A Weekend Getaway To This Georgia Mountain Town Will Leave You Wanting More
Pine Mountain, Georgia is the ultimate weekend getaway for nature enthusiasts and families, offering a range of activities from safari animal feeding to butterfly observation.
While Georgia is home to quite a few amazing mountain towns, there is one that stands out as being the ultimate weekend getaway for nature enthusiasts and outdoorsy folks. This particular mountain town ranges in activities--from feeding safari animals to observing more than 2,000 butterflies in their habitat! Pine Mountain, Georgia is the ultimate getaway for the entire family this summer, and here is why you should visit...
Pine Mountain, Georgia is charming southern town that is filled with both nature and community.
Visiting Pine Mountain during the spring or summer will provide you with endless opportunities for fun and adventure.
advertisement
Whether you choose to stroll through downtown and visit a few of the local shops and boutiques...
...or visit the Country Store and Kitchen for a quick bite and some southern souvenirs, you're bound to have a good time.
Take a hike through FD Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain and catch the incredible views from Dowdell Knob.
Or visit the ever-popular Callaway Gardens with more than 6,000 acres of stunning landscape and scenery.
Just when you thought you saw it all at Callaway Gardens, there always is more to see.
advertisement
Pine Mountain in general, always has something going on that will wow the entire family.
Take a trip to the Wild Animal Safari park in town...
...and feed a giraffe from the comfort of your safari truck!
Then head on over to Whistling Pig BBQ for an epic meal.
You won't find delicious, down-home BBQ like this anywhere else in Georgia.
Pine Mountain is a wonderful and stunning mountain town that will surely make any weekend getaway a memorable one.
I love the Peach State's large cities, but honestly, nothing beats the charm and beauty of the countless small towns in Georgia. These sleepy places feel like a step back in time, and they're great for exploring locally-owned restaurants and shops that you just can't find anywhere else. If you love the state's small towns as much as we do, we think you'll love this small town road trip in Georgia that runs from Ellijay to Washington. Each of the stops offers up natural beauty and historical significance, and there's really something for everyone in each of these places, whether your interest lies in museums, parks, or restaurants. Check this adventure out:
advertisement
In all, the road trip will require a little over four hours of driving. You'll definitely want to account for extra time to spend in each city, and in all honesty, this would make a great four or five-day trip, with nearly a full day spent in each spot.
Of course, you can always add or remove stops if you like. Check out the fully-customizable itinerary on Google Maps.
1. Ellijay
We'll start off our journey in Ellijay, a city of about 2,000 people. It's nicknamed the Apple Capital of Georgia thanks to the huge volume of apples grown here each year. If you want to check out all the apple-themed fun, visiting in the fall is a good option, but this is a place that can be enjoyed at any time of year. This is an area of the state with plenty of outdoor attractions, and Ellijay isn't far from several state parks and hiking trails. There's also an adorable little downtown area with some great shops and cafes.
2. Dahlonega
No list of best small towns in Georgia is complete without mentioning Dahlonega. Many people aren't aware that this city of 7,500 was home to the nation's first major gold rush. If you're interested in learning more about the city's history in the gold industry, you can take a tour of Consolidated Gold Mine. There's plenty more to enjoy here, though, no matter the season. Dahlonega is home to some of the best fall foliage in Georgia, and it's also a wonderful place for celebrating Christmas. The downtown area is filled with historic architecture and there are lots of shops to check out, and just outside the city, you'll find tons of great wineries.
advertisement
3. Helen
Helen, GA is one of my favorite small towns in Georgia. With a population of around 600 people, a location in the mountains, and Bavarian-themed architecture, it's like a little slice of Germany. If you want a European vacation with no passport required, a stop here is a must - there are loads of adorable German shops and restaurants all throughout the downtown area. However, I will admit that over the last few years, the crowds have really descended upon this little mountain village, particularly in the fall. If you're looking for more of a relaxing vibe, the good news is that there are some really fantastic under-the-radar destinations just outside of Helen that are just as worthy of exploration. Sautee Nachoochee is a nearby community with some great shops and cafes, and there are also a number of great state parks and natural destinations nearby, like Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park.
4. Madison
Our next stop is Madison, GA, a town of about 5,000 people. The historic district here is one of the largest in the state, and if you love architecture and history, you'll find plenty to enjoy, including historic homes available for touring. This is a little town with quite a few restaurants - don't miss a stop at the R+B Cafe or Town 220 Restaurant.
5. Washington
Lovers of history will also adore the last town in this road trip: Washington, GA. It's home to fewer than 5,000 residents and is one of the oldest towns in Georgia. It was actually the state capital during the Revolutionary War. It's got plenty of historical attractions, plus a great variety of mom-and-pop shops and restaurants in the downtown area.
advertisement
What a great trip! Before you hit the highway, make sure you check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List to ensure you have the safest and most fun vacation possible.
Georgia has some pretty cool small towns. Small towns that we cannot rave enough about. But we found this particular town to be quite fascinating--especially since it has been collecting accolades quietly for years. Care to find out why this small town is getting BIG-time attention? Check out why Woodstock, Georgia is such a cool place to visit.
advertisement
At only 8.8 square miles, the town of Woodstock, Georgia is one of the coolest cities in the South.
There is so much Southern charm and community within this small town that it's hard not to fall in love.
Woodstock prides itself on being "a sustainable city with hometown pride".
But beyond being sustainable and community-centric, Woodstock has even made the Forbes Magazine list for being one of the fastest-growing areas in the country!
In fact, what's even cooler than that, Woodstock is one of Money Magazine’s 2015 Top 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. — the only Georgia city to make the list.
One trip to this small town you can easily see why. First of all, there are plenty of things to do in Woodstock, GA.
With summer events like concerts in the park, drawing thousands of residents to enjoy some summer jams...
advertisement
...or even the eclectic restaurant scene in Woodstock which features fan favorites like JD's Bar-b-que...
...or Salt Factory Pub, with a tasty Southern-style breakfast you will crave again the moment you leave.
Take a trip to Dixie Speedway for an energetic, family-fun time at the racetrack...
...or rent a canoe and take it to Olde Rope Mill Park.
There is always something fun and refreshing to do in what may be one of the best small towns in GA.
Visit Woodstock, Georgia, and experience for yourself one of the coolest small towns in the South.