cool as the mountains - but plenty of chances to get wet to cool off. I've stayed there and they just did it right (as usual).

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. It's a good 3 hour drive but will be some of the most beautiful scenery you've ever seen. If you want something totally different from NYC, you can't go wrong with any of the choices you've been given.

I absolutely love Chateau Elan for an overnight stay. They have several different restaurants as well as a trememdous spa!! You can spend a day playing golf (if you're a golfer) or spend an entire day being pampered with massages, facials, sauna, etc. Also, it's only about 45 minute drive from downtown Atlanta. I'm making myself want to plan a trip there.

Have fun in the south. Be prepared for it to be totally different from what you're used to - once you get away from the city life in Atlanta. After you get accustomed to our accent and can actually understand what we're saying, I know you'll love being here. Have a blessed time!

I highly recommend Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville. It's only about an hour North of Atlanta and it's about as nice and relaxing a place as you'll find. The Ritz-Carlton @ Lake Oconee is also very nice but we always seem to enjoy Barnsley more.