Shopping, motorsports, mountain pursuits and soul-soothing wilderness near Atlanta
DAWSONVILLE, GEORGIA–MARCH 2024–Want a weekend getaway that’s not far away? Dawsonville, in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, is only about an hour north of Atlanta and two hours south of Chattanooga and is filled with things to do and places to totally relax. This getaway destination satisfies serious shoppers, wilderness adventurers and everyone in between. From power shopping at North Georgia Premium Outlets to power racing at Atlanta Motorsports Park, from heart-pounding whitewater and hiking to soul-soothing fly fishing and waterfalls, Dawsonville offers plenty of exploration.
Where to Stay
First, pick a place to stay that sets the mood. Northeast of Dawsonville, families and romantics prefer to be surrounded by spectacular mountain terrain at Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, where almost every room has a view and other accommodations include cabins, campsites and four completely furnished Safari Tents for glamping. A nature lover’s wonderland, it’s only eight miles from the Appalachian Trail and within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Some never leave the property, as there’s on site dining, zip lining, archery, hatchet-throwing and guided hikes to Amicalola Falls – a magnificent 729-foot waterfall that’s the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River and one of Georgia’s Seven Natural Wonders (418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-265-4703)
Georgia’s only backcountry lodge, the Len Foote Hike Inn, is accessible to day and overnight guests only by a trail etched in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Starting from the top of the falls at Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, the five-mile hike has its rewards: mountain high country, forested ridges and valleys and on a clear day, a view of the Atlanta skyline from one of the lookout points. The Hike Inn is an eco-beacon of rugged comfort and sustainable practices where bunkhouse beds, rustic baths, delicious communal meals, Appalachian Trail memorabilia and camaraderie await. (accessed via Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge)
More lodging options: National Forest Service camping, campgrounds, family- and group-sized vacation rental homes, even a luxury treehouse with bath. Brand-name, convenient accommodations are also located near major highways and the Georgia 400 shopping corridor. https://www.destinationdawsonville.com/where-to-stay/
Art and Shopping
Dawsonville’s shopping treasures require more than a day trip. North Georgia Premium Outlets (800 Hwy 400 South, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; (706) 216-3609) features more than 120 discount designer [DH2] goods and luxury brand stores alone, but that’s just the beginning of the antiques, boutiques and local merchants treasure hunt. Around Back at Rocky’s Place Folk Art Gallery is a garden and gallery of one-of-a-kind pieces from hundreds of sought-after Southern artists, including face jugs not found in museums and the largest-anywhere collection of art by John “Cornbread” Anderson. Spark your own creativity with pottery and canvas painting projects at The Pearce Creative, and visit the Bowen Center for the Arts, where you’ll find three galleries that display 12 art shows each year, fun classes, tea parties and concerts. It’s a former rock school developed during the 1930s as part of FDR’s Public and Civil Works Administrations. (334 Highway 9 North, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-216-2787)
For flower and garden aficionados, family farm outings and other outdoor spring through fall activities, go to Dawsonville: Pumpkin Patches, Haunting Tales, Family Farms in the North Georgia Mountains – Travel Media Press Room. Waterfall lovers will find their bliss here.
Guys getaways
Besides golf (two courses) and convenient access to Lake Lanier, Dawsonville is a down-to-earth guy getaway destination for hunting and fishing, whitewater rafting and lazy paddles. Etowah Valley Game Preserve is open for Quail, Chukka and Pheasant hunting October 1st through March 31st. (120 Leon Jones Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 678-410-0983), while Etowah Valley Sporting Clays is a year-round immersion in clays courses, trap, skeet and stand shooting, along with gun rentals and ammunition, lessons and a unique Amish-style clubhouse. (619 Sporting Hill Drive, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-265-1611)
Dawsonville is best known for its moonshine-to-motorsports history. Moonshine running during Prohibition nearly 100 years ago grew into today’s NASCAR racing, and the story is authentically told at The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, a sprawling and well-designed tribute to the early greats through Bill Elliott, better known as “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville,” and his son Chase Elliott. (415 Highway 53 East, Dawsonville, Georgia, 30534; 706-216-7223) It’s a dazzling audio-visual immersion with vintage videos, impressive stock and moonshine cars and tons of trophies and artifacts. Next door is the newest location of Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Co., where you can hear live music while sipping high-quality, small-batch five-year barrel-aged whiskey, handcrafted moonshine, vodka and beer. To complete the authentic experience, head to the town square’s unofficial auto racing headquarters, the Dawsonville Pool Room for breakfast, lunch or dinner and more eye-opening memorabilia, where Elliott victories are celebrated with a screaming “si-reen.” (9 Bill Elliott Street, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-265-2792). Watch the races or put your own pedal to the metal at Atlanta Motorsports Park, a world class, Formula 1 style venue for high performance cars, motorcycles and karts. (20 Duck Thurmond Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 678-381-8527) For more on racing and history, go to www.travelmediapressroom.com/2024/01/22/the-race-is-on-for-dawsonville
Dining
Dawsonville has dining covered, from juicy steaks to succulent BBQ ribs, sushi to down-home Southern cooking, pizza to Mexican. Big D’s BBQ for, of course, barbecue but also much more, and Papa’s Place for down home Southern. Try Blue Bicycle for inventive French cuisine with Southern touches. Centered around the Georgia 400 shopping corridor are plenty of tried-and-true restaurant chains and fast-food restaurants, from The Varsity Jr. to coffee stops.