The Weekend Guide to Dahlonega
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These days Dahlonega, Georgia is well known for being home to the University of North Georgia, but this little mountain town has veins that run deep. Gold veins in fact. Dahlonega was put on the map as the site of the first major U.S. Gold Rush. A lot has changed since then, but one thing hasn’t and that is the charm that this town brings to the table. With a rich history, more wineries than you can visit in a weekend, and endless adventures, it’s no wonder that Dahlonega was voted “Georgia’s Best Small Town” by Southern Living in 2023.
As with any of our online lists and weekend guides, please take this with a grain of salt as there’s no way we can cover all of the places that make this town special. This guide is composed of people and places where we have had repeated great experiences, but it is far from all-inclusive. Just because a hike or business isn’t listed here, doesn’t mean that we don’t approve of them, these are just some of our favorites. If you come to visit, please use this as a starting place, and feel free to branch out from there. There are still many great spots not listed here, just waiting for someone to find them.
PLACES TO HIKE
Preacher's Rock, Lake Zwerner, Desoto Falls, Amicalola Falls, Appalachian Trail, Three Forks
Nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, Dahlonega is more than just a charming town with a rich history—it’s a gateway to some of the best hiking trails in the region. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, enjoy breathtaking views, and experience the serenity of the great outdoors, Dahlonega offers a variety of trails that cater to all levels of hikers.
We can’t speak about hiking in Dahlonega without bringing up Preacher’s Rock. This 2-mile out-and-back hike is a true staple for anyone in the Dahlonega area, and for good reason. The hike itself is a relaxed climb through dense forest which turns into a quick scramble up some rocky outcroppings before arriving at the summit. The views from the overlook are nothing short of spectacular. Standing upon the rock face means that there is very little to obstruct your view to the East and you are greeted with breathtaking scenery of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Another favorite is Amicalola Falls. Amicalola Falls is one of Georgia’s most iconic natural landmarks, recorded as the tallest waterfall in Georgia, and one of the tallest this side of the Mississippi. This brief but strenuous trail offers stunning views of the 729-foot waterfall. The trail features a series of staircases and steep paths, the rewards at the top are worth it, but pushing up these stairs can really be a grind. The Amicalola Falls approach trail was recently reworked and there is now a secondary way up that is slightly longer but less steep. The combination of the waterfall’s magnificence and the surrounding beauty makes this trail a must-do.
Still looking for the waterfall fill, but maybe a more low-key setting? Desoto Falls is a great option a few miles northeast of Dahlonega. The Desoto Falls recreation area is home to some absolutely stunning campsites located in a quiet little cove in the Blood Mountain Wilderness area. In addition to the campsites, you’ll find a two-mile trail that accesses both the upper and lower falls. We highly recommend doing both while you’re here as they are both gorgeous and unique from one another. The hike itself is relatively easy and is a great option for families given its relaxing nature. We do recommend visiting these falls after rain or in the springtime when they’re likely to have more flow.
Our absolute favorite waterfall hike close to Dahlonega has to be the Three Forks Trail and Long Creek Falls. Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Three Forks Trail is a 2.8-mile out-and-back trail that follows the convergence of three streams, offering gentle terrain and some picturesque waterfalls. There aren’t many trails that give you this sense of wilderness, and maybe that is due in part to the long ride in on gravel roads, but we’re here for it. The hike itself traces along the banks of Long Creek as you climb gently up the ridge. As you make your way towards Long Creek Falls, be sure to listen to the streams below. There are two other gorgeous waterfalls along the hike that you don’t want to miss while you’re here. We highly recommend checking out the Atlanta Trails guide to this trail ahead of your visit for all of the important details. But if you’re visiting Dahlonega and looking for a quiet afternoon alone in nature, this is the one.
One final hike we felt the need to mention is the Lake Zwerner Trail. Less than five minutes from downtown, the Lake Zwerner Trail is perfect for an early morning getaway or post-lunch walk. This 1.5-mile loop encircles Lake Zwerner and offers a peaceful stroll through the forest with views of the serene lake. It’s a great spot for a quick outing between the rest of your daily plans.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for hiking in Dahlonega, with many more miles of trails winding through the surrounding forests, just waiting to be discovered. We’re going to drop another recommendation for Atlanta Trails here and suggest you check out their website to find some other options if none of these are quite what you’re after. We promise there are several trails out there that fit your fancy, even if they aren’t named here.
PLACES TO EAT
Picnic Cafe, Spirits Tavern, Shenanigans, Bourbon Street Grille, Gustavo's, Foothill Grill
If you’ve just finished one of the hikes above, you’ve likely worked up an appetite, but not to worry, Dahlonega is home to some of our favorite spots in Georgia. From quaint little cafes to Louisiana-style Cajun, or a full-on Irish Pub, there’s a plate for every taste.
Picnic Cafe will pretty much always be our first recommendation for lunch in Dahlonega. This quaint cafe offers a range of delicious sandwiches and fresh salads to delectable baked goods. Their rotating special soups are also always a hit and made with fresh ingredients. Picnic Cafe is home to my personal favorite chicken salad sandwich anywhere. Period. Pair it with the house-made tomato basil bisque and you’ll understand. The cafe has a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and a few tables out front for those lovely autumn days on the square. We also love picking up a meal from here and taking it to one of the local parks, picnic style, it is in the name after all. Finally, don’t leave without trying some of their wonderful baked goods. So many incredible choices that are sure to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Another great lunch option, though we often seem to wind up there for dinner which never falls short of incredible, we highly recommend Spirits Tavern. Think of this as top-tier pub food with a bit of a southern twist. Spirits prioritizes fresh and local ingredients, with locally sourced chicken and beef as well as sauces and dressings that are made in-house. This attention to quality shows too, you can truly taste the difference. We recommend starting with the mac and cheese bites, absolutely phenomenal, and the rude awakening burger. We also love that you have the option of swapping your beef for chicken, turkey, or veggie burger on any of their “between the buns” plates.
Looking for some different regional flavors? Bourbon Street Grille brings a taste of Louisiana Creole up to the North Georgia mountains. Their shrimp and grits are talked about all over, with delightfully seasoned shrimp paired to creamy, flavorful grits. Of course, what Creole place would be complete without a fantastic plate of jambalaya or gumbo? We have also heard great things about their weekend brunch, let us know if you go try it, it’s been on our list for a while! Don’t forget to wrap up your meal with some of their famous beignets!
Continuing with other regional influences, how about an Irish pub right in the heart of North Georgia? Shenanigans brings a taste of Ireland over the pond with traditional dishes such as fish and chips or shepherd’s pie, pair it with a Guinness and you’ve got a winning combo. With a lively pub atmosphere and more dollar bills lining the walls than we’ve seen in a lifetime, you’re sure to have a great time.
Sometimes all you need is a good pizza and for that, Gustavo’s has you covered. This popular spot is renowned for its delicious, handcrafted pizzas with a range of toppings and a perfect crust. The menu offers traditional favorites like Margherita and pepperoni, as well as unique creations such as their signature “kitchen sink”, which is loaded with pretty much everything, except the kitchen sink. Beyond pizza, you can also find calzones, stromboli, and some delicious pasta choices.
We’ve somehow gone this far into the food section of the blog without talking about breakfast. What better place than a local spot that serves breakfast all day? Foothill Grill is one of the best local roadside stops you can find. They claim to be the best breakfast in Dahlonega, and we’d back that claim any day of the week. Fresh cinnamon rolls, savory bacon biscuits, and delicious omelets, it really can’t be beat. If you go anywhere for breakfast in Dahlonega, make this your first priority.
We could ramble on about our favorite places to eat all day, but at some point, we need to wrap up this section of the blog, so here are a few rapid-fire favorites before we close. Smith House for some farm-to-table country-style platters in a family dining setting. Bratzeit for your German or Swiss fix. Zen Ramen Bistro for a delicious bowl of ramen or a bento box. Grapevines for traditional Italian dishes in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
PLACES FOR COFFEE AND DESSERT
Paul Thomas Chocolates, Connies Ice Cream, Blue 42 Market, Jethro's Coffee, Canopy + Roots
No meal is complete without something sweet, right? Please say it’s not just us. There’s no better place in Dahlonega for your chocolate fix than Paul Thomas Chocolates. This little shop on the square is a locally owned delicacy with a rich history of serving the finest chocolates. Everything you see in their display cabinets is made right here in the store, and you’ll often see this process happening in the background as you pick out your treats. And so many treats there are to pick from. Candy apples, dipped Oreos, Fudge, bark, fruits and nuts, and every other chocolate creation you can think of. On our most recent visit, we picked up a box of assorted truffles and couldn’t pick a bad one out of the bunch, but the dark chocolate lemon chiffon had to be the favorite.
Maybe ice cream is more your speed than chocolate truffles? Head across the square to Connie’s Ice Cream for a cup or cone. With tons of classic flavors to choose from available in a myriad of different ways, but waffle cone is obviously the correct choice. All served in a classic little ice cream parlor setting, it’s perfect for your stroll around the square.
Looking for an afternoon pick me up? There’s no shortage of great coffee shops around Dahlonega. Some favorites include Blue 42 Market, Jethro’s Coffee, and Canopy + Roots.
Blue 42 Market is one of our retail partners, so a bonus in addition to a great cup of coffee is that you can pick up some Wander gear during your visit! Blue 42 is built around the idea of providing a sustainable source of Georgia grown
fresh fruit, vegetables, honey, bread, pastries, locally roasted coffee, local art, crafts, provisions & goods to Dahlonega residents and visitors.
PLACES TO SIP WINE (or spirits)
Big Creek Distilling, Kaya Vineyard, Frogtown Cellars, Three Sisters Vineyards, Montaluce, Cavender Creek Vineyards
No guide to Dahlonega would be complete without talking about some wine, as this area is known as Georgia Wine Country. There is a higher concentration of wineries around Dahlonega than in any other part of the state, as well as several surrounding states. The majority of this section is going to be based around wine, but before we get there, we have to take a moment to talk about a recent discovery that was an instant favorite. We visited Big Creek Distilling just before writing this blog and we are already trying to find a time to go back so that we can do a blog post solely based around this awesome spot.
Big Creek Distilling is located just a few miles north of town, in the same general area as many of the wineries that fill the valley. This is a family-owned distilling company that wanted to bring a unique flavor and experience to the North Georgia mountains, for all to enjoy. Big Creek has several spirits to choose from including bourbon whiskey, gin, and of course, moonshine. The best part is that they are all distilled right here in-house to create bold and authentic flavors. You can even book tours of the distillery to get a behind-the-scenes look at the production process and what tour would be complete without a tasting
We didn’t have time for a tour on our recent visit but would love to go back and get the full picture. We can tell you just how incredible the tasting room and event space were though, we will absolutely be returning with some friends for one of their events. We’ve rambled a lot already and you’re probably wondering when we’ll get to the drinks. During our visit we tried two of their seasonal offerings, “The Orchard” and the “Ginger Fizz.” Both phenomenal. The Orchard features their Gin, apple cider, honey, lime and a cinnamon sugar rim; taste of fall anyone? I’m a sucker for a good ginger-based drink and the “Ginger Fizz” here was one of the best I’ve had. Seasonal Gin, ginger infused simple syrup, lemon, ginger beer, and topped with candied ginger. It sounds like a lot if you’re not a ginger fanatic, but it was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. So much so that I went home with a bottle of gin and tried to recreate it. (You’d rather have theirs, trust me.) Definitely stop in and check these guys out if you’re in the area.
Okay, we’ve drug you wine lovers far enough. Let’s get on to the Dahlonega wineries. We’re going to attempt to keep this brief as we do have a full blog post dedicated to the best wineries in north Georgia, many of which are right here around Dahlonega.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards is a small winery located a few miles from town offering fabulous wine and stunning views. The vineyard was established in 1999 and has been going strong since, producing over 5000 cases annually. They pride themselves on creating a Napa-like experience here in North Georgia, and what a great job they do. The view, the wine, and the food are all fantastic. Three Sisters Vineyard is another great choice if you’re looking for true local wine, with 100% of their wine being made from Georgia-grown grapes since 1995. Again, featuring some pleasant and relaxing views of the mountains, specifically Three Sisters Mountain, where the winery gets its name.
Cavender Creek is another local favorite, often referred to as “The winery with the donkeys,” because, well, they have donkeys! If you’re looking for a unique experience, come pay them a visit and explore the beautiful grounds, sip some wine, and hang out with some friendly donkeys! We can’t talk about Dahlonega’s wineries without mentioning Kaya Vineyard. Kaya is one of the newest wineries in this area, but it’s also the largest. As with nearly all of the wineries in this area, there is no shortage of incredible views. Kaya specializes in European and American varieties of grapes, which are hand-harvested and processed on-site to create wonderfully complex flavors.
This barely scratches the surface of the wineries in this area and we highly encourage you to go out beyond this list. Just because something is not included here, doesn’t mean it isn’t good. We have limited time and resources and unfortunately cannot visit every winery on a quick visit. Please look into visiting some others during your time in Dahlonega.
PLACES TO EXPERIENCE
Dahlonega Gold Museum, Holly Theater, Burt's Pumpkin Farm, North Georgia Wildlife Park
As previously mentioned, Dahlonega was put on the map as the site of our country’s first gold rush in 1828. So if you’re visiting Dahlonega, it only seems appropriate to stop in at the old courthouse, which now doubles as the Gold Museum. Step in to see gold coins from the original 1838 Dahlonega Mint branch, as well as a large gold nugget, and equipment that was used during the mining process. There is also a short film shown inside the museum that depicts the mining process and the lives of the miners involved. This is an integral part of Dahlonega’s history and we highly recommend taking the time to experience it.
Dahlonega has a long-running history of movies being filmed around the town square and other notable landmarks, so it was only natural that a theater was built to show those movies. In the mid-1920s, the Holly Theater‘s roots began with the bottom floor of the historic Price building being converted into a theater to show silent movies. The theater continued to evolve and develop over the next several years before the adjoining building suffered a fire in 1943 which closed the theater until it could be rebuilt and celebrate its grand opening in 1948. Today, the Holly Theater hosts theatrical productions, concerts, and children’s productions. Catching a show here is a very intimate experience, with no seat more than 70 feet from the stage, you won’t miss a single detail of the show.
If you happen to be visiting during the autumn months and want to fall into those stereotypical traditions, Burt’s Farm is a must. We’ve already written a full blog post dedicated to this wonderful roadside pumpkin stand, so please check that out if you’d like to visit, but here are some quick details. Burt’s is a 70-acre pumpkin farm that is located between Dahlonega and Dawsonville, right down the road from Amicalola Falls. If there’s a pumpkin variety you’re after, chances are they have it. With thousands of pumpkins to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your family. We always love coming to visit and strolling through the rows of pumpkins while snacking on one of their delicious fried pies!
For those with kids tagging along, the North Georgia Wildlife Park is always a hit. Home to over 80 different species of animals, ranging from primates, reptiles, and amphibians, to wolves, kangaroos, and so much more. We had to do a double take the first time we passed by here and saw a camel and some zebra hanging out on a distant hillside. It really is a surreal feeling seeing these exotic creatures here in Georgia. As a USDA and DNR accredited institution, you can rest assured the animals are well cared for and provided a high quality of life. They are held to high standards for animal care and the people that work here truly love what they do.
And please consider checking out our Wandering Pledge before your next trip. There are lots of good tips on how to recreate responsibly in the outdoors, minimize your impact, and to leave no trace. But one of the pledges is “to be respectful toward the people that call where I wander home.” While we love traveling and visiting new places as much as the next person, it’s important to remember most locals have been wise stewards of a place for generations and we’re just passing through. So be respectful and considerate of the people and places you visit. Have fun, tip well, practice gratitude and you’ll experience hospitality like no other.
And again, please take this as a jumping-off point for your adventures and branch out to find new places of your own. And if you find a place that you really love and think should be included in this guide, shoot us a message! We would love to have your recommendations as we can only visit so many spots on our brief visits. There are so many amazing businesses in this area and we wish we had time to list them all, but we hope that you find this guide helpful to start planning your next trip!
The post The Weekend Guide to Dahlonega appeared first on Wander North Georgia.
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