In the late 1820s, gold was discovered in North Georgia near the mountain towns of Dahlonega and Helen. This discovery– the first major gold rush in the US (after a smaller discovery in North Carolina)– led to an influx of prospectors, all looking to find their fortune by gold mining in Georgia. The Georgia Gold Rush lasted for … Read more
Adventure travel is a great way to experience nature, and Western North Carolina has more than its fair share of hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and even snow skiing opportunities. For others, enjoying the great outdoor means kicking back at a campground in the North Carolina Mountains, or cooling off in a mountain stream with a … Read more
Whether you’ve lived in the state of Georgia your entire life or are visiting for the first time, taking a road trip to explore the best breweries in Georgia is a great way to immerse yourself in local culture. From tasting high-quality brews made with locally sourced ingredients to hearing fascinating local folklore and chatting … Read more
On a recent “Moms Only” weekend getaway to the Sautee-Nacoochee Valley in North Georgia, I convinced my girlfriends to join me on a morning excursion, which included hiking the Yonah Mountain trail. We had all celebrated my 40th birthday a few years ago at the nearby Yonah Mountain Vineyards. But none of us had ever … Read more
Growing up in Georgia, long before country singer Alan Jackson made the Chattahoochee River famous, “shooting the ‘hooch” on an inner tube was basically a rite of passage. Tubing in North Georgia has only grown more popular since then. For us, it ranks right alongside lazy days at our local lakes among our favorite ways to … Read more
Occupying a huge swath of North Carolina just south of Bryson City, the Nantahala National Forest encompasses over a half-million acres of wilderness, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to more than 5,000 feet. The Nantahala National Forest is the largest national forest in the state of North Carolina. It’s bigger than the more famous Pisgah National … Read more
Have you ever dreamed of being a cowgirl or cowboy, spending your days riding horses while enjoying beautiful vistas and the sounds of nature? While it may not be a practical choice for a full-time career, it’s easy to get a taste of ranch life within an hour or two from metro Atlanta. The state … Read more
[Updated May 8, 2022] When you explore the enchanting Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia, you’re bound to run across stunning waterfalls tucked away in remote parts of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Tumbling over massive rock outcrops and spilling into meandering streams lined with towering trees, mossy boulders, and beautiful wildflowers, these natural wonders are … Read more
Encompassing over 3,000 acres in Chatsworth and Ellijay GA, with 62 miles of shoreline, Carters Lake is a popular destination for boating, camping, fishing, hiking, and myriad other forms of outdoor recreation. Located about halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga in the North Georgia Mountains, Carters Lake is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. There are … Read more
As a longtime member of a few Blairsville-related Facebook groups, I’d read numerous complaints about the lack of diversity of non-chain restaurants in the tiny North Georgia mountain town. With a population of just over 600 and an economy that isn’t nearly as tourism-based as nearby hotspots such as Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Helen, we … Read more
