Central and North Georgia
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central and North Georgia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central and North Georgia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Take a guided tour of a real mine, which ceased operations in 1904. With 5 miles of underground tunnels, Consolidated is said to be the largest gold mine east of the Mississippi. Enter the mine (which has been reconstructed for safety), pass through a breathtaking stone passage, and then begin a descent of 120 feet into the mine's geological wonders. Knowledgeable guides expound on historical mining techniques and give demonstrations of tools, such as the "widowmaker," a drill that kicks up mining dust and caused lung disease in many miners. After the tour, guests are invited to pan for gold, prospector style, from a long wooden sluice. Gemstone mining is also available for an additional fee.
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Crane Creek features scenic ponds and 200-year-old oak trees. The winery produces 15 regional artisanal wines based on the 13 grape varieties it grows. The most popular choices are Vidal Blanc, Seyval, and Norton. Tastings are offered for a fee in the tasting room, located in an old farmhouse. There's also a restaurant on-site for those perfect food and wine pairings. Bottles of wine and take-away food are also available to be enjoyed on decks overlooking the vineyards. On Friday evening, there's live music May through November.
Founded in Athens in 2014, Creature Comforts has made an imprint in the craft beer community with its award-winning year-round and limited-release beers. Try them all plus creative concoctions like a "Beermosa" at its downtown Athens taproom housed in a former 1950s tire shop. There's often live music and events on the weekends.
Dahlonega’s oldest gold mining establishment open to the public, Crisson offers the opportunity to get serious about gold prospecting. There’s indoor and outdoor gold panning and gem grubbing as well as outdoor exhibits that guide guests through the gold mining process. You can also see mining equipment in action, including a 130-year-old stamp mill that's still used to crush gold-bearing quartz. Wagon rides take you by the old tunnels and a functional open pit mine. The gift shop is worth a stop for the gemstone jewelry and unique gold gifts.
Located in the center of the town square, this museum has coins, tools, and several large nuggets on display. Built in 1836, this former courthouse is one of the oldest public buildings in the state. If you look closely at the bricks that form the building's foundation, you'll notice a sprinkling of gold dust in their formation. Along with two floors of exhibits, the museum features a high-definition film titled America's First Gold Rush. Arrive an hour before closing to be sure and catch the film.
African American entrepreneur Charles H. Douglass built this theater in 1921. A host of great American musicians have performed here, among them Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, and locals Little Richard and Otis Redding. It's currently a venue for movies, plays, and other performances. You can take a guided tour of the building weekdays only. Call ahead for an appointment.
This 3,712-acre state park has a 17-acre lake with sandy beach, 14 miles of hiking trails, and 27 miles of mountain-biking trails. The gem of the park is a mysterious wall of rock, 855 feet long, thought to have been built by Native Americans around AD 500. Walk-in tent and premium tent/RV sites ($18–$36) as well as two- and three-bedroom cottages ($175–$200) are available. The park also offers a unique primitive site for camping with horses.
Set on the slope of Black Rock Mountain, this outdoor museum re-creates life in Appalachia before the days of electricity and running water. The museum features a collection of authentic and reconstructed log cabins, a gristmill, a blacksmith's shop, and an operating weaving workshop, along with tools and displays about life in daily life and mountain culture. The Foxfire organization was born in 1966 when students at the Rabun Gap--Nacoochee School wrote articles for a magazine based on generations-old family stories. Their excitement in chronicling life in the Appalachians has led to more than a dozen Foxfire books, which have sold nearly 9 million copies.
This 57-acre vineyard and winery offers picturesque mountain views from its deck as well as a dramatic dining room. Since 2010, Frogtown wines have won more than 200 medals. Winemakers Craig and Sydney Kritzer believe it is one of the most awarded wineries in the country not located in California. Wine tastings are offered daily. Lunch is available Thursday to Saturday and dinner is available Friday through Sunday. Sunday brunch is a popular affair, and reservations are recommended for parties of six or more.
On the campus of the University of Georgia, the museum serves a dual purpose as an academic institution and the official public art museum of the State of Georgia. The permanent collection contains a wealth of 19th- and 20th-century paintings—some from noted American artists like Georgia O'Keeffe and Winslow Homer. It also houses the Samuel H. Kress Study Collection of Italian Renaissance art. Special exhibitions display cherished works of art from around the world.
Designed to resemble a turn-of-the-century ballpark, sports enthusiasts will appreciate this shrine to Georgia sports and its Hall of Fame honoring over 400 inductees. Exhibits, though dated, include a variety of artifacts and interactive, touch-screen kiosks and honor sports—including baseball, golf, track and field, and football—at all levels, from prep and college teams to professional.
Part of the Southern Literary Trail, this small museum in downtown Eatonton features exhibits on four authors who called Central Georgia home: Joel Chandler Harris, Sidney Lanier, Flannery O’Connor, and Alice Walker. They also display items from the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in partnership with the University of Georgia’s Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Check their calendar online for frequent “meet the author” events highlighting current Georgia writers.
One of the oldest wineries in the state, Habersham Vineyards & Winery started producing in 1983. Stop by the winery's tasting room and gift shop to try one of its signature wines, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and popular blends Scarlett, Signet, and Cherokee Rose.
Madison is the historic heart of Georgia, and although many of the lovely homes are privately owned, this Greek Revival mansion, circa 1811, is open to the public. Rooms are furnished in the 19th-century style and offer insight into the elegant lifestyle of an average well-to-do family. Combo tickets are available to tour Heritage Hall along with two other historic homes within walking distance.
Buy freshly picked apples (usually early September to late November) at this 80-acre farm. Homemade jellies, jams, breads, and doughnuts are available at the farm's market and bakery. On September and October weekends, the Apple Pickin' Jubilee features live music, wagon rides, apple picking, and other activities. There's also a petting zoo and a picnic area.
One of Dahlonega's newer wineries, Kaya's wines are produced exclusively from estate-grown grapes, including Chardonnay, Viognier, Touriga, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The tasting room offers sweeping panoramic views of Dahlonega's beautiful mountain scenery and regularly features events. Tastings are offered daily along with light lunch items.
One of the six lakes built by the Georgia Railway and Power Company, this 2,800-acre lake is in the Chattahoochee National Forest. On the lake, at Georgia State Route 197, is the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery, alongside Moccasin Creek State Park, which offers a boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic spots, and shady campsites. It also has trout raceways (used to raise trout from fingerlings) and a kids-only trout-fishing area. In extremely hot weather, the hatchery is sometimes closed.
This beautiful mountain lake (pronounced “sha-toog”) spans 7,200 acres and two states. Some of the best open views can be found near Hiawassee. Here you can access a boat launch and paved walking trail.
Built in 1915, the first of six lakes in the state built by the Georgia Railway and Power Company, Lake Rabun covers only 834 acres. Its small size is misleading, as its narrow fingers dart through mountain valleys. Lightly visited by tourists and populated with weekend homes and old boathouses, it has a low-key charm. The lake offers boating, fishing, and camping. There's a small beach at Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area at the east end of the lake available for day use for a fee.
This community visual arts complex centered around the 1856 Ware-Lyndon House features art galleries, artist workshops, and a gallery shop featuring pottery, paintings, jewelry, and more by over 100 Athens-area artists. You can also tour the meticulously restored historic home, Admission is free. Check online for gallery shows and events.
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