Dahlonega
Dahlonega, Georgia
A Goldmine for Adventure
By: Rosana Hughes
DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 30 minutes from downtown Chattanooga
GREAT FOR: Outdoors › Culture › Shopping › Families
BEST IF YOU HAVE:
2 days
Amid the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dahlonega offers mountain scenes, rumbling waterfalls and trickling streams, plus wineries and a variety of entertainment. Stroll and shop the charming town square, relax to music in the park, sample the plentiful homegrown wines, or relive the city’s gold rush days.
> WHAT TO DO:
Frogtown Cellars
700 Ridge Point Drive
706-865-0687
Frogtown Cellars is Georgia’s most awarded winery in major U.S. competitions. The 57-acre vineyard and winery estate is home to over 22,000 grapevines and 25 grape varieties, both red and white, and a tri-level gravity-flow winery. Thursday-Sunday, the on-site Italian Bistro serves up paninis, pizzas, salads and limited entrees using handmade dough and house-smoked/cured meats.
» Home to 12 wine tasting rooms and five wineries — the highest concentration in the state — Dahlonega is known as the Heart of Georgia Wine Country and the Wine Tasting Room Capital of Georgia. Come thirsty; you’ll be able to try European, French hybrid, and American wines.
» Isha hosts regular Free Yoga Days, offering free yoga and meditation classes, vegetarian cooking demonstrations and guided hikes.
Crisson Gold Mine
2736 Morrison Moore Pkwy. E
706-864-6363
An open pit goldmine, Crisson Gold Mine was established in 1847 and was in commercial operation until the early 1980s. It features a 125-year-old mill that is still used to crush quartz rock which contains gold. The mine also offers gem stone grubbing. Visitors can can find rubies, emeralds, sapphires, crystals, amethysts, garnets and more, some of which have been made into jewelry.
George E. Coleman Sr. Planetarium & Observatory
159 Sunset Drive, UNG Health & Natural Sciences Building, Room 234
706-864-1471 (planetarium)
706-864-8642 (observatory)
Armed with a digital planetarium system, the 46-seat theater offers a realistic simulation of the night sky as seen from anywhere on the surface of the Earth at any time of night and at any epoch from the ancient past to the far future, all on a 30-foot-diameter dome. The system also lets visitors fly through space to explore other planets, moons and stars. Public planetarium shows on Friday nights are free, beginning at 8 p.m.
> HALLMARK EVENT:
Held the third full weekend in October (Oct. 19-20 this year), this annual event celebrates Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Hundreds of art and craft vendors gather around the public square in the historic district, live music performances are held, and favorite foods are served for the roughly 200,000 weekend visitors.
> SHOPS TO HIT:
Locally Crafted Market
387 N. Grove St., Suite E
706-867-6901
As its name implies, this store sells only locally crafted gifts. During operating hours, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., shoppers can watch different vendors demonstrate their methods or participate in classes themselves.
Paul Thomas Chocolates and Gifts
102 Public Square N
706-864-6333
Watch chocolates being made or snag a souvenir; just be sure to grab a Dahlonega Chocolate Gold Bar. Created here, the unique confection is made using milk or dark chocolate, golden raisins and Georgia pecans.
Gateway Antiques
75 E. Main Street
706-867-8816
A favorite among local shoppers, this mini mall features the finds of over 70 antiques dealers, stuffed into 12,000-plus square feet a block from the town square. You’re practically guaranteed to find something unique — the store requires that at least 75% of its merchandise be vintage or antique.
Canvas and Cork
90 N. Meaders Street
706-525-1563
There aren’t too many places where one can do a wine tasting, take an art class and peruse professional artists’ work, all under the same roof. Email owner@canvasandcork.net to learn about the weekly art classes. The second Saturday of each month features a mini art show with themes paired with featured wines and food. The shop is a brand-new satellite tasting room for Gin Creek Vineyards.
» Why sample just one winery for $9 when you can try four for $20? The store sells Time to Wine tickets that entitle the holder to three tastings at four downtown venues, and the self-guided walking tour can be taken at your leisure.
> THE GREAT OUTDOORS:
Dahlonega’s mountain setting means the outdoor possibilities are endless. There are 22 mountain trails within 32 miles of town. Take a private guided day-hike, do a section-hike of the Appalachian Trail, the southern terminus of which is nearby, or simply explore the Chattahoochee National Forest, which offers a range of trail options. The Jake and Bull Mountain Trail System includes about 36 miles of trails for equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers. The area is located less than 10 minutes from downtown Dahlonega. Local resorts also offer trail rides, and some local businesses offer riding instructions and dinner wagon cookouts.
The elevation also makes the area popular with cyclists. Or, ride the Class I and II rapids courtesy of the two rivers nearby. There are several rental outfits in town, and the visitors center has pre-mapped routes.
One of the more unique aspects is the concentration of world-class waterfalls. Six waterfalls are within a 40-minute drive from downtown, including the breathtaking Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. The surrounding 829-acre Amicalola Falls State Park offers unique adventure options including a zipline course and 3-D archery roughly 30 minutes from town.
> WHERE TO EAT:
COST KEY:
$: Under $10
$$: $11-$30
$$$: $31-$60
$$$$: $61+
The Crimson Moon
24 N. Park Street
706-864-3982
Cost: $$
Located in the Parker-Nix Storehouse — the second-oldest structure in Dahlonega’s historic public square — The Crimson Moon offers amazing acoustics for live performances. The 16-year-old restaurant offers a full-service menu with several vegan and gluten-free options. It also features a variety of beer and wine, as well as hand-crafted cocktails.
Gustavo’s
16 Public Square S
706-864-2366
Cost: $$
Gustavo’s offers a variety of Italian specialty dishes. From calzones, New York style pizza and strombolis to pasta dishes, garlic rolls, salads and wraps, there is something for everyone. The restaurant also offers a large selection of craft and draft beers and local wines and spirits.
Bratzeit
77A Memorial Drive
706-867-7741
This family-owned eatery serves up authentic German fare in a quaint cafe setting — both of which have helped the restaurant garner 5 stars on Yelp. Adding to the experience, the pet-friendly patio routinely hosts live oompah music.
Bourbon Street Grille
90 Public Square N
706-864-0086
Cost: $$
Billed as “New Orleans brought to Dahlonega,” this charming two-story offers a covered porch overlooking the square, highly reviewed shrimp and grits, and two opposing atmospheres. The “top” is described as intimate, while the “bottom” draws more of a bar crowd and welcomes pets on the patio.
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