Northern Georgia is full of surprising little mountain towns and each one has its own unique characteristics that make it worth visiting. Near Dahlonega, GA, cabin rentals are the prime launching pad to explore this gem of a town.
Dahlonega sits in the heart of Lumpkin County and right on the edge of the pristine Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. It was the site of the earliest gold rush in the United States and has maintained its roots to that golden past. It has also 
carved out a new future as an arts and crafts hub and a cycling destination. With so many reasons to visit the Dahlonega, GA cabin rentals, how will you choose what to do?
Make an Event Out of It
Dahlonega hosts several festivals throughout the year that make it a great place to visit for a weekend when you can take in the local culture. The Gold Rush Days occur the third weekend of every October to remember the event that put Dahlonega on the map in the first place. The festival includes a gold panning contest, live entertainment, a king and queen coronation and much more.
The Bear on the Square Festival in April and the Northeast Georgia Arts Tours in June and November showcase the culture and creativity of this area. During these festivals, local craft men and women showcase traditional mountain arts and culture and invite visitors into their studios, galleries and workspaces to find out more about these folk arts.
Two Wheel Adventures
Looking for a more active weekend? Then join in the bicycle culture of Dahlonega, which has long been recognized as the foremost cycling venue in Georgia and the Southeast. Road biking, mountain biking and hybrid biking enthusiasts will find plenty of trails and roadways to keep the ride interesting.
Dahlonega also hosts two premier cycling events each year — the Six Gap Century and the Three Gap Fifty. The Six Gap Century occurs in late September and takes cyclists up and down six of the steepest climbs in North Georgia. The shorter Three Gap Fifty route adds to the event to make this the Tour de Georgia. And in order to avoid the crowds but stay near Dahlonega, GA, cabin rentals are available close to the venue. Cedar Creek Cabins offer luxury accomodations, during the event, where you may soak your tired muscles in the hot tub after the ride.
Buried Treasure
Dahlonega takes pride in its golden past. The gold rush in this town started in 1828 and lasted for several years before miners and prospectors began to move west to California and Alaska in the 1840s. You can learn more about the town's mining history at the Dahlonega Gold Museum and even repeat the famous phrase uttered on the museum's patio. "There's gold in them thar hills!"
After learning about the history of the region, you can try your hand at gold mining at Crisson Gold Mines. This mine got its start in 1847 and continued operating until the 1980s. It opened its doors to the public in 1969 and is a top tourist attraction today. So grab your pan, head to the trommel and start looking for your own buried treasure of gold and gemstones.
Wine Country
Dahlonega has the highest concentration of wineries and vineyards in Georgia making it the true heart of the Georgia wine country and the Dahlonega, GA cabin rentals the perfect place to base your wine excursion.
Start your wine tour at Blackstock Vineyard and Winery, one of the pioneers of the Georgia wine country. Next, head to Montaluce, a Tuscan retreat in the heart of the Georgia mountains. Montaluce focuses on European varietals like Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese all in the midst of a villa built to look just like Old World Tuscan villages. Head back into town to the Frogtown Cellars wine tasting room where you can sample dry reds and traditional southern 
sweet wines while also grabbing a Panini lunch. For a more formal meal with your wine tasting, visit Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery. This vineyard produces outstanding sparkling wines created with traditional methods and boasts a dazzling dining room open for lunch Thursday through Saturday and for brunch every Sunday.
The Dahlonega, GA cabin rentals offer much more than a place to take a break from your busy life. The cabins also provide you with a starting point to discover all the hidden treasures this mountain community has to offer. From the great outdoors to the refined tasting rooms, from getting your hands dirty in the dirt to fingering hand-crafted art, Dahlonega has it all. What hidden treasure will you uncover first?
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Georgia is a state that holds many wonders. The bright lights of Atlanta. The warm beaches of the Atlantic. The deep history of early colonial America. With so much to choose from, deciding how to spend your weekend getaways in Georgia can prove a bit challenging. How 
do you choose where to go on your weekend excursions?
Maybe it's time you considered heading to the northern part of the state and the foothills of the mighty Appalachian mountains. This scenic portion of the state offers all kinds of options for as many weekend getaways in Georgia as you can imagine. Each weekend presents a new opportunity to sample and experience yet another facet of this region.
Rugged, Outdoor Adventures
Nature calls to those ready for an adventure in the mountains. Northern Georgia is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for the challenges of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. For this weekend getaway, the rugged, outdoor types can find any number of challenges to make their weekend conquests rival any battles in the board room.
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Hiking: There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails in and around the national forest. Many hikes are suitable for any level of expertise, but a few, like the Duncan Ridge Trail, offer more challenging hikes. Any avid hiker will want to join the historic Appalachian Trail at its southern terminus at Springer Mountain even for just a few miles.
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White Water Rafting: Families float the calmest parts of the Chattahoochee River in Helen, but adventurists seek out the rapids of this river. Experienced rafters can go on their own or newbies can book a tour with an outfitter for a thrilling ride down the river.
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Rock Climbing: Defy gravity by scaling the many rock faces and boulders in this area. Try Mount Yonah or Tallulah Gorge State Park, considered the toughest climbing spot in the state.
On the Vines
Weekend getaways in Georgia take many forms so if rugged outdoor adventure isn't your cup of tea, try a weekend devoted to the finer things in life. North Georgia has a rapidly maturing wine industry featuring both traditional southern wines like Muscat and old world vines like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are dozens of vineyards and tasting rooms spread across the northern counties from Ringgold to Clayton. You can check out several travel guides online to map your weekend of wine tasting.
Family Fun
At least a few weekends should be devoted to spending time with the family and northern Georgia is definitely the place to find all kinds of family fun. Themost popular hikes in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest are shorter and less strenuous making them perfect for pint-sized hikers. Try Brasstown Bald, Anna Ruby Falls or Smithgall Woods.
Other family friendly activities include:
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Panning for gold and gems at one of the several working mines leftover from Georgia's gold rush days. Pick up a bucket of rock and dirt to search for your own buried treasure using the techniques miners used.
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Hit the links, the miniature links that is. Several outdoor miniature golf courses welcome families of all ages with wheelchair accessible courses and courses that allow pets.
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Tube down the calmest portions of the Chattahoochee River as it winds through scenic Helen and then hit one of the water parks.
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Book a family of horseback riding with one of the numerous stables in the area.
With the wealth of family friendly activities, everyone can enjoy weekend getaways in Georgia.
Angler's Paradise
Like to fish? Want to learn? Northern Georgia's lakes, rivers and streams have a great reputation for trout and bass fishing with several places to drop a pole or cast a fly rod out over the water. Visit Betty's Country Store in Helen to pick up a Georgia fishing license, gear and local tips for the best place to snag your catch of the day.
Popular fishing spots include Smithgall Woods, Andrew's Cove Recreation Area, Low Gap Campground or Smith Lake Unicoi State Park. You can also wade into the Chattahoochee in Helen and fish right in town. Be sure to check the seasonal news from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to know what fish are in season.
Weekend getaways in Georgia can be anything you want them to be. So what's in store for you this weekend? An outdoor adventure, a sophisticated wine tour, fun with the kids or a quiet fishing trip? Can't decide? Don't worry. There are plenty of weekends for you to try out all northern Georgia has to offer. Which activity is the most appealing to you? Let us know!
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Why do you choose to book the Helen, GA rentals for your vacations to the Appalachian foothills? We can think of so many reasons why this region brings people from far and wide year after year but we've narrowed it down to these top five. Let us know if you agree.
1. Fun for the Kids
Some vacation spots work better for kids than others. And some kid-friendly vacations don't work out so well for parents. But northern Georgia boasts fun both parents and kids can enjoy. Gold and gem panning at the Crisson Gold Mine or Gold 'N Gem Grubbin' connects young travelers with the gold mining history of the region; the site of the nation's first gold rush. The Lilly Pad Village in nearby Blue Ridge includes miniature golf, fishing, kid-friendly hiking trails and gem mining. Kids can also enjoy zip lines, horse back riding, tubing and so much more all within a quick trip from the Helen, GA rentals.
2. The Great Outdoors
No one can argue with the fact that this region boasts spectacular opportunities to commune with nature and enjoy the scenic landscapes of this vast country. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is the gateway to hiking, fishing, rock climbing and sight seeing. Take a scenic drive on the Rusell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway to wind your way past all the best spots in the forest including the majestic Anna Ruby Falls, a must see on any visit to north Georgia.
3. Specialty Shopping
Treasured antiques, original and unique pieces of art, handmade goods and good old country stores dot the highways and byways of northern Georgia. Step into Betty's Country Store or the Old Sautee Store and be instantly transported to the early settler days of general stores. Both stores feature homemade treats and goodies to pack up and take back to the Helen, GA rentals to enjoy with dinner or on the deck watching the sunset.
Also be sure to visit the main street shops of Helen to find one-of-a-kind stores like Tim's Wooden Toys and Christmas and More. There's a vast array of shops for the whole family, in downtown Helen, GA. Take a break between shopping at one of the restaurants in Helen, GA, bakeries, sandwhich shops, and more.
4. A Look Back
The future of northern Georgia reveals artists and vineyards but the region has a strong past as well. Visit the Dahlonega Gold Museum to learn more about how the nation's first gold rush in the early 1800s helped shape many of the towns in this area. Go back in time even further at Track Rock Gap in the Chattahoochee Forest. Here, you will see more than 100 petroglyphs carved into the rock. These are the earliest writings of the native Cherokee tribes that first populated this region.
5. Top-Rated Accommodations
Of course there are many reasons to visit the area, but the best reason is to stay in the Helen, GA rentals. There is more to see and do than you can fit into a day trip. Staying in a vacation rental lets you experience all of the great reasons to visit the area from outdoor adventure to upscale shopping and dining. The vacation cabins make it possible to do it all and rest in comfort and luxury at the end of each day.
North Georgia holds a world of adventure for anyone interested in looking to get away from it all. What is your favorite reason to stay in the Helen, GA rentals?
We appreciate any feedback you may have about this or any of our blogs.
Note:
THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail info@98togo.com with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.