If you’re looking for an easy day trip away from the city this fall, check out these small towns!
Blue Ridge
Travel Time from Atlanta: two hours
What to See and Do: Pick apples at Mercier Orchards. Take the scenic Blue Ridge Scenic Railway which takes a regular 4 hour, 26 mile round trip through Blue Ridge and McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. Hike the Benton MacKaye Trail to cross a suspension bridge over the Toccoa River that will take you to a small waterfall. Taste beers at one of the local breweries!
Covington
Travel Time from Atlanta: 40 minutes
What to See and Do: Go on a ghost tours, go antiquing, and tour Antebellum homes and Civil War monuments. It’s also the setting for a number of television shows, like “Vampire Diaries,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and more than 60 other film productions, so take a movie tour!
Dahlonega
Travel Time from Atlanta: 1 hour and 30 minutes
What to See and Do: Pan for gold and travel the wine trail for a tour of local vineyards.
Buford
Travel Time from Atlanta: 45 minutes
What to See and Do: Visit the Mall of Georgia for some shopping and take a tour of the 9,000 square-foot Bona Allen Mansion, an estate built in 1911.
Cumming
Travel Time from Atlanta: 45 minutes
What to See and Do: With its proximity to Lake Lanier, you can enjoy the quiet downtown before or after spending the day on the water.
Fayetteville
Travel Time from Atlanta: 35 minutes
What to See and Do: View the Old Courthouse Art Show and Main Street Festival each October.
Griffin
Travel Time from Atlanta: 1 hour
What to See and Do: History buffs will love the Confederate cemeteries and historic Confederate camps, both of which you can tour. “The Walking Dead” was filmed here, as well.
Jackson
Travel Time from Atlanta: 1 hour
What to See and Do: “Stranger Things” fans will enjoy seeing filming locations here. Visit Fresh Air, a nearly 90 year old BBQ restaurant.
Serenbe
Travel Time from Atlanta: 40 minutes
What to See and Do: Serenbe is a quaint planned community with preserved nature reserves and a cute downtown with unique shops and restaurants.