Think Atlanta’s all traffic and skyscrapers? Think again.
Just outside the city, there are waterfalls taller than office buildings, tiny towns that look like movie sets, and hikes that’ll leave your jaw permanently dropped.
You can ride a vintage train, walk across a suspension bridge or even float down a lazy river.
Whether you’re into gold mines, ghost tours, or just want a weekend getaway that actually feels like an escape, these 9 spots are totally worth the drive.
1. Dahlonega
Dahlonega is a small mountain town just over an hour north of Atlanta, and it’s where one of America’s first gold rushes began in the 1800s.
Today, you can still pan for gold at the Crisson Gold Mine or explore the underground tunnels at the Consolidated Gold Mine.
The downtown square is packed with cute shops, homemade fudge, and live bluegrass music almost every weekend.
Don’t miss the Dahlonega Gold Museum right in the historic courthouse, or the tasting rooms that line the square offering pours from local wineries.
2. Amicalola Falls State Park
A 23 minute drive from Dahlonega, Amicalola Falls State Park is home to Georgia’s tallest waterfall, dropping 729 feet through the forest.
The park has over 10 miles of hiking trails, but the most popular is the 604-step staircase right alongside the waterfall (yep, it’s a serious workout).
It’s also where many hardcore hikers begin their journey to the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail, starting with an 8-mile Approach Trail to Springer Mountain.
If camping isn’t your thing, you can stay at the mountaintop lodge, with incredible views and a front-row seat to the sunrise.
3. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
After all that hiking, give your legs a break with a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, just 40 minutes north of Amicalola.
This old-school train ride takes you on a 26-mile round trip along the Toccoa River, with mountain views, river scenes, and plenty of “ooh” moments.
You’ll roll into the twin towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, where you can literally stand with one foot in each state.
The whole ride takes about 4 hours, and there’s even an open-air car if you want to soak up the fresh mountain air.
4. Brasstown Bald
If you’re still in the mood for epic views, head about 45 minutes east to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia at 4,784 feet.
You can hike a short but steep 0.6-mile paved trail to the summit, or catch the shuttle if you’d rather skip the climb.
At the top, you’ll get 360-degree views that stretch into four states—Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee (if the skies are clear).
There’s also a visitor center with cool exhibits about the mountain’s history, plus a little gift shop where you can snag a “highest point in GA” sticker.
5. Helen
From the peak of Brasstown Bald, cruise 30 minutes south to Helen, where it suddenly feels like you’ve stepped into a Bavarian village.
This tiny mountain town is lined with alpine-style buildings, cobblestone streets, gingerbread trim, and bratwurst on nearly every corner.
In the summer, one of the most popular things to do here is tubing down the Chattahoochee River—it’s cheap, relaxing, and full of laughs.
And if you’re visiting in the fall, Helen goes all out with Oktoberfest, complete with lederhosen, oompah bands, and enough pretzels to keep your belly full.
6. Tallulah Gorge State Park
Roughly 40 minutes from Helen, Tallulah Gorge State Park brings the drama with a canyon that’s 1,000 feet deep and nearly 2 miles long.
You can hike the North and South Rim trails for stunning views, or grab a free permit to take 600 metal steps down into the gorge (just be ready for the burn).
One of the park’s highlights is the suspension bridge, which hangs 80 feet above the rushing Tallulah River between the cliffs.
And if you time your visit right, you might catch a “water release weekend,” when they open up the river for kayakers to ride the rapids through the gorge.
7. Madison
After all that outdoor action, Madison is your chance to slow things down.
It’s about an hour east of Atlanta and full of Southern charm and porch swings.
The town is known for its beautifully preserved antebellum homes, especially in the Historic District, where every block feels frozen in time.
One stop you shouldn’t skip is Heritage Hall, a historic mansion from 1811, where you’ll find original furniture and all kinds of juicy stories.
The town also has cozy cafés, antique stores, and local art galleries, making it an ideal place to unwind.
8. Covington
Only 30 minutes from Madison, Covington is Georgia’s version of Hollywood.
It’s been featured in over 150 movies and shows, including The Vampire Diaries and Sweet Magnolias.
You can take a guided Mystic Falls tour to see all the filming spots, or explore the square at your own pace and try to spot them yourself.
The downtown area is packed with colorful buildings, cute boutiques, and some seriously delicious eats (try brunch at The Social Goat).
If you’re into spooky stuff, check out the nighttime ghost tours that spill all the haunted stories behind those old movie sets.
9. Warm Springs
To wrap up your Atlanta-area adventure, head 1 hour 45 minutes south to Warm Springs, which is a tiny town with an incredible history.
This is where President Franklin D. Roosevelt built his “Little White House” and came to soak in the natural warm springs to ease his polio symptoms.
You can tour the house just like he left it, and check out the museum with his famous 1938 Ford convertible and personal artifacts.
Don’t skip the historic pools at Warm Springs Bathhouse—swimming is off-limits now, but you can dip your hands in the same 88-degree water FDR did.
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