10 Small Towns in Georgia to Visit for a Weekend Getaway
Whether you live in Los Angeles, New York City, or Battle Creek Michigan, there is always a time to get away from the hustle and bustle. As traveling from one city to another tends to become monotonous at times, there are many small towns in the magnificent state of Georgia that offer a great escape from the daily grind for the weekend, either with family, friends, or alone. Here are ten of the most amiable small towns in the Peach State, from Darien in the southeast to Chickamauga in the northwest, that cater best to that awesome getaway for the weekend.
Darien
The quaint town of Darien, located in McIntosh County on the southern coast of the Atlantic and at the mouth of the Altamaha River, possesses many attributes that make it a great place to stop for the weekend. Along with visiting Fort King George and the Old Jail Museum for a taste of historical data, Darien is also home to Georgia Peach World, Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Butler Island Plantation, which was a former rice plantation owned by Major Pierce Butler in back in the nineteenth century. There are also several seafood restaurants, like Skipper’s Fish Camp, and several choices for lodging, including Oaks on the River, which includes free wi-fi and free parking.
Blue Ridge
At the other end of the state, in the Chattahoochee National Forest and next to Lake Blue Ridge, the town of Blue Ridge is an excellent place to stop for the weekend, whether you are on your own or with friends or family. The natural attractions, from Amicalola Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in Georgia, and the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, to fly-fishing along Noontootla Creek, and stopping by the Bigfoot Museum in nearby Cherry Log, keep people coming back to the town of Blue Ridge year after year. If you do stop by for the whole weekend, check out the Black Sheep Restaurant on Main Street and Orion’s Heart Cabin on White Pine Acres Lane.
Americus
In Sumter County, hidden between Albany and Thomaston, the quaint yet substantial town of Americus is a great place to stop for the weekend with the family. There are several places in and around town, including Koinonia Farms and Southern Dreams Ranch, that cater to the family as a whole unit instead of individually. Southern Dreams Ranch even offers a chance to go horseback riding along seventy acres of wooded trails. There are also several choices for dining with the family, including the Station and Rosemary & Thyme Restaurant, both located on W. Lamar Street, and several choices for lodging, including a Best Western, also on W. Lamar Street, and a Hampton Inn on E. Lamar.
Dahlonega
The town of Dahlonega, at the top of the state in Lumpkin County, is best known for being considered the Heart of the Georgia Mountains. Along with being in close proximity to Lake Zwerner and the Chestatee River, which provide opportunities for swimming, fishing, hiking, and boating, Dahlonega is also home to the Chestatee Zoo and Georgia Mountain Falconry, both great for all members of the family. There are also a variety of nice places to taste some local fare in Dahlonega, like Foot Hill Grill and Shenanigans, and several lodging choices, including the Limelight Inn and Dahlonega Resort & Vineyard. Both choices have access to a semi-private garden and free parking while only the Limelight Inn offers free wi-fi.
Tallulah Falls
Just under fifty miles to the east of Dahlonega, the town of Tallulah Falls, located in both Habersham and Rabun counties, is home to Tallulah Gorge State Park and Panther Creek Recreation Area. Tallulah Gorge State Park has a plethora of activities that cater to family, like gallantly strolling across the swinging bridge, suspended eighty feet above the ground, hiking any or all of the rim trails, and checking out each of the five magnificent waterfalls up close. Then, if the choice is to stay in the park, there are options for picnicking and camping for the weekend, if the choice is to stay in town, Tallulah Falls offers fine dining and lodging at Lake Rabun Hotel and Restaurant.
Senoia
Deeper into the state, just below the city of Atlanta, in Coweta County, the town of Senoia is best known for maintaining a laid-back attitude while stopping and smelling the roses. In between Griffin and Newnan, Senoia is a haven for the family from its movie and television tours and the Senoia Raceway. There are also several choices for the family in the range of dining and lodging, like Nic & Norman’s and Bistro Hilary, which are both down the street from the Main Street Fudge and Ice Cream Shop, and the Veranda Historic Inn, Hogan House at Rose Hill B&B, and Urban Lake House, all three of them offering a free breakfast the next morning.
St. Mary’s
In the southeastern corner of Georgia, across from the King’s Bay Naval Base, and Fernandina Beach, Florida, the quaint town of St. Mary’s is a gem in the rough that most people pass by. The Crooked River State Park is just up the road, offering visitors access to the Intracoastal Waterway, picnicking and camping opportunities, and hiking along several trails, including the Palmetto Trail, the River Trail, and the Bay Boardwalk Trail. Plus, in downtown St. Mary’s, several dining and lodging options await the intrepid traveler. St. Mary’s Seafood & More, Missy’s Kitchen, and Pirate’s Point Var & Grill all await to serve delicious local fare, while the Goodbread House, the Riverview Inn, and the Spencer House Inn, all three located on Osborne Street.
Ellijay
At one of the intersections between Blue Ridge and Chatsworth, in Gilmer County, the town of Ellijay may be known best as the Apple Capital of Georgia, due to all the apple orchards, including Panorama, Aaron Family, and B.J. Reece. Less known, Ellijay is also home to several vineyards and wineries, including Chateau Meichtry Winery, Cartecay Vineyards, and Grapes and Ladders. There is also a selection of restaurants in and near Ellijay, including Cajun Depot Grill, Okinawa Restaurant, and Mr. P’s Takeout, and several lodging choices as well, including Ellijay River House B&B, Coosawattee River Resort, and Diamond Lure RV Park, which offers cabin options as well as camping opportunities.
Covington
In the middle of the northern half of the state of Georgia, in Newton County, the town of Covington is a splash of country attitude with a blend of casual, new-age demeanor. From the water activities to be enjoyed at Turner Lake, the hiking trails to explore, like the Eastside Trail, and parks like Academy Springs Park and City Pond Park, to Boost Trampoline Park and the Fly Trap, the town of Covington relates to children and young adults in ways not always seen in other towns. There are also several dining and lodging choices that cater to the family, including the Town House Café on Washington Street, Bradley’s Real Pit Barbeque on Church, and the Twelve Oaks B&B; where the Vampire Diaries was partly filmed.
Chickamauga
The town of Chickamauga, just south of Ft. Oglethorpe in Walker County, is home to the Gordon-Lee Mansion, Crawfish Springs, and relatively close to the city of Chattanooga. The Gordon-Lee Mansion, located on Cove Road, was used just before September of 1863 by the Union army as a headquarters for General Rosecrans and as a field hospital during the Battle of Chickamauga, while Crawfish Springs is best known for calm walks and a peaceful serenity with nature. There are also several dining and lodging options in the town of Chickamauga, including Greg’s Restaurant and Vittles Bbq & Country Fixin’s for food and Hidden Hollow Resort and Mountain Caves Farm Resort for a place to sleep.
In Conclusion
While the magnificent state of Georgia, otherwise known as the Peach State, has a variety of prodigious cities that would easily accommodate a great weekend getaway, like Athens, Macon, and Savannah, some of the time a small town works even better. Away from the hustle and bustle, the ten towns above, and others like them, promise a scenic landscape of everything from the foliage in autumn to the apples hanging from the trees in the summer, as well as a slower, more relaxed, pace.
