When was the last time you escaped Atlanta for the weekend, not to fulfill work-related or other obligations, but just because you could? The Big Peach has plenty to offer, but it’s still a big city. And, when you live in a large metropolitan area, it can be refreshing to get away from time to time.
Here are five weekend getaway destinations, all within a five-hour drive of Atlanta!
Georgia Wine Country
Just an hour north of Atlanta, some of the finest wines east of the Mississippi are barreled, aged, and consumed. Rolling hills, never-ending rows of vineyards, and imposing architecture make Georgia’s wine country the perfect backdrop for romantic getaways, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and weekends spent with close friends.
Chateau Elan Winery & Resort offers tours, tastings, and a comfortable place to stay. Other popular wineries, including Tiger Mountain, Frogtown Cellars, and Three Sisters Vineyards, which can be visited easily from Chateau Elan or even on a day trip out of Atlanta. If you like wine and haven’t visited, Georgia’s wine country is a must!
Northeast Georgia Mountains
Another great escape that can be reached from Atlanta after just an hour behind the wheel, the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia are a sight to behold. The mountains provide respite from the heat in the summer, a stunning scape of colors in the fall, access to winter sports, and excellent hiking year-round.
This summer, jump into one of the region’s clean lakes for some water sports or plan a hike the entire family, including your beloved dog, can enjoy. The mountains in and around the Chattachoochee-Oconee National Forest are a national treasure that can be enjoyed by lovers, close friends, and entire families alike, and they are so close to Atlanta!
Savannah
Settled by British colonists in 1733, Savannah is Georgia’s oldest cities and one of America’s most historic settlements. Every year, people from all over the country make the trek to Savannah to see what the city has to offer. If you live in Atlanta, you have to check it out at least once. Cobblestone-clad River Street, attractive Forsyth Park, and the well maintained grounds of Bonaventure Cemetery are highlights for many. Savannah-specific restaurants, such as Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room and Paula Deen’s The Lady & Sons, are worth the wait.
The historic, charming, and aesthetically appealing riverside city has more than enough to keep you busy for a weekend, and is just a three-and-a-half hour drive from Atlanta’s downtown apartments. If you’re a beach goer, you’ll want to tack on a visit to nearby Tybee Island.
Augusta
Also nestled along the Savannah River, Augusts is Georgia’s second oldest city and home to the prestigious Masters golf tournament. Spared the degree of destruction many of the South’s coastal cities sustained during the Civil War, Augusta retains its historic charm. This charm can be experienced through exploring its older streets, visiting the boyhood home of President Woodrow Wilson, and analyzing exhibits at the Augusta Museum of History.
A stroll along the city’s beautiful riverwalk, an evening serenaded by Garden City’s candlelight jazz, and a Fort Gordon Dinner Theater experience should all be on your agenda if you’re headed for a romantic getaway. Unless you need to fuel up or stop for food, the journey takes just two hours and fifteen minutes from AMLI Old 4th Ward, AMLI Ponce Park, and AMLI Parkside.
The Golden Isles
Georgia’s stretch of Atlantic coastline is relatively small, but it is not lacking in natural beauty. Off the coast near the port town Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Sea Island make up what are collectively known as the Golden Isles. Diverse wildlife, pristine beaches, and a luster that gives the islands a golden feel make the Golden Isles the weekend getaway wonder that they are. There are plenty of great family-friendly beaches and activities on the Golden Isles. But if luxury and privacy in a romantic setting are what you’re after, look into a stay at The Cloister on Sea Island.
Atlantans are fortunate to be surrounded by so many wonderful destinations and attractions. If you’d like a break from your routine of visiting your favorite parks and restaurants and staring at the same apartment walls, get out and explore what the great state of Georgia has to offer. These destinations, along with many others in the vicinity, are accessible and rich in their offerings.
What’s your favorite getaway, in or out of Georgia?
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst