TRAVEL MEDIA PRESS ROOM—JANUARY 2026—Whether spontaneous or carefully planned, romantic getaways look different for every couple. Some crave warmth and salt air, escaping to quiet Florida beaches for fresh seafood and long walks along the shore. Others find their bliss bundled up in cozy mountain cabins, hiking through fresh snowfall and stopping for craft brews along the way. There are couples drawn to the charm of small towns while others feel most alive amid the energy, dining and nightlife of a big city. No matter your style, few gestures are more romantic than saying “I love you” with uninterrupted time together in a place that sparks connection and adventure. Across the Southeast—from Florida to the Carolinas and Southwest Virginia, from Georgia and Alabama to Louisiana—you’ll find destinations that suit every mood from elegant evenings out to fireside nights by woodstoves and waterfalls. Here are 23 to inspire your next escape. Additional photos can be found on the Travel Media Press Room landing page for each destination.

Alabama

North Alabama

North Alabama is full of opportunities for romance and adventure. Some are traditional, some unexpected and all set amid a diverse landscape that is often the star attraction. The region is home to majestic natural wonders including intriguing caves, a National Forest and other protected areas, picturesque waterfalls and sparkling waterways to explore. Seven state parks with a full slate of amenities make staying overnight and exploring the outdoors easy.

The area encompasses 16 counties. In the north, the major cities include Huntsville, a vibrant tech and science hub but also a great getaway with the Orion Amphitheater bringing in major acts and unique accommodations such as the swanky 106 Jefferson in the heart of downtown. South of Florence and the Tennessee River is the birthplace of the Muscle Shoals sound, where artists like Cher, the Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin recorded with hitmakers. Look for upscale elegance at the Renaissance Shoals Resort and Spa and enjoy 360-degree views at the 360 Grille which is located adjacent to the hotel. At the southern end between Gadsden and Cullman, the historic covered bridges of Blount County preserve the engineering of the past, while Nature designed the towering 148-foot sandstone marvel in Winston County, the longest natural bridge east of the Rockies.

A host of trails make themed itineraries (and photo opps) easy. Whether your interest is waterfalls or wine, beer or barbecue, murals or motorcycles, there is a trail showcasing the best of the region. Discover North Alabama’s heritage, beauty, and love of the arts through more than 140 murals across 16 counties. Read about the artists and stories behind them. Each mural boasts a completely unique design and creative vision.

The North Alabama Waterfall Trail features stunning falls, some of which are easily accessible for those with mobility issues. This waterfalls blog will answer many questions about where to picnic, find restroom facilities, discover the most challenging hikes and more details. The Wines and Vines of North Alabama Trail includes seven wineries producing muscadine, fruit wines and grape wines. Covered bridges have been spots for romance since horse and buggy days. Although Blount County holds the title of “Covered Bridge Capital,” they’re found scattered all around North Alabama. North Alabama has a variety of accommodations to fit every taste and budget, whether your idea of romance includes sipping champagne from a balcony or curling up fireside under a cozy blanket. Camp out under the stars in a state park. Cozy up at a lakeside or mountaintop cabin with a view. Fall in love with a B&B, or live in luxury at a resort. Experience glamping at a treehouse resort. Find your inspiration from this rustic romantic getaways blog, where more than 18 locations and ideas are highlighted, with photos. More travel information is available from NorthAlabama.org. 

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Florida

Atlantic (East) Coast

Daytona Beach  

Romantics have long been drawn to the quaint, authentic and surprisingly quiet side of Daytona Beach—and to the heart-pounding rush of Daytona International Speedway. First, the thrills: Get in the driver’s seat or ride along with a professional racing instructor and zip around the iconic Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Racing Experience. Soar above the area while tandem parasailing for views of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, the Intracoastal Waterway and an array of wildlife.

Life in the slow lane is the other personality of Daytona Beach. Kayaking and paddleboarding one of the many waterways, inlets, creeks and rivers gives visitors an inside experience of the area’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Soak up gorgeous scenery and get some exercise riding bicycles. Pedal along the riverfront on the Sweetheart Trail, under the Spanish moss canopy of the Spring-to-Spring Trail or out into the open along the 23 miles of hard-packed beaches. Don’t miss the opportunity for inlet or inland river with Ponce Inlet Watersports or World’s Most Famous Boat Tours for spotting dolphin and manatee or take a cruise on the 50-foot catamaran Arabella with Fun Cat Sailing.

Drive down famous A1A with the ocean breeze blowing through your hair, or explore the roads tucked back among the live oaks within the Ormond Scenic Loop and Tomoka State Park area. This route is an iconic ride for motorcyclists, too, with several opportunities to stop and gaze or walk the trails. Share a romantic wish or selfie at Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark and Florida’s tallest lighthouse. Climb to the top for a spectacular view.

The romantic restaurants of Daytona Beach have dinner covered. A critically acclaimed Ormond Beach restaurant that frequently tops “Best of” lists in Central Florida is 31 Supper Club. With a speakeasy, art deco vibe, live music and delectable artisan foods, this restaurant specializes in fine Italian dining in a historic setting. Enjoy the night air and canopy of stars alfresco on the Havana Bar Patio. The Historic Register seasonal residence of former U.S. President Warren G. Harding is The Cellar, a “Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the United States” whose chef consistently wins accolades for fine Italian dining. Reservations are recommended. For waterfront marina views, dinner and dancing, Mama Foo Foo provides a romantic nightlife ambiance with an eclectic menu of large and small plates. At Rose Villa Southern Table & Bar step into a glamorous Victorian jewel and enjoy artful and delicious Southern cuisine with classic craft cocktails or a glass of wine. For an art deco inspired, fine dining steakhouse and seafood experience, visit Alexander’s Prime, which has a lengthy menu of delicious prime dry-aged meats and locally sourced seafood.

For casual ambience and a seafood and steak dinner, Down the Hatch Seafood Company is the perfect setting on the Halifax River side of Ponce Inlet, near the Ponce Inlet Historical Museum. More spectacular sunsets and waterfront restaurants can be found here.

For romantic wedding locales, it doesn’t get any better than the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse or a quiet spot on the beach at dusk. The Casements and Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens are also favorites among brides-to-be. Read more unique ideas for a beach destination wedding. https://www.daytonabeach.com

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West Volusia (West of Daytona Beach)

West Volusia encompasses 14 communities in Central Florida with an eclectic collection of attractions between Orlando and Daytona Beach. Couples can keep it slow with strolls through a walkable historic downtown and days spent beside crystal-clear springs or turn up the adrenaline with outdoor adventures along the scenic St. Johns River and skydiving at the skydiving capital of the world. From the stylish, artsy energy of Downtown DeLand to the serenity of Old Florida landscapes, it is a perfect destination to experience romance that feels authentic, relaxed, and just adventurous enough.

DeLand’s “Real Florida” downtown consistently earns top marks for its inviting mix of history and contemporary charm. It almost feels like you are in another state, with brick lined sidewalks leading past boutiques, notable art galleries, and dining options that rival those found in much larger cities, making it easy to plan a full day that effortlessly turns into a full evening. For couples who love art and culture, the Museum of Art DeLand is a defining anchor downtown. The museum’s recently renovated gallery space showcases a dynamic mix of contemporary exhibitions, featuring works by nationally and internationally recognized artists that encourage lingering, conversation, and repeat visits throughout the year.

For colorful photo ops and an easy date itinerary, explore the DeLand Historic Mural Walk, where more than two dozen murals tell the area’s story amid downtown shops and restaurants. Then take your love on a playful photo shoot scavenger hunt along the creative and quirky Wings of the West mural trail. These whimsical, life sized angel wing murals become the backdrop for memorable keepsake photos, with stops that wind off the beaten path through some of West Volusia’s top attractions, from the vibrant streets of Downtown DeLand to the living history of the Barberville Pioneer Settlement and the mystical Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp.

Natural springs are one of West Volusia’s most romantic calling cards. Many couples are drawn to the natural surroundings and constant 72-degree waters of two of Florida’s best known spring parks. In winter, picturesque Blue Spring State Park attracts hundreds of West Indian manatees, earning its designation as an official manatee refuge. Not far from Blue Spring, DeLeon Springs State Park is a favorite for swimming, snorkeling, paddling, hiking, and history tours, with a sweet bonus for couples who like to play with their food. With a little advance planning, visitors can score a griddle equipped table for the famous make your own pancake experience at the onsite Old Sugar Mill Pancake House.

Stay options add to the romance, especially for couples who love places with personality. For a romantic getaway in DeLand, The Historic Artisan Downtown is a boutique hotel where time stands still, offering 14 thoughtfully designed guest rooms that blend century old Spanish Colonial architecture with modern comforts. On site, Chica’s Cuban Café serves Latin inspired dishes, signature flan, Cuban pastries, and a selection of wine, sangria, and beer, while The Lounge downstairs brings evening energy with live performances, a fully stocked martini bar, a fine bourbon collection, and tapas from Chica’s. Just four blocks from downtown and the renowned Stetson University, The DeLand Hotel offers a step back into the 1920s, preserving its original architectural integrity with claw foot bathtubs and vintage furniture. Downstairs, the DeLand Cocktail Company serves fashionable craft cocktails, and just down the hall, The DeLand Eatery delivers serious food in a relaxed setting.

For an easy way to find the best sips around, check out the CoolCraft Beverage Trail. Partnering with top craft beverage producers across the region, the trail highlights a diverse selection of cocktails, smoothies, milkshakes, teas, coffees and some of the best brews around. It gives couples a fun way to tour and taste their way across West Volusia, with special seasonal events like CoolCraft Summer, a beverage competition, and CoolCraft Christmas, a passport scavenger hunt, adding to the excitement.

Nature lovers can escape into wide open space at Deep Creek Stables, nestled within 18,000 acres of Lake George State Forest. Whether opting for private or group rides, guests can enjoy up to three hours of equestrian adventure, with options such as carriage rides, skeet shooting, and riding lessons. Meanwhile, Skydive DeLand, known as one of the world’s busiest drop zones, attracts thrill seekers from around the globe. For those seeking a more serene adventure, eco tours and fishing along the St. Johns River are magnets for visitors.  VisitWestVolusia.com

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Northwest Florida

Gulf County, Florida

On the central gulf coast, (where the Central and Eastern Time Zones meet at St. Joe Beach), two hours southwest of Tallahassee and just an hour east of Panama City Beach, Gulf County, Florida, is known for its laid back, low-rise lifestyle. There are no tall buildings along the shoreline here. Giant neon lights are nowhere to be found. There are only three stoplights in the whole county. And that’s what’s perfect about it.

Couples looking for a quintessential beach getaway will find it here. From any point in the county, a body of water is less than five minutes away. And with 244 miles of shoreline in the county, there are plenty of access points for visitors. Whether paddling or fishing, shelling or scalloping, snorkeling or diving, there is a place to enjoy it.

With its convenient bay accesses, the central hub of Port St. Joe is popular both for both shore and water activities. There are parks and walking trails nearby and Frank Pate Park makes launching a boat or joining a fishing charter easy. Exploring the clear, shallow waters on a snorkeling or shelling adventure or enjoying an amazing sunset are popular activities all year long. St. Joe Beach is a little strip of heaven. This laid-back beach community includes Windmark Beach and has abundant on-the-beach lodging rentals and convenient beach accesses, where visitors enjoy pet-friendly white sand beaches.

On the St. Joseph peninsula Cape San Blas is filled with low-rise vacation rental homes, white sandy beaches and beautiful, clear waters. It is also home to T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Indian Pass beaches are a prime location for camping, horseback riding and shore fishing. Take a day trip across the bay to St. Vincent Island Wildlife Refuge (accessible only by private boat or ferry service) or bask in the glow of a beach bonfire after sunset. Inland is Wewahitchka, with its Dead Lakes, freshwater rivers and variety of options for camping. This is also the epicenter for the harvest of the famous Tupelo Honey, a sweet treat loved by locals and guests alike.

Stay in the beachfront B&B Inn or fully equipped cottages at the coveted and quaint Turtle Beach Inn, located in Indian Pass. Check-in at one of the cozy Port Cottages in Port St Joe, directly across from St. Joseph Bay and the perfect location to stroll around downtown Port St. Joe. Or enjoy accommodations overlooking picturesque St. Joseph Bay and across the street from the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico at the Cape San Blas Inn on Cape San Blas. 

Sunset dining In the heart of Port St. Joe, enjoy a colorful sunset dinner at Quatro Locos Tacos and Cantina overlooking Cape San Blas Lighthouse on St. Joseph Bay. Step into the cozy, intimate atmosphere of Provisions Restaurant or T.I.G.F (This is Garden Food) in downtown PSJ. Watch the sunset on the patio at Keeper’s Bistro in Windmark Beach. The White Marlin Restaurant & Oysterette is the area’s newest elevated coastal dining experience with stunning sunset views, tranquil boat-watching, and photo-worthy landscapes. Afterward, Light Up Your Night Beach Bonfires provides a romantic sunset fire on several beaches and offers a variety of splurge-worthy bonfire packages.

For the ultimate intimate dinner, book a 5-star dining experience in your own beach home with a personal Chef from Your Table! Your Chef!. Schedule a romantic, customized sunset horseback ride on the beach through Broke-a-toe Horseback Riding. Take your relationship to new heights and perhaps pop the question at the top of the Cape San Blas Lighthouse overlooking St. Joseph Bay. www.VisitGulf.com

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Georgia – from the coast to the mountains

Georgia Coast

Kingsland and Camden County

With proximity to the Georgia/Florida border, just 25 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida, and easy access to Interstate 95, Kingsland is the ideal coastal destination to stay, play, shop and explore. Surrounded by palmettos and Spanish moss-draped oaks, find unique treasures along the red brick sidewalks of Kingsland’s Historic Royal District.

With three freshwater rivers and easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway, there are endless boating opportunities. Take a guided tour with Adventures Up the Creek and explore via kayak, war canoe or paddleboard. Fishing is a great way to relax and enjoy the water. Whether inshore or offshore fishing, experienced local charter fishing captains know all the spots. On land, golf lovers will enjoy 700+ holes of golf within one hour and the area’s mild temperatures make golf a year-round activity.

For colorful romance, don’t miss the two-day Mardi Gras celebration held every winter (the date fluctuates with Easter) in the heart of downtown Kingsland. Featuring national country music recording artists, local food, street vendors and a lively Mardi Gras parade, it’s all the fun without the crush of a big-city event.

Hop on one of America’s oldest privately owned shortline railroads and experience everything from scenic rides to themed excursions. The Georgia Coastal Railway entertains with various seasonally themed rides through neighborhoods, Southern marshlands, commercial districts and a working rail yard. Special trips include the Shipwreckers Pirate Train, Cottontail Easter Special and the Wild West Train departing from the Kingsland Station on South Lee Street, just two miles west of I-95. (Advance reservations strongly encouraged.)

During warmer months, a trip to Cumberland Island makes for the perfect day excursion. Enjoy a picnic on the island’s pristine beach or beneath the unique marine oak canopy. Touring Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge at sunset makes for an equally romantic outing. 

Restaurants Wandaful Things is a creative bistro and bakery that serves inventive entrees, small plates like empanadas, charcuterie, crab cakes and creative sandwiches. Pre-order a celebratory cake for dessert and take the rest to your accommodations for late-night snacking. Angelos is a longtime favorite traditional Italian restaurant that serves authentic dishes as well as pizza, with murals depicting old-world landscapes.

Romantic views In addition to Cumberland Island and Crooked River State Park, the Woodbine Nature Trail and River Walk is a Coastal Georgia Greenway’s Rails to Trails program, a paved path running along the old railway in Woodbine north to the Satilla River.

With easy access on and off I-95, Kingsland offers many lodging options from big brand hotels to romantic inns and RV parks. For a complete list of Kingsland lodging options, more to do and see, go to www.VisitKingsland.com

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St. Marys and Cumberland Island, Georgia (note the spelling for St. Marys; no apostrophe)

Next door and sharing many outdoor attractions, St. Marys and Cumberland Island, Georgia, is an uncrowded destination less than an hour’s drive north of Jacksonville, Florida, just off I-95 on Georgia’s southernmost tip. The culture, heritage and outdoor activities here make it popular with history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s filled with small-town charm; a downtown waterfront community where the views are part of the romance.

The streets are lined with locally owned shops, while historic homes offer glimpses into life in an earlier era. Many homes are available as either an inviting bed & breakfast or a unique vacation rental. Romantic options abound. Take a stroll on the beautifully landscaped downtown St. Marys Waterfront Park, with swings and benches facing the water.

When hunger strikes, walk to Locals Dockside or St. Marys Harbor Restaurant where you can enjoy the perfect seafood dining experience with views of the St. Marys River, golden marsh, and boats out on the water. 

St. Marys is on the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail. The St. Marys Submarine Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the South featuring nearly 5,000 square feet of exhibits and displays on two floors, from WWII to today. Experience history come alive with a wide variety of images, paintings, artifacts, models and rare historical documents, like WWII patrol reports.

What’s more romantic than snuggling up for the ferry ride to Cumberland Island to watch wild horses and walk the beach? Pack the perfect picnic and have lunch on the uncrowded sands of the largest barrier island in Georgia. Take the ferry from the Mainland Visitor Center in St. Marys to one of coastal Georgia’s treasures, Cumberland Island National Seashore. Very few places like this exist anymore. Mostly made up of pristine maritime forests, majestic live oaks and palmetto trees, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes, you’ll spot wild horses, turkeys, alligators, deer and an impressive variety of coastal birds. Discover the history of Plum Orchard Mansion, the ruins of the once elaborate Carnegie Estate “Dungeness,” Cumberland Wharf and the Settlement of the First African Baptist Church. Camping is also available as well as bike rentals and tours. Click here for more information. 

Heading back to the mainland, let the celebration continue at Seagle’s Restaurant on the ground floor of the historic Riverview Hotel—which is also a great place to stay, or at Southern River Walk, a gem that offers great pricing and even better food. You’ll find live music at both spots most nights.

Crooked River State Park is also a great couples date. Only 10 minutes from downtown St. Marys, the 500-acre park offers a nature center and hiking, biking and kayak trails, along with cabins and campsites. The 11-mile St. Marys Tabby Trail (a work in progress) connects the park with downtown St. Marys. The entire area has spots noted on both the Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail and the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. For a special lunch that couples love, stroll to The Café at Cottle and Gunn, where the restaurant is hidden behind a wardrobe at the back of the shop. You’ll enjoy meals and desserts made with fresh, local ingredients and served on incredible mismatched China. For a celebration that falls in line with the feel of the day, head over to Wee Pub for elevated casual dining and drink specials or try out the local brewery, Brackish Beer Company, located in a historic bank building where the original vault is still in place.   www.VisitStMarys.com

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Southwest Georgia

Albany, Georgia

Off the beaten path, Albany, Georgia is an ideal destination for reconnecting. Located near I-10 in Southwest Georgia, and only 30 minutes from I-75, this small-town charmer will appeal to outdoorsy types as well as luxury-lovers.

Perhaps the two attractions that set the stage for romance are dining and lodging. Albany has more than two dozen affordable accommodations to suit every taste, many with complimentary breakfast. Some require no driving to dinner and drinks. One option is Merry Acres Inn, with historic Southern charm. After dinner and dessert, visitors may continue sweetie sessions over nightcaps at Merry Acres’ on-site Manor House Pub. Another historic place to lay one’s head is the Shackelford House, built by renowned architect Edward Vason Jones. It features three ensuite bedrooms upstairs but note, there is no elevator.

For a romantic dinner with service and ambience, choose from several options. The Catch Seafood and Oyster Bar focuses on the fresh, not frozen, bounty of the Georgia and Florida coast, yet satisfies meat-eaters and vegetarians. Decanter is Albany’s newest restaurant, a fine dining experience serving award-winning chef crafted dishes. Nearby, The Flint serves succulent Southern fare like fresh seafood, oxtails, steaks and more in a softly lit atmosphere.

Active outdoor adventurists have plenty of ways to love Albany. Paddle the Flint River by kayak or canoe via the several picturesque launch areas. Kayak Attack Adventures provides equipment, advice and guided tours. Get ready for an exciting time at Race 2 Escape. Escape games are designed to be fun, challenging and unforgettable. Anyone can play so bring your sweetheart and choose your adventure for a low-stakes, high-energy experience that sparks quick thinking, teamwork and plenty of shared laughs.

The downtown Albany Welcome Center in the Historic Bridge House offers well-maintained bicycles for rent at reasonable rates—take them out on the six-acre Riverfront Park trails. At the Welcome Center, or online at VisitAlbanyGA.com/explore, discover dozens of additional pursuits, including mountain biking, golf and fly-fishing.

Honor the heroes and ordinary people who were part of the Civil Rights movement at the Albany Civil Rights Institute. In addition to a digital oral database and an interactive exhibit the museum includes the restored Old Mount Zion Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired thousands in 1961. Afterward, reflect with a free “concert” at Ray Charles Plaza. The Albany native and beloved musician is honored with a life-size bronze sculpture seated at a Baby Grand piano on a rotating pedestal fountain. His sweet, familiar melodies play as water spills into a reflecting pool. 

Treat your sweetie to an Albany shopping trip. In addition to a mall and national retailers, more than 20 boutiques and specialty stores provide on-trend fashions and home décor, antiques, gifts, recreational and fitness gear. First, fortify at one of many specialty coffee shop and bakery options, including Cornerstone Coffee, which serves locally-roasted beans, along with pastries from SugarPop’s. Afterward, relax tired muscles at Soothe Holistic Wellness Lounge with a couples’ massage. www.VisitAlbanyGA.com

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Americus/Sumter County, Georgia

In west-central Georgia, convenient to I-75, three hours south of Atlanta and only two hours north of I-10, Americus is not only an ideal stopping point en route to Florida, it’s a top destination for its major attractions, including two national historic sites. The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains honors our country’s 39th president, while the Andersonville National Historic Site is home to the Andersonville National Cemetery and the nation’s only POW Museum. Head to the Glass Blowing Studios for a factory tour and peek into the art and community behind it—Americus is the #1 place in the world for this art.

Have a romantic getaway in a storybook castle. The crown jewel of downtown Americus is the acclaimed Windsor Hotel, part of the Ascend Hotel Collection. Originally built in 1892 for northern guests escaping winter’s cold, parties, balls and celebratory events of yesteryear are all part of its colorful history. The stunning five-story Victorian masterpiece covers almost an entire city block and wows with a three-story open atrium lobby and amazing architecture. No two rooms are alike, from the circular Bridal Suite with private staircase and demi-canopied King bed to the well-appointed Chamber Rooms. Stay overnight and toast on the Windsor’s veranda, complete with rocking chairs and live music every Friday night. Have dinner at Rosemary & Thyme or a drink and appetizer at Floyd’s, the long-ago doorman’s namesake pub.

Take a romantic ride in 1949 vintage train cars on the The SAM Shortline Excursion Train. Check the schedules for special events like the Valentine’s Dinner, Murder Mystery and Wine and Cheese tasting trains. Regular weekend rides explore rural landscapes and the historic towns of Americus, Plains, Leslie and Archery. In Plains, browse President Carter’s campaign museum and an antique mall, buy a bag of peanuts from local merchants and stop in Plain Peanuts to try their peanut butter ice cream. In the community of Archery, explore President Jimmy Carter’s boyhood farm. The train will stop just steps from his old front porch, and you’ll have plenty of time to explore this National Historic Site before the SAM Shortline returns to the depot. For more ideas, go to www.VisitAmericusGA.com.

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Columbus – middle Georgia

Centrally located in the Southeast, 90 minutes from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and home to Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia, is an easy drive from anywhere in the Southeast. This manageable-sized city blends a vibrant artsy energy with unique local history and a thriving food scene. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors, listen to local bands and taste finely brewed beer. Whether your ideal romantic getaway involves dining at a white-tablecloth restaurant and walking through world class art galleries or barbecue and adrenaline-pumping adventure, Columbus delivers. It’s no surprise Columbus, Ga., was named one of Southern Living’s Best Weekend Getaways!

First, for outdoor lovers, the city’s marquee attraction is the Chattahoochee River and Whitewater. The 2.5-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee located in the heart of Uptown Columbus is the world’s longest urban whitewater course and was named one of the Top 12 Man-Made Adventures in the World by USA Today. State-of-the-art wave making technology controls this mild to wild adventure from Class I rapids and a Lazy River to a famous Class V rapid.

Along the famous waterway is the RiverWalk, a 15-mile linear park for getting outside, relaxing and enjoying nature. Rent a bike, get in a run, skateboard or take a romantic walk and have a picnic at the RiverWalk Waveshaper Island. Watch the river action where paddlers and rafters take on Heaven’s Gate, one of the largest rapids on the river. A sunset photo on RiverWalk is an almost mandatory memento.

Activate some endorphins with your sweetie on the Blue Heron Adventure, the only dual-zip lines that connect two states. Thrill-seekers cross the Chattahoochee reaching speeds of up to 40 m.p.h., then take on the Blue Heron Aerial Course, a treetop obstacle course experience, followed by a zip back to Georgia where the adventure began.

For city culture, check out the art galleries, theaters, breweries, and restaurants that make Columbus the South’s Coolest Uptown. The city’s thriving creative community boasts seven theaters and five art galleries all within a few city blocks of the recently developed Uptown area. Dress up for an engaging production at the Broadway-quality RiverCenter for the Performing Arts or the intimate stages of the Springer Opera House, the State Theatre of Georgia. Here’s an in-depth Uptown Guide.

I love you to the moon and back Columbus is home to the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Enjoy interactive exhibits, NASA artifacts, opportunities to control a mock space mission, a planetarium show at the Omnisphere Theatre and more. Angel photos are a thing, so get your wings on at 11th Street and Broadway near Smoke Bourbon and BBQ. Noted mural artist Kelsey Montague created a set of wings just waiting for your sweetie to step into and smile while you capture the moment.

The number of dining choices is dazzling, so ponder the options over a sunset drink and appetizer at Eighteen85 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen at the Hotel Indigo. Locally inspired crafted cocktails and small plates are served along with a sweeping riverfront view. Go completely Epicurean with dinner at award-winning Epic Restaurant. Chef Jamie Keating has wowed Columbus with his elevated American cuisine in a white-tablecloth setting. This popular special-occasion restaurant has earned a AAA Four Diamond Award and an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Cozy up for breakfast, lunch, or brunch for two at the European-styled café, bakery and wine bar, My Boulánge. Indulge in some decadent French pastries along with specialty lattes in a brick-walled setting decorated with local art.

Columbus offers affordable lodging options with the amenities and service expected from a great southern host city. Treat your sweetheart to a stay at City Mills Hotel. This beautiful property features original brick walls, hand-crafted metalworks, preserved artifacts and decorative local works of art. From ultra-modern hotels and historic boutiques to comfy budget inns, there are plenty of choices from trusted brands. Many are offering special Valentine packages. www.VisitColumbusGA.com

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Near Atlanta but away from the crowds

Woodstock, Georgia 

Located just 30 minutes northwest of the Atlanta perimeter on I-75/575, Woodstock is an unexpected destination offering visitors authentic and organic experiences including flavorful dining options and unique shopping opportunities, as well as a thriving arts scene. From live music and theater productions to visual arts exhibitions and more, there’s something to thrill locals and visitors alike in Woodstock. Prepare to be entertained with live music, fine dining, concerts and exhibitions.

Downtown Woodstock surprises visitors with over 30 chef-driven restaurants spanning global flavors, spiced with craft breweries, creative food trucks and served with a live music scene. It’s an open container entertainment district where patrons can sip, stroll around and savor the kitchen aromas and music in the air.

Whether looking for a traditional romantic dining experience, or an activity a bit more off the beaten path, Woodstock has a bit of everything for the romantic in us all.  Prime 120 offers a premier steakhouse experience complete with crafted cocktails, an elegant dining room and a spacious patio featuring a 20-foot stone fireplace. For another fine dining option, TENKU Sushi has the ambiance and menu that will melt your heart. Be sure to try one of their unique comfortable seating spaces in the bar and lounge, and finish with a mochi ice cream treat.

Snuggling up during a Friday Jazz Night beneath the tent at The Reeves House Visual Arts Center, followed by wine and a gallery viewing, is always a treat; as is listening to music under the stars with the Lantern Series on the Event Green. For the late-night date-night fans, a fun show at MadLife Stage & Studios promises a memorable experience; Blue Ghost Arcade is always a perfect landing space for fun and games, open every weekend until 2 a.m.

Looking for a special gift? Made Mercantile is an incubator with a creative collaboration space for artisans, crafters and small businesses. Visit the concept shop and attend classes on candle making, jewelry design, creating spa products and much more, often accompanied by snacks and adult beverages. Woodstock offers Atlanta’s closest and newest outlet shopping, The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, in a walkable, attractive landscaped outdoor environment. Peruse such brands as Coach, Columbia Sportswear, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Nike, among many others.

For adventurous romantics, a hike out to Toonigh Creek Falls promises a bit of seclusion in the off-season, and a perfect picturesque picnic space sitting right along the waterfall. Or perhaps an exciting yet relaxing balloon ride from Balloon Atlanta, where you can experience the region and gorgeous views looking north to Blue Ridge or south to Atlanta. For more ideas, go to https://VisitWoodstockGa.com/.

Journalists: For more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/georgia/woodstock-georgia/

Villa Rica

Located off Interstate 20, just 35 minutes west of Atlanta, Villa Rica is a quaint west Georgia town offering an abundance of engaging history, authentic early 1900s architecture, eclectic shops, locally owned eateries, and a variety of outdoor adventures. Perhaps one of the most interesting things about Villa Rica is its rich gold history, which is reflected in the town’s name, meaning “City of Gold” in Portuguese. Whether you are craving a couple’s getaway, a new adventure with the family, or hitting the road solo, Villa Rica offers interesting experiences around every corner. 

Escape the hustle and bustle with your significant other and enjoy a secluded experience at Villa Rica Bed and Breakfast. A destination all its own, Villa Rica Bed and Breakfast is a couples-only retreat situated on an expansive 80 acres of pure, untouched beauty. Featuring two meticulously themed rooms, couples delight in the attention to detail from sound machines and intentional lighting to detailed décor and more. Spend the afternoons reconnecting while exploring the property’s lakes, ponds, woodlands, and fields. With close access to nearby attractions, couples can easily explore downtown Villa Rica’s shops, boutique,s and a variety of culinary experiences. 

Nothing says couple’s getaway quite like a visit to a local vineyard.  The Vineyard at Hominy Creek offers wine tastings in the winery from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. The Vineyard & Winery at Hominy Creek’s commitment to quality begins with careful monitoring of the grapes in our vineyard and winery, plus attention to detail that continues through the crushing, fermentation, and aging process. The Vineyard & Winery at Hominy Creek is also part of a growing initiative in the area to revitalize a cooperative program of grape growers and wine makers dating back before prohibition. Situated on the sloped acreage of an old cow farm reinvented for sustainable agricultural growth, the vineyard’s rich soil promises a bountiful harvest of flavorful grapes in the coming seasons. Attempting to mirror the proven success of Texas under the same hot and humid conditions, the first compatible (hybrid) grapes, a Vidal Blanc, a Noiret, and a Cayuga White, were planted in the spring of 2012, with two more grapes, a Chambourcin and a Traminette, added in 2013.

Journalists: For more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/villa-rica-georgia/

The North Georgia Mountains

Alpine Helen, Georgia

Step into Helen, a storybook Alpine Bavarian Village just an hour and a half north of Atlanta in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stroll amid cobblestone pathways and gingerbread-laced buildings through a lively downtown with one-of-a-kind shopping, dining and adventurous attractions like the Georgia Mountain Coaster. Holiday lights sparkle through February 17, 2026, an added romantic benefit for those who get ahead of the Valentine rush for dining and accommodations.

Bodensee Restaurant offers fine German dining in a setting reminiscent of the Alps. Bodensee is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and features Chef Aurel Prodan’s culinary specialties like Weiner Schnitzel or the Haus Platter featuring knockwurst, homemade garlic wurst and smoked pork chop with sauerkraut and German potato salad. Sit inside or out on the deck with your mate while noshing on Southern specialties at Cowboys & Angels Restaurant and Bar. Choose from soups and salads, steaks or a crazy good bison burger. Gluten-free options are also on the menu. Choose a craft brew, your favorite wine or have the bartender mix up a premium cocktail.

Retreat to the quiet side in historic Sautee-Nacoochee, with a romantic stay in a premium bed and breakfast like Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn & Spa, sitting on a small mountaintop just outside the village of Sautee-Nacoochee and only four miles from Helen, with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Sautee Valley. From there, explore the scenic community, with its exquisitely preserved/restored artists cabins, home furnishings and mercantile stores. In the old rural schoolhouse, the Sautee Nacoochee Center hosts juried events for regional artists. Next door the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia is exhibiting “Rising in Fire” The Winterfest Arts Tour is held February 14–15, 2026, in Sautee-Nacoochee and Helen.

Capture the feeling of being in a castle in Germany, high on a mountain just two miles from downtown Helen, with views as stunning as the architecture. Uhuburg, the Eagle Owl Renaissance castle is a marvel of architecture, lifestyle and philosophy. Book a tour to learn about this food producing, naturalistic and celebratory place. Uhuburg is pronounced much like the call of an owl: Ooo-Hoo-burg and is German for Eagle Owl Castle. Photography, wedding bookings and overnight chamber guest rooms are also available.

For a resort experience reminiscent of an ancient Scottish castle, Valhalla Resort Hotel offers mountain views from king and VIP suites and the area’s true fine-dining restaurant, all within the Innsbruck Golf Community. Upscale amenities include concierge, valet, spa services, a relaxing pool and options for golf, hiking, fly fishing, winery tours and more are offered.

Next to Unicoi State Park, a short 30-minute trek to twin waterfalls known as Anna Ruby Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest is about as romantic as it gets, but there are plenty more to be found at the Alpine Helen-White County website’s waterfall guide. After peak leaf season through early spring, the waterfalls and trails are even less traveled, and the views are even better. www.HelenGA.org

Journalists: For more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/georgia/alpine-helen-white-county-ga/.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Just 90 minutes north of Atlanta off Interstate-575, Blue Ridge, Georgia, is at once outdoorsy, earthy, upscale, contemporary and historic. Centered around the Blue Ridge Depot, downtown’s restored buildings blend perfectly with modern industrial and mountain architecture, showcasing the arts, galleries, antiques, unique shopping and dining. It’s no wonder that Blue Ridge has been named one of the Top Ten Towns for Craft Lovers in the country. Yet 40 percent of the county is located within the Chattahoochee National Forest, sweeping visitors a million miles away.

Photo-ops are all around. Trek across the 270-foot-long Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, the longest east of the Mississippi. Hikes to five refreshing waterfalls range from just .1 mile to 9.5 miles. Two bucket-list hiking adventures, the Appalachian Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail begin in southern Fannin County at Springer Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Intown, secluded overnight options are possible, ranging from chic lofts overlooking the town to The Blue Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast, one of the first residences built in Blue Ridge back in 1890, or in the new, upscale Hampton Inn Blue Ridge featuring balcony rooms and the city’s only rooftop bar and restaurant, The Lookout. In surrounding Blue Ridge, choices include lodging with stunning mountain views, creekside retreats, riverfront lodges, cabins on the lake and much more. Indulge in a one-of-a-kind escape in a romantic treehouse at Bear Claw Vineyard built by “The Treehouse Guys” on DIY network, complete with a galley kitchen and bath. Serenity in the Mountains offers spa and suite packages that include a 90-minute couples massage and much more and Tea Tree Spa steams up an infrared sauna, plus massages and body treatments — even in-cabin services! To search for the perfect in-town hideaway or mountain retreat, go to https://www.blueridgemountains.com/where-to-stay.

For dinner, romantic options abound. Black Sheep, featuring a 200-year-old oak tree and covered patio fronting the historic residence once visited by Southern writer Margaret Mitchell. The locally sourced, chef-inspired New Americana menu and Wine Spectator-recognized wine list is complemented with cocktails featuring house-produced moonshine. Ambiance meets unforgettable eats at The General Ledger, located in a beautiful 1920s bank building where you can even be seated in the vault. Menu items include local favorites such as Blackened Pork Chops, Fried Chicken Paillard, Pecan-Crusted Trout and a not-to-miss 16-ounce Hand-Cut Ribeye, along with inventive main-course salads and sandwiches. Look for new specialty drinks featured daily at the bar.

For a romantic, luxurious splurge, Grace Prime Steakhouse is the latest place for expertly crafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, exceptional service and succulent steaks. Steaks are expertly chosen and cut, each aged for 45-plus days to maximize flavor and tenderness. At Ferraro’s Kitchen Blue Ridge, Sommelier/Chef/Owner Igor Ferraro has brought his highly regarded Miami concept to the Georgia mountains, with a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. A native of Venice, he was introduced to the world of food and wines by his father, a wine producer in the area of Bassano del Grappa. Chef Ferraro serves his customers a passionate experience as if they were transported to Italy.

Blue Ridge is also known for its appealing wineries, breweries brewpubs and taverns. Create your own wine trail or pub crawl using the route on the digital Blue Ridge Brews and Wineries map. For more ideas, visit www.BlueRidgeMountains.com

Journalists: For more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/georgia/blue-ridgefannin-county-ga/.

Dawsonville, Georgia

Fall for Dawsonville, Georgia—where mountain views, waterfall moments and cozy escapes set the scene for romance. Nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, just an hour north of Atlanta, Dawsonville is a less-traveled destination where couples can slow down, reconnect and discover romance in unexpected places.

Days here unfold between misty mountain mornings and golden-hour views, whether you’re hand-in-hand on a forest trail or lingering over coffee downtown. Nature provides the backdrop, but it’s the shared moments that make Dawsonville memorable—watching waterfalls tumble through the woods, savoring a candlelit dinner, or waking up to sweeping mountain vistas.

For rugged romantics, Georgia’s only backcountry lodge, Len Foote Hike Inn, offers an unforgettable escape. Accessible only by a five-mile hike from Amicalola Falls State Park, the journey itself becomes part of the romance. Along the way, couples are rewarded with forested ridgelines, quiet overlooks and, on clear days, distant skyline views. At the Inn, evenings are spent over communal, chef-prepared meals and peaceful nights surrounded by nature—no roads, no cars, just the rhythm of the forest. Come morning, guests step into one of the region’s most memorable sunrise views, best enjoyed with a warm mug and the forest slowly waking around them.

Luxury-loving couples gravitate toward Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, where nearly every room opens to breathtaking mountain views. The lodge offers cabins, campsites and six upscale glampsites through Timberline Amicalola, perfect for couples who want comfort wrapped in nature. On-site adventures include guided hikes, archery, zip lining and romantic walks to Amicalola Falls, a stunning 729-foot cascade—the tallest in Georgia and among the highest east of the Mississippi. Evenings are best spent savoring the view at Cascades, the onsite restaurant at Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge. With both indoor and outdoor seating, nearly every table overlooks sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains. Couples linger over dinner as daylight fades, then head to the expansive lower veranda to watch the sunset by the fire while enjoying a favorite cocktail from the full-service bar—no reservations required for romance, just a seat with a view.  

For a laid-back night out, couples gravitate toward Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Co. ‘The Garage’, a relaxed gathering spot connected to the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. With indoor and outdoor seating, the distillery hosts events nearly every weekend, from live music and trivia to line dancing and music bingo—perfect for an easygoing date night. In addition to handcrafted spirits, guests can enjoy offerings from Border Hop Beer Co. for those who prefer a lighter, craft beer option. Food from the onsite Station House restaurant rounds out an evening where conversation flows as easily as the drinks. Tucked just behind the distillery, Main Street Park offers a peaceful spot for a post-drink stroll, making it easy to carry the evening outdoors under the stars.

Whether your idea of romance is a secluded hike, a fireside lodge stay, a waterfall sunset or a meal that lingers into the evening, Dawsonville delivers a mountain escape where love comes naturally. DestinationDawsonville.com

Journalists: For more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/dawsonville-georgia

The Northshore, Louisiana

The Northshore is a welcoming destination on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain that has become a favorite getaway spot for couples. Here, they find the perfect combination of relaxation and activity and some refreshing ways to combine interests along the way, with some surprising extras that add to the fun. The Northshore is just 40 minutes north of New Orleans, an hour east of Baton Rouge and an hour west of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with easy access via Interstate 12. 

Once here, visitors find easy access to an impressive collection of activities, from taking in the arts to taking on the trail, or as it’s known here, the trace. The Tammany Trace is a Hall of Fame Rails-to-Trails path that connects the communities of The Northshore. The 31-miles of the trace include scenic bayou overlooks and stretches of piney woods and moss-draped oaks. Rentals are available from Brooks’ Bikes/Trikes & Beyond and a bike trip along the trace offers riders not only a chance to enjoy the outdoors, but also to take in some community culture at area trailheads, where they get a true introduction to these Northshore towns. 

Art and the outdoors are a surprising pair and a perfect combination on the Tammany Trace. History, music and visual arts, along with culinary events, are all a part of life visitors are invited to enjoy here. Covington’s Tammany Trace trailhead features a bandstand and amphitheater and is the site of free concerts, arts and crafts markets, festivals and a lunchtime farmers market on Wednesdays. Its visitor center features a walk-through photo exhibit, interactive kiosks, short films and rotating art exhibits. The Mandeville Trailhead and Cultural Interpretive Center is adjacent to the path at the site of the former railroad depot. There is a museum onsite and the Community Market is held on Saturdays, where makers and farmers come together to sell their wares. In Abita Springs, the Trailhead and Museum is on the town square, at the heart of the community. The one-room museum celebrates Abita Springs’ history and culture. The trailhead park includes a plaza with a renovated, two-story 1884 pavilion, under which rests a statue of Princess Abita, commemorating the “healing waters” the town is known for. On Sundays, an Art and Farmers Market features live music along with produce, hand-made sauces, baked goods, boudin and more. The trailhead is also home to one of many murals that celebrate the culture and personality of the communities across The Northshore.

The impressive list of restaurants on The Northshore is filled with locations and menus that sure to have many experiences for couples to agree on. Here are some that are known for elevating their cuisine to an art form. David and Torre Solazzo are three-time James Beard Award nominees and proprietors of Del Porto Ristorante. This popular date night location offers a seasonal, farm-inspired menu. The Solazzos opened The Greyhound, a European gastropub influenced by Italian and German cuisine, along with an impressive selection of craft beers, wines, signature cocktails and unique beverages. The upscale Dakota Restaurant serves contemporary Louisiana cuisine and an award-winning selection of wines. The menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients to create signature dishes and Louisiana favorites with a contemporary twist. There are also locations where the surroundings add yet more artistic beauty. The Gloriette combines local and French-inspired cuisine with genuine Southern hospitality. Here, the atmosphere is enhanced by custom murals from international artist Grahame Menage. At Tchefuncte’s the classic Louisiana and American cuisine is artfully prepared and presented. The riverfront setting, especially at sunset, is arguably one of best views in the region.

No matter what you hand your sweetheart have a thirst for, you’ll find satisfying refreshment on The Northshore. Can’t decide between coffee and cocktails? No worries. Haven Coffee and Cocktails is not only a coffee roastery and espresso bar serving its own Northshore Specialty Coffee but also serves up craft cocktails. Through its large system of taps for draft drinks, Haven serves pre-batched lattes, cocktails, tonics and concentrates. They also have a breakfast, lunch and dinner food menu and host weekly music events. Beer lovers won’t want to miss the Abita Brew Pub, the original home of Abita Beer, now one of America’s leading craft breweries. This is a fun spot for a meal, also. Just down the road, Abita Brewing Company offers guided and self-guided tours, along with a taproom. Of course, there is a tasty option for wine drinkers, too. At Wild Bush Farm & Vineyard visitors can sample wines handmade from estate grapes at the winery, as well as world-class wines from select vineyards along the West Coast in the Tasting Room, open Thursday through Sunday.

The Northshore has a host of well-known hotel chains offering familiar amenities along with excellent service. For a unique lodging experience, many choose from the list of charming bed & breakfasts, guest houses and vacation rentals with personality and amenities to meet any need. There are also distinctive independent hotels, like the Abita Springs Hotel  which combines boutique amenities and guesthouse hospitality, and the grand Southern Hotel a stately property, originally opened in 1907, that exudes charm and splendor. https://www.visitthenorthshore.com

Journalists: For more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to: https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/louisiana/northshore-louisiana/

North Carolina

Onslow County, North Carolina

Onslow County is on the southern North Carolina coast and encompasses the areas of Richlands, Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune, North Topsail Beach, Sneads Ferry and Swansboro. Located off I-95, north of Wilmington and east of Raleigh and I-40, it’s a destination for lovers of history, coastal recreation and charming towns.

Historic Downtown Swansboro is a quintessential seaside town renowned for its forty-plus unique shops, boutiques and restaurants. Life here revolves around the water, and the pedestrian friendly streets offer blocks and blocks of waterfront views. Business here is personal and local entrepreneurs and craftspeople are the heart of the specialty shops and restaurants. Connected by walkways and harbor docks, there is an at-home atmosphere that envelops these streets and all who take in its views and enter its businesses.

Check into The Red Brick Inn, a colonial style home and gardens that were beautifully crafted using recycled brick from the original 1905 Pepsi bottling plant. The Crystal Coast Suite features two bedrooms, a large full bath, a kitchenette and a place for game playing/book reading and tv watching. Start each morning with a delightful homemade breakfast.

Have lunch or dinner at Saltwater Grill in downtown Swansboro overlooking the Intracoastal waterway and Bogue Sound. There’s a view from every table either inside in a spacious dining area or on the second story deck overlooking the waterfront and docks. Dini’s Martinis and Desserts is a craft cocktail and dessert bar that specializes in crafted cocktails, delicious sweets and savory small bites.

North Topsail Beach is also a favorite for beach vacations on the North Carolina coast. Beautiful resorts are flanked by beach houses dotting the coast, offering a variety of ways to enjoy the sun, sand and ocean waters. Located on the eighth floor of the St. Regis Resort, Ocean’s Edge Restaurant specializes in breathtaking ocean views, local seafood and time-tested recipes including Shrimp and Grits, Bill’s She Crab Soup and steamed seafood dishes. Stay the weekend at the privately-owned luxury condominiums of Villa Capriani Resort in North Topsail Beach, stroll in the sand, then enjoy a dinner of crab cakes or the fresh catch of the day at their onsite restaurant, Splash by the Sea. At the Hilton Garden Inn in Jacksonville, upgrade your stay with a Romance Package that includes rose petals, champagne and chocolates in your room. www.OnlyInOnslow.com

Journalists: For more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/north-carolina/onslow-county-north-carolina/

South Carolina

Thoroughbred Country, South Carolina

Experience undiscovered South Carolina in Thoroughbred Country, just east of Augusta, GA along I-20 and west of Columbia, South Carolina. Comprised of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties and bordered by Interstates 20, 26 and 95, this region showcases rolling countryside, equestrian events, wide open greenspaces, nature and history, in addition to picturesque downtowns with unique shops, restaurants, museums and lodging.

Enjoy romantic downtown Aiken. Surrounded by a one-of-a kind parkway system and bordered by beautiful beds of flowers, historic downtown Aiken offers unique dining and shopping choices including art galleries, antiques, gift shops, a taproom and a wide variety of restaurants. Make a reservation for the Historic Aiken Trolley Tour to learn about historic homes and churches, equestrian sites, the Civil War’s Battle of Aiken, the live oak canopy on South Boundary and the Winter Colony residences. Discover local artworks at the many galleries in the region, including Jim Harrison Gallery in Denmark, Aiken Center for the Arts, Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta and the Little Red Barn Pottery & Art Gallery in Barnwell.

Intown, stay at The Willcox. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and voted Travel + Leisure World’s Best 2024, Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice 2024 and Southern Living’s South’s Best, The Willcox has welcomed guests for well over a hundred years. Famous for its atmosphere, impeccable service and excellent cuisine, this old-fashioned Southern hotel offers suites elegantly appointed with period antiques and deep soaking tubs. Enhance your stay with an after-hours spa and dinner, fireside s’mores, afternoon tea, a horseback ride through Hitchcock Woods or a picnic for two.

In North Augusta, the Lookaway Inn offers the perfect romantic vibe. Completed in 1898, it was the home of Walter Jackson, brother of James U. Jackson, the founder of North Augusta. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this graciously restored home has five bedrooms in the main house and 10 courtyard garden rooms, all with large private baths.

For a countryside getaway, try these. Couples can bring their steeds to Magnolia Shadows Equestrian Resort in Ridge Spring, where horse boarding meets bed & breakfast. Rooms in this 1895 plantation home are completely restored and surrounded by manicured pastures, magnolia trees and gardens. The convenient location makes it easy for guests to visit the world-famous polo, fox hunting and racing venues. Its restaurant, RISERVA 1895, is an authentic Italian restaurant and wine venue where a reservation gives guests the table for the evening and the enjoyment of interacting with the engaging and personable chef.

Just five miles from Barnwell, South Carolina, in the small town of Snelling, Miss Alda’s Inn is a family home passed down through five generations. Guests can tour many nearby historic sites and take advantage of golf or hunting packages. Located in Blackville, Wisteria Cottage Bed & Breakfast is a rustic two-bedroom, one bath 1940s cottage. Stroll through Lill’s Herb Garden, enjoy bird and butterfly watching, or ask to take tea in the garden. The proprietor is also happy to provide a traditional Mennonite breakfast upon request.

Looking forward to a serene couple’s ride? Grab your horse and trot over to King Creek Campground. A small admission fee is charged for a full day of riding the miles of quiet, sandy trails. Don’t own your own horse? That’s okay! Enjoy a guided ride with The Trail Riding Company. Their seasoned horses will make you feel comfortable and confident on the ride.

For a quirky throwdown, try Woodchuckers Axe Throwing, owned and operated by a local family and located in The Alley, Aiken’s fun district. Or try to best the machine at Radioactive Pinball Arcade. For more traditional ways to express love and work off energy, play a round of golf, take a romantic walk along the Savannah River on the North Augusta Greeneway, or take the Arboretum Trail into Hopelands Gardens, a 14-acre former estate park featuring wetlands, an arboretum trail and a labyrinth.

The official website of Thoroughbred Country is www.TBredCountry.org.

Journalists: Find dining details at https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/2025/02/26/thoroughbred-country-south-carolina-offers-a-well-rounded-variety-of-culinary-experiences/.

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Lake Murray/Capital City, South Carolina

A getaway toLake Murray Country blends cozy moments and memorable experiences just for two. Start your escape with a stay at Hotel Trundle in downtown Columbia, a charming boutique hotel steps from Main Street—perfect for settling in and getting comfortable for your romantic retreat. For your first evening, enjoy a warm Italian dinner at Di Vino Rosso in The Vista, where wood-fired pizzas and pastas paired with a glass of wine set the scene for a cozy, intimate night. After dinner, take a crisp stroll together down Main Street before stopping for a nightcap at the Robinson Room, a lively tapas spot known for inventive cocktails just minutes from your hotel. 

Wake up on Day Two with a leisurely and delicious breakfast at The Gourmet Shop in Five Points. Savor favorites like bagels with lox or a hearty breakfast sandwich and browse their selection of fine cheeses and wine together before heading out for your next adventure. Bundle up for a winter hike at Congaree National Park, where peaceful boardwalk trails and scenic views make for a refreshing outdoor excursion even in cooler weather. Stop by the Visitors Center to learn about the park’s wildlife and trails, adding a sense of discovery to your Valentine’s weekend. 

After your outdoor adventure, warm up over lunch and local brews at Steel Hands Brewing in Cayce, where flavorful pub fare complements their craft beer offerings. Spend your afternoon exploring the Cayce River Arts District, wandering among vibrant murals and sculptures that offer plenty of inspiration and chances for memorable photos. Recharge with a seasonal drink from Piecewise Coffee Co. before heading back into town. For dinner, choose Motor Supply Co. Bistro in Columbia’s Vista District, where fresh, locally-sourced ingredients create comforting yet elevated fare—ideal for a special Valentine’s night out. 

End your romantic weekend with a fun nightcap, whether you prefer bowling at The Grand on Main, playing classic arcades at Transmission Arcade, catching a movie at The Nickelodeon, or soaking in live jazz at Chayz Lounge in West Columbia. With cozy dining, scenic winter views, and lively evening options, this Lake Murray Country getaway makes for a heartfelt Valentine’s celebration you’ll both cherish. https://www.lakemurraycountry.com

Journalists: For high-res, downloadable images of Capital City Lake Murray:  https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/south-carolina/capital-city-lake-murray-south-carolina/

Virginia

Fredericksburg, Virginia

In Fredericksburg, Virginia, visitors find an authentic American experience that’s both historic and contemporary, making for a perfect romantic getaway. Significant sites and stories of the past stand side by side with a diverse collection of today’s entrepreneurs and artists and downtown brick-lined sidewalks are just steps away from hiking, biking and river trails. Fredericksburg is located along the banks of the Rappahannock River, halfway between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.

Start with a romantic walk through the historic streets of downtown Fredericksburg that are filled with shops, galleries and historic landmarks. Pause at Red Dragon Brewery for its rotating lineup of craft beers on tap and ongoing live music. There are over 10 art galleries and studios downtown and on the first Friday of every month they celebrate with local art, artists, musicians and special events and menus at downtown’s 60 restaurants and shops. First Fridays offer a free trolley that loops through the arts and business district. 

The diverse and creative restaurant scene here is heaven for foodies so naturally there are many restaurants to choose from for a dinner with a cozy atmosphere: steaks, seafood and craft cocktails are on the menu at Five Chophouse and Olde Towne Steak and Seafood; choose from the expertly designed four-course Fixed Price Dinner Menu or six-course Chef’s Tasting Menu of Chef James Fallon at Cork and Table; farm-to-table ingredients are on the menu at Fahrenheit 132 steakhouse and cocktail bar; get cozy at Harry’s Sidecar, a small, intimate, and lively bar and grill; enjoy Italian cuisine at Ristorante Renato’s; and head to France for French and regional cuisine—not to mention a special Valentine’s Day menu—at La Petite Auberge.

Classes for two are always a fun way to explore creativity and bring home memories. The Kitchen at Whittingham offers cooking classes for two, among many others; Liberty Town Arts Workshop teaches art classes in several mediums; and City Vino takes couples on a tour of wine country, with handouts and hors d’oeuvres.

Make it a weekend of bed, breakfast and bourbon at the Ironclad Inn, built in 1793 as a colonial private home. The inn offers nine romantic guest rooms but also bourbon tastings, cocktails and a light snack menu in its bourbon tasting room. Another chance to travel back in time is the Richard Johnston Inn and the 1890 Carolina House in downtown Fredericksburg. Seven luxurious guest rooms await couples, plus a homemade breakfast in the morning. Journalists: Find downloadable photos and more details at https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/fredericksburg-virginia/

Southwest Virginia

One of the most romantic areas in the U.S., Southwest Virginia welcomes travelers with warmth and the intrigue of a magical adventure waiting to unfold. Approximately 75 percent of the U.S. population can travel here within a day. This is home to some of the most photographed locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The region’s two national parks, 11 state parks, and more than a thousand square miles of national and state forests are among the landscapes to explore. Hiking and off-roading, rafting and kayaking, and bouldering and ziplining are just some of the most popular ways to enjoy this diverse and exciting landscape.

This was America’s original frontier; a region filled with distinctive and authentic music and craftsmanship. At the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace, stories are told and the best of regional crafts and traditional music are on display. The center is a gateway to a vibrant community of artisans, artists and craftspeople in the galleries, shops and heritage groups that make up the ‘Round The Mountain Artisan Network.

Southwest Virginia’s shared border with Tennessee boasts the Birthplace of Country Music Museum (Bristol, Virginia) and its deep roots in mountain music, old-time, bluegrass, gospel, and blues that make up the soundtrack of this region. Visitors can experience this diverse musical culture along a trail of venues, attractions and events known as Southwest Virginia’s The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.

Where to stay depends upon your interests. Close to the music and nightlife of Bristol and the theater, arts and dining of Abingdon, yet away from it all in elevated and serene luxury, is Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, a scenic mountain oasis on 450 acres ten minutes from Bristol, Virginia. The property includes a 28-room boutique inn with beautifully appointed rooms and a penthouse suite, as well as nine luxury yurts. This newcomer was named voted the top readers’ favorite in Southern Living’s “The South’s Best Hotel in 2023 and honored by Esquire, Travel + Leisure and many others. It’s a full resort with a well-established, award-winning vineyard, a fishing pond and trails to wander, spa services and the award-winning Virginian Golf Club next door. Nicewonder’s signature restaurant, Hickory, offers a world-class culinary and wine program. James Beard Award nominee Chef Travis Milton spent his childhood in a true Appalachian kitchen. He reimagines and elevates Appalachian cuisine in a fresh, approachable way that he hopes will build upon its heritage.

If stage and screen location vacations are part of your vibe, check out the location for “Dirty Dancing” movie scenes, the rustic and historic Mountain Lake Lodge and Conservancy in Pembroke, Virginia. This getaway features rustic historic cabins, luxury cottages with fireplaces and a grand historic 1936 hotel built of native sandstone. It’s set in the middle of a 2,600-acre nature preserve with miles of hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and scenic vistas. Dine on gourmet fare and build memories with fun indoor and outdoor activities. From there, explore historic downtown Blacksburg and discover eclectic shopping, dining and antique hunting. Catch a live performance, play or art exhibit at Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech.

Stargazers looking for a luxury splurge will find a romantic, dark-sky experience near the Meadows of Dan and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Primland Resort is a thickly wooded 12,000-acre mountain estate voted “Best Resort in the U.S. South” by Condé Nast Traveler that features plenty of outdoor activities. If the fine dining, soaring great hall, fireplaces, game room and theater, spa and indoor pool aren’t enough to win hearts, gaze farther upward. Connected to the stately historic lodge is a state-of-the-art observatory. The two-story Celestial Suite offers 1,800 square feet of tranquil space in the Lodge’s Observatory Tower. Wraparound windows reveal the stellar golf course, the Blue Ridge Mountains by day and a vast expanse of stars at night.

Additional romantic lodging on the property are three aromatic red cedar treehouses, perched high above the Dan River Gorge with sweeping mountain, creek and valley views. Designed by renowned treehouse architectural firm La Cabane Perchee, the 440-square-foot tree houses feel utterly remote. Guests access the lofty accommodations by a wooden bridge. The official website for the region is VisitSWVA.org.

Journalists: For high-res, downloadable images of Southwest Virginia: https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/southwest-virginia/.

Wytheville, Virginia 

Head high into the Blue Ridge section of the Appalachians to Wytheville, Virginia, located at the intersection of I-77 & I-81, about 2.5 hours north of Charlotte, NC. Wytheville (ca. 1790; pronounced WITH-vil) is a charming town in Southwest Virginia filled with history, unique attractions, and breathtaking mountain scenery.

Wytheville’s picturesque downtown includes the historic, the contemporary and the quirky, like the “biggest pencil in Virginia” hanging over Main Street, and the LOVE installation, both selfie-worthy spots for couples. History lover? Seven museums bring the area’s past to life, including the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum. Discover the love story between the only Appalachian-born First Lady and Virginia-born President, Woodrow Wilson, and why she has been called the “first woman president” by historians.

Start an evening of entertainment at Petals Wine Bar. Sample wines from around the globe while enjoying a gourmet grilled cheese creation, creating your own charcuterie board, or savoring a decadent dessert. The historic Millwald Theatre has been a date night destination since 1928. Newly restored right down to the marquee neon, this 500-seat venue entertains couples with concerts and comedians. For live theater, Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre is the ticket to a Broadway-style performance complete with a four-course plated meal. This year round, German inspired venue brings you “Broadway in the Mountains” as well as the full-service Red Stag Restaurant and Bier Garten, serving up both German and American fare.

The culinary couple has many options including the Log House 1776 Restaurant, offering fine dining in an eighteenth-century atmosphere. A two-story cabin built in 1776, it is home to unique dining rooms and nooks with early American décor and an extensive menu paying homage to traditional favorites. Voted “Best of Virginia” in multiple categories, and also recognized as a “Great Bourbon Bar of America,” Graze on Main serves “delicious southern fare with a twist” in a casual yet elegant atmosphere. For a casual Wytheville taste-around, make your own New York bagel creation at Ghetti’s Café, grab a sweet treat from Frozen in Time and get caffeinated at The Grind coffee shop. A don’t miss stop is Skeeters World Famous Hotdogs for a Skeeter Dog, a Rachel Ray favorite.

Cozy up for a romantic stay at the Trinkle Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Named in the Top 10 in the country by TripAdvisor, this beautiful historic home features four well-appointed guest rooms and a garden cottage. A gourmet breakfast is served complete with crystal and silver. The Bolling Wilson Hotel, named in honor of Wytheville’s most famous daughter, offers 30 luxurious guest rooms, Graze on Main restaurant and a rooftop lounge. Each floor of the hotel is decorated from a different era from Edith’s life.

Outdoor lovers are drawn to New River Trail State Park, not only for the beautiful views or the 57-mile reclaimed railroad bed trail but also to stay in the newly renovated Inn at Foster Falls. Originally opened in 1887 as a stately hotel, this full-service gem now boasts 10 luxe guest rooms, the only Virginia state park to offer hotel accommodations. For more rustic lodgings, try the Conestoga Wagon experience at KOA Campgrounds in Wytheville. These climate-controlled wagons include TV and Wi-Fi, a king size bed, bunk beds, refrigerator and dining nook.

Wytheville’s homegrown charms are a big draw, whether it’s a trip up the mountain to Big Walker Lookout, the oldest and highest private attraction in Virginia, beer tasting at a local craft brewery, or sipping wine in front of the fireplace at West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery. Get your adrenaline pumping with a brisk hike at Crystal Springs Recreational Area or take in an exciting game of hockey as the Blue Ridge Bobcats take the ice. Plan your trip at www.VisitWytheville.com

Journalists: Find downloadable photos and more details at https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/virginia/wytheville-virginia.

West Virginia

Jefferson County, West Virginia

Treat your sweetheart to a romantic escape where old-world charm, breathtaking scenery, and refined hospitality set the stage for unforgettable moments. In the heart of West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, Jefferson County destinations like the Bavarian Inn Resort and Brewing Company and the storybook-worthy Hillbrook Inn and Spa invite couples to slow down and reconnect. From European-inspired elegance perched high above the Potomac River to a countryside retreat that feels lifted from a Thomas Kinkade painting, these historic inns blend award-winning dining, luxurious accommodations, and serene natural beauty—creating the perfect backdrop for romance, relaxation, and time well spent together.

Treat your sweetheart to a getaway to the Bavarian Inn Resort and Brewing Company. For almost 50 years, the Asam family has been hosting friends and neighbors for relaxing getaways, gourmet meals, special occasions, and the finest in guest comforts. Perched on a spectacular bluff overlooking the Potomac River, the 11-acre European Inspired Boutique Resort offers comfort, elegance, and world-class food and service. The Bavarian Inn has proudly won many awards, including the AAA Four Diamond and Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence. In 2024, the Bavarian was named “Best Boutique Hotel” in West Virginia by the readers of WV Living magazine.

Located in beautiful Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the historic inn has undergone a renaissance over the last decade.  The addition of a stunning infinity pool overlooking the Potomac River and the Infinity 101 Pool Bar make for the perfect spot to relax and soak up a little sun.

Guests can enjoy a four-diamond dining experience while they take in stunning views of the Potomac River and our beautiful grounds in the Potomac Room. An extensive menu of German and American fare lovingly prepared by master chefs, is the hallmark of the Bavarian Inn dining experience.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step into a Thomas Kinkade painting, visit the Hillbrook Inn and Spa in Charles Town. The stone and stucco inn is situated on George Washington’s first land purchase, completed in 1752, and looks like it was transported from the English Cotswold countryside. The perfectly manicured grounds with babbling creeks, romantic foot bridges, mossy cobblestone paths, and a pond punctuated with lily pads invite you to meander. 

The impressive accommodations are refined and elegant. It is easy to see why the romantic storybook setting is a popular option for weddings and special events. The Main House holds six charming guest suites, the restaurant, a pub, and a gift shop. Nearby—an easy walk from the Main House—the Cottage and the Gatehouse Suites add six more private rooms that include freestanding soaking tubs, gas log fireplaces, and private porches.

Included with your overnight stay is a gourmet two-course breakfast. You’ll want to enjoy it in the Breakfast Porch, where you’ll see the part of the building that was constructed in 1700. www.WhereAlmostHeavenBegins.com

Journalists: Find downloadable photos and more details at https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/west-virginia/jefferson-county-west-virginia/

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Looking to trade snow for sun, sand and Santa? Prefer to snuggle by the fire in a mountain cabin? From lights on the water and boat parades to Santa train rides and snow, the Southeast is full of driving-distance destinations that are legendary for their holiday vibe, their lavish or quirky décor, their family-friendly events and their warm hospitality. Some are full of revelers, others are heartwarming hometown celebrations with a little peace on Earth.

Events begin from before Thanksgiving weekend. Some run into January and even February. For images, https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/em2e9qxjfwitp7ilixx73/AEBKl_iXlUghRIx64g38PmY?rlkey=9gzti3nwhfyup8e69f59ia2rj&dl=0

Image credit can be found in the folder title.

Alabama

North Alabama 

Spanning the state’s 16 northernmost counties is North Alabama. From the streets of Huntsville, home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center to the historic covered bridges of Blount County and the music of Muscle Shoals and the “singing” Tennessee River, the past and present are side-by-side here and offer so much for every traveler to enjoy, especially during the holidays.

Held at Rickwood Caverns State Park, Wonderland Under Warrior welcomes guests for a unique experience that celebrates the sights and sounds of Christmas and the natural beauty of the cavern. Visitors come to see over 100,000 twinkling lights and to walk the lighted path among the stalactites, stalagmites and other unique geological formations. The whimsical journey underground transforms the already magnificent cave into a special holiday experience.

Families are invited to step into a holiday wonderland at EarlyWorks Museum in downtown Huntsville in December for Nights of Santa. During the Nights of Santa event, children have a chance to meet Santa and his North Pole elves. Additional family-friendly activities adding to the whimsical fun include nightly snowfalls, making holiday crafts, mingling with costumed characters, decorating a freshly made gingerbread cookie and shopping in Santa’s gift shop. 

Downtown areas throughout North Alabama are bustling with activities. Downtown Oneonta gets into the holiday spirit with a host of activities for everyone to enjoy including a live nativity, horse drawn carriage rides, holiday lights, visits with Santa, parades and lots of Christmas cheer. Head to Athens for its annual Sippin’ Cider Festival and sip on everyone’s favorite holiday drink while shopping or stop in Decatur for the Historic Decatur Christmas Tour, a self-guided tour featuring around a dozen tour sites including homes, churches and historic places in the historic districts, Albany and Old Decatur.

The must-see attraction at Cullman Christkindlmarkt is the towering Christmas pyramid. At 30 feet tall, the Cullman Christmas pyramid is the tallest structure of its kind in the United States. Known in German as Weihnachtspyramide, the Christmas pyramid in Cullman has six tiers with each one featuring a different scene, including one that will pay tribute to the local law enforcement, first responders, as well as everyday citizens. The Cullman Christkindlmarkt features a host of local vendors set up German-style in small wooden tents. The market is a great opportunity to find German ornaments, unique gifts and other handcrafted goodies and treasures. Additional activities include ice skating, Ferris wheel, a Santa’s village for children, artisan workshops, carousel ride, alpine tubing and miniature train rides.

In Arab, Alabama, every year on the day after Thanksgiving, Arab City Park is transformed into Christmas in the Park, a festive, over-the-top display of holiday magic where more than two million lights illuminate the night sky and decorations galore line the sidewalks.

Lawrence County and Moulton, Alabama celebrate Christmas on the Square in early December. Locals and visitors are invited to join in on the spirit of the holiday season with a magical stroll among a beautiful display of live Christmas trees trimmed in festive decorations. Selfie stations, food trucks, live music entertainment, hot chocolate and more.

These are just a few highlights of the many holiday events held in North Alabama. For more information on things to see, do and experience, visit http://www.northalabama.org.

Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

Often called home of the world’s most famous beaches, Daytona Beach, Florida, is a holiday standout that sets the stage for a season of magical memories and warm weather along 23 miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline and inland fun. It’s located on Florida’s east coast, midway between St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center (only an hour’s drive from each) and just an hour east of Orlando.

Located in downtown Daytona Beach along Beach Street, the Riverfront Esplanade spans a mile of Intracoastal Waterway and is a premier gathering space and botanical garden in the heart of Daytona Beach. During the holidays, the Riverfront Esplanade is decorated with holiday lights and features a variety of holiday programing between Nov. 28 – January 4. Here’s a taste of the spectacular holiday events. On Friday, December 5th, 12th and 19th, don’t miss the Holiday Bazaar and Santa sightings, followed by a holiday music performance by the Halifax Repertory Theatre in the Rose Garden on the 5th, Holiday Sip and Stroll on the 12th, and a screening of The Santa Clause in the Rose Garden on the 19th. On Wednesday, December 17th, the Holiday Pet Parade takes place to benefit the Halifax Humane Society. For more information on these events and other holiday happenings, click here. 

The Casements in Ormond Beach, the former winter home of millionaire and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, has special programing for the holiday season. This facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and celebrates many of Rockefeller’s holiday traditions. Each year The Casements is decorated in a special holiday theme. Enjoy a docent lead tour who will share stories of the past inhabitants and holiday’s past. Admission is free, donations are appreciated. Advanced reservations required.

The home will close after the Thanksgiving holiday and reopen for holiday tours on Monday, Dec. 8 and continue through Dec. 31. Guests can tour the home, see the decorations and do some holiday shopping.

From November 21, 2025, through January 3, 2026, Daytona International Speedway is transformed into Magic of Lights®, a slow drive-through experience with a dazzling display of over a million holiday lights. At the “World Center of Racing,” Magic of Lights is a slow drive in the fast lane, a dazzling display of twinkling, sparkling lights and magical scenes with the latest LED technology and digital animation, all viewed within the comfort and safety of the guest’s vehicle. After experiencing the Magic of Lights, visitors can drive across the street for a million square feet of world-class shopping, restaurants, entertainment and hotel accommodations at ONE DAYTONA.

Built in the late 1800s as an ornate bed and breakfast, the exquisite Rose Villa Southern Table & Bar puts on a stunning decorative display that lights up historic downtown Ormond Beach. From November 21 2025, through January 3, 2026, the Rose Villa Fantasy Gingerbread Holiday Light Display invites visitors to the one-of-a-kind Victorian jewel and explore its rich history along with a delicious dining experience, gingerbread snacks and signature cocktails. Make reservations well in advance. No reservations are needed to view the colorful lights reaching from the ground to the top of the two and a half story rooftop, larger-than-life Gingerbread men, towering lollipops, unique topiary snowmen, the “dogs of Rose Villa,” stained glass windows reflecting gingerbread men, gold bells, candy canes and candied fruit. For more events and accommodations details, visit www.DaytonaBeach.com. 

Georgia

Albany, Georgia

Conveniently located off I-75 and I-10 in southwest Georgia, Albany offers adventure and attractions such as Chehaw Park and Zoo, Flint RiverQuarium, Radium Springs Gardens and spectacular holiday events. Kick off the holiday season with Albany’s Holiday Open House. Mix and mingle with friends and local businesses while checking out all the great holiday deals. This event takes place the first Sunday in November. Santa Goes Global in Albany! Thronateeska turns into a Santa wonderland with Don Fisher’s Santa Collection from around the world. This festive exhibit is sure to make spirits bright! This event takes place the last Saturday in November. Warm up with the Jingle Bell Jog, happening the first Saturday in December. Featuring a 5K, 10K, one mile fun run and a Toddler Trot this event draws over 1,000 participants each year. ‘Tis the season to celebrate! Welcome the holidays at Albany’s Christmas Parade. Watch as Albany’s downtown transforms into a holiday wonderland with vendors, food and activities for the little ones. The parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. sharp and is full of parade floats, bands, characters and more! For more on these events, click here.

Alpine Helen, Georgia

Have a Bavarian Christmas without leaving the Southeast in Alpine Helen, Georgia, about an hour and a half north of Atlanta in the Northeast Georgia mountains. The town’s alpine architecture and festive holiday décor, cobblestone alleyways and buildings laced in elaborate trim are so delightful that Lifetime Films’ Christmas movies “Christmas Love Letter” and “A Taste of Christmas” were filmed here.

For a nighttime experience, don’t miss the Annual Lighting of the Village in Edelweiss River Park, 5-7 p.m., Friday, November 28, 2025. Decorated with 8,000 lights and 800+ ornaments, the 20-foot tall tree and the entire town is dressed up and illuminated every night until February. Visitors come from all over to see the festive shop windows and streets, savor authentic German beer and cuisine and to buy German Christmas tree ornaments.

Don’t miss the 18th Annual Christmas Market at the Marktplatz on November 29-30 and December 6-7. This traditional German event offers everything from unique gifts and decorations to an assortment of savory and sweet foods, drinks and candied treats. Join in a Victorian Christmas in the historic settlements of Sautee-Nacoochee at two events. At the Hardman Farm State Historic Site see the manor dressed in period holiday décor while learning about traditions from docents in their finest 1870s garb. This open house from 4-7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, from December 5-20, is highlighted by twinkling candlelight and live music. Some head for the roads less traveled and quiet mountain cabin hideaways or Unicoi State Park and Lodge adjacent to the Chattahoochee National Forest. It offers on-site dining and nearly every outdoor activity possible, including a spectacular twin waterfall. Others flock to the lively Bavarian-themed town for whimsical Alpine lodgings within walking distance of the festivities. Serious and amateur outdoor lovers rave about the hiking, mountain biking, rafting, tubing, fly fishing, zip-lining and more in “Georgia’s Official Outdoor Adventure Destination.” The Appalachian Trail runs through here, and Yonah Mountain is one of the top three rock climbing spots in Georgia. www.HelenGA.org

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Looking for a holiday getaway with mountain air and breathtaking scenery, along with refined in-town shopping, dining and entertainment? Just 90 minutes north of Atlanta off Interstate-575, Blue Ridge is a treasured town in the North Georgia Mountain, at once outdoorsy, earthy, upscale, contemporary and historic. Centered around the historic Blue Ridge Depot, downtown’s restored buildings blend perfectly with modern industrial and mountain architecture, showcasing the arts, galleries, antiques, unique shopping, dining, wineries and craft breweries. Yet 40 percent of Fannin County is located within the Chattahoochee National Forest, sweeping visitors a million miles away and offering waterfalls, trout fishing, biking and some of the most notable hiking trails in the United States. 

Among its many accolades, Blue Ridge was named by Southern Living Magazine as one of the “South’s Best Mountain Towns,” 2021 and 2022. Photo ops and memory-making are all around, especially during the holidays. 

In all of North Georgia, Blue Ridge has the largest array of specialty shops, boutiques and galleries for fine furnishings, art, antiques, clothing and jewelry. Looking for unique artisan-crafted items? Blue Ridge has been named one of the “Top Ten Towns for Craft Lovers” in the country and one of the “Top Five Art Towns in Georgia” by the Georgia Council for the Arts. The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association’s Holiday Market runs from November 15 through December 22, 2025, with a multitude of artistic and handcrafted items for sale, from jewelry, pottery, paintings and everything in between, all made by member artists.  

From November 28 through December 24, climb aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Holiday Express for a festive one-hour train ride complete with holiday music, Christmas story readings and St. Nick himself. Children will receive a Blue Ridge Scenic Railway jingle bell, candy cane and activity packet while on board. This generation-bonding adventure starts at the historic 1905 depot in Downtown. Vintage climate- controlled and open-air rail cars wind alongside the Toccoa River. Delicious hot chocolate and other snacks are available for sale in the concession car. 

Blue Ridge’s Blue Friday, November 28, 2025, officially starts the season. Downtown is lavishly decked out in holiday finery; merchants offer store discounts; food vendors and strolling entertainment complete the scene. Don’t miss Gingerbread Village, with elaborately decorated houses, at the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association’s Arts Center (any time the facility is open).On Saturday November 29, Light Up Blue Ridge is a full day of seasonal cheer, strolling entertainment, food vendors and more. Children can visit Santa Claus from noon to 4 p.m. in the park gazebo. The Christmas Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by the lighting of the Great Tree at 7 p.m. For more area events, go to www.BlueRidgeMountains.com/events. 

Intown, unique overnight options are possible, ranging from chic lofts overlooking the town to an 1890s B&B or in the Hampton Inn Blue Ridge featuring balcony rooms and the city’s only rooftop bar/restaurant, Hook & Eye. In surrounding Fannin County, choices include lodging with stunning mountain views, creekside retreats, riverfront lodges, cabins on the lake and much more. www.BlueRidgeMountains.com/where-to-stay. For dining and itinerary ideas, visit www.BlueRidgeMountains.com. 

Dawsonville, Georgia

Dawsonville’s holiday shopping opportunities deserve more than a day trip. North Georgia Premium Outlets features more than 120 discount designer 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 features one-of-a-kind pieces from hundreds of sought-after Southern artists, including museum-quality face jugs and the largest-anywhere collection of art by John “Cornbread” Anderson.

Dawsonville kicks off the season with Christmas in Downtown Dawsonville starting at 2 p.m. on November 22, 2025, including the 12th Annual Christmas Parade, Jingle Market and Tree Lighting. Peruse the market for gifts and décor, then find your perfect streetside spot to experience a true small-town parade as Santa himself makes his way through the town. Following the parade, top off your warm cocoa and stroll through the Jingle Market to find your perfect Christmas gifts. As the sun begins to set and the lights begin to glow, gather with your family and friends around the Christmas tree and join in a countdown to the lighting. During the event you can also enjoy food trucks, photos with Santa, live performances, and more. 

While you’re in town, revel in Dawsonville’s 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. Recently renovated, it’s a dazzling audio-visual immersion with vintage videos, impressive stock and moonshine cars and tons of trophies and artifacts, along with state of the art racing simulators. Next door, hear live music while sipping high-quality, small-batch five-year barrel-aged whiskey, handcrafted moonshine, vodka and Border Hop Beer at the newest location of Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Co. To complete the authentic experience, head to the town square’s unofficial auto racing headquarters, the Dawsonville Pool Room, known for their signature Bully Burger with a side a Fresh Cuts, packed with eye-opening memorabilia, where Elliott victories are celebrated with a screaming “si-reen.”

For more information, visit DestinationDawsonville.com or call the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce at 706-265-6278.

Lake Lanier, Georgia

Located just 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta, stretching across Hall County and surrounded by charming lakeside towns like Gainesville, Flowery Branch, Oakwood and Buford, Lake Lanier is the perfect year-round escape. This winter, enjoy a festive holiday getaway with plenty of exciting events. Highlights include License to Chill Snow Island with snow tubing, ice skating, rides and snow play zones; Magical Nights of Lights with millions of synchronized lights; and family favorites like Breakfast with Santa, Elf Tuck Ins and cozy fire pits with s’mores. Indoor fun at Game Changer offers arcade games, virtual sports and more, while seasonal dining and special events—Santa’s Magical Arrival (Nov. 29), Christmas Day Brunch and the New Year’s Eve Celebration—make the season unforgettable. 

Something to celebrate this season–after a five-year hiatus, Lanier Islands Resort is bringing back its beloved holiday tradition—Magical Nights of Lights, debuting November 15, 2025, and running nightly through January 4, 2026. The redesigned driving light tour will feature both nostalgic favorites like Marching Toy Soldiers, Candy Cane Lane and the 12 Days of Christmas, alongside new displays such as Tailgating Santa, Pickleball Elves and multi-faith vignettes at the Chapel on Lanier. Guests can enjoy holiday music on a dedicated radio station as they drive through miles of twinkling displays before heading to festive destinations including the new Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer and Margaritaville’s License to Chill Snow Island. Sip hot cocoa or mulled wine, enjoy s’mores by the fire, take part in Santa Claus photo ops, visit Clark’s Holiday Pop-Up Bar, go snow tubing on Blizzard Mountain, try ice skating, rides and so much more. Admission starts at $25 per car with online presale discounts, and overnight packages include complimentary light tours—making Lanier Islands a magical holiday getaway just 45 miles north of Atlanta.  For more on Lake Lanier’s holiday lineup, click here. 

Journalists: for more ideas and downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/lake-lanier-georgia/

Villa Rica, Georgia

Located off Interstate 20, just 35 minutes west of Atlanta, this quaint west Georgia town offers an abundance of engaging history, authentic early 1900s architecture, eclectic shops, locally owned eateries, a host of outdoor adventure, and a holiday calendar full of must-experience events.

Save the date for Christmas on Main, happening December 6, 2025. Lace up for the one-mile Egg Nog Jog at noon, followed by the Reindeer Run at 12:30 p.m. Afterwards, stick around for live stage entertainment from 2-7 p.m., and browse festive finds and tasty treats at the Mistletoe Market before enjoying the Christmas Parade. This must-see parade steps off at 5 p.m. from Happy Valley Church and makes its way to The Mill Amphitheater. The evening concludes with the town’s Tree Lighting at 7 p.m.

Mark your calendar—this is a day of festivities you don’t want to miss! Another fun holiday experience brimming with holiday cheer and now entering its 13th year, Villa Rica’s Winter Wonderland train ride features a mile-long train track decorated with over 10 miles of light, free pictures with Santa and a nightly firepit where visitors can buy and roast gourmet s’mores. In addition to the yearly offerings of free parking and space to write letters to Santa, be on the lookout for photographic opportunities with fun characters like our Yeti, elves, and a teddy bear. No matter the age, Winter Wonderland is sure to wow the entire family! The event runs December 4-6, 11-13, 17-20, and 26-27. Mark your calendar as tickets go on sale on November 1, 2025. For more on this event and other holiday happenings, click here.

Woodstock, Georgia

The City of Woodstock is full of cheer through the holiday season with a Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights ringing in the season on the first weekend of December. This festive evening parade has quickly become one of the region’s most popular holiday kick-offs, as the city gathers together to view lighted holiday floats, listen to local bands and musicians, and welcome Santa Claus himself for the conclusion of the parade route. But that’s not all! Follow the festivities into the park after the parade for a personal visit with Santa and the lighting of the Woodstock Christmas tree, plus many fun activities including Sugar Plum cupcake decorating, a Kris Kringle Kraft area, Polar Express readings and more. Food and beverage vendors abound at the park, with plenty for the entire family to enjoy. The city remains beautifully lit for the duration of the holiday season, making shopping and dining in the many locally owned boutiques and restaurants great fun throughout the season. 

For those seeking artistic activities through the holidays, MadLife Stage & Studios brings about cheer through their many holiday-themed performances. Make memories with the Woodstock Arts production of “A Christmas Carol,” December 5-24, 2025, and enjoy what is sure to become a holiday tradition. 

Woodstock offers shopping options for unique and handmade items with local makers and artists. The Christkindl Market and Festival is an artisan craft experience featuring local German music groups, kids performing holiday songs, a big screen playing holiday music, food vendors, kid’s crafts and plenty of Christmas trees. Visitors also enjoy the holiday classes at Made Mercantile, from holiday candle making and jewelry, to gifts and paintings. This makers space is a must for all seeking unique seasonal gifts. 

Don’t miss the return of Magic of Lights show this holiday season at the Historic Dixie Speedway. This spectacular show offers fun for the whole family and is the first drive through light event for Woodstock and the north metro area.

Located only 30 minutes from Atlanta, Woodstock is a most unexpected destination offering a vibrant downtown and authentic opportunities for diverse experiences with the arts, culinary delights, outdoor adventure and more. The area serves as a convenient homebase for explorations in North Georgia and also makes for easy day trips to surrounding attractions such as Kennesaw Mountain, Lake Allatoona and Gibbs Gardens. In the heart of Woodstock, find a refreshing downtown with local shopping, as well as Atlanta’s closest outlet with more than 90 of the best shops and deals to be found. VisitWoodstockGA.com

Louisiana

The Northshore, Louisiana

When it comes to holiday shopping, The Northshore is a treasure hunter’s dream. Whether you’re on the hunt for one-of-a-kind vintage finds, handmade crafts or festive décor to deck your halls, you’ll find it all — with plenty of holiday cheer to spare. Stroll through charming downtown districts, sip hot cocoa as you browse local maker booths and discover unique gifts you won’t find in big box stores. From Covington’s Christmas in the Country to Slidell’s Olde Towne Market and Mandeville’s Trailhead Holiday Market, these festive events turn shopping into an experience — complete with twinkling lights, live music and plenty of Northshore charm. ‘Tis the season to shop local and make some merry memories along the way!

The Northshore celebrates the season with a full lineup of festive markets, parades, and holiday traditions. Holiday shopping kicks off with the Sugar Plum Market on November 2, followed by the Olde Towne Slidell Christmas Market November 29-30 and Christmas in the Country, November 28–December 20. Covington’s Christmas Extravaganza Expo, happening December 5-7 is the spot for unique holiday gifts and Mandeville’s Trailhead Holiday Market on December 13 offers shoppers a plethora of artisan finds and local goods. 

If you’re looking for seasonal community events, don’t miss Madisonville’s Christmas in the Oaks on November 22, Mandeville’s Holiday of Lights December 5–31, Abita’s Fête de Noël on December 5, as well as a variety of holiday parades—Merry Madisonville, Krewe of Kringle Golf Cart, Winter on the Water, Lollipop Parade, and the lighted Twinkle on the Tchefuncte Boat Parade—all happening in December. Family-friendly fun continues with Slidell’s Bayou Christmas on December 12–23 and Cajun Christmas at Big Branch, December 13. The holiday season concludes with the Ice Man Dip & Dash on January 1, 2026. For more details on these holiday events, click here. 

South Carolina

Thoroughbred Country, South Carolina

Experience undiscovered South Carolina in Thoroughbred Country, just east of Augusta, Georgia, along I-20 and west of Columbia, South Carolina. Comprised of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties and bordered by Interstates 20, 26 and 95, this region showcases rolling countryside, equestrian events, wide open greenspaces, nature and history, in addition to picturesque downtowns with unique shops, restaurants, museums and lodging. 

Shop the indoor/outdoor Christmas Craft Show December 5-6, where crafters from all over the Southeast sell handmade treasures. Home For the Holidays: For its annual holiday performance on December 12, the Aiken Symphony and Aiken Civic Ballet will present time-honored favorites such as, “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Around the World at Christmas Time,” “The Christmas Song” and more.  

Hopelands Gardens is a 14-acre former estate park featuring wetlands, an arboretum trail with cell phone tour and a labyrinth. December 13-23, the free, award-winning Christmas in Hopelands offers an enchanting walk-through exhibit with more than 100,000 twinkling lights, two miles of lighted pathways and holiday displays. The DuPont Planetarium at USC Aiken will feature “Mystery of Christmas Star,” a five-time Telly Award-winning, 2,000-year journey to discover a scientific explanation for the star that the wise men followed to Bethlehem, including supernova, comets, planetary conjunctions and other celestial phenomena. See show dates and times here. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will be playing at the Aiken Community Theatre starting December 5-16, and for gifts and goodies, the historic Aiken County Farmers Market is open year-round 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For unique shopping and gifts, plan a trip to the delightful rural towns in Thoroughbred Country. In Denmark, shop for original rural Americana paintings at the Jim Harrison Gallery which also features bronzes, etchings and a variety of limited and unlimited edition reproductions from his 40-plus year career. In Barnwell visit Little Red Barn Pottery and Art Gallery where Master Potter Liz Ringus and her hand-turned Paw Print Pottery, South Carolina face jugs and items from other local artisans. Bamberg is also home to Main Street Garden and Gifts with handcrafted pottery, mosaics and paintings by local artist Angie Sandifer.

To rest and recharge, find a unique stay in historic antebellum homes, cozy cottages and unique boutiques, or a four-star historic hotel, all decorated for the season. In downtown Aiken is The Willcox, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and voted one of the best hotels in the world. Famous for its atmosphere, impeccable service and excellent cuisine, this white-columned, old-fashioned Southern hotel offers suites elegantly appointed with period antiques, cloud soft beds, deep soaking tubs and a serene intimate spa. 

Lookaway Inn also offers a festive getaway and is fully decorated for the season with ideal proximity to events like the North Augusta Tree Lighting, December 2, which includes Carols in the Park and takes place in John C. Calhoun Park, located directly in front of the Inn. Completed in 1898, the Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers five bedrooms in the main house and 10 courtyard garden rooms, all with large private baths.

For details on where to stay and dine, along with additional events, visit www.TbredCountry.org.

Virginia

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Fredericksburg is located along the banks of the Rappahannock River, halfway between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, pass directly through the city, as do U.S. Route 17 and Virginia Route 3. There are several major airports in proximity and both Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) provide frequent, convenient service to Fredericksburg.

Fredericksburg embodies a combination of historical sites, a dynamic downtown and an inclusive spirit that welcomes all. A stroll along the streets of downtown reveals independent shops, chef-owned restaurants and welcoming atmosphere amid brick-lined sidewalks and 19th-century architecture. Horse-drawn carriage and vintage car rides, vintage trolley experiences and guided walking tours offer excellent and colorful introductions to a downtown area marked by tree-lined streets and seasonal decorations.

Kick off the season with the Holiday Open House Weekend on November 15-16, 2025, when downtown shops welcome visitors with special deals, seasonal treats, and warm hospitality. It’s the perfect time to start holiday shopping while soaking in the charm of Fredericksburg. Gather on November 15 at Riverfront Park for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, a beloved tradition that fills the night with music, lights, and festive cheer. The holiday spirit continues with the Christmas Parade on December 6, where floats, bands, and holiday characters bring smiles to kids and adults alike. For those with a sweet tooth, the Cookie Crawl on December 13 offers a delicious way to explore downtown—sample cookies from local bakeries while discovering unique shops. And for a glimpse into Fredericksburg’s historic holiday charm, the Candlelight Tour on the weekend of December 13-14 illuminates beautifully decorated historic homes, creating a warm and enchanting experience for the whole family.

For more Fredericksburg holiday happenings, click here. 

Wytheville, Virginia

Head high into the Blue Ridge section of the Appalachians to Wytheville, Virginia, located at the intersection of I-77 & I-81. Wytheville (ca. 1790; pronounced WITH-vil) is a charming town in Southwest Virginia filled with history, unique attractions, and breathtaking mountain scenery.

Wytheville’s picturesque downtown includes the historic, the contemporary and the quirky, like the “biggest pencil in Virginia”, and the LOVE sign, both selfie-worthy spots for couples. History lover? Seven museums bring the area’s past to life, including the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum. Discover the love story between the only Appalachian-born First Lady and Virginia-born President, Woodrow Wilson, and why she has been called the “first woman president” by historians.

Wytheville is also a great spot for dinner and a show. The Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre is a 200-seat German-themed venue which presents Broadway-style professional productions. A four-course plated meal is served before each performance and every seat in the house is a good one. The theatre is also home to the Red Stag Restaurant, a full-service restaurant specializing in German favorites, as well as American fare. From November 7 – December 21, 2025, Wohlfahrt Haus presents “Motown Christmas.” Don’t miss Virginia’s favorite Christmas tradition with song and dance. Dazzling production numbers feature everyone’s favorite holiday tunes. Wrap up the evening with the true reason for the season, the nativity.

The Historic Millwald Theatre celebrates Christmas 2025 with a festive lineup of music, film and live entertainment. The season begins December 8 with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops featuring LaTetra Lewis, followed by a December 10 screening of the 1924 silent classic “Sherlock Jr.” in the theatre’s Speakeasy Cinema. On December 13, audiences can enjoy the holiday favorite “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” complete with an ugly sweater theme. December 20 brings “Christmas with the Drifters,” blending festive tunes with timeless hits, and the celebrations conclude December 21 with “Christmas in Killarney,” an immersive journey of Irish music and dance that captures the true spirit of the season.

Returning this year to the Hitachi Energy Arena, A Christmas to Remember features a drive through holiday light show with over 200 displays every Thursday through Sunday, November 27- December 28, 2025. Food vendors, craft vendors and live entertainment will also be on hand. Inside the arena, enjoy ice skating and regularly scheduled Blue Ridge Bobcats hockey games.

Two gems of downtown Wytheville are its very special lodging options, both with a nod to the town’s storied history. The boutique Bolling Wilson Hotel offers 30 luxurious guest rooms, Graze On Main restaurant and a rooftop lounge. Just blocks away, the Trinkle Mansion Bed and Breakfast has four guest rooms as well as a quaint garden cottage. The mansion was named in the top 10 B & Bs in the country by 2019 Trip Advisor reviews. VisitWytheville.com.

Two gems of downtown Wytheville are its very special lodging options, both with a nod to the town’s storied history. The boutique Bolling Wilson Hotel offers 30 luxurious guest rooms, Graze On Main restaurant and a rooftop lounge. Just blocks away, the Trinkle Mansion Bed and Breakfast has four guest rooms as well as a quaint garden cottage. The mansion was named in the top 10 B & Bs in the country by 2019 Trip Advisor reviews. VisitWytheville.com

West Virginia

Jefferson and Berkeley County

An escape to West Virginia’s Eastern panhandle is refreshing any time of year, but during the Christmas season, it is a magical experience. Jefferson County and Berkeley County are just over an hour’s drive northwest of Washington, D.C. Located between Interstates 81 and 70, this respite from the city is easily accessible by car via U.S. 340 and West Virginian Route 9 or by rail from Washington or Baltimore. Here, a vibrant community spirit is on display as historic sites and preserved downtowns come alive with lights, parades and holiday celebrations as the Christmas season get into full swing. Here are a few must-do holiday happenings. 

Christmas in Shepherdstown (German Street, Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443) kicks of the season on the day after Thanksgiving and the celebrations continue through December. The annual return of Santa Claus is the main event as the celebration lights up the town and hosts an open house for all. Businesses don festive decorations and stay open late, Mrs. Claus reads stories and, while chestnuts are roasting and music is playing, the Grinch, Cindy Lou and her Who friends prepare for Santa Claus’s arrival.

The cities of Charles Town and Ranson light up for the holidays as Christmas in Charles Town (101 E. Washington Street, Charles Town, West Virginia 25414; 304-725-2311) kicks off each year. Homes and businesses decorate and shine brightly as Merry and Bright City Lights invites all to celebrate on December 6th. On the 7th, a parade through the streets will highlight the season. Limited edition holiday ornaments are precious keepsakes each year.

Main Street Martinsburg (202 South Queen Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, 25401; 304-262-4200) celebrations begin with the Christmas Tree Lighting, a traditional family favorite event. The event is filled with live music and cheer leading up to the magical moment when the tree shines brightly. Christmas on Main will be celebrated December 6th, 2025. It’s a festive day of Christmas fun. Live music, food trucks with delicious eats, the Naughty & Nice Bar, and free children’s activities are all a part of this special event. A Christmas Market and downtown holiday shopping make finding that special gift a joy. Each year’s Christmas Parade adds to the downtown holiday fun as the streets come alive and Santa makes an appearance. 

Colonial Christmas at the Adam Stephen House (309 East John Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, 25401; 304) 267-4434) is another special tradition in Martinsburg. This year, skits, entertainment, a bonfire and refreshments will thrill guests on December 6th & 7th and 13th & 14th. This historic landmark was built of native limestone in the late 1770s by town founder and Revolutionary War general Adam Stephen.

There’s nothing quite like celebrating the season at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park (171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425; 304-535-6029). This is the idyllic setting for Olde Tyme Christmas. For two weekends in December, wagon rides, tree lighting, ornament making, live nativity, yule log fire and caroling bring a traditional Christmas celebration to life in this unique setting. Visitors can also enjoy historic tours, a Handmade Holiday Market and extended shopping hours. 

A wide range of lodging options are available throughout Jefferson and Berkeley counties, including a full list of familiar national and regional hotel brands. There are also options for those looking for unique lodging options. Here are just a few examples:

Apple B&B and Gallery (129 W. Burke Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401; 304-901-5454) is a bed and breakfast with an artistic flair. Located in a beautifully restored 1800s Greek Revival home, the Apple is in the heart of downtown Martinsburg, close to shopping, dining and attractions.

Bavarian Inn (164 Shepherd Grade Road, Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443; 304-876-2551) has welcomed visitors to Shepherdstown for more than 45 years. Perched on a bluff above the Potomac River, the European-inspired resort includes an onsite restaurant and brew pub.

The Meadow Cottages at The Woods (1630 The Woods Road, Hedgesville, West Virginia 25427; 304-754-7977) offers tranquility and beauty amid 1,800 acres at the northern gateway to the Shenandoah Valley and is also a favorite for those who want to enjoy a day of golf or a spa experience.

Rockhaven B & B (900 Fillmore Street, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425; 304-535-8235) is the perfect place for a tranquil getaway in a quiet neighborhood within the Harpers Ferry historic district. The welcoming home offers two spacious, contemporary guest suites.

Hampton Inn & Suites Charles Town (157 Pimlico Drive, Charles Town, West Virginia 25414; 304-725-2200) is located just across the street from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and offers a host of amenities in a convenient setting. Click here for more on Martinsburg holiday events and here for holiday happenings in Jefferson County.

The post Sparkling Lights, Festive Flavors and Southern Cheer: Celebrate the Holidays in These Must Visit Southeastern Destinations appeared first on Travel Media Press Room.

TRAVEL MEDIA PRESS ROOM–AUGUST 2025—Combine hair-raising haunts with a leaf-peeping vacation in the Southwest Virginia and West Virginia mountains. Hit Florida beaches and sophisticated and sandy towns for an end-of-summer hurrah. Trace fall festivals and harvest bounty through the Carolinas and Georgia to North Alabama and Louisiana, these Southeastern destinations deliver the best of autumn.

Journalists: An assortment of images can be found here, and on the TravelMediaPressRoom.com under each destination’s tab.

Alabama

North Alabama 

Spanning the state’s 16 northernmost counties is North Alabama. From the streets of Huntsville, home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the historic covered bridges of Blount County, the music of Muscle Shoals and the “singing” Tennessee River and much more, the variety of fall experiences is astonishing. 

Peak time for the color show in North Alabama can occur from early October through November depending on what part of the region you are in.

Here are a few links to special views and special interests:

Covered Bridges of North Alabama: https://www.northalabama.org/blog/post/covered-bridges-of-north-alabama/ 

North Alabama Fall Color Trail: https://www.northalabama.org/blog/post/north-alabama-fall-color-trail/ 

Pumpkin patches and fun for adults and kids (imagine a tailgate tent with beverages!): https://www.northalabama.org/blog/post/best-places-to-get-a-pumpkin-in-north-alabama/

Ghostly Getaways: https://www.northalabama.org/blog/post/haunted-north-alabama/

Here are just a few more of the reasons to visit North Alabama this fall.

Here are just a few reasons to visit North Alabama this fall.

For more on North Alabama, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/alabama/north-alabama/ 

Journalists: For spectacular scenic North Alabama drives, waterfalls and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/2023/05/04/fall-color-in-north-alabama/

Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida 

Often called home of the world’s most famous beaches, Daytona Beach, Florida, continues to delight and surprise visitors with its diverse and growing array of attractions. The Daytona Beach area includes several cities and towns including Ormond Beach, Ormond-By-The-Sea, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, Holly Hill and South Daytona. The destination has long been known for its iconic beaches and rich auto racing history but today a slate of exciting new attractions, upscale lodging, a vibrant arts scene and an amazing collection of parks, preserves and outdoor activities are all part of Daytona Beach’s year-round appeal.

The cooler fall temperatures make for a great time to visit the Daytona Beach area, especially for those who enjoy spending time relaxing on the beach and splashing in the coastal waters. The comfortable temperatures also make the fall a great time to pursue a long list of the Daytona Beach area’s renowned outdoor activities. Some of the many local outdoor pursuits that really shine in the fall include surfing, kayaking and canoeing, fishing, hiking and biking, horseback riding, and bird watching.

Hiking is another way to explore the area, and the best time to do it is in the fall. Daytona Beach is home to more than 70 miles of trails perfect for biking and walking. Lyonia Preserve has a range of trails and an ultra-friendly scrub jay population. The Sweetheart Trail, part of the East Coast Greenway, is a multi-use pathway for traffic-free travel that runs along the Halifax River and through historic downtown Daytona Beach.

Motorcycling enthusiasts will descend upon the Daytona Beach area by the thousands on October 16-19 for the annual Biketoberfest, regarded by many as one of the top motorcycle rallies in the southeastern United States. The popular, four-day rally attracts motorcycle enthusiasts to the Daytona Beach area and neighboring communities throughout Volusia County with beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway, and miles of scenic rides along famous A1A, historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop.

Set in historic downtown Daytona Beach on the scenic Halifax River, the annual Halifax Art Festival on November 1-2 is a two-day professionally juried and judged art show that attracts more than 200 artists from throughout the United States. It also features music, food, entertainment and special activities for children. 

The Greek Festival at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Daytona Beach on November 13-16 has been a popular favorite of residents and visitors alike for more than 40 years. The festival offers attendees the opportunity to live like a Greek for the day. From costumed Greek dances and fresh-from-the-oven foods to traditional Greek music, this festival showcases all things Greek. The event also features a Greek marketplace with handcrafted souvenirs and Greek-themed gifts.

Located between The Casements and the Halifax River in Ormond Beach, Rockefeller Gardens will celebrate the coastal lifestyle and all things water at the 13th Annual Riverfest Seafood Festival on November 16-17. Guests can enjoy freshly caught fried fish, sip on a craft beer and enjoy live music and much more. The kids can even get in on the fun with the annual kid fish clinic.

The largest combined car show and swap meet in the United States is the Annual Daytona Turkey Run on November 27-30 at Daytona International Speedway. Car enthusiasts will gather to view show-quality cars from around the county and discover beautifully restored classics and foreign cars. From accessories to hard-to-find parts to classic cars, Turkey Run will entertain any level of interest.

For accommodations, visitors can visit https://www.daytonabeach.com/places-to-stay/ and download the free official destination guide. 

Journalists: for more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/florida/daytona-beach-florida.

Georgia

Albany, Georgia

Tour the waters of one of Georgia’s Seven Natural Wonders. Walk on the wild side. Hear Ray Charles play in the Plaza. Float the Flint. Get an eyeful of the universe. Bridge the gap between then and now. Come face to face with creatures of the deep. “Feel the Movement,” in Albany, Georgia, conveniently located off I-75 and I-10 in southwest Georgia. Albany offers adventure and attractions such as Chehaw Park and Zoo, Flint RiverQuarium, Radium Springs Gardens and more.

Starting off fall with a bang is a visit from country music singer and songwriter Mark Chesnutt on August 22, 2025, at the Albany Municipal Auditorium. Albany attracts big-name performers all year round, with Manheim Steamroller coming to the Municipal Auditorium November 19 as part of their Christmas Tour. Kick off your holiday season with this unforgettable experience.

Families looking for excitement this fall have so many fun events to choose from. Flint RiverQuarium presents its annual family-friendly Water, Wings & Wildlife festival in September and Mark’s Melon Patch lets kids enjoy life on the farm, with corn mazes, hayrides and a host of fall activities. Cheehaw Park and Zoo hosts its annual Boo at the Zoo and The Albany Museum of Art lets chalk artists take to the street to create sidewalk masterpieces at The Heart of Albany Festival (Chalkfest) on November 15, 2025.

Other fall events include the Fridays on the Flint free concert series which runs monthly August through December at Veterans Park Amphitheatre overlooking the lovely Flint River. The October 3, 2025, event features live music by the Thomas Merritt Band in a fall-themed evening full of festive vendors, arts and crafts, carnival games, hayrides and face painting for the kids. 

Another ongoing series, this one for athletes, is the FREC 5K Series with its Pink Run on October 4, Monster Dash October 25 and Turkey Trot November 22, 2025. Runners will be able to pick up race packets on race day during registration time, prior to the start of each race.

Albany’s Hip Hop Music Festival features Dababy & Friends on October 4, 2025, then on October 18, 2025, sip, savor and celebrate at the ASU Homecoming Mimosa Festival, both at the Albany Civic Center. Close out the year with A Mowtown Christmas December 10, 2025.

For more information, visit VisitAlbanyGA.com.

Journalists: For more downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/georgia/albany-ga/

Alpine Helen-White County, Georgia

Seekers of lively festivities and those who cherish quiet mountain getaways head to Alpine Helen/White County, Georgia. Some take the roads less traveled for fall color, waterfalls, wineries, cool mountain air, art and agricultural activities. Others flock to the celebratory Bavarian-themed town of Helen for entertainment, dining, shopping and staying close to the action. Helen Oktoberfest is the longest running of its kind in the United States, held from September 4 – November 2, 2025, with weeks of dancing, entertainment, food, and, of course, beer–and wine. 

This 55-year tradition features jovialität and fröhlichkeit, musicians, dancers and performers from Germany and German communities from many states. Why Oktoberfest? This Blue Ridge foothills area is often compared to Bavaria, which inspired Helen’s Alpine architecture, cobblestone pathways and gingerbread-laced buildings.

The riverside Helen Festhalle welcomes visitors for German bands, performers and visitors in dirndls, Tyrolean hats and lederhosen, dancing and authentic food and beverages in an atmosphere like no other. Sample the beers and the best of the wurst (six kinds), German potato salad, red cabbage, potato cakes and more. September 6, 2025, the Oktoberfest Parade kicks off with a colorful swirl of costumed marchers and bands pumping out traditional music on drums, Alphorns, cowbells, accordions and more. Give local wine equal time at serene vineyards with mountain views at several award-winning Helen-White County wineries. Each has its own personality and ambience, and several have special fall events. 

But there’s no need to wait until October to visit Alpine Helen/White County. August 30, 2025, kicks off the month with a Folk Pottery & Arts Festival at the Sautee-Nacoochee Cultural Center, while artists’ renditions of the season are on display in the Color Me Autumn Art Exhibit from September 9–November 3, 2025, at the Helen Arts & Heritage Center. On September 27, 2025, meet farm animals, play harvest-themed kids activities, shop for locally made crafts, local fresh produce and other goods at Agri-fest in nearby Cleveland, Georgia. On October 25, 2025, Hardman Farm State Historic Site’s Mountain Farm Celebration includes hands-on pioneer skills demonstrations, traditional craft vendors, local authors and historians, apple cider from a hand-cranked press, biscuits cooked on a wood-fired antique stove and much more. October 18-19, 2025, brings the Artoberfest Arts and Fine Crafts Fest, showcasing original/handmade works by the region’s finest artists and craftspeople. For more details and events, check the Helen Event Directory.

Stay at the heart of the action in walkable downtown Helen or head to the peace and quiet of a scenic mountain retreat. Pick from charming bed and breakfasts, quaint alpine-themed motels, cozy cabins, a vibrant collection of vacation rentals or a luxury boutique hotel. Helenga.org

Journalists: for more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/georgia/alpine-helen-white-county-ga.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Just 90 minutes north of Atlanta off Interstate-575, Georgia’s Blue Ridge is a treasured town in the North Georgia Mountains. Named one of the “Top Ten Towns for Craft Lovers” in the country and among the South’s “Top Ten Mountain Towns,” it’s at once outdoorsy, earthy, upscale, contemporary and historic. Centered around the historic Blue Ridge Depot, downtown’s restored buildings blend perfectly with modern industrial and mountain architecture, showcasing the arts, galleries, antiques, unique shopping, dining, wineries and craft breweries.

Yet 40 percent of Fannin County is located within the Chattahoochee National Forest, sweeping visitors a million miles away and offering waterfalls, trout fishing, biking and some of the most notable hiking trails in the United States. Georgia’s Blue Ridge comes alive with vibrant fall colors and the variety of events that celebrate the season’s beauty, local culture and community spirit. Lovers of the arts, foodies and outdoor enthusiasts, mark your calendars for unforgettable experiences this season.

Downtown Blue Ridge transforms into the ultimate backdrop for the 14th annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival, North Georgia’s largest one-day food and music extravaganza. It’s a fun and festive day filled with fabulous blues music performed by award-winning musicians and entertainers from across the Southeast. Don’t miss out on the lip-smacking BBQ available for purchase from various vendors—and the money raised helps local children’s charities!

Enjoy the small-town charm of Blue Ridge at one of Blue Ridge’s signature events, Fall Arts in the Park on October 11-12, 2025. This fall arts and crafts festival features hundreds of regional artists and craftsmen, special events for the kids and live musical performances. Don’t miss visiting The Art Center in the historic Fannin County Courthouse and browsing the National Photography Exhibit in The Art Center Gallery.

Exploring the idea of finally making the move to the mountains? Here is a great way to tour the area at your own pace, see what a variety of builders offer and get closer to making that dream come true. Blue Ridge Mountain Parade of Homes October 17-19, 2025, is an annual event set against the majestic backdrop of North Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and hosted by some of the finest builders in the North Georgia area. The parade has quickly established a tradition of showcasing a variety of spectacular homes while introducing new and exciting trends to attendees from all over the country.

Local and area Animal Rescue Groups are coming together to create awareness about the needs and concerns of homeless and abandoned animals in our area at Pawsfest October 18, 2025. There will be a pet parade, costume contest, blessing of the animals, pet photos, rabies clinic, micro-chipping and more.

For more details and to plan your visit, check out the full events calendar at BlueRidgeMountains.com.

Journalists: For more ideas on things to do and see, along with downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/georgia/blue-ridgefannin-county-ga/ 

Dawsonville, Georgia

Mountains, moonshine, motorsports and more can be found in Dawsonville and Dawson County, in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, about an hour northwest of Atlanta and two hours south of Chattanooga. This less-traveled area is full of outdoor activities, mountain forests and waterfalls, motorsports and moonshine and welcoming local folks. It’s a getaway destination that satisfies active outdoor aficionados, family adventurers and everyone in between. Here are just a few ways to get a jump on the season, plus some prime outdoor events and activities from September through November.

Stock up on fresh produce and much more on Saturdays through October 18, 2025, at the Amicalola Regional Farmers Market in Dawsonville. All the produce is grown in Dawson County or a neighboring county.

The Labor Day Car Show on August 29, 2025, promises another unforgettable celebration of automotive style and community spirit. This popular event draws car enthusiasts eager to showcase their classic and custom vehicles, all set against the backdrop of the beautifully renovated Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. Guests can sip handcrafted spirits and locally brewed beer from Grandaddy Mimm’s Distillery next door and savor delicious made-from-scratch dishes at The Station House restaurant. For a dose of adrenaline, visitors can also take to the track on the Hall of Fame’s Thunder Road Simulators, experiencing the thrill of racing firsthand making this the perfect way to kick off Labor Day weekend in Dawsonville.

Revel in a sea of sunflowers at Fausett Farms from mid-September through October. Wander more than 30 acres of golden blooms set against stunning mountain backdrops—perfect for photography, relaxing strolls, and post worthy selfies . While guests can’t pick their own sunflowers, fresh-cut bouquets are available for purchase in the barn market to take a little sunshine home. Then on October 11, 2025, run, walk, or cheer on participants during the Fausett Farms Sunflower 5K and Fun , winding through the scenic fields. Registration is open at UltraSignUp.

Pumpkins and More At Burt’s Farm take a two-mile hayride through a pumpkin patch, through a covered bridge filled with singing pumpkins and thousands of colorful zinnias ready for picking. At the end, get a glimpse of Amicalola Falls, the tallest cascading waterfall in Georgia, before arriving back to a field filled with thousands of home-grown pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Take home edible memories from the country store – an impressive selection of winter squash, gourds and Indian corn, fresh-baked pumpkin pies, pumpkin rolls, candied popcorn and other goodies. 

Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch—named one of USA Today’s 10 Best Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches—offers a new design each year across its 15-acre, elaborate corn maze. With choose-your-own pumpkins, a jumping pillow, tire mountain, kids’ maze, and gem mining, there’s an activity for every age and interest. On Friday and Saturday nights in October, brave the scary-good horror of The Dark Rows, a haunted trail through a twisted maze in a separate corn field illuminated only by the moon. Just be warned—you will not be alone. Come see what fiendish family fun is lurking among the rows.

Visit Bradley’s Pumpkin Patch, a small family farm for choose-your-own pumpkins and fresh produce including gourds, Indian corn and apples. You can find honey, apple cider, and delicious muscadine slushies in their country store. Family visits are free; group rates are available for educational field trips. www.BradleysFarms.com/

On October 10-11, 2025, rush over to the Judy Harris Memorial Ghost Walk at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. Hop on a hayride tour of the Dawsonville City Cemetery, Town Jail, Old Courthouse, and the Dawsonville Pool Room with creepy stories at each stop. Start and end at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame with a ghost story told inside the Museum. 

The October 24-26, 2025, 58th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival and Car Show is one of the longest running festivals in the United States, celebrating the history of Prohibition-era moonshining, the birthplace of stock car racing and the formation of NASCAR racing. The three-day event includes a Moonshine Run, kids’ activities, a parade including vintage stock cars and more, live music, food trucks, arts, crafts and vendor booths. The 2025 Grand Marshall will be Dawsonville native and Grand Ol’ Opry star, Payton Porter, with a free concert Saturday! The huge car show, features show cars, race cars and the largest gathering of moonshine hauling cars in the United States. The festival is Kare for Kids largest fundraiser with proceeds providing for children in need in Dawson County. Visit the Website for each day’s full schedule, and the Facebook page for additional details: https://www.facebook.com/MountainMoonshineFestivalDawsonville

Journalists: for more ideas and downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/dawsonville-georgia/

Lake Lanier, Georgia

Lake Lanier is one of Georgia’s most popular recreational areas. This vast reservoir—the largest lake in Georgia—was created when the Chattahoochee River was dammed in north Georgia in 1956. There are 64 public parks around the lake ready for your outdoors adventure surrounded by the towns of Gainesville with its vibrant downtown with historic attractions and ongoing events; Oakwood’s walking paths and greenspace; and Flowery Branch which dates to the 1800s. All three cities include museums, art galleries, distilleries and wineries, farms and great dining experiences. And it’s all just an hour from Atlanta!

There’s so much to enjoy at Lanier Island Resorts, including boating, hiking, golf courses, restaurants, lodging and sandy beaches and water rides at Margaritaville during the summer months. And the fun doesn’t stop when temperatures drop. Visitors can enjoy the balmy weather at the resort’s 1,200 acres of woods and lakeshore on paved hiking or biking trails, ideal for crisp fall mornings. Relax in cozy lodging at the lakeside Legacy Lodge & Villas, which features well-appointed rooms—balconies, granite surfaces and spa like bathrooms. Private villas and LakeHouses for families and small groups face the peaceful waters and provide a welcomed getaway feeling. 

The resort’s Legacy Golf Club offers spectacular fall fairway views and cooler playing conditions after Labor Day, one reason why it’s consistently ranked among the state’s best choices for a Georgia golf course. And there are numerous golf courses skirting the lake, such as the Chicopee Woods Golf Course and the Chattahoochee Golf Club.

Those who would rather stay inside and enjoy games should not miss the Lanier Islands Resorts’ Game Changer—we’re talking bowling, virtual sports, arcade, music bingo, trivia nights, karaoke and even Yappy Hour for pup friendly outings. If tabletop games are more your speed, check out Meeple Madness in Braselton.

The sister property to Atlanta Botanical Garden offers gorgeous gardens all year round in Gainesville but this fall Emmylou Harris visits for a performance September 12, 2025, to celebrate the Garden’s 10th anniversary. On October 18, 2025, visitors may craft a Halloween planter with cool-weather annuals or create clay dragons on October 25, 2025, just two of the many workshops offered at the gardens.

Seasonal and holiday events at Lake Lanier include the resort’s family friendly Halloween Monster Mash (trunk or treat, costume contest), Thanksgiving Buffet and holiday light events starting mid-November as part of the Christmas at Lanier Islands Resort. Over in Buford, kids of all ages will love to explore the Buford Corn Maze every fall, plus say hello to the animals, slide down the cornball slider—even get scared in the Haunted Forest. 

Journalists: For more ideas and downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/lake-lanier-georgia/

Villa Rica, Georgia

Located off Interstate 20, just 35 minutes west of Atlanta, this quaint west Georgia town offers an abundance of engaging history, authentic early 1900s architecture, eclectic shops, locally owned eateries, and a host of outdoor adventures. The city’s nam,e “Villa Rica” has Portuguese roots and translates as “City of Gold,” a nod to the town’s gold history.

In the early 1800s, the lure of gold attracted prospectors to the area, which led to the first gold strike in Georgia, with 19 commercial gold mines operating in and around Villa Rica at its peak. Today, the Pine Mountain Gold Museum showcases the area’s history and is Georgia’s only gold museum on an actual mine. Visitors to the museum get a hands-on experience as they pan for gold and gemstones onsite and take in views of the mining ruins via the Pine Mountain Scenic Railroad.  

In the fall, the Pine Mountain Scenic Railroad transforms into the “Nightmare Express,” taking visitors for a friendly family spook ride along its mile-long train track. Once the sun goes down, the track transforms into a rolling haunted house with plenty of scares from the museum’s cast of actors. Whether you choose the daytime Family Time or the nighttime Scare Time, Ghost Train is sure to become a favorite Halloween tradition for the whole family. Dates for the 13th annual Ghost Train are October 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30. The museum also offers a bonfire where visitors can roast their own gourmet s’mores, and exclusive gemstone panning on Fridays and Saturdays. For tickets (starting September 1), click here.

The town will celebrate community through music, dancing, and fun from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025, for the West Georgia Hispanic Heritage Festival at The Mill in downtown Villa Rica. In addition to live music and authentic food options, explore local vendors, enjoy games, and don’t miss family activities like a bouncy house and even an inflatable mechanical bull! Bring your friends, bring your family — and bring your dancing shoes. We’ll see you there! ¡Nos vemos allí!

¡Únase a nosotros en The Mill, en el centro de Villa Rica, para el Festival de la Herencia Hispana del Oeste de Georgia! Celebraremos nuestra comunidad con música, baile y diversión de 11 a.m. a 5 p.m. el Sábado 13 de Septiembre. Además de música en vivo y opciones de comidas auténticas, explore los puestos locales, disfrute de juegos y no se pierda las actividades familiares, como un castillo inflable e incluso un toro mecánico inflable. Traiga a sus amigos, a su familia y sus zapatos de baile. ¡Nos vemos allí!”

Visitors will not want to miss this gem of a festival. The 47th Gold Rush Festival on September 27, 2025, takes over The Mill in downtown Villa Rica with a 5K race, parade, and music from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with headliner Drivin N Cryin.

Journalists: For more ideas and downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/georgia/villa-rica-georgia/

Woodstock, Georgia

Looking for a place to stay that’s close to Atlanta but with outdoor activities, great dining and plenty to do? Or perhaps a base camp from which to explore North Georgia? Only 30 minutes northwest of Atlanta on I-75/575, the city of Woodstock, Georgia offers a surprising array of refreshing and diverse amenities with a welcoming, small-town feel and easy access to the region’s best beer festivals, hiking trails, pumpkin patches, and more. 

Strolling the vibrant downtown streets of Woodstock in the fall is like stepping onto an autumn movie set. The small-town feelings of comfort and community are matched with the energy of locals and visitors enjoying the cool weather and beautiful sights. In addition to a wide variety of local shopping, restaurants and live music, the fall season also brings out creative scarecrow displays at every corner, fall festivals and access to the season’s best trails and pumpkin patches.

There is plenty to enjoy within the city limits, from Taste of Woodstock in September where visitors enjoy curated bites from an eclectic array of local restaurants; to the unique Scarecrow Invasion October 1-31 when hundreds of designs are displayed throughout the city streets. Explore the area’s trails and special sites on a city-wide scavenger hunt available from the Woodstock Visitor Center. Downtown Woodstock Oktoberfest welcomes the season with festivities and joy. The energy of this festival is simply contagious. Check local listings for up-to-date event information at VisitWoodstockGA.com.

For an authentic Fall farm experience, BerryPatch Farms is idyllic, with pumpkin picking, hay rides and apple cider treats. For another perfect fall day, explore the area’s hiking or cycling trails at Olde Rope Mill Park and Blankets Creek, both a convenient distance away. Return to town for a bite or a beer under the big Elm tree in Reformation Brewery’s backyard.

The historic downtown Woodstock shopping and dining district includes an award-winning mix of new and carefully preserved architecture and energy. Contributing to the lively creativity of this walkable city center are three magnet destinations: Woodstock Arts, with its visual arts center and café, theater and event green; Reformation Brewery, with its deck and taproom; and MadLife Stage & Studios with state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor stages for bands and daily performances. Downtown Woodstock is an open container entertainment district where patrons can sip, stroll around and savor the kitchen aromas and music in the air. Options range from James Beard Award-winning fine dining to farm-to-table to fast casual.

Woodstock is just 10 minutes from Lake Allatoona, 25 minutes to the spectacular Gibbs Gardens and less than an hour to the North Georgia mountains. Woodstock hotel rates are more affordable and dining, concerts, theater and shopping are close at hand, along with outdoor activities and hiking trails you’d expect to find much farther from the city. Between adventures, rest and recharge at one of seven name brand hotels. 

Journalists: For downloadable captioned, credited photos and more details, please go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/georgia/woodstock-georgia

Louisiana

The Northshore, Louisiana

The Northshore is known as Louisiana’s Easy Escape, an easy-to-love blend of natural beauty, thriving downtowns and exceptional culinary flavors. Enjoying Lake Pontchartrain, especially with the delightful fall weather down south, is a favorite pastime, whether taking in the views from a park in Mandeville, embarking on a fishing charter from Slidell or paddling out from a beautiful state park. There are other outdoor adventures, too, including a bicycle ride on the scenic Tammany Trace, one of the country’s premier rails-to-trails routes that weaves between Northshore downtowns and neighborhoods. Overall, there are 80,000 acres of wildlife preserve and green space to enjoy. And don’t miss the incredible culinary scene, shopping and great Southern accommodations.

Fall in Louisiana also means festival time. The state hosts more than 400 festivals and fairs every year and the Northshore, just forty minutes north of New Orleans and an hour east of Baton Rouge, carries its weight with many exciting fall events.

Start fall fun with delicious Louisiana culinary fare and entertainment at the Louisiana Food Truck Festival September 6, 2025. Hungry? Don’t miss the annual Bluesberry Music and Art Festival in Bogue Falaya Park in downtown Covington on October 4, 2025, or Chief’s Fandal’s Wild Game, Seafood and BBQ Cook-off October 4, 2025, in Olde Towne Slidell, which includes live music and artisans in addition to 20 teams matching off.

A tradition since 1910, the St. Tammany Parish Fair fills up five days of carnival rides, animals and food October 1-5, 2025, in the parish fairgrounds in Covington. There’s music—and of course lots of dancing—at the Abita Fall Fest in Abita Springs October 10-11, 2025.

The Maritime Museum Louisiana celebrates the heritage of Madisonville along the beautiful Tchefuncte River with its annual Wooden Boat Festival October 18-19, 2025. Named a 2023 Signature Event of the Southeast, and celebrating 34 years in 2025, the Wooden Boat Festival assembles more than 100 boats for this two-day event.

Don’t miss a chance to get outside and enjoy October’s balmy weather while the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra perform October 17, 2025, on Covington’s former Columbia Street boat landing. The free concert’s part of the Sunset Symphony on the Lake series. 

The Covington Heritage Foundation and costumed interpreters bring former Covington residents to life in the Whisperings living history tour of Covington’s historic cemetery October 19, 2025. Treasure hunters will not want to miss the Slidell Antique Street Fair October 25-26, 2025, and music lovers should visit Covington for 100-plus free performances at the Ozone Songwriter Festival & Artists Showcase October 31-November 2, 2025. 

Finish fall with the rich cultural traditions of Louisiana Creole November 2, 2025 at the Mandeville Creole Culture Festival and the juried Covington Three Rivers Art Festival November 15-16, 2025. 

Journalists: For downloadable captioned, credited photos and more details, please go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/louisiana/northshore-louisiana/

South Carolina

Thoroughbred Country, South Carolina 

Just east of Augusta, Georgia, along I-20 between Atlanta and Charleston are the rolling hills of Thoroughbred Country, South Carolina, consisting of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties. This part of the Palmetto State is filled with world-renowned horse racing, training and tracks, Civil War sites, gardens and plantation homes, state parks, historic healing springs, folk art and antique shops in charming towns. 

Thoroughbred Country’s epicenter is Aiken, developed in the early 1900s as a “Winter Colony” for the rich and famous, who introduced the traditions of polo and thoroughbred racing. In addition to many equestrian and fall polo events, roll into a day of fun with an Aiken Trolley Tour. This two-hour immersion into the best of Aiken includes a guided walk through Hopelands Gardens. Next door, enjoy free admission to the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. Year-round golf can be played on courses frequented by current, past and future greats.

Tailored Tours of Aiken–Haunted Aiken takes guests on a nighttime walking tour combining chilling tales of spirits with Aiken’s history. Spooktacular stories include haunted secret passages in the Old Post Office and bones in the basement. In the former 1878 Aiken Hotel, phenomena have included shadowy movements, whispers, crying and screaming from empty rooms, where toilets flush and doors open or close. Housekeeping carts have been found down the hall when left outside a room. Family-friendly. Year-round, including historic city tours.

Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site in Aiken County has been named by the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission as one of the “Top 10 Sites to Visit in South Carolina.” Redcliffe provides a setting for exploring the experiences of the enslaved, as well as the larger institution of slavery, and reflects on the historical importance and impacts of the people who lived and worked at the site from 1855 through Reconstruction and up to 1975.

The Fall Festival at Boondock Farms in Jackson, South Carolina, brings farmers, artists, food trucks and live music on the second Saturday of each month. Come enjoy a beautiful day shopping on the farm, tour the market gardens, hike the trails, and see the animals. 

The Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee October 24-25, 2025, in beautiful downtown North Augusta on Georgia Avenue includes live entertainment on two stages along with an awesome variety of great food, arts and crafts vendors, car show, corn hole tournament, amusement rides and kids’ activities including a costume contest, face painting, clowns, kiddie rides and inflatables. 

Celebrate Halloween weekend (October 24-25, 2025) at the BBQ, Blues, & Boos Festival in Barnwell with great food, music and fun. It’s a fundraising event to showcase the vibrant culture of the region and support the non-profit economic development work of the Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber and The Palmetto Innovation Center. Explore authentic Mennonite culture with a visit to nearby Blackville. While there, visit God’s Acre Healing Springs where Indigenous Americans brought wounded Revolutionary War soldiers to drink and convalesce.

Stay in luxury at The Willcox Hotel, voted among the best in the world and consistently rated a favorite of guests and travel critics. Additional delightful area accommodations are Lazy Dog Acres, The Birdnest Inn and Stable View. Dining ranges from chef-refined and down-home Southern specialties, family restaurants, international cuisine and the unique find of a Mennonite bakery. More on what to do, eat, where to stay: TbredCountry.org

Journalists: For more story ideas and downloadable photos, go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/south-carolina/thoroughbred-country-sc

Virginia

Southwest Virginia

It’s clear to see, and easy to appreciate, the beauty and diversity of the scenic Southwest Virginia landscape, which sits among the majestic Appalachian Mountains, features thousands of acres of public land and boasts a total of 11 state parks. It’s no wonder world class outdoor activities are popular throughout this region. Add the spectacular beauty of fall foliage and it’s the perfect outdoors escape.

The variety of hiking and biking trails in Southwest Virginia is unmatched and is best known by cyclists for the Hall of Fame Virginia Creeper Trail (Abingdon Trailhead: 300 Green Spring Road, Abingdon, Virginia 24210) a premier Rails to Trails route offering stunning views along 34 miles of multi-use trail. Virginia has more miles of the Appalachian Trail than any other and one of the most scenic and accessible sections runs through the heart of Southwest Virginia. 

The Clinch River is known as the world’s most bio-diverse river. It travels 135 miles and is home to about 50 species of mussels (which is more than any other river in the world) and more than 100 species of non-game fish.

Breaks Interstate Park (627 Commission Circle, Breaks, Virginia 24607; 276-865-4413, ext. 3201) is home to the Breaks Canyon, one of the deepest gorges east of the Mississippi River, known as the Grand Canyon of the South. There are miles of hiking trails through rugged cliffs, roaring rivers and dense forests. Mountain biking, rock climbing and bouldering, as well as fishing, paddling and boating are also popular activities. 

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (3714 VA-16, Marion, Virginia 24354; 800-628-7202) offers approximately 200,000 acres and spans what’s known as the Crest Zone, with elevations of more than 4,000 feet. This area boasts Virginia’s two highest peaks, Mount Rogers and Whitetop, both recording elevations of more than 5,000 feet. The variety here is unmatched, with large rock formations and mountain balds as well as forest lands. The 68-mile Virginia Highlands Horse Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail each traverse these lands. Mount Rogers Scenic Byway offers 50 miles of views through the recreation area and, of course, the famed Blue Ridge Parkway is a favorite for those who want to take in the scenic beauty of the Southwest Virginia region.

A host of outdoors adventures awaits visitors at the 57-mile New River Trail State Park, including canoeing, tubing, kayaking and fishing. The rails to trails park runs along the New River through Grayson, Carroll, Wythe, and Pulaski counties. Click here for a trail map and parking options.

Journalists: For more ideas and downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/virginia/southwest-virginia/

Wytheville, Virginia

Head high into the Blue Ridge section of the Appalachians to Wytheville in Southwest Virginia, at the crossroads of I-77 and I-81. Wytheville (ca. 1790; pronounced WITH-vil) is an off-the-beaten track getaway with unique attractions, breathtaking fall mountain scenery and activities from fly-fishing and watersports to horseback riding and wilderness adventure.

Wytheville’s classic downtown includes the old, the contemporary and the quirky, like the selfie-worthy “biggest pencil in Virginia.” Just three miles from downtown, Crystal Springs Recreation Area and Big Survey Wildlife Management Area offer more than 9,000 acres of preserved lands, 13 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, all dressed in fall colors. A 57.5-mile trail, canoeing, tubing, kayaking and fishing are all favorites at the New River Trail State Park.

Book a luxurious stay at the recently reopened Inn at Foster Falls, Virginia’s only Inn within a State Park. Climb the oldest and highest private attraction in Virginia, the 100-foot Big Walker Lookout, for views of five states at an elevation of 3,405 feet. The Big Walker Country Store offers live regional music, the wares of local artisans, authors, and musicians, as well as gifts and handmade preserves and ice cream. 

Richdale Farm’s Fall on the Farm sets the stage for classic autumn adventures—from pumpkin picking and hayrides to a corn maze packed with twists and turns. It’s a hands-on, laughter-filled day for families and fall lovers alike. Seasonal celebrations continue throughout town. Oktoberfest at the Homestead Museum combines Appalachian heritage with Bavarian flair, featuring local food, music, and cold brews. Mayhem on Main weekend transforms Downtown Wytheville with trick-or-treating, costumes, and spooky surprises for all ages. More information can be found on these activities as well as events at West Wind Farm Vineyard & Winery, Seven Sisters Brewery, 7 Dogs Brewpub and unique lodging options via the Visit Wytheville blog: www.VisitWytheville.com/wytheville-small-town-fall-town.

As the sun sets, the Wythe Arts Council’s Spirit Tours invite guests to explore the haunted history of downtown. These guided walking tours blend storytelling and history, bringing to life eerie tales and local legends just in time for Halloween. 

Two gems of downtown Wytheville are the boutique Bolling Wilson Hotel, offering luxurious guest rooms, featuring Graze On Main restaurant and The Perch, a rooftop lounge. The Trinkle Mansion Bed and Breakfast has four guest rooms in its grand historic home, as well as a quaint garden cottage. www.VisitWytheville.com

Journalists: For downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/virginia/wytheville-virginia

Two gems of downtown Wytheville are the boutique Bolling Wilson Hotel, offering luxurious guest rooms, featuring Graze On Main restaurant and The Perch, a rooftop lounge. The Trinkle Mansion Bed and Breakfast has four guest rooms in its grand historic home, as well as a quaint garden cottage. www.VisitWytheville.com

Journalists: For downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/virginia/wytheville-virginia

West Virginia

Berkeley County, West Virginia

Just a short distance from the Washington, D.C., metro area, West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle revives visitors with a relaxed atmosphere full of history, scenery and small-town charm. Escape from the big city to soak in healing waters, shop at eclectic storefronts and walk through national historic parks.

The best time to see fall foliage in the Eastern Panhandle is generally from mid-October to the first week of November. This timeframe allows for the vibrant colors of autumn to be at their peak, transforming the landscape into a beautiful display of reds, yellows and oranges. 

Kick off Martinsburg’s fall events with Main Street Martinsburg’s Fall Food Fest on October 4, 2025, a downtown event on Queen Street that features a variety of food trucks showcasing regional offerings, a beer garden, vendors and live music. 

Walk through apple orchards, pick a fresh apple and really get into the fall spirit with the 46th Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival October 16-19, 2025. The Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival celebrates the region’s apple industry every third weekend in October with a parade, pancake breakfast, music, art fair, contests and, of course food, among so much more. The Martinsburg event has become a treasured homecoming.

Journalists: For more ideas and downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/west-virginia/berkeley-county-west-virginia/

Jefferson County, West Virginia

Jefferson County, West Virginia is where “almost heaven” begins. There are quaint towns steeped with history surrounded by stunning views of a landscape filled with recreational opportunities. In the state’s Eastern Panhandle, just an hour west of Washington, D.C., this heavenly destination is a welcoming world away, filled with special places, plenty of stories and a wealth of activities to enjoy.

This fall, celebrate all things spooky and supernatural at Shepherdstown’s Boo Fest during October. The whole town gets into the spirit—German Street is decked out with festive decorations, and the local restaurants and pubs offer fun seasonal specials. Throughout the month, there are events hosted by downtown businesses, community organizations and Shepherd University, so there’s always something going on. 

Spend an unforgettable weekend visiting artists in their studio spaces on a self-guided tour through the winding hills of the Eastern Panhandle.
Over the Mountain Studio Tour is always the second week of November (November 8-9, 2025). 

Oktoberfest is a lively outdoor festival held on the scenic 11-acre property of the Bavarian Inn Resort in Shepherdstown, an event designed to be fun for the whole family. The September 21, 2025, festival features traditional German food, live music and performances by German bands and dancers. Guests can enjoy German beer and wine, as well as craft brews from Bavarian Brothers Brewing, the on-site brewery. The festival also includes local vendors and a variety of children’s activities, making it a festive and welcoming event for all ages.

Visit Harpers Ferry to explore charming fall foliage followed by a spine-tingling Ghost Tour. A stop on the West Virginia Paranormal Trail, this journey uncovers unearthly tales of the town’s former residents. 

Shepherdstown Ghost Tours is a candlelit walking tour of historic and haunted Shepherdstown where visitors learn local history and legends and hear true ghost stories of the town’s haunts. 

In Charles Town, The Traditional Ghost Tour is the tour that started it all. This haunted walk covers the dark and eerie east side of Charles Town, including visits to three types of burial grounds. Visit the haunted sites where abolitionist John Brown, six of his Raiders and their hostages spent their last few moments. We’re talking mystery, body snatching, botched hangings and spirits. Journalists: For more ideas and downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/west-virginia/jefferson-county-west-virginia/

The post Spectacular Autumn Color, Quirky Fall Festivals, Ghostly Getaways: These Southeastern Destinations Deliver the Best of the Season appeared first on Travel Media Press Room.

BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA—MAY 2025—Becky Griffin loves to empower others when it comes to environmental issues. She works as the Community and School Garden Coordinator for the northwest district of the Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture at the University of Georgia.

Griffin had a great idea. It concerned fireflies, those illuminating insects we grew up with and loved. Fireflies could use a helping hand these days as light pollution and urban development threatens their habitats.

“The North Georgia Mountains may have around 50 species of fireflies, give or take,” Griffin said. “In fact, Georgia is one of the most for diversity.”

At a recent conference on natural resources, Griffin met Christie Gribble, president and CEO of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Office. She immediately found a comrade.

“Christie has a head for conservation and grew up in this area,” Griffin said. “It went ballistic after that.”

In 2023, the two initiated a plan. Griffin met with area schoolteachers, primarily in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Future Farmers of America (FFA) and agriculture. They developed lessons plans that focused on two primary goals: firefly education—the insect’s biology, why they illuminate, etc.—and conservation efforts to assist fireflies, such as how to build and maintain habitats. They developed the “Lights Off, Fireflies On!” campaign to eliminate light pollution that hinders fireflies from lighting up and mating with each other. 

“Students have learned about the lifecycle of fireflies, how they communicate with pattern recognition and how we can help to create a better habitat to protect them,” said Tori L. Arp, STEM Educator at Blue Ridge Elementary School. “With Becky’s help, students have stratified milkweed, watched it germinate and grow, then transplanted and raised the plants until they were able to give them away at our FREE Milkweed community event, in partnership with the Chamber. It warmed my heart to see my second graders telling our community members about how to help our local fireflies. We focused our Earth Day event this year on our firefly project, so students were able to participate in a myriad of firefly activities with their families.”

Staff members at Arp’s school also helped.

“Our gym teacher created a firefly flashlight tag game, our media specialist created a firefly read-a-loud station and our music teacher created a firefly beats lesson that helped students understand their patterns,” Arp said. “We reviewed the importance of leaving exterior lights off at night and protecting leaf litter.”

Future plans are to install gardens at East Fannin Elementary to create a firefly habitat at one of the local parks to allow students “a sense of ownership in helping to create a solution to our problem,” Arp said. 

“The dedication of our students and community to environmental stewardship is inspiring and necessary for preserving our precious natural resources,” said Gribble. “Through partnerships like these, we hope to instill a lifelong commitment to conservation and improving the quality of our local habitats.”

Conservation is important to Blue Ridge. On Earth Day, the Chamber launched its Commitment to Conservation (C2C) Program at Mercier Orchards, an initiative that recognizes and rewards businesses that actively adopt eco-friendly practices, demonstrating a dedication to preserving the natural beauty and resources of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The program includes six categories and to participate businesses are asked to commit to one item in at least three categories, Gribble said. A site review is also required of the annual program and businesses are encouraged to share their work on social media and to network with other community businesses and organizations. Seven businesses joined the program in 2025 and the 2026 application process is underway.

Commitment to Conservation (C2C) Program members receive recognition from the Chamber, as well as a certificate, window cling and placement on the Chamber’s conservation webpage, displaying their commitment to conservation. 

Blue Ridge’s Mercier Orchards is the first to join the C2C program. Mercier Director of Farm Operations, Ashley Hoppers, takes an ecosystem approach to the farm’s apples, its main crop, so applying those conservation methods to the whole environment was a natural, she said. Mercier plans a reduction in pesticides and the attachment of solar panels to reduce their electric bill by 50 percent. 

Mercier customers will receive biodegradable bags made of plant-based materials and the installation of a water filtration system will eliminate the use of plastic water bottles. “Those are ways we’re trying to reduce our plastic waste,” Hoppers said.

Mercier Orchards has also received a grant for pollinator research. They will be planting and studying 40 different flowering species and grasses, fodder for North Georgia Mountain insects. 

“Insects are the reason we have food,” Hoppers said. 

Noontootla Creek Farms contains one of the premier trout streams in the Southeast—in Fannin County that’s known as the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia—and has been attracting fishermen and hunters to Blue Ridge for decades. The farm is run by the Owenby family, with its youngest member, Emily Owenby, focusing on the big picture.  

“Everything we do on the farm revolves around conservation,” Owenby said. 

Owenby has planted native trees between the creek and fields to keep the waters pure; cleaner water means more insects for the trout to feed on. Her “small but mighty” greenhouse is filled with native plants such as pawpaw trees and milkweed to create future riparian buffers between water sources and agriculture. 

Because of her education in environmental science and business management, and her conservation work on the farm, Emily became a conservation consultant to the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and its C2C Program in 2024.

“It’s a real passion,” she said. “I want to implement conservation efforts with a business angle.”

Ways Visitors Can Participate

July 2 has been designated as Fannin County Firefly Day, where visitors and residents are encouraged to turn off outdoor lights and witness the firefly light display! Visitors can pop into any of the visitors centers to receive a fun firefly-themed gift. Visitor center locations are 282 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 152 Orvin Lance Drive, Suite A, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; or, 53 East Market Street, McCaysville, Georgia 30555. 

On any day, folks may enjoy the Lights Off, Fireflies On! Game. Travel around to five Blue Ridge parks to find the five secret words about fireflies and in the process, learn firefly facts. Once the game is completed, stop by one of the three Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Office Visitor Centers for a prize. The game is also available on the VisitBlueRidgeGA! App.

Want more ways to get involved? Visit Mercier Orchards (8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, 706-632-3411) to enjoy a tractor tour of the expansive farm property, pick fruit in season or purchase any of the farm’s many products in their store. Don’t forget to try their delicious fried fruit pies! 

At Noontootla Creek Farms (3668 Newport Road, Blue Ridge, 706-838-0585), enjoy the farm’s four quail fields, the two and a half miles of trophy trout streams and a sporting clays course that’s open to the public. You can also grab lunch at the newly opened restaurant, The Mill, on property.

Blue Ridge Bird Seed Company (416 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, 706-258-2473) sells everything one needs to attract birds to their home and gardens, from bird feeders and water fountains to a variety of bird seed. The store even offers guided bird walks.

Why Conservation Matters

The Fannin County Chamber of Commerce’s Commitment to Conservation (C2C) Program is dedicated to the following:

Preserving Biodiversity: Our region is home to unique flora and fauna. Protecting these species ensures a healthy ecosystem.

Sustainable Tourism: Promoting eco-friendly practices helps sustain our local economy and attract visitors who value nature.

Community Well-being: A clean and healthy environment contributes to the quality of life for all residents.

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BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA—APRIL 2025—It’s no secret that Blue Ridge, Georgia, remains one of the top places to live and visit, with its miles of hiking trails, trout streams, craft breweries and great shopping in its quaint downtown. Makes sense that Southern Living magazine would name it one of the “South’s Best Mountain Towns.”

Blue Ridge is also an entrepreneur’s haven, it’s small-town hospitality and commercial successes attracting young business creatives. Here are several movers and shakers who settled in Blue Ridge and found the business environment invigorating.

Yoga Over Blue Ridge

Kaitana Magno and Jimmy Sutherland lived a vibrant life in New York City, Kaitana working as a professional dancer, circus performer and Off-Broadway immersive theater director, writer and producer and Jimmy as a professional tap dancer, percussionist, composer and sound therapist.

The pandemic changed everything when the Big Apple shut down. That’s when Jimmy’s brother suggested they ride out the storm in Blue Ridge. 

“It was a big reset,” Sutherland said about leaving New York City and moving to Blue Ridge. “We came here and healed. It was the solace from the storm.”

The move also changed their lives. They saw an opportunity on East First Street and created a yoga studio, Yoga Over Blue Ridge, with classes in yoga, movement therapy and mindfulness, and host two-hour lunar events on the full and new moons. Sutherland’s specialty is sound therapy, what he calls a transformative power, connecting customers to frequencies, grounding movements, visualization and meditation.

“I tell people it’s internal cellular massage,” he said. “It’s like a guided meditation through sound.”

“This space is a huge blessing, changed our whole world,” said Magno. “Yoga is a path to healing and Blue Ridge has been a healing place for us.”

The couple works to transform lives through their services but they feel Blue Ridge has transformed them. 

“There’s something about this area,” Magno said. “It forces you to come back to yourself the way city life doesn’t.”

Blue Ridge is growing, they acknowledge, but it still owns a small-town, close-knit feel. 

“The town is blossoming but it’s still holding on to its soul,” Magno said.

(Yoga Over Blue Ridge, 3900 East First Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513; 917-723-8792)

Noontootla Creek Farms

The pandemic also changed the course of Emily Owenby’s life when it closed the University of North Georgia where she attended working on bachelor’s degrees in environmental science and business management. Since she also lost her job, she had to return to the family property her great grandfather Frank Owenby purchased as an executive fishing and hunting retreat in 1954. Today, Noontootla Creek Farms (NCF), about 30 minutes outside Blue Ridge, is a private farm operation and private hunting club. The business features four quail fields, two and a half miles of trophy trout streams and a sporting clays course that’s open to the public.

Owenby wanted to go into environmental conservation but found coming home to NCF provided just that opportunity. Her father, Greg Owenby, runs the business but Emily Owenby serves as operations coordinator on the 1,300-acre farm that includes The Mill restaurant, a pro shop and lodging. Since starting in 2020, the 24-year-old has instituted many conservation programs.

On the creek where trout swim, Owenby planted native trees and other plants to create a buffer zone between the water and the fields. This provides shade and encourages insects the trout feed on. In addition, the buffer helps keep the water pure.

“The whole goal is to do the best we can to keep the creek whole,” she said.

One of her favorite projects is the “small but mighty” greenhouse where she raises native plants such as pawpaw trees and milkweed to create future buffers between water sources and agriculture. 

Owenby also serves as a conservation consultant at the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB and is working on the Commitment to Conservation Program, which recognizes, awards and encourages local businesses in conservation efforts. 

Despite the abrupt change the pandemic caused Owenby, it landed her where she was needed most.

“It was definitely a good thing,” Owenby said. “Now, I don’t know what else I’d do.”

(Noontootla Creek Farms, 3668 Newport Road, Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513; 706-838-0585)

Ascending Studio 

There are locals and then there’s Valerie Messer.

“I am Blue Ridgean as they come,” she said with a smile.

Messer’s Cherokee roots date back centuries, and her family has lived in the area since those early days. So, it seemed only natural that when Messer finished her service in the Air Force she would return to raise her son and open a gym.

“I knew what I wanted to do, something physical,” she said. 

But then she discovered Pilates, an exercise routine that incorporates special apparatus to improve physical strength and agility and enhance mental awareness. She opened Ascending Studio three years ago in the Willow Creek Falls Med Spa facility, the first Pilates studio in the area. She offers classes in both Pilates and yoga for all ages and every Tuesday hosts her “jam” class known as Buti Yoga, which mixes music with dance and yoga—even drums!

But it’s Pilates that Messer stresses makes a difference in a person’s body, whether they want to get fit or lose weight.

“I think everyone should do Pilates,” Messer said. “I love helping people improve their bodies.”

(Ascending Studio, 35 Trackside Lane, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-633-8977)

Soulhouse 

Like many Atlantans, Seth and Hope Loeb escaped to the North Georgia Mountains for peace and quiet away—although only a short drive—from the big city where the couple worked flipping houses. Hope had grown up in nearby Ellijay so they knew the area well and the couple were married there.

The Loebs bought a home in Cherry Log to renovate, but every time they made the drive they pondered why not just stay in Blue Ridge? 

“We thought, we don’t have to escape, we can live here,” Seth said. “The weekend getaway becomes your full-time reality.”

The couple had previously worked in the New York and Atlanta film industries, Hope as a makeup artist and Seth an actor. They used those talents, as well as their experience flipping houses to begin Soulhouse, an interior decorating and renovation design company. 

“Here, there’s a mindset of enjoyment so it lends itself to interior design,” Loeb said. “And I think people are looking for renovations instead of moving.”

The couple view home as a sanctuary, something they learned during the pandemic when they were homebound and renovated their home and created an outdoor space. They love incorporating the natural world and personal elements into spaces, such as the surfers and cowboys at Mountain Mama’s Coffee Lounge.

“It’s the idea of comfortability,” Seth said, adding that someone left a pair of shoes and they used that in the laid-back but hip design. “It’s that fun attention to detail. We want spaces to feel comfortable and not know why.”

The couple love their move to Blue Ridge, a small town they say allows ideas to breathe and develop, especially new creative businesses with small budgets. It helps that Blue Ridge is a safe environment to raise their children.

It’s a positive change from their early years in New York City.

“You don’t have to leave the state of Georgia to have a great experience,” Seth said. 

Mountain Mama’s Coffee Lounge

At 21, Moe Stephens had $500 and a backpack when she set off for Hawaii. But she found her niche working at an organic vegan café, then a coffee company where she learned everything about the popular caffeinated drink. She even traveled to the Pacific Northwest, London and Paris to learn the different types of coffee and how it’s farmed.

When covid hit, Stephens shipped her car from Hawaii to Los Angeles and toured the country for six months, sleeping in her van and visiting a number of national parks. When a friend contacted her to help start a café in Blue Ridge, she made the move with her husband, who she met at a coffee shop in Columbus, Ohio.

“My plan was to move on when I was done,” Stephens said of the Blue Ridge consulting job. 

“But we loved it here so much. I decided it was time to open my own café. I felt there was a need here for a community place that serves a quality product.”

Space emerged on the ground floor of the Blue Ridge Inn, but Mountain Mama’s Coffee Lounge became so popular the coffee shop needed to expand. A business on Main Street became available and within five weeks Stephens opened in her new space serving her premium coffee with house-made syrups and locally produced baked goods.

“People wait years and years for a storefront on Main Street and we lucked out,” she said. “We are so blessed.”

The space was designed by the Loebs’ company, Soulhouse, using Stephens’ idea of “70s coastal cowgirl meets Wes Anderson.” It’s an all-inclusive space, filled with friends’ photographs, family quotes and original artwork. 

“Every kind of person comes here and feels comfortable,” Stephens said. “And I think that’s a reflection of the town.”

(Mountain Mama’s Coffee Lounge, 771 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513)

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BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA—NOVEMBER 2024—Picturesque mountains, rivers and lakes, outdoors activities, great shopping opportunities and delicious dining experiences. It’s all part of Blue Ridge, Georgia, and its surrounding countryside, merely two hours from Atlanta but a world away. This adorable town situated in the north Georgia mountains make it the ideal destination for that memorable getaway.

Shopping

Visitors will be hard-pressed not to find that unique item in Blue Ridge, a town that’s filled with specialty boutiques, art galleries, and antiques—more than 120 shops! But don’t just take our word for it. Southern Living Magazine named Blue Ridge as one of the “South’s Best Mountain Towns, 2021” noting the incredible array of shops as one reason.

Look for The Sweet Shoppe of the South (721 East Main Street, 706-632-6886), a winner of Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars;” The Art Center (420 West Main Street, 706-632-2144), headquarters for the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association within the historic Fannin County Courthouse; and Pezrock (524 East Main Street, 706-632-6036) that offers a collection of nature’s artistry, from fossils to teak furniture.

Wineries & Breweries

A large covered outdoor seating area stretches behind Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery (2281 Tennis Court Road, 706-223-3750). It’s an ideal tasting room to relax and purchase a glass or bottle to enjoy. 

Mercier Orchards (8660 Blue Ridge Drive, 706-632-3411) grows a variety of fruit, including 40 varieties of apples in the largest apple orchard in the southeast, so it’s natural for the company to create wine from their harvests. Mercier also has the distinction of having created Georgia’s first hard apple cider from farm-grown apples. Sample their wines and cider at their store and tasting room a short drive from downtown Blue Ridge. 

If beer is more your jam, you’re in luck. Breweries abound in Blue Ridge.

It’s a funny name and an even funnier story—two home beer enthusiasts were arguing over brewing and one of their wives called them grumpy old men. Seemed like the perfect name for a microbrewery! Grumpy Old Men Brewing (1315 East Main Street, 706-946-2739) opened its taproom in 2013 and lies just south of town on Main Street. 

The unique names continue with Angry Hops Brewery (341 East Main Street) which pours its craft beers inside and out. Tipping Point Brewing Co. (322 West Main Street, 706-946-2765) serves its craft beers across from the railroad depot at a second-floor location which includes a porch where visitors may watch downtown action below.

Another unique brewery is Copperhill Brewery (105 Ocoee Street, Copperhill, Tennessee, 423-548-3030), only a few steps over the Tennessee state line from our neighboring town of McCaysville, Georgia. Inside the tasting room visitors may literally cross the state line—it runs through the floor!

Take a Hike 

For those who cherish the solitude of nature there are 300 miles of hiking trails in and around Blue Ridge, including access to the Appalachian Trail and a trail named for the AP’s visionary, the Benton MacKaye Trail.

For something more tuned to a weekend getaway, Blue Ridge offers a couple of easy to moderate hikes where the end result is spectacular. 

It’s a long drive and a one-mile hike through a rich forest to the Swinging Bridge over the Toccoa River. The 270-foot swinging bridge was built by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club and the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Benton MacKaye Trail. There are places to rest and picnic on both sides of the raging river but don’t miss the selfie opportunity in the middle of the bridge.

It’s two miles and a fairly easy hike to reach Long Creek Falls with its dramatic 50-foot cascade of water. Along the way hikers will enjoy wildflowers, ferns and fall colors if hiking at the right time of year. 

You can find hiking information, directions and more on the Blue Ridge website.

An Afternoon on the Georgia-Tennessee Line

There’s nothing more relaxing than feeling the sun on your face, enjoying a fine meal and watching a river slowly slip on by, ducks and geese lounging in its waters. That’s the feel of the twin towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, located just a short drive north on Highway 5 from Blue Ridge. Both front the Toccoa River (Ocoee River if you’re in Tennessee) and feature great restaurants, boutique shops, outdoors activities and plenty of history. Visitors will walk away from a trip to these twin river towns with a sense of peace and contentment after a day breathing fresh mountain air.

Stop at the McCaysville Visitor Center (53 Nort Market Street, 706-632-5680) for tourist information as well as a history lesson on the region’s copper mining operations of the 19th and 20th centuries. View old photos and artifacts on loan from the Ducktown Basin Museum to get an idea of how these quaint cities and surrounding “Copper Basin” was once heavy with industry.

Catch a Train

For those who don’t feel like driving to view the surrounding area, or want a unique experience on a real passenger train can climb aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (241 Depot Street, 877-413-8724). Visitors may choose their rail car—indoor, open or premier passenger car—then sit back and enjoy the 26 miles of mountain views as they parallel the Toccoa River from the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge into McCaysville and Copperhill, Tennessee. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers two travel packages: a two-hour ride up and back or the four-hour trip to spend two hours perusing both towns. 

This time of year, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers special events, such as fall rides to view the gorgeous mountain foliage and holiday rides with music, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” and a chance for children to visit Santa Claus. 

McCaysville is a Walkable Town

Everything in the twin cities of McCaysville and Copperhill is walkable with the Toccoa River slicing down the middle. Follow the river upstream in a short walk from the Visitor Center to the McCaysville City Park where bench swings overlook the clear blue waters. In addition to resting alongside the water’s edge, visitors may enjoy the picnic pavilions, an enclosed playground for children’s extra safety, a memorial to veterans and a boat launch.

Head back toward town for some top-notch shopping. Visitors will discover the Riverwalk Shops, a collection of boutiques within an indoor mall that’s reminiscent of Atlanta’s Ponce Street Market. Look for Deaf Man Vinyl Records, Riverwalk Sweets candy store, Copperhill Rock and Mineral, Blue Ridge Adventure Wear, The Owl’s Nest and so much more. Two restaurants front the river—Twisted Tomato wood-fired pizza and Burra Burra—so visitors may enjoy a meal or drink on the patio overlooking the Toccoa.

Along the main streets of Toccoa Avenue in Georgia and Ocoee Street in Tennessee are shops, restaurants, a coffee shop and breweries. Visitors may recognize some as second locations for Blue Ridge stores, such as the Rum Cake Lady Cuban Cafe and Blue Ridge Olive Oil.

Be sure to stop in the Folk Collaborative and Daffodillys Plant Co. for coffee, lunch, a wide variety of locally produced herbal products and, of course, plants. The Folk Collaborative’s main “apothecary,” where all their products are grown and assembled in the Appalachian tradition, exists a few miles from town on the Georgia side and demands a visit as well.

Get on the Water

The 3,290 acres of Lake Blue Ridge offers campsites, boat ramps, a full-service marina and picnic areas surrounded by the beautiful north Georgia mountains. Only 25 percent of the reservoir’s shoreline has been developed—the rest part of the Chattahoochee National Forest—making Lake Blue Ridge an ideal spot to fish, enjoy boating activities or just relax by its peaceful waters.

Try your hand at fly fishing since winter is an ideal time to catch these beauties in Blue Ridge, known as the trout capital of Georgia—more than 100 trout fishing rivers, creeks and streams! Blue Ridge and its neighbor McCaysville offer several outfitters to get your started and on the water. William “Bill” Oyster at Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods (494 Est Main Street, 706- 374-4239) creates beautiful handcrafted fly rods, and he teaches classes to those who wish to make their own. Just remember to obtain that Georgia fishing license.

Outfitters such as Toccoa River Tubing Company and Rolling Thunder River Company offer seasonal whitewater rafting, paddling and tubing opportunities. When the weather turns toasty in summer—despite the mountainous terrain, this is the South—there’s nothing like a cool refreshing trip down the river. 

Relax and Unwind

Naturally, with all the incredible mountain scenery, accommodations vary in Blue Ridge, 

including hotels, cabins, cottages, bed and breakfasts and campsites. Visitors may sleep in a treehouse, such as the Blue Ridge TreeHouse (2555 Tennis Court Road, 706-223-3750) along a bubbling creek behind Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery, or luxurious cabins nestled in the woods. Perhaps a night on a working farm. For a list of accommodations, visit https://www.blueridgemountains.com/where-to-stay/

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BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA–OCTOBER 2024–Blue Ridge, Georgia, is known for apple orchards, trout fishing and more. It is one of those places that prompts glowing descriptions from visitors. Those descriptions, though true, are sometimes inadequate. This lovely mountain town, just a 90-minute drive north of Atlanta off Interstate-575, does seem a world away. Its vibrant downtown is nestled in a valley, surrounded by stunning mountain views. The people here are friendly and welcoming.

All true. But there is more here. While Blue Ridge has grown to be a popular vacation destination, it has retained its small-town character. That character is what draws people here and the fact that it is still prevalent is the result of the many locals who have chosen to stay here. These locals, and newcomers who have made this their home, are committed to preserving authentic culture and practices. Luckily, they are also committed to sharing them with visitors.

“We are fortunate to be the apple orchard that is in the little bucolic town of Blue Ridge, Georgia,” says Operations Manager Joe Foster of Mercier Orchards. “We feel very fortunate.” In its 81 years in business, Mercier’s has become a staple of the community and a very popular attraction for visitors. It began in 1943 when Bill and Adele Mercier purchased 25 acres of land. Bill was an agronomist and “the epitome of a grower,” according to Joe. He held a job replanting trees on the previously mined land of nearby Copper Hill, while also building his fledgling apple orchard.

Years later, his son Tim earned a horticulture degree and took over operations of the farm. Today, Mercier’s business remains a family affair, as Tim’s sons-in-law now run the business, with a bit of guidance and daily visits from him.

“He’s always around,” says Joe, who refers to himself as son-in-law #2. “His heart’s always in it. He’s just like his dad. He’s a farmer to the end. He’s never gonna not be planting or growing or doing something on the farm.”

Joe grew up nearby and has watched the changes and the growth of Blue Ridge. The popularity of the mountain town with visitors has translated into more business for him. “We’ve gotten to be successful along with the rest of Blue Ridge and we feel very fortunate for that. We always put ourselves in the context of Blue Ridge because it’s a metric for Mercier’s success.” That success is founded on a premise that is two-fold. 

“We want to stay true to who we are. We are an apple orchard,” Joe notes, while also remarking that they have been proactive in adding ways to engage visitors, offering them new experiences. To that end, they hold spring Apple Blossom Tours, and seasonal U-Pick opportunities for berries, peaches and more. “We just keep creating all these different parts of the business. The orchard is beautiful, a great setting to spend time with your family and pick some fruit, lay out in the grass – or not,” he adds with a smile. Beyond the orchard, there are other popular, and growing, areas of the business, as well. Most notable is the bakery, filled with staples, popular with locals and visitors all year long, and seasonal specialty items. Mercier fried pies have become one of the most popular products they offer. The classic apple pie is most popular, and features the cherished Adele Mercier family recipe. The three varieties of apple cider donuts made daily are favorites, too. Hard cider is the newest product offering. 

In every part of the business, it is clear everyone at Mercier is dedicated to honoring the family legacy. Linda in the retail store, who has worked here for 45 years, gives customers samples of varieties of apples, so they can learn to choose based on taste, not appearance. Ashley, a young horticulturalist new to the business, is bringing in creative methods of “harvesting light” in the orchard. Theresa, who gets to work with her son, who is also a Mercier employee, manages the production of 1.5 million fried pies a year. 

While there are thousands of types of apples, Mercier Orchards has about 50 varieties of trees on their 300-acre farm, focusing on the ones that grow best in their Appalachian soil and conditions. At The Folk Collaborative (2984 Mobile Road, McCaysville, Georgia 30555; 706-492-7753) in nearby McCaysville, Luke Dilbeck and his family are turning their focus to heritage apples in their 15-acre orchard on the 30 acres of land he grew up on. The orchard was started by his uncle six decades ago. In true collaborative fashion, Luke and Joe work together to support each other’s businesses, and their hometown, whenever opportunities arise.

“My first job was picking apples,” Luke says. “I grew up in the trees. We’re focusing on heritage apples that used to be found throughout Appalachia, getting rid of the super common ones, bringing in those old ones that may not be pretty but man they taste good.” They, too, are diversifying opportunities for visitor engagement as well as product offerings. Luke and his wife also operate an apothecary and bakery on the property, using home-grown and local products whenever they can. 

“Our long-term goal is to have something in bloom year-round. Still have apples but also blueberries and blackberries and rows of medicinal herbs and rows of elderberries; rows of culinary herbs and flowers. Getting away from a monoculture.” Many of those plants will make their way into baked goods, lunch menus in the bakery and supplements and tinctures in the apothecary.

”Mamaw was my inspiration,” Luke says of his grandmother, who taught him to use herbs and other local products. “She taught me about plants and medicinal herbs and what to do with them. We use something called the folkloric method. Because each year, you can make everything exactly the same. But how that plant grew that year determines its potency. It can change from year to year, from harvest to harvest. It’s a ‘feel’,” he says. “Just like the way Mamaw made her biscuits.”

In addition to the retail apothecary, Luke offers a variety of classes, nature walks and other opportunities. The bakery will pack visitors a picnic lunch to enjoy in the orchard, in honor of the tradition he remembers from his childhood, when his family would spend Saturdays in the orchard for fun.

Not all authentic experiences in Blue Ridge have local origins, but most have decidedly local inspiration. Renowned craftsman Bill Oyster found, when he moved to Georgia years ago, that the best trout fishing is in Blue Ridge. When his love of fishing led to an interest in making traditional bamboo fly rods, he found the process was a closely held secret. So, he set out to conquer the process on his own. To say he was successful would be an understatement. Now, at Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods (494 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-374-4239), he willingly shares the craft with visitors who come for week-long classes. His traditional method starts with traditional materials.

“The type of bamboo that we’re using here,” Bill explains, “has the greatest tensile strength of all the species of bamboo, and I think there’s 127 different species. So, every bamboo rod since about 1900 started its life in the same old 30-square-mile bamboo patch. The craft began in the 1840s and has been going on ever since. And what I tell people is, this construction was invented in a time back when, if you bought a hammer you expected to pass that hammer on to your son someday, and he passed on to his. Nowadays, you go buy a miter saw and two years later you buy another one. It’s a disposable economy. These rods were literally designed to last for generations.

“You don’t have to know how to fly fish to come and make rods,” he says. “We have people without any interest, they just like the traditional nature of the craft. But most of the people have at least some interest in fly fishing, if they’re not fanatics about it.”

The classes are six full days and people come from all over the world to participate, some coming back again and again. Many, Bill says, find it to be a transformative experience from which they leave knowing more about themselves.

“They come just thinking ‘oh, I want a rod,’ and then they realize what was really cool about it was just sitting at a workbench making a thing with your own two hands. That’s what appeals to people. The old style. The old way of doing things.”

Those who choose to put those rods to use find some of the most pristine waterways in North Georgia, which has nearly 100 miles of trout streams. And there are local businesses that specialize in sharing this region’s beloved outdoor tradition. They include North Georgia Trout Fishing (5 Panter Street, McCaysville, Georgia 30555; 706-851-4001), where owner and guide Joe DiPietro holds the Toccoa River brown trout record. And Noontootla Creek Farms (3668 Newport Road, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-838-0585), where the fourth generation of the Owenby family is teaching fly fishing and preserving habitat surrounding their streams. They and other outfitters are inspired by and dedicated to their local natural resources.

That type of inspiration can be found on the downtown streets of Blue Ridge, too. Here, stores feature products and creations of local artists and entrepreneurs. One such shop is Canoe (624 A East Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-258-2999) where the hand-crafted handbags and oil and acrylic paintings of owner Lynn Kemp are on display. Her paintings, she says, are inspired by the seasons, featuring colors of the North Georgia landscape. Mountain Mama’s Coffee (771 East Main Street, A, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513) takes pride in its community-focused approach, which includes making all their own flavoring with locally sourced ingredients and serving baked goods from The Folk Collaborative’s bakery.

Whether it’s painting, making tinctures or picking apples, the love locals have for their home and its resources is just one more asset that sets Blue Ridge apart from other destinations. And it’s that love that is ensuring the appreciation of those resources continues for generations to come. That is no more evident than at Mercier Orchards, where the lifespan of an apple tree can be up to 45 years.

When Joe Foster talked to participants in Mercier’s first U-Plant event this year, he clearly saw that connection being made, as families came out to participate.

“These kids are planting a tree in the ground that they can bring their kids to pick one day, because these trees will probably be in the ground for 35 or 40 years. That’s big,” he concludes, “if you look at the longevity of this. I’ve got two little girls over here that are having a magical day. One they wouldn’t have otherwise had. They’re probably going to bring their kids here. That’s the fruit of your labor.”

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BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA—SEPTEMBER 2024—Families looking to make special holiday memories head to Georgia’s Blue Ridge, named by Southern Living Magazine as one of the “South’s Best Mountain Towns.” Just 90 minutes north of Atlanta off Interstate-575, Blue Ridge is a treasured getaway in the North Georgia Mountains: outdoorsy; earthy; upscale; contemporary and historic. Centered around the historic Blue Ridge Depot, downtown’s restored buildings blend perfectly with modern industrial and mountain architecture, showcasing the arts, galleries, antiques, unique shopping, dining, wineries and craft breweries. 

This town brings the beauty of the season and holiday fun, from autumnal hikes to Santa train rides and one-of-a-kind shopping to vibrant community theater. Here are the top reasons to have a family getaway during the holidays.

Feast on fall bounty

Visit Mercier Orchards, the largest apple orchard in the southeast, where apple picking extends to late November. The store, dressed up for the holidays, features wines and ciders, home décor and a bounty of local foods and products, including delicious fried apple pies served hot from the bakery. Santa even comes to visit.

Get a jump on holiday shopping

In all of North Georgia, Blue Ridge has the largest upscale array of specialty shops, boutiques and galleries for fine furnishings, art, antiques, clothing and jewelry. Looking for unique artisan-crafted items? Blue Ridge has been named one of the “Top Ten Towns for Craft Lovers” in the country and one of the “Top Five Art Towns in Georgia” by the Georgia Council for the Arts. 

Just outside of town The Folk Collaborative serves up lunch specialties in its café and sells organic products that are grown, harvested and created in the North Georgia mountains. Treat yourself and loved ones to herbal extracts, teas and body care. A short drive north is the quaint town of McCaysville, home to more specialty shops and restaurants. Here’s a shopping preview.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association’s Holiday Art Show and Sale runs from November 16 through December 20, 2024 with a multitude of artistic and handcrafted items from jewelry, pottery, paintings and more, all made by member artists.  

Have a retro movie night

Georgia has only four remaining drive-in theaters and one is located in Blue Ridge. The Swan Drive-in Theatre shows first-run and boutique films year-round, rain or snow included, offering a cozy family experience even when it’s chilly outside. If the weather’s good, bring lawn chairs or sit on your tailgate as the sun sets and the film emerges on the giant screen. The theater dates to 1955 and still owns a nostalgic charm. The diner serves up fun items such as wings and cheeseburgers and car hops will even deliver food to your car.

Hop aboard the Holiday Express

Take a magical and festive train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, in vintage rail cars that wind along the Toccoa River, transporting visitors to and from the neighboring town of McCaysville. From November 29 through December 24, the Railway offers a one-hour ride on its “Holiday Express.” Children will be treated to holiday music, a reading of the classic “The Night Before Christmas” story and a visit from Santa. They’ll go home with a special Blue Ridge Scenic Railway jingle bell and candy cane. This generation-bonding adventure starts at the historic 1905 downtown depot. Delicious hot chocolate and other snacks are available for sale in the concession car. 

Revel in holiday happenings

One of the most cherished Christmas stories remains O. Henry’s “Gift of the Magi,” where an impoverished young couple find ways to gift each other through personal sacrifice. Blue Ridge Community Theater places the story during the 1950 Atlanta Transit Strike for performances from November 21 through December 15, 2024.

Run up an appetite for the T-day feast by participating in the annual Turkey Trott 5K walk/run through downtown Blue Ridge on Thanksgiving Day. The race begins at 8 a.m. and is fun for the whole family, from casual walkers to serious competitors.

November 29 is Blue Friday in Blue Ridge and includes discounts at the downtown stores, entertainment, food vendors and the opening of the Gingerbread Village at noon at the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association’s Arts Center.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 30, Blue Ridge rings in the holidays with strolling Christmas entertainment along Main Street, entertainment on the Depot Street main stage, a visit from Santa and a 5:30 p.m. parade during Light Up Blue Ridge. At the parade’s conclusion, around 7 p.m., there’s the lighting of the Great Tree. 

Find peace on Earth 

Venture out of downtown and discover that 40 percent of Fannin County is located within the Chattahoochee National Forest, sweeping visitors a million miles away and offering waterfalls, trout fishing, biking and some of the most notable hiking trails in the United States. Not far from Blue Ridge lies the southern beginning of the Appalachian Trail at nearby Springer Mountain and the Benton MacKaye Trail, which includes the 270 foot long Swinging Bridge over the Toccoa River. This is the perfect time of year, as the views are spectacular and the trails are uncrowded.

Secure the perfect stay

Intown, unique overnight options range from chic lofts overlooking the town to an 1890s B&B or in the Hampton Inn Blue Ridge featuring balcony rooms and the city’s only rooftop bar/restaurant, Hook & Eye. In surrounding Fannin County memory-making choices include lodging with stunning mountain views, creekside retreats, riverfront lodges, cabins on the lake and much more. www.BlueRidgeMountains.com/where-to-stay. 

For dining and itinerary ideas, visit www.BlueRidgeMountains.com. 

For more area events, go to www.BlueRidgeMountains.com/events. 

The post Holidays are Family Time in Blue Ridge, Georgia  appeared first on Travel Media Press Room.

BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA–AUGUST 2024–Mountain views, outdoor recreation and a vibrant downtown combine to make Blue Ridge, Georgia, a popular place for a variety of visitors. More and more solo travelers are finding this North Georgia location has just the right combination to meet their needs for the perfect escape, too. Whether to relax and recharge, to explore and experience or to find just the right spot for an inspiring work retreat, there are plenty of options here. 

Getting to the mountain town of Blue Ridge and Fannin County is easy. It’s only a 90-minute drive north of Atlanta, just off Interstate-575. Once here, visitors are greeted by a welcoming, walkable downtown with outdoor spaces to relax and easy-access WIFI options. The streets are lined with local specialty shops and galleries that show the personality and creativity of retailers, artists and curators who call this home. An impressive collection of restaurants has a variety of cuisine from which to choose and there are even food tours that show off the savory and sweet sides of this eclectic food scene. 

Lodging options here offer much more than a place to lay one’s head. Throughout downtown there are unique vacation rentals and even hotels with all the standard amenities as well as Blue Ridge hospitality. Many visitors, however, choose to retreat to a mountain cabin. The large inventory of rentals, more than 2,000 from which to choose, spans options from mountain top views to creekside comfort. 

While ascending higher on winding mountain roads, visitors feel their stress levels plummeting lower as they are immersed in fresh air and natural surroundings. Whether the wildflowers of spring and early summer are in bloom, the summer’s dark skies are twinkling with fireflies or the crisp fall air is offering its embrace, there is a peaceful atmosphere to enjoy a solo journey.

For some, a spa treatment is the perfect way to center themselves for their ultimate Blue Ridge experience. Full-service spas offer a peaceful, relaxing setting to provide a successful mind and body reset. Downtown, Teatree Spa (3293 East 1st Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-946-2015), has a variety of massage and therapeutic body treatments. Nearby, the lodge-like setting at Serenity in the Mountains Spa (59 McKinney Road, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-258-2244) also includes a salt cave, quiet rooms and even lodging options.

Area trails offer plenty of variety for those who find a walk in the woods to be their preferred restorative treatment. While the area is known for some beautiful wilderness trails and waterfall hikes, there are also easy-access walking paths for solo outings. The Ocoee Whitewater Center (4400 US-64, Copperhill, Tennessee 37317; 423-496-5197) has great hiking and biking trails, including a one-mile hiking trail which circles the center and includes a 330-foot suspension bridge and a 2.4-mile restored segment of the Old Copper Road Trail. There are an additional 20 miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers. Lake Blue Ridge Recreation Area (Dry Branch Road Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513) is located on the lake and, in addition to beautiful waterfront views, also has a mile-long paved trail. For a leisurely walk with a furry friend, many enjoy an outing to Horseshoe Bend Dog Park & Walking Trail (1156 River Road Mineral Bluff, Georgia 30559) to enjoy the paved path, plenty of shade and a peaceful setting. And locals are always happy to share their knowledge and suggestions for the best walking treks and seasonal views.

With nearly 100 miles of trout streams, many recognized as the best in the region, fly fishing beckons both experienced anglers and those “newbies” who are intrigued by the relaxing rhythm of the sport. At Noontootla Creek Farms (3668 Newport Road, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-838-0585) guided trips, introductory fly fishing classes and Women on the Water Retreats are all options for enjoying one of the most pristine waterways in North Georgia.

A more traditional way to enjoy the serenity of Fannin County is to explore the grounds of the orchard at the Folk Collaborative (2984 Mobile Road, McCaysville, Georgia 30555; 706-492-7753). Here, a family-owned apple orchard is the setting for the perfect solo picnic under the trees. Homemade lunch items are available in the bakery and the grounds are open for enjoyment. The collaborative’s apothecary offers a selection of all-natural products made using traditional Appalachian methods and locally grown and foraged ingredients. 

“We’ve got a lady who comes and does her own thing, about every two months, just by herself. She spends about three hours, just to get away,” says owner Luke Dilbeck, who grew up on the property. “When I was a kid, I would come over here in these trees and it just felt like home.” Today he and his wife Amanda share his boyhood home and his family’s recipes – from healing tinctures to sumptuous baked goods, with visitors looking for something more than a typical vacation getaway.

Another popular healing activity, both physically and mentally, is a visit to Ascending Studio (35 Trackside Lane, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-633-8977). A variety of classes are offered, including Pilates to Yoga, Barre and HIIT, all in the studio’s serene setting which brings the outdoors in. Each session is designed to help visitors reach their goals, whether restorative or energizing, in both private and group settings.

Partners Kaitana Magno and Jimmy Sutherland are also offering healing and peaceful experiences to visitors at their studio, Yoga Over Blue Ridge (3900 East 1st Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 910-616-9101). While the pair has built a local following since taking over the business in early 2024, they also see visitors who come in looking for avenues for growth and wellness.

“Pretty much everybody who comes to the studio is on a spiritual journey of some sort, and especially the ones seeking sound healing,” says Jimmy. He is a sound therapist, who, along with Yogi Kaitana, both professional dancers, performers and off-Broadway producers, moved to Blue Ridge from New York, after pandemic restrictions caused the closure of their production company. “It’s a cool little community,” Jimmy says of his adopted home. 

The studio offers yoga classes and sound bath sessions for individuals and groups. They also hold a new moon and a full moon ceremony each month. These events last about two hours, opening with a yoga practice followed by a guided meditation, then a sound bath. The focus of each event correlates to the astrological context for that evening. In addition, Jimmy has recently added Sunday evening sound bath sessions. 

“It’s just a healing place,” he says of their studio. “It’s growing and it’s about fostering and nurturing a peaceful community that’s spiritually guided and holistic. It’s brought some pretty beautiful things about already.”

Beautiful things are happening throughout Blue Ridge and Fannin County as visitors, many of whom choose to travel alone, find just what they are looking for here. For some, that is the welcoming air of a vacation rental that combines comfortable accommodations with inspiring work spaces. For others, it is an opportunity to unplug and enjoy the outdoors. Maybe it’s learning a new skill or signing up for an exclusive experience. Or finding joy or healing from interactions with locals who are willing to share their knowledge and welcome others to enjoy the peace and satisfaction of finding their center in Blue Ridge.

Please note: Cell service and GPS mapping doesn’t always work well in the mountains. Always check the directions for your destination before you go and use our Self-Guided Tour Maps to help you find outdoor attractions. And download detailed maps of activities, information and links to your destination/attraction websites.

Exclusive Blue Ridge opportunities

For an exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience, renowned craftsman Bill Oyster invites visitors to create their own bamboo rod at Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods (494 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-374-4239). The week-long classes allow students to be a part of keeping the rod-making art alive through their own creation of a keepsake that will last for generations. Oyster notes the experience becomes one not only of immersion in the craft but also of self-discovery through the learning process.

Blue Ridge is also the place for another, very different weeklong experience that will ensure an escape from the ordinary. Visitors can volunteer at Project Chimps (2031 Lowery Road Morganton, Georgia 30560; 706-374-3675), spending a week at the 230-acre chimpanzee sanctuary. Home to 95 chimps, the sanctuary offers lifelong care to these animals formerly involved in research efforts. For those who can’t make the volunteer commitment, guided tours to observe the chimps or self-guided walks along sanctuary trails are also options.

Where to stay

When looking for a place to stay solo in Blue Ridge, the lodging options are as varied as the Blue Ridge views. Downtown has traditional hotel rooms as well as unique options like the Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast (477 West First Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-661-7575), a 900-square-foot suite with 17′ cathedral ceilings, a full kitchen, dining area and private screened porch. Serenity in the Mountains Spa (59 McKinney Road, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-258-2244) is a full-service spa near downtown Blue Ridge. The property offers one-, two- and three-bedroom cabin-style suites. There is a vast array of cabin rental options here, ranging from downtown suites and lofts to cozy one-bedroom cabins to grand mountain lodges. As you move away from downtown, the view changes, as do the options. Numerous vacation rental companies offer cabins with river frontage or mountain views, many with an impressive list of amenities, including screened porches, hot tubs and more. At Toccoa House Properties (706-633-0141) each rental includes access to a gorgeous in-ground salt water swimming pool, solar heated, with a rock waterfall.

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BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA–JULY 2024–What do turning off porch lights, washing your boots and planting milkweed have in common? They are all ways the local community in Blue Ridge, Georgia, is engaging visitors to support and sustain what is the heart and soul of its community: its diverse natural resources.

Just 90 minutes north of Atlanta off Interstate-575, the North Georgia mountains of Blue Ridge and Fannin County provide a landscape that, while seeing many changes, is still the bedrock of this community’s character and its appeal. From its changing mountain views to the constant babbling of its waters, this destination is marked by its connection to the environment. Cabins surrounded by trees or mountain vistas, artists who are driven to create by their inspiration from the natural elements and guides who share not only their best fishing spots but also their love of the land they call home. These are all parts of the Blue Ridge community and are also a big part of what keeps visitors coming back. They are drawn by more than 100,000 acres of the Chattahoochee National Forest and 100 miles of trout streams. 

Once here, they take to the variety of hiking trails like those recently created on the 190 acres of preserved land in Fightingtown Creek Nature Park (1126 Cedar Valley Road, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 678-974-2609), a project resulting from the community’s commitment to free public-use trails and preservation of vital natural resources. They settle in and enjoy the views from the comfort of rental cabins that showcase the landscape. Whether the agenda includes a short drive to one of the area’s 16 waterfalls or a do-nothing day on the porch, visitors are engulfed by the natural landscape. 

Locals do not take this diverse environment for granted. In fact, they are actively working to protect and preserve their beloved natural resources and invite guests to join in.

With the warmer months comes a cherished symbol of summer in North Georgia. Enjoying the glow of fireflies is a highlight of summer evenings for many and can be an experience that creates lifetime memories. Georgia is home to more than 50 species of fireflies, more than any other state, and each year they put on a show in the back yards and wilderness areas of North Georgia. To help ensure future generations get to enjoy the sight and lasting memories, local wildlife, tourism and conservation specialists have embarked on an effort to protect and increase natural firefly habitats. The University of Georgia Extension has been working with local schools to offer hands-on learning about firefly biology and conservation strategies.

The program also supports local property owner efforts to plant native species, like milkweed, through education sessions and plant giveaways. In turn, the locals ask visitors for their support, too. By being conscious of the importance of native landscapes and doing small things like turning off porch lights during their visits, guests can be a part of ensuring future enjoyment and sustainability of Blue Ridge’s unique natural environment.

Emily Owenby, operations coordinator at Noontootla Creek Farms (3668 Newport Road, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-838-0585) has been a driving force in the local effort. 

“Even insects as small as a firefly are really important for biodiversity,” Emily says. “And milkweed is so good for fireflies. It’s also really good for butterflies. It’s good for so many different things.” 

Though only in her early twenties, the Blue Ridge native’s connection to her family’s land is one that keeps her both tethered to earlier generations and looking forward to future ones. The farm comprises nearly 1,500 acres and surrounds miles of Noontootla Creek, known as one of the premier trout streams in the Southeast. 

“My great-grandfather was the first generation of the farm and he did all of that for us,” Emily says of his acquiring the land, piece by piece, and building a business that celebrates it. She and her cousins represent the fourth generation in this family business which has made conservation efforts a core value of their operation. In a county known as the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia, water quality and fish health are critical concerns. The Owenbys know the health of the surrounding habitat plays a key role.

“We started off with the guided fly fishing,” she says of the business that now also offers a sporting clay course and quail hunting. Preserving buffer zones and nurturing native species is a critical concern for Emily. “A couple years ago, my Papa O, along with my uncle, my cousin and me, planted 400 River Birch trees alongside the creek.” The trees, along with native grasses and wildflowers, support a buffer zone along the creek. “All of it is native species to North Georgia, which is really important to us. That continues to support the already existing buffer zone that we have so we can keep the creek cool. Trout don’t like warm water. They won’t survive in warm water. So, we have to keep the creek cool if we’re going to continue to fish it. And it also provides a lot of support for bug life. The trout eat the bugs and they just keep growing if they do that.” 

The farm also ensures the integrity of the creek and health of the fish by requiring anglers to use nearby washing stations before stepping into the creek with waders that have been in other waters. That is to prevent invasive species from getting into our creek. If our clients come with their own waders, or they’ve been fishing in a different stream, this is to help prevent invasive species that could kill or introduce disease into our creek.”

Emily’s family also preserves the traditions of the region through a variety of activities and classes throughout the year. Introductory fly fishing and children’s classes are popular, as are guided bird walks and Women on the Water Retreats, which Emily hosts. That sharing of knowledge seems only natural for Emily, who recognizes the same type experiences herself. She reflects on that while standing near the buffer zone she is passionate about protecting.

“You can see trees that my grandfather and great-grandfather planted,” she said of her vantage point. “And you can also see, in front of them, the trees that my grandfather and I planted. So, it’s really neat to see the succession of forests that we have going.”

Noontootla Creek Farms is just one of many local businesses that appreciates the integral relationship between Blue Ridge’s environmental vitality and its appeal as a place to both live and visit. 

It is no accident that Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods (494 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-374-4239) is located in a spot known for its exceptional fly fishing. Here, fly rods are born of exceptional craftsmanship, keeping a generations-old tradition alive. Handcrafted and hand- engraved, the fly rods Bill Oyster creates are unmatched. He is also keeping the rod-making art alive through classes that draw students from around the world. 

The Wyoming native has a love of fly fishing and, after moving to the South and meeting his future wife, chose to live and work in Blue Ridge. The combination of natural resources and a welcoming downtown made this the perfect location.

“When we realized Georgia was home, this is the best trout fishing in the state, so we moved here,” Bill explained. “We knew we needed the right setting for our clients. We started teaching the classes too, so we needed a place for them to come and stay for the week. Here, they can take their lunch breaks, walk up the street to all these great shops and restaurants. And they can go fishing after class every day in all these trout streams all around us.”

Since its founding in 1943, Mercier Orchards (8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-632-3411) has depended on the land for its harvests and the land, along with fourth generations of farmers, has provided. Today the business is a beloved part of the Blue Ridge community and a favorite stop for visitors. Through the years, they’ve added a variety of tours, U-pick events and, most recently, community tree planting days, that offer visitors a chance to connect to the land in ways that many haven’t experienced before.

“We take people out and we give them a wholesome experience,” says Mercier’s Joe Foster. “The orchard is beautiful and we give them a great setting to spend time with their family and pick some fruit. That resonates with people more than anything because in that process, we’re teaching them. We’re teaching them that there’s a lot of effort that goes into growing food. It’s not a guarantee.”

Mercier’s operations are geared to be as resourceful as possible, and they use their crops in a multitude of ways to minimize waste. Apples, depending on size, maturity and other factors, are sold as whole fruit and also processed into cider, pies and a variety of other products. Any waste that remains is recycled as livestock feed or natural fertilizer.

As part of the fourth generation of this family business, Joe and his contemporaries are doing their best to guarantee the orchard’s future and extend its reach into the community. This year’s planting included 16,000 new trees. With a life span of up to 45 years, those trees bode well for sustainability for generations to come.

If you go

Check out even more of the diverse list of local businesses keeping the environment at the forefront:

At the Folk Collaborative (2984 Mobile Road, McCaysville, Georgia 30555; 706-492-7753) the apothecary creates a selection of all-natural products made from locally grown and foraged ingredients using traditions and knowledge passed down through generations of Appalachians. Its bakery brims with pastries and pies filled with apples from the orchard out back, where visitors can enjoy family picnics.

The 4 Elements Art Gallery (491 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 706-258-2987) invites visitors to experience the Earth, Air, Fire and Water through galleries that celebrate these universal elements. The works of renowned resident artist George Charriez, along with a curated selection from other featured artists, draw art lovers into the world of nature through a collection of works, from peaceful to evocative to amusing, like no other.

The post Saving and Sharing are Natural Priorities in Blue Ridge, Georgia appeared first on Travel Media Press Room.