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
Danny
October 19th, 2010
1:42 pm
Loreley Resort in Helen GA is by far the best Check it out!http://loreleyresort.net/
Sheri
October 19th, 2010
1:43 pm
The Sautee-Nacoochee Valleys area – amazing landscape, great arts and community center, wonderful restaurants and B&Bs, charming nearby towns in Clarkesville, Cleveland and Helen, lots of hiking and waterfalls, music and theater, and camping too. All around heaven!
Patrice Shannon
October 19th, 2010
1:47 pm
Discover more at Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum located in historic Rome, Ga. Step into pure Southern hospitality as you visit the historic home of Berry College founder, Martha Berry. Visit the filming location for the motion picture, “Sweet Home Alabama” and learn the legacy behind the world’s largest college campus, 26,000 acres of majestic beauty. Get lost in the 7 historic formal gardens surrounding the Oak Hill home.
W. Danny
October 19th, 2010
1:53 pm
Brasstown Valley Resort in Towns County.
Rabun County
Helen
Glen Ella Springs
Union County/Lake Burton
Anywhere in the Georgia Mountains
Jekyll Island
King and Prince in St Simons
Debbie Dvorak
October 19th, 2010
2:23 pm
Bald Mountain Camping Resort in Hiawassee Georgia! The views from the campground are amazing!
Mark Denney
October 19th, 2010
2:24 pm
North Georgia Canopy Tours and Enota Campgrounds. Both fantastic get aways for the family
Debbie Dvorak
October 19th, 2010
2:26 pm
http://www.baldmountainpark.com
Wes B
October 19th, 2010
2:32 pm
North Georgia Canopy Tour in Lula Georgia should be part of you weekend in the North Georgia mountains. Located just 10 miles from Gainesville. They have been open since spring and we have already been twice. It is a great trip with family and friends.
Dave Rosselle
October 19th, 2010
2:45 pm
A trip to North Georgia Canopy Tours in Lula to zip through the forest canopy. Awesome!
Wendy
October 19th, 2010
2:47 pm
North Georgia Canopy Tours in Lula Georgia http://www.northgeorgiacanopytours.com/ and Lake Lanier, they are doing the “Spooky Nights of Lights” for Halloween, both places are so neat!!
Christy H.
October 19th, 2010
3:00 pm
Banning Mills Retreat & Adventure Center!! You MUST visit this place! http://www.historicbanningmills.com Not too far from downtown ATL, but a completely undiscovered world. This place is NO joke when it comes to outdoor adventure. And after your done playing….. they have these amazing ‘jump in the bed’ king beds in their jacuzzi rooms! Makes you feel like a kid again!!! I’m hesitant to mention this place…. this is MY getaway!
Katheryn
October 19th, 2010
3:04 pm
Rabun County gets my vote — most beautiful area in the southeast! Breathtaking beauty in the mountains and the pristine lakes — friendly people – unique shops – fantastic restaurants and unequaled lodging!. Rabun County is home to three State Parks – for camping, hiking, fishing and just enjoying!
conchita black
October 19th, 2010
3:09 pm
We’ve just acquired a condo on lake chatuge in Hiawassee, Ga. It’s a little piece of heaven here on earth. We are also renting it out. Amazing how many activities going on in these little mountain towns not to mention the beautiful scenery.
Lynn
October 19th, 2010
3:18 pm
North Georgia Canopy Tours!!!!!!!!!
Matt D
October 19th, 2010
3:21 pm
Banning Mills Canopy Tours! My wife and I went together for our anniversary! Stayed the weekend in a Jacuzzi room, had dinner in room, massages, and the Full Extreme Canopy Tour! I don’t think that weekend could have gotten any better! Highly recommend this to anyone looking for a heart racing adventure!
Carolee Williams
October 19th, 2010
3:21 pm
Best getaway in the Northeast Georgia Mountains is Beechwood Inn . Gayle and David Darugh will provide personal itineraries for things to do around the Clayton, Ga. area. Wonderful wine dinners
and a big porch to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Sue
October 19th, 2010
3:23 pm
Lake Rabun Hotel on Lake Rabun, Lakemont, Ga. CHARMING
Bryce
October 19th, 2010
3:28 pm
Reynolds Plantation is by far the greatest. Bringing a group of friends for our second annual golf retreat there. We always have a great time. Check it out – > http://www.reynoldsplantation.com
TIMMY
October 19th, 2010
3:29 pm
If your’re looking for excitement and adventure banning mills is the place! screaming eagle zip-line course!!! this place has the real lines! half-mile zip-line! who would not want to do that? Very extreme and awesome for the family! They also have kid friendly tours as well! Just saying if your looking for an awesome place to visit banning mills is it! awesome food too!
Susan
October 19th, 2010
3:32 pm
Dahlonega…of course.
Susan
October 19th, 2010
3:32 pm
http://www.dahlonega.org
Nancy
October 19th, 2010
3:34 pm
Saint Simons Island any day!
Hilda
October 19th, 2010
3:37 pm
Lake Burton, the prettiest lake in Ga. Beautiful mountains & clear water. Check out Snookscabins.com
for great cabins & lake houses on Lake Burton & on Lake Rabun.
Adam
October 19th, 2010
3:37 pm
Personally, I love Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg, GA. This place has it all, relaxing accommodations, kayaking, hiking, nature shows, and perhaps the best zip line and eco-canopy tours in the US.
Hilda
October 19th, 2010
3:40 pm
Lake Burton in Rabun County. The cearest lake in Ga. Beautiful mountains surround the lake. Waterfalls & hiking trails.
Check out Snooks Cabins.
Michael
October 19th, 2010
3:45 pm
We ‘ve been to this place four times, and it seems to just get better every time, the food,the jet tubs,the giant beds and a bunch of fun stuff to do.
Michael
October 19th, 2010
3:47 pm
I forgot to write in the name, it’s Historic Banning Mills. sorry about that.
Lynn
October 19th, 2010
3:52 pm
Doesn’t get any better than Banning Mills. Great cabins, Clear water, history,eco tours, I love it there.
Savannah
October 19th, 2010
4:15 pm
We love to go to Dahlonega! So many wonderful wineries,shops, music, restaurants, theatre, B&B’s and our favorite day spa for romantic couples massage: Littlefield Cottage Healing Arts & Day Spa, http://www.littlefieldcottage.com
Stephen
October 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
Dahlonega in the fall!
Amy
October 19th, 2010
4:19 pm
I love Helen, Georgia and going to Sunburst Stables for a relaxing horseback ride….!!!!!
Doug Pitman
October 19th, 2010
4:42 pm
Historic Banning Mills!
Rachael
October 19th, 2010
4:48 pm
Splendor Mountain is the most unique destination just 100 miles north of Atlanta. Cottages, Lodge, Walking Trails, and PRIVACY!!!
http://www.splendormountain.com
Doug
October 19th, 2010
5:14 pm
The Lodge @ Copperhead outside of Blairsville is the bomb; Lodge rooms, cabin rentals, fantastic restaurant, great bar, and weekend entertainment – I have never had a bad time there and there is always something going on.
Debra Perry
October 19th, 2010
5:32 pm
Lake Hartwell for me… beautiful, quiet lake. Small town with friendly people.
anita
October 19th, 2010
5:44 pm
Splendor Mountain in Clayton, GA
Maurice
October 19th, 2010
5:48 pm
Rabun County – Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, rivers, waterfalls, vineyards, Dillard House, LaPrade’s Restaurant, mountains, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, great temperatures, golfing or relaxing with a gorgeous mountain or lake view…… I believe I will go this weekend!
Diane Nicholson
October 19th, 2010
6:15 pm
Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg, GA. For our 25th wedding anniversary we bought the package that included; great breakfast, wonderful gourmet dinner/wine brought to our cabin, zip line for two, and a massage for two. We returned for our 27th to do the Screaming Eagle Zip line. It is a wonderful location with great historic value. Easy to find and a wonderful staff.. the food is sensational and the scenic beauty of the creek and walking trails can’t be beat.
Michelle Moran
October 19th, 2010
6:22 pm
Blue Ridge is the most bustling town in the fall – foliage, apple picking at Merciers, horseback riding, spa treatments, festivals…there is so much going on this town is the best kept secret in the North Georgia mountains. Plus they now have really great restaurants including Harvest on Main – with an incredible chef who is helping to reinvent the food scene – or should I say create a food scene – in North Georgia – http://www.Harvestonmain.com
Bekah Wallace
October 19th, 2010
6:33 pm
My vote goes to Historic Banning Mills. It has the most beautiful scenery! Sooooo relaxing. One of the best kept secrets in Georgia. It has so much to offer. Whether you want a romantic get away or a weekend full of adventure, they have it all! Seriously, if you haven’t gone…GO! It’s awesome. Horseback riding, spa, ziplines, cabins set with a gorgeous backdrop and so, so much more. LOVE this place!
DLS
October 19th, 2010
6:37 pm
I vote for Banning Mills. I can have a heart racing adventure on their zip line canopy tours and then come back to get a massage and then a dinner in the room! It is so pretty there! Love it! Love it! Love it!
denise webb
October 19th, 2010
7:22 pm
Barnsley Gardens allows you to fall in love all over again with romantic horseback rides, couples massages and Love Spells from the Fairy Godmother.
Barnsley Rocks!
KatieP
October 19th, 2010
7:26 pm
Historic Banning Mills is the BEST!! It’s so peaceful and beautiful! My fiance and I went there for a weekend and did the Full Adventure and Spa Package…AMAZING! we had a 3 night stay in a jacuzzi room, did the World Famous Screaming Eagle Eco Tour, had dinner brought to our room both nights, had picnic lunches, got a couples massage, went horseback riding through the trails, went kayaking, and even got 2 momento t-shirts! To top it all off, my fiance proposed to me at sunset on the walking trails!! Definately a place to just get away from everything and be relaxed and have fun!!
Dr. John Raber
October 19th, 2010
8:06 pm
Dahlonega picked as the #1 city in Georgia and Lumpkin County are truly the land of milk and honey. Breathtaking views, fantastic restaurants, wonderful down town, superb accommodations, and so very much more for young and old.
Kim R.
October 19th, 2010
8:10 pm
The ASKA Lodge Bed & Breakfast in Blue Ridge. The view, the breakfast, the ambiance, & the innkeepers can’t be beat….. been there 5 times and plan to go back some more.
http://www.askalodge.net
Carolyn Stack
October 19th, 2010
8:27 pm
Rabun County has everything — beautiful autumn leaves, mountain vistas, three state parks (Tallulah Gorge, Black Rock Mountain, Moccasin Creek), the Georgia Wine Highway, the Beechwood Inn (a wine bed & breakfast), festivals, country dinners at the famous Dillard House, horseback riding, waterfalls, camping, the Appalachian Trail, the Bartram trail, the Hambidge Center for the Arts, Foxfire, Georgia Power Lakes Rabun Seed and Burton, local arts and crafts, Osage Farms and Goats on the Roof!!!
Phillip S.
October 19th, 2010
8:35 pm
Barnsley Gardens Resort is above and beyond one of the greatest getaways that North Georgia has to offer. Hidden in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the resort’s location keeps you away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet is only tens miles away from the interstate for an easy trip back home. From enjoying a calm and still view from your private cottage porch to teeing off on its magnificent 18 hole golf course, all aspects of the place are relaxing. I recommend checking this place out!!!!!
http://www.barnsleyresort.com
Jana Lee
October 19th, 2010
9:08 pm
We love going to Banning Mills and staying the weekend. It’s so quiet and peaceful…until you hit the ziplines for a thrill! You would never think such a great little secluded get away would be just a short distance from the interstate. We also had a great time hiking and plan to take the kayak tour on our next return.
Christine Beardsley
October 19th, 2010
10:22 pm
Our new favorite place is to get on the Harley and head North up to The Lodge at Copperhead in Blairsville, GA. Such a nice retreat in the GA Mountains!!
Gary Zahora
October 19th, 2010
10:25 pm
Unique, colorful, great people, great breakfast and Yurts! If you’ve never done the Cedar Mountain Inn and Yurts in Dahlonega you don’t know what you’re missing. It truly is a getaway from the daily routine. We always feel refreshed after a visit. See for yourself.