Best weekend getaway (in Georgia)
Natural beauty and adventure come together at Historic Banning Mills, which offers more than 5 miles of zip line. Photo: Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com
1. Historic Banning Mills (Whitesburg)
You say, “Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg is a great place to get away from it all. The zipline canopy tour is the best I have experienced, and we love the big wraparound porch overlooking the gorge. Simply beautiful!”
2. North Georgia Canopy Tours (Lula)
3. Dahlonega
4. Blue Ridge
5. Rabun County/Lake Burton
Lake Rabun is just one of many scenic waterways of Rabun County. Photo: Phil Skinner / pskinner@ajc.com
We say, “The unspoiled northeastern corner of Georgia is one of the state’s most gorgeous spots. The serene, picture-postcard beauty of Lake Burton, Lake Seed and Lake Rabun tops the list of reasons to visit this county at the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
2. Blairsville/Vogel State Park
3. Lake Oconee/Reynolds Plantation
4. Savannah
5. Helen/Sautee-Nacoochee
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731 comments Add your comment
Amanda
October 18th, 2010
1:36 pm
Lake Oconee
Kay
October 18th, 2010
2:32 pm
Savannah
Johnny Fontane
October 18th, 2010
3:18 pm
A rental cabin on Blue Ridge.
Sara
October 18th, 2010
3:28 pm
Helen
Lori
October 18th, 2010
3:44 pm
Camping in one of our many state parks in the mountains. Vogul is nice.
Karol
October 18th, 2010
4:06 pm
Savannah is the best weekend trip. Close enough to drive but far enough to make it feel like you are getting away from the city. It has such a cool vibe and amazing restaurants and history!
Great State
October 18th, 2010
4:44 pm
Camping or back packing in Rabun County. One of the prettiest counties in the country!
Savannah
Athens for SEC Hockey.
hillary
October 18th, 2010
4:45 pm
Just discovered Ellijay, GA. The apple festival is THE BEST fall/family activity. We love to stay at the Riverstone Cabin – holds up to 20! Fun fun fun! http://www.georgiariverstonecabin.com
Hal
October 18th, 2010
5:15 pm
Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville…great escape in a beautiful environment……
Jake
October 18th, 2010
6:42 pm
St. Simons Island.
Thorpe
October 18th, 2010
6:50 pm
TYBEE ISLAND! Mid-Beach is the best!
Bacchus
October 18th, 2010
6:55 pm
Union County – Brasstown Valley, Vogel State Park, etc.
sofa king
October 18th, 2010
7:14 pm
Above the Rest Cabins near Blue Ridge – absolutely the best for relaxation with great accomodations.
mike
October 18th, 2010
7:40 pm
Helen
Lee
October 18th, 2010
7:42 pm
If you’re lucky enough to find a rental, Lake Burton hands down.
REG
October 18th, 2010
7:45 pm
One of our favorite weekend getaways is an exceptional bed & breakfast in the little town of Hamilton, just a few miles south of Callaway Gardens. If you’re looking for tranquility, hospitality that you will not soon forget, and front-porch neighborliness, you will find it here.
Cory
October 18th, 2010
8:03 pm
Lake Arrowhead, GA….
Best kept secret that is actually a metro jewel…
actionjack31
October 18th, 2010
8:06 pm
BLUE RIDGE!!! FOLLOWED BY TYBEE ISLAND, FOLLOWED BY HELEN
Rob Vinson
October 18th, 2010
8:10 pm
Rabun County, Lake Burton, Clayton, etc. Leaves are beautiful right now and the temperature is nice too.
Tom B.
October 18th, 2010
8:49 pm
Cumberland Island…. enough said.
Tom Davis
October 18th, 2010
8:55 pm
Ellijay – not East Ellijay
Rick F.
October 18th, 2010
8:57 pm
Hotel Indigo in Athens, GA. What a great place and The Rialto Room below. Unbelievable and Kim Carnes plays there on November 12th!!! Check it out: http://www.indigoathens.com
BTW, this hotel is LEED GOLD CERTIFIED!
Holly
October 18th, 2010
9:02 pm
Savannah.
Jason
October 18th, 2010
9:47 pm
Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee! http://www.reynoldsplantation.com
mark
October 19th, 2010
8:22 am
Lake Burton and Rabun County Georgia. The people are great there.
Great place for a get a way.
Fay
October 19th, 2010
8:37 am
Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee – best ever!
Kay
October 19th, 2010
9:18 am
Lake Oconee for sure!
Fay
October 19th, 2010
9:18 am
Lake Hartwell…beautiful water and Hartwell is a delightful little town..check it out
Rachel
October 19th, 2010
9:37 am
The Aska Lodge Bed & Breakfast in Blue Ridge, GA. Gorgeous scenery, wonderful accommodations, and amazing innkeepers. You’ll want to return again and again!
http://www.askalodge.net/
Don C.
October 19th, 2010
9:40 am
Zipline canopy tour at Banning Mills near Carrollton.
Stacy
October 19th, 2010
9:59 am
My vote goes to Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville! They have a spa, golf course, sporting clays range, hiking and biking trails and great restaurants. Awesome getaway for couples or families and it is beautiful this time of year! Make sure you make it to the Ruins too! http://www.barnsleyresort.com
Danny
October 19th, 2010
10:12 am
I agree with the previous poster, ‘Rachel’. I cannot think of a better place to spend a night (or a few nights) than the Aska Lodge B & B in Blue Ridge. Bob and Mary Jo (the owners) do an incredible job and truly make you feel like family! We’ve stayed with them multiple times, and can’t wait to go back!
http://www.askalodge.net
Cal
October 19th, 2010
10:17 am
Barnsley Gardens – while we usually reserve this as a couple’s getaway close to home, we recently took our two elementary aged boys. From exploring the ruins, playing the many outdoor games set up on the center green, making smores, visit from the resort’s Fairy Godmother & multiple canoe rides, they both agreed it is their favorite place. My husband and I have always appreciated having such a quaint & picturesque place close by, I never ever thought my 6 year old would ask to stay there again for his birthday present!
Regina Wheeler
October 19th, 2010
10:44 am
Barnsley Gardens Resort is the best weekend getaway in Georgia – any season!
Young Lady
October 19th, 2010
11:45 am
I’m actually pretty fond of Jekyll Island but I have a lot of good memories associated with it. The beach there just kind of makes me feel like I’m not even in the same state. I have a thing for driftwood beaches and marshes over the typical pristine beaches you see in Florida.
The second place would have to be Tallulah Gorge and pretty much anywhere in Blue Ridge. I could literally just drive for days up there.
Valerie
October 19th, 2010
11:54 am
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee. The Spa has been voted #4 in the country, the 99 holes of golf, the biking, the Ritz-Kids program, The Burger Bar on Monday night- all of it!
Erika
October 19th, 2010
12:02 pm
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Lake Oconee is the best!
Karla
October 19th, 2010
12:05 pm
The Ritz at lake Oconee!
Lisa
October 19th, 2010
12:11 pm
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation is the perfect weekend getaway for everyone!
Brian
October 19th, 2010
12:12 pm
down by the lake!…Ritz Carlton Lodge at Lake Oconee
Alana
October 19th, 2010
12:19 pm
You HAVE to stay here at this hidden gem in Blue Ridge, GA- http://www.1mymountain.com/vacation-rental-home.asp?PageDataID=30236
Hannah
October 19th, 2010
12:27 pm
I have to go with The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Lake Oconee. There are 5 golf courses for my husband to enjoy while I relax at the spa! Not to mention the romantic chiminea dinner by the lake, and the awesome segway tour!
Laura
October 19th, 2010
12:33 pm
If you have never been to The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, you are missing out on your new home away from home! My boyfriend and I spent three days of absolute heaven on Lake Oconee a few weeks ago! I am a “spa junkie” and cannot rave enough over the treatments this resort has to offer. We also love to eat on and off property while vacationing, but had no reason to leave because the food was delicious and the service outstanding. Our favorite dining was pool and lakeside at Gaby’s! We walked straight from the pool and endulged on lobster grilled cheese sandwiches! Trust me when I say, it is a trip you will never forget!!!
Buffy
October 19th, 2010
12:41 pm
My girlfriends and I stayed in the Presidental House at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge in August. If anyone is looking for a private, 5 bedroom house with a private heated outdoor pool, you must travel to Greensboro, GA. They offered a Bar-be-que Butler who came to the Presidential House and cooked for all of us. We relaxed by the pool while the Chef catered to us! I will definitely plan my wedding at this resort and come back and stay at the Presidential House! Great fun!
Krazy for Krystal
October 19th, 2010
12:42 pm
Krystal for 5 w/cheese.
Jeff
October 19th, 2010
12:42 pm
The rest of the state would answer “Atlanta” so why not do what we do and spend the money on a night in a nice hotel in our city. You can walk to your entertainment, get some urban excitement, and not have to drive a long distance.
Clara
October 19th, 2010
12:48 pm
Every year my kids beg me to go to The Ritz-Cartlon Lodge at Lake Oconee around the Holidays. They LOVE the larger than life Gingerbread House, Breakfast with Santa, and the Elf and Mrs. Claus tuck-ins. Every year is more specatcular than the last. The theme last year was a Candy Shop that my kids adored! The Lodge is lit with millions of twlinking lights the day before Thanksgiving (with a special reception to Light the Lodge for hotel guests) and is one of the most beautiful sites you will ever see. This hidden gem is one of a kind all year round, but the Holidays are extra special. The Lodge is truly a tradition that will create everylasting memories for kids of all ages.
KG
October 19th, 2010
1:16 pm
Savannah
Also, stop saying Helen. It is probably the most obnoxious, tacky, and classless place in the entire state (and that’s saying something for Georgia). By nominating Helen you are just admitting to the world that you are poorly educated, unworldly, middle-aged or elderly, and probably overweight.
Coco
October 19th, 2010
1:31 pm
The ONLY place to stay in the North GA mountains is Wilderness View Cabins, very luxurious and private, on top of Fort Mt. near Ellijay and Chattsworth. If you can only stay one night, the Overlook Inn is an upscaled B&B just up the road from the cabins. Robert and Liz Coleman are the owners and they ensure that your stay will be your best mountain visit ever!
Dan
October 19th, 2010
1:36 pm
Hang gliding in Northwest Georgia at Lookout Mountain Flight Park. Flying tandem to 2000 feet with a safe instructor is pure fun.