Let’s talk about North Georgia & what it has to offer visitors!
Since we love outdoor walkabouts introducing our top favorite hidden gems of North Georgia is super easy! Walking Trails, Parks & lets not forget the coffee shops! While passing these last few weeks until our May departure to Mexico, we decided to take a road trip to Stonecrest, a small city on the southeast outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia for an adventure! Although Stonecrest was our base during this time, we made trips to Conyers, Lithonia, Dawsonville, Duluth, Decatur, etc. all around & including Atlanta.
Who knew we would be in such proximity to so many Georgia walking trails? The end of March into April has been magical especially with all the wild flowers beginning to bloom! My two all time favorite sights in the mountains of North Georgia has to be The Dogwood trees & the wandering vines of Wisteria hanging from tree limbs.
Every trail we walked was an adventure in itself. We even managed a couple walks in Mid Town Atlanta! More on that below but right now let me give you a taste of our favorites.
A Georgia Peach indeed!
A little background about my love for Georgia. I was raised in North Georgia mountains until I was around ten so anything to do with the mountains I love. I could bore you with so many adventures of my childhood on the mountain but that would be a whole other post! [i.e. bears, mountain lions & wild dogs to name a few]. We lived mostly around Dahlonega & later in Gainesville while my Dad’s family lived mostly around Cleveland & Murrayville. Even now as an adult, those childhood memories are still so vivid to me. After our move to Indiana, in later years we would make our bi-monthly trips back to the mountain to visit Dad’s parents & family…Love…Name me another state that has as many Peanut Statutes as Georgia?
On the other hand, The Big Guy had not seen any of Georgia other than the trips we had made to see my Mom when she was alive. So…when the invitation came to visit Georgia the whole month of April prior to our big adventure plan of seniors traveling internationally on a budget takes off in May, we jumped on it. This post is highlights of what we think of as “hidden gems” we ventured during this trip!
Introducing Our Hidden Gems Picks of North Georgia
Piedmont Park – Midtown Atlanta
There is something for everyone at Atlanta’s beautiful Piedmont Park! We parked off Peachtree & walked to the Park admiring beautiful homes & architecture! Here are a few must see highlights of Piedmont Park!
Picnic at the Park – perfect way to finish a day at Piedmont Park? A cooler of cold drinks & snacks while you watch the kiddos play!
The Dancing Goats Coffee Bar
For these two seniors traveling the perfect finish for the day at the park was this absolute best midtown Atlanta coffee shop, The Dancing Goats Coffee Bar recommended to us by the daughter! We visited the one next to Ponce City Market. The iced coffee drinks were great & The Big Guy was a happy camper with his hot Chai! On top of the very friendly baristas, the coffee drinks were great & the covered outdoor sitting area was very nice for visiting & people watching.
If you still have it in you after Piedmont Park & Dancing Goats coffee you can go next door to the Ponce City Market. We decided to do the Market a few days later & ended up picking up lunch at the Moroccan Takeout. The Chicken Shawarma [dark meat chicken marinated 24 hours in spicey goodness & wrapped like a burrito] was yummy & a definite must try if you are in the area.
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park is a great day trip located just outside of Atlanta. We easily did the five mile trail around Stone Mountain. The paths are pretty well marked & there was not a shortage of nature to photograph! The fee to get into Park was $20.
Arabia Mountain Park & Trails
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area was easily my favorite over Stone Mountain. Don’t get me wrong Stone Mountain was beautiful BUT to us [I believe I am safe including the three of us on this one] Arabia Mountain was over and above AWESOME plus free entry! We walked one day 8.94 miles of the total of 33 miles of trails at the Park that is connected with Panola Park! The trails were paved but you definitely got a work out up & down hills but it is hard to beat the serenity of the woods.
We went back several days just to walk to the top of the Arabia Mountain for the views. It was a much shorter total walk of maybe two miles but the scenery was incredible! The only negative would have to be the wind that caught us one day with 20+ mph winds! When you are standing on the huge granite outcrops there is nothing to protect you from the wind & it can be chilly as sun goes down. Here is just a taste of the nature you will see here.
Amicalola Falls State Park
The Amicalola Falls State Park is located outside of Dawsonville in the Blue Ridge Mtn area of the Appalachians. It is also the beginning point {Springer Mtn} for the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail [A.T.] to Mount Katahdin, Maine! The Big Guy’s best buddy is currently on that trail – I think with estimated final destination arrival of late summer? He has been sharing tales of the trip & it sounds pretty amazing!
Amicalola Falls, with a height of 729 ft., along with the Lodge, ziplines & multiple trails – there is definitely something for everyone.
The trails are pretty well marked from easy to ‘strenuous so there really is a fit for everyone. You do You! We made several trips to this Park just see what we missed the previous time. It is home to the Amicalola Falls which is the tallest in the state with lookouts at base, midway & from top of the Falls. Amazing views! Entry to this Park was only $5!!
Here are a few more pics of our walk to top of the Falls.
I told The Big Guy once we made to top of the steps/Falls I felt that we really had climbed the stairway to heaven. Just beautiful!
Sweet Auburn Historic District
There was so much to see in the Sweet Auburn Historic District it more than deserved its own post so I hope you will check it out when it gets posted soon. This was a day trip specifically to walk Auburn Street to view all it had to offer historically & we were not disappointed! A very educational & inspirational day for sure.
The National Center for Human & Civil Rights Center
I can’t in words explain how much this visit meant to me personally. Georgia has so much history in the civil and human rights movement that it would only be natural to start your education here. The many highlights of this one day visit to The National Center for Human & Civil Rights Museum will be highlighted in another post within the next few days. Here’s to exploring Atlanta’s rich history.
Some small town Georgia hidden gems:
Small Georgia cities have a lot to offer in their quaintness & southern charm. Here are a few places to check out when you are in the area.
Gainesville – Lake Lanier hosted the ’96 Olympic water sports. If you are not into water sports or fishing, than take a casual drive thru the historic district to check out the architecture. Whether you want to visit a spa, camp, fish, boat, eat or visit the botanical gardens, Gainesville has something for you.
Cleveland – your little ones will definitely enjoy the Babyland Hospital for Cabbage Patch babies!
Decatur – the drive alone thru the historical district is breathtaking & well worth a trip around the Square.
Ellijay – Georgia’s Apple Capital!
Helen – The Chattahoochee River runs through this town dressed as a German Bavarian village. Photo perfect!
Dahlonega – Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this was my home pretty much for my impressionable years so needless to say this is my preference of all small Georgia towns. The beautiful Courthouse, walking thru art galleries, visiting wineries or panning for gold at the river – there is something for everyone & my best pic for you to see in North Georgia! A simple walkabout downtown is full of sights. Taking a drive through the mountains are a must do.
Covington – The Denny Dobbs Park had a smaller walking trail compared to most of the parks we visited BUT they definitely aimed to please the young at heart with three play areas matched to age. Workout sites all along the paved trail, water park, baseball field, bb courts as well as a huge centrally located covered pavilion with tables for picnics! Just the perfect place for a Sunday picnic on our visit.
I can’t list every Georgia town we saw that had parks/trails but I am telling you it was wonderful seeing how each town addressed the needs for the folks that like to be outdoors vs inside. Both The Big Guy & I will give a big shout out to that southern flavor of Georgian hospitality! Honestly, we were treated well by everyone we met & probably 99% of the folks we ran into were the most congenial & happy people we have met in a long time. Truly, made my heart swell! AND, I just have to say this….You know pedestrians are SUPPOSE to have the right away – I’m talking about at lights/crosswalks. Well the towns we were in took it to another level. We even had traffic stop BEHIND the crosswalk & some even waited for us so they could turn onto a merge lane. Yes, there were signs everywhere that it was a STATE Law but….just great work Georgia drivers that we saw.
For some fun & interesting facts about Georgia check this out! I think you might just be adding a few cities, if not the entire state, to your Bucket List.
We hope you enjoy our hot spots of our time in North Georgia!
Be safe, have fun & travel to your hearts content!
