Want to get away in North Georgia?
Find peace & quiet, outdoor adventures and wineries, too.
Happy new year! I took my winter vacay very seriously and by seriously I mean I got a cold, took multiple covid tests (all negative thankfully), did lots of laundry, snuggled my nephew and went on a last minute road trip to Savannah. I’m back — wouldn’t say I’m rejuvenated, but definitely looking forward to travels in the new year.
Anyway, moving on to a part of the country I visited a few times in 2020 and 2021…
You’ve probably been to the Smoky Mountains or explored the German(ish) town of Helen. It’s more than likely you’ve had your share of beachside vacays in Florida, but what about a road trip staycation in Georgia? If you live in Atlanta chances are you’ve at least heard that there are beautiful views and plenty of places to taste wine just a hour or so away, and I’m going be real with y’all, OK? Nothing in the US compares to California wine country. But Dahlonega is definitely a fun Southern alternative when it comes to scenery, proximity, affordability and good vibes.
If you’re headed to North Georgia anytime soon, bookmark these activities, places to stay and vineyards/tasting rooms:
Stay
Getaway House (pictured above) - This tiny house in Suches, GA has everything you need for a weekend of R&R. Roast marshmallows by the campfire, read a book, go for a hike. There is no WiFi here and my phone didn’t work at all (I have T-Mobile); there is landline in each cabin for emergencies. Highly recommend this location — it is beautiful — but also want to point out that Getaway House has locations all over the country, so you can choose your adventure based on where you are/what’s closest to you. A quick tip: get there before it’s dark because it’s DARK out there and if you’re anything like me and can’t see as well at night it could be a little nerve-racking. Luckily I followed a friend in and out which was great considering my GPS didn’t work when I checked out in the morning. All cabins are dog friendly.
Barnsley Resort - I stayed here in the summer and it rained the whole time (kind of relaxing, TBH). But when it’s not raining there’s SO MUCH to do. Book a horseback riding excursion through the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills ($80 per person for a 60-minute ride) or sign up for Forest Yoga (contact the resort for availability). Barnsley is home to 10 miles of hiking trails and when you get hungry there are plenty of options for eating and drinking. Choose from breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks at Woodlands Grill; a casual meal at the resort’s outdoor Beer Garden; or fine dining at Rice House, a 19th century farmhouse serving a garden-to-table menu. Want to try something new? Barnsley offers beginners axe throwing and archery lessons. If you plan to travel with your doggie BFF, some cottages are pet friendly, too.
Drink
I’ve heard there are tons of wineries in Ellijay, but I haven’t been there yet so let’s talk about Dahlonega instead. If you happen to have a designated driver, maybe you can hit all four of these in a day. My suggestion is to get a room and do two wineries one day and two the next. Dahlonega is home to 12 wine tasting rooms and eight wineries, so by all means explore and let me know what you find.
Montaluce Winery - This is a winery, restaurant and resort! I went for lunch and a glass of wine and the views are *chef’s kiss.*
Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery - This place is just gorgeous and the tasting room is open Thursday to Sunday (reservations required for groups of eight or more, check the website for winter schedule). The winery also serves brunch on Sundays, which requires a reservation no matter your party size. I really enjoyed the Howling Wolf Red, a non-vintage blend of Syrah and Cabernet.
Kaya Vineyard & Winery - This is the largest winery in Dahlonega and it’s also dog friendly, which is nice. Chardonnay was my go-to here; my friend stuck with the rose. Kaya. has a gift shop and a wine club and mountain view cottages available for rent if you’ve had a little too much to drink or just love it so much you want to stay the night.
Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery - It’s really pretty here! Sometimes they have live music. They also have donkeys and alpacas on property, which is a treat. It is not though, and I repeat IT IS NOT dog friendly. There are signs everywhere so don’t even try it.
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Play
Hop aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Blue Ridge, GA. I actually haven’t done this yet, but it’s on my list for 2022. This is about half an hour from Dahlonega and totally doable if you’re staying somewhere like Getaway House. Book your tickets ahead of time (they tend to sell out) and prepare for a four-hour adventure along the Toccoa River. Maybe the coolest thing about this trip is that the train stops in sister cities McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee so you can actually stand in both states at once. I don’t know, but that kind of feels like something fun to check off a bucket list.
I haven’t done this in years, but it left such an impression on me. Grab some water and a buddy and head to Tallulah Gorge State Park in Tallulah, GA. The canyon is two miles long and almost 1,000 feet deep. For crazy views, cross the suspension bridge that sits 80 feet in the air. Note that this is not for the faint of heart.