10 Best Towns in Georgia for a Winter Getaway

From the highest mountain in the state to the barrier islands along the coast, our ten best small towns in Georgia for a winter getaway offer fun for the whole family. This geographic diversity includes outdoor adventures, environmental exploration, and magnificent scenery. The towns welcome visitors to discover unique cultures, local culinary and creative talent, historical architecture, and tales from the past. At each destination, various accommodation options range from campgrounds to luxury cabins, quaint hotels to resorts, and B&Bs to treehouses.

Get out the map, pick a destination, pack warm clothing, and see why winter is the best time to vacation in these small Georgia towns.

Helen

Step into a Bavarian Alpine village in a most unexpected location – the north Georgia mountains. The tiny town of Helen, while a year-round destination, is exceptional throughout the winter months. The Old World-style architecture, retail shops, and eateries offering traditional German, Swiss, and Austrian cuisine are transformed into a storybook village. Two-holiday movies were filmed here! There are cultural celebrations like the Dropping of the Edelweiss, Fasching (the Bavarian version of Mardi Gras), a pub crawl and scavenger hunt known as Hüttengaudi and other winter festivals. The surrounding foothills have unobstructed views of dozens of waterfalls. Accommodations include quaint Alpine-themed lodgings like the Heidi Motel, luxurious mountain resorts, or dozens of cozy cabins with crackling fireplaces.

Blue Ridge

A fun family vacation or a romantic couple’s getaway awaits during the winter months in Blue Ridge. Once an exclusive health resort destination for the well-heeled, the mineral waters now welcome all to this mountain town. The days of old come to life with a ride on the scenic railway and antique shopping. The Appalachian and Benton MacKaye trails are popular hiking destinations in the surrounding wilderness. Expedition Bigfoot has displays and lore about the legend. Try your hand at axe throwing, and grab a meal of Southern comfort food at Vertigo Pinball (Yes, there are dozens of machines to play!). Mountain cabins and locally owned B&B establishments are conveniently located, as well as the luxury resort and spa, Serenity in the Mountains. In addition to massages, facials, and more, have a relaxing session in the therapeutic environment of an authentically created Himalayan Salt Cave.

Dahlonega

Dahlonega makes our list of the best towns in Georgia for winter getaways for several reasons, including the impression visitors express when they arrive: “It’s like a snow globe that’s come to life!” Consistently rated as one of the state’s top small towns and best vacation spots, this mountain vista town is draped in lights and decorations throughout the season. Horse-drawn carriage rides, a vibrant town square, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere await. As this location is the site of the country’s first Gold Rush, visitors can still pan for this elusive treasure. Art galleries, live entertainment, and boutique shopping are in abundance. Eight local wineries offer tours and tastings. Visit museums, take historic walking tours, and stay overnight at resort campgrounds in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest or sleep in a tree house.

Blairsville

What better way to spend a winter vacation than in a friendly small town located close to the highest mountain peak in Georgia, Brasstown Bald, with an elevation of 4,784 feet? The uncrowded, picturesque town of Blairsville has a mom-and-pop diner, an award-winning barbeque joint, and an upscale eatery. Grandaddy Mimm’s Moonshine serves authentic, handcrafted spirits. A Step Above horseback ride lets visitors explore the trails, mountains, and lakes (open year-round). There are ancient petroglyphs at Track Rock Gap. The farm and heritage center of famous poet Byron Herbert Reece is open to the public. Meet alpacas at Lasso the Moon farm and relax in a rocking chair at Pappy’s Trading Post. A winter wonderland hike to the summit of Brasstown Bald is a unique experience. At the end of the day, Paradise Hills offers cabins, a spa, and a winery.

Chatsworth

Take a trip back in time when the struggles and triumphs of a new nation occurred at this destination. As the “Showplace of the Cherokee Nation,” the Chief Vann House State Historic Site is rich with history. The preserved 2 ½ story brick home, built in 1804, was the “most elegant” in this First Nation’s lands. Guided tours include the stories of old, a ‘floating’ staircase, a 12-foot mantle, and period antiques. Outside, the grounds of this 137-acre property offer additional glimpses into the past. Home-cooking restaurants and diners are nearby. Book accommodations on top of a mountain at The Overlook Inn, where the six available guest rooms come with hot tubs and fireplaces.

Jekyll Island

Winter is a magical time at this barrier island with a thousand-acre forest and ten miles of shoreline – and the crowds are elsewhere! Rangers take visitors on eco-tours. Driftwood Beach is perfect for a stroll. And the Georgia Sea Turtle Center offers behind-the-scenes tours about their conservation work. There are 25 miles of paved trails for walking and cycling or riding horseback along beaches and through the historic district. Go shelling during the day and stargazing at night. Fresh seafood dishes at The Wharf and The Reserve restaurants include ocean-view seating. The full-service resort marina, cottages, hotel, and camping in maritime wooded acres all welcome visitors. Or, surround yourself with history, luxury, and convenience at the 19^th Century Jekyll Island Club Resort.

Santa Claus

Plan a visit to one of the three cities in the United States named “Santa Claus” for a holiday celebration and ongoing winter fun. Just over 200 residents in this small Georgia town live on roads evoking the spirit of Christmas, like Reindeer Street, Noel Street, Candy Cane Lane, December Drive (where city hall is located at street number 25!), and more. If you happen to be in the area at the right time, you can mail your holiday cards here for the special postmark. Started in the 1930s to attract travelers to a local farmer’s pecan business, the town’s fame eventually landed on Christmas. Today, a small museum and gift shop tell the story and offer unique items for purchase. A chapel and gardens welcome quiet contemplation. Dining and accommodations are limited but can be found in nearby Lyons and Vidalia (famous for sweet onions).

Toccoa

If shopping is on the list of fun vacation activities, the small town of Toccoa is the place. With a commitment to building a vibrant downtown while preserving historic buildings, this city now offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy an award-winning Main Street experience. It is reported that 75 national and local stores are open to the public in this town. Movies and live concerts are regular happenings at the Historic Ritz Theatre, built in 1939. A hike to the exposed rock summit at Currahee Mountain is a popular winter event. There are nearby cave systems to explore (for the adventurous at heart). Be sure to stop by the college campus for a surprise – “one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls east of the Mississippi.” At 186 feet, it is taller than Niagara Falls!

Adairsville

This destination is “the first Georgia town to be listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places.” Located in a picturesque valley once known as the “Granary of the State,” this town has long First Nation, agricultural, and railroad histories. The area is rich with stories of the Cherokee and a hotspot for the development of the peach and chenille industries. Stop at the Depot Museum & Welcome Center for tales of the Great Locomotive Chase and pick up a brochure for a self-guided tour of historic homes. The 1902 Stock Exchange building has a second-floor opera house where live theatre productions occur. Shop in local art galleries and enjoy a meal of real southern barbeque at Character’s Famous BBQ. The inn and English village cottages of the historic Barnsley Resort sit upon this 3,000-acre property where the ruins of the original 1840s manor house are preserved.

Clayton

The stunning Tallulah Gorge State Park is located near this small town. At two miles long and almost 1,000 feet deep, this famous canyon was the sight of the intrepid (successful) tightrope walker Karl Wallenda. Today, visitors can sway 80 feet up and across the chasm on a suspension bridge. There are 17 public waterfalls in the area, many that “pause” in winter, like a frozen picture of their stream’s beauty. Other outdoor winter activities abound, including trail skiing, ice skating, snow tubing, and hiking. In town, shops offer gifts, honey, coffee, and antiques, and the creations of 35 local artists are on display at Gallery 441. Rustic accommodations, glamping, historic bed & breakfast locations like the 100-year-old Beechwood Inn, chalets, and cozy cabins welcome visitors year-round in the Farm-to-Table capital of the state.

Discover Georgia's Winter Wonderland

Georgia's lesser-known towns offer an array of winter experiences, each with its unique charm and attractions. From the tranquil peaks of Blairsville to the historic streets of Adairsville, these destinations promise a refreshing blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation. Whether seeking a quiet retreat or an active holiday, these ten towns provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable winter getaway.