Happy Thursday friends! I hope you are having a wonderful week. Today I want to share a recap of our recent trip to Dahlonega, Georgia. If you followed along via Instagram stories you saw how much fun we had on our trip! No worries if you missed it, today I am going to give you all the details so you can plan your trip to this beautiful destination.
Located a little over an hour outside of Atlanta, Dahlonega was the site of the first major U.S. gold rush and the heart of Georgia wine country.
Where We Stayed
One of the highlights of our trip was staying at Forrest Hills Mountain Resort and Conference Center. From the moment we checked in we were greeted with warm smiles and the upmost Southern hospitality. They even gave Henry an Heidi a doggy blanket and treats! Quite the welcome!
We stayed in one of the beautiful cabins that came with a full jacuzzi in the master bedroom. It also had a small kitchen, table, fire place and porch overlooking the mountains. We were also a short walk away from the restaurant so that made it super convenient to get to and from breakfast.
While we were there, we learned that Forrest Hills Resort is family-owned and a popular wedding and event destination. They have 32 private cabins, each with hot tub and fireplace; 12 luxury bi-level suites with steam sauna and other amenities; and private hotel with 4, 8, 12 and 16 room units. There are 7 meeting rooms, 4 dining rooms, including the Secret Garden for couples and the Rose Garden that can be dressed up or down from formal to casual banquets for up to 200 guests.
There is also plenty to do while at Forrest Hills Resort! We decided to relax and hang low while we were there but the resort offers activities like horseback riding, horse-drawn carriages/tours, swimming pool and tennis and a gift shop. They are also close to three golf courses, vineyards and Dahlonega’s charming old-fashioned town square.
What We Did
Saturday
After checking into Forrest Hills Resort on Friday night, we decided to relax and jump into the jacuzzi together. Robinson enjoyed swimming around the warm water before heading to bed. We slept in Saturday morning then walked to breakfast from our cabin. After breakfast we went and grabbed the puppies and went on a walk around the resort. We saw lots of animals including cats, squirrels and chipmunks!
Next on our agenda was a lunch with a view at Wolf Mountain Vineyards. The restaurant was packed so sat outside on the porch that overlooks the mountains. We also did a full wine tasting while we enjoyed charcuterie boards and pizza. The wine tasting included various samples of their dry white, rosé, semi sweet reds and a sparkling wine! It was hard to choose a favorite because they were all delicious!
After we finished up our wine tasting and lunch, we ended our day at Dahlonega’s town square listening to some live music. It was the perfect Saturday!
Sunday
On Sunday we kicked things off with breakfast at the resort followed by a short drive to Amicalola Falls. This famous Georgia hike takes you to the highest waterfall in Georgia and one of the state’s seven natural wonders, the 729-foot Amicalola Falls. The best part about this trail is you decide how vigorous you want to make it. You can start at the bottom of the waterfall, middle or top. Since we had Robinson with us, we decided to start at the middle. It was the perfect hike for our little family!
After our hike we headed back to Dahlongea town square for lunch. Since it was a beautiful day, we decided to sit outside and eat at a delicious greek restaurant called Capers On the Square. We then headed to Connie’s Ice Cream Parlor & Sandwich Shop to grab some dessert! Robinson loved his cookies and creams ice cream cone!
Before heading back to Atlanta, we walked around the square listening to live music and playing at the new Goldmine Kids Park. This was the perfect way to finish out our weekend in Dahlonega!
Travel Tips
In Dahlonega, you can find relaxation through the scenic mountain views or you can find fun filled outdoor adventures. Regardless of what your family is into, there is something for everyone!
Although we didn’t get to do everything, here are a few more fun things to do while you are visiting Dahlonega:
- North Georgia Zoo & Petting Farm
- Dahlonega Gold Museum, Consolidated Gold Mine and Crisson Gold Mine
- More hiking- Preachers Rock and Cane Creek Falls
- More vineyards- Montaluce Winery & Restaurant
- Shopping through the square- boutiques, olive oil and an adorable General Store
I hope you enjoy your time in Dahlonega!
Xo,
we are currently planning our trip to Dahlonega and really enjoyed your post! It was very helpful! Thanks for posting!