7 Best Towns In Georgia For A Two-Day Recharge
A weekend in Georgia can be paced to the slow float of an inner tube down the Chattahoochee. In Dahlonega, it can mean a Sunday brunch at a hillside winery above the gold-rush square. Blue Ridge is home to a four-hour train ride along the Toccoa River. Madison has nearly 100 antebellum homes along its shaded streets. On Tybee Island, five miles of beach sit below a lighthouse climb of 178 steps. These seven towns each give travelers a full two days of rest without a packed itinerary.
Dahlonega
The site of America's first major gold rush in 1829, Dahlonega is now one of Georgia's best-loved mountain getaways. The town's Historic Downtown is where you'll want to spend the bulk of your time. It's here, in the old town square, that you'll find the Dahlonega Gold Museum which tells the story of one of the nation's oldest and largest gold mining operations. Housed in the 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, it's wise to visit here first for a better understanding of the town's mining past before heading out to explore the tunnels at the Consolidated Gold Mine (tours are available).
Dahlonega has also made a name for itself as Georgia's wine capital, with eight local wineries producing reputable vintages. The best include Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, known for a popular Sunday brunch, and Kaya Vineyard and Winery with its informative tours and tastings. The best time to visit for a two-day recharge is in May during the Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival, topping it off with a stay at the centrally located Dahlonega Square Hotel & Villas on the town's historic square.
Blue Ridge
The town of Blue Ridge has much to offer those seeking a fun two-day escape. Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest and only a two-hour drive north of Atlanta, it's home to the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a heritage railroad that offers a 26-mile round-trip from the town's historic depot. These four-hour jaunts follow the Toccoa River through some of North Georgia's finest scenery and include a two-hour layover in the sister towns of McCaysville and Copperhill, Tennessee.
Downtown Blue Ridge is quite unique as the main drag is split down the middle by the rail line, making it even more fun to wander. There are some great eateries here, too, including Harvest on Main, located near the train station and known for its farm-to-table Southern cuisine. Just a few steps away, the Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast offers an authentic stay in the Victorian-era former home of the railway tycoon who built the original train line.
Helen
While Helen can be busy, it does offer plenty of opportunities for a fun recharge, especially if that means reconnecting and having fun with the family. This unique Bavarian-themed alpine village wouldn't look out of place in Germany, right down to its cobblestone streets, timber-framed buildings, and year-round European festivals, including a must-attend Oktoberfest and Christmas Market.
Its location on the Chattahoochee River also helps. Water-based activities like tubing (check out Helen Tubing and Cool River Tubing) provide an easygoing way to spend an afternoon as you gently float downstream. Other town highlights include the Georgia Mountain Coaster, the scenic Anna Ruby Falls, and the nearby Smithgall Woods State Park, home to some of Georgia's best trout fishing. One of the town's best places to stay, The Castle Inn, sits directly on the river above a riverside patio that sells real German beer.
Madison
Known as "Georgia's Antebellum City," Madison boasts some of the best-preserved antebellum architecture in the United States. All told, some 100 pre-Civil War homes grace its tree-lined streets, the town having been spared during Sherman's March to the Sea thanks to the intervention of pro-Union resident Joshua Hill. These and other historic buildings make up the 356 contributing structures of the Madison Historic District. Greek Revival, Victorian, and Federal styles sit side by side, dating between the early 1800s and the early 1900s.
Other highlights that make this a must-visit destination include Heritage Hall, built in 1811 and now a museum (tours are available); the elegant Georgian-period Bonar Hall, constructed in 1839 by a cotton magnate; and the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, housed in an 1895 Romanesque Revival schoolhouse with exhibits and performances year-round. Top off your relaxing retreat with a stay at the 4-star James Madison Inn, just a short stroll from the town's architectural wonders.
St. Marys
One of Georgia's oldest towns, St. Marys is an ideal spot for a two-day coastal recharge. Located close to Cumberland Island National Seashore and just 45 minutes north of Jacksonville, FL, this waterfront town was established in 1787, with several original structures from this period still surviving in its Historic District. It's a fine place for a stroll, with oak-lined streets, attractive Victorian-era homes, and the St. Marys Waterfront Park perfect for a sit-down as you enjoy the views over the St. Marys River.
Hop aboard the Cumberland Island Ferry which departs from the downtown dock to Georgia's largest barrier island where wild horses roam among ruins of Carnegie mansions. And bring your swimsuit, as the island's beaches stretch for some 17 miles along the Atlantic. Once back in town, retreat to the Riverview Hotel. Located directly opposite the ferry dock, this 1916 hotel features a wraparound veranda overlooking the St. Marys River and a restaurant known for its fresh local seafood.
Tybee Island
Just 20 minutes east of historic Savannah, Tybee Island has a laid-back beach town vibe that makes it perfect for a relaxing two-day break. Boasting five miles of public beaches, families will want to hang out at the kid-friendly South Beach near the pier, while the quieter North Beach is favored by locals and adults seeking something calmer. Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse stands here, with a light station on the site since 1736 and the current tower's base dating to 1773. If you can manage the 178-step climb, the views over the island are worth the effort.
Built in 1891, Tybee Pier and Pavilion hosts festivals throughout the year and provides excellent fishing, while the Tybee Island Marine Science Center is fun to visit for its beach walks, marsh treks, and interactive exhibits about Georgia's coastal ecosystem. If you want to get out on the water, the island's back rivers and salt marshes are fun to explore by kayak, and there's a good chance you'll spot dolphins. As for accommodations, shoot for Hotel Tybee, in operation since 1889 and the island's only oceanfront hotel with easy beach access.
Thomasville
Known as the "Winter Resort of the South" during the Victorian-era, Thomasville's 19th-century grandeur is still very evident in its well-preserved downtown. Must-sees include The Big Oak, a huge tree dating from around 1680 with a span of 165 feet in limb spread, while brick-paved streets lead to April's annual Rose Show & Festival, held downtown since 1922. This unique celebration of the town's designation as Georgia's Rose City features displays of over 1,500 blooms in the Thomasville Rose Garden.
You'll also enjoy a visit to Pebble Hill Plantation, a 3,000-acre estate turned museum. Take a tour of the 1930s main house with its vast Audubon print collection, original Tiffany lamps, and period furnishings. The Thomasville History Center complex includes several historic buildings, while the quirky Lapham-Patterson House, built in 1885 with virtually no right angles, showcases Victorian architectural eccentricity. For a restful stay, the Thomasville Bed and Breakfast is within walking distance of the courthouse square and other Thomasville attractions.
The Final Word
The appeal of these seven towns is how differently each one fills a two-day stay. Dahlonega and Blue Ridge lean on mountain scenery, wine, and a heritage train. Madison and Thomasville trade on preserved 19th-century streets and gardens. St. Marys and Tybee Island put the coast and its wildlife within easy reach. The common thread is a slower pace that leaves visitors more rested than when they arrived.
