Dahlonega, Georgia: Things-To-Do, Places To Go, & Striking It Gold Rich
Northern Georgia is full of surprising little mountain towns and each one has its own unique characteristics that make it worth visiting. Near Dahlonega Georgia, cabin rentals are the prime launching pad to explore this gem of a town.
Dahlonega sits in the heart of Lumpkin County and right on the edge of the pristine Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. It was the site of the earliest gold rush in the United States and has maintained its roots in that golden past. It has also carved out a new future as an arts and crafts hub and a cycling destination. With so many reasons to visit the Dahlonega, Georgia cabin rentals, how will you choose what to do?
Dahlonega Festivals
Dahlonega hosts several festivals throughout the year that make it a great place to visit to take in the local culture on the weekend. The Gold Rush Days occur the third weekend of every October to remember the event that put Dahlonega on the map in the first place. The festival includes a gold panning contest, live entertainment, a king and queen coronation, and much more.
It’s not just the old days that draw visitors to Dahlonega anymore. This mountain town has become known as a hub of creative and visual arts in Georgia. The Bear on the Square Festival in April and the Northeast Georgia Arts Tours in June and November showcase the culture and creativity of this area. During these festivals, local craftsmen and women showcase traditional mountain arts and culture and invite visitors into their studios, galleries, and workspaces to learn more about these folk arts.
The Mountain Fine Flower Art Festival in May allows folks to watch artists at work. Visit Dahlonega and many other art-inspired mountain towns during the Northeast Georgia Arts Tour.
Two Wheel Adventures
Looking for a more active weekend? Then join in the bicycle culture of Dahlonega, which has long been recognized as the foremost cycling venue in Georgia and the Southeast. Road biking, mountain biking, and hybrid biking enthusiasts will find plenty of trails and roadways to keep the ride exciting.
Dahlonega hosts two premier cycling events each year — the Six Gap Century and the Three Gap Fifty. The Six Gap Century occurs in late September and takes cyclists up and down six of the steepest climbs in North Georgia. The shorter Three Gap Fifty route adds to the event to make this the Tour de Georgia. And to avoid the crowds but stay near Dahlonega, Georgia, cabin rentals are available close to the venue. Cedar Creek Cabins offer luxury accommodations, during the event, where you can soak your tired muscles in the hot tub after the ride.
Wine Country
Dahlonega, Georgia sits in the middle of the growing northern Georgia wine country. It has the highest concentration of wineries and vineyards in Georgia, making it the true heart of the Georgia wine country. You can visit several wineries or participate in the Dahlonega wine festivals held throughout June.
Start your wine tour at Blackstock Vineyard and Winery, one of the pioneers of the Georgia wine country. Next, head to Montaluce, a Tuscan retreat in the heart of the Georgia mountains. Montaluce focuses on European varietals like Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese, all amid a villa built to look just like Old World Tuscan villages. Afterward, head back to town to Frogtown Cellars wine tasting room where you can grab a panini lunch and sample dry reds and traditional southern sweet wines. Looking for a more formal meal with your wine tasting? Visit Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery. This vineyard produces outstanding sparkling wines created with traditional methods and boasts a dazzling dining room open for lunch Thursday through Saturday and for brunch every Sunday. Advance reservations are required.
Mountain Biking Dahlonega
The Chattahoochee National Forest has some of the best mountain biking trails in the state. Set out from your Dahlonega cabins to ride the Bull Mountain Trail, one of the most popular loop trails in the state of Georgia, giving riders eleven miles of rolling hills and majestic vistas.
Hiking around Dahlonega
Hike the trails at Amicalola Falls State Park where you can admire the tallest cascading waterfall in the state. The Anna Ruby Falls Trail offers hikers exquisite views of Georgia’s natural heritage. The Dockery Lake Trail is a half-mile loop trail around three-acre Dockery Lake which also offers visitors some excellent trout fishing opportunities. Desoto Falls Trail is named for the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto. It is a four-mile trail to the falls and back. The Raven Cliffs Trail along Dodd Creek leads to a fantastic view of the creek plunging through the cliffs.
Water Sports
The Etowah and Chestatee Rivers and nearby Lake Lanier offer ample opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. This area is also famous for its abundance of trout, so visitors can leave their Dahlonega cabins to make a day of fishing.
Places To Find Ice Cream & Chocolate
Connie’s Ice Cream Parlor
Making a pit stop at Connie’s Ice Cream Parlor is a must after a fun day of panning for gold and exploring the historical mines of Dahlonega, Georgia. This family-run ice cream parlor and sandwich shop have all the small-town charm and sweet deals that you crave.
Enjoy a variety of sweet treats and soda floats with real vanilla, or have a sandwich lovingly crafted right before your very eyes. Enjoy the classic Coke memorabilia which adorns the parlor while you cool off with a yummy milkshake or ice cream sundae.
The Fudge Factory
The Fudge Factory in Dahlonega, Georgia, is located a short ride from the cabins in Helen, Georgia. It’s the perfect way to cap off a day of exploring the gold mines and historical sites in the town. In spite of the name, you will be happy to learn that the Fudge Factory offers much more than just fudge. The candy business has been expertly cooking up sweet treats for over thirty years, which include mouth-watering candy apples, caramels, toffee, divinities, pralines, brittles, truffles, and much more! You can also stick with the theme of the town by trying some “Dahlonega Nuggets,” which are Georgia pecans covered in caramel and milk chocolate. For those watching their sugar intake, you can enjoy something from the Fudge Factory, too. Their sugar-free menu includes dark chocolate almond bark, dark chocolate caramel pecan patties, and milk chocolate caramel pecan patties.
Paul Thomas Chocolates
Since 1975, Paul Thomas Chocolates has delivered fine candies and chocolates for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can watch the bakers make chocolates. Those visiting the famous gold rush city will undoubtedly want to try a special treat like the Dahlonega Chocolate Gold Bar. This delightful concoction is made from yummy milk or dark chocolate, golden raisins, and Georgia pecans. At Paul Thomas, you will find a vast assortment of chocolates, caramels, candy-coated pretzels, coconut treats, and sugar-free delights.
Striking It Rich Near Dahlonega GA
The charming little town of Dahlonega in northern Georgia is truly a historical landmark as it prides itself as one of the first areas to experience the Gold Rush back in 1828. Even before the big Gold Rush of California in 1849, prospectors and miners were uncovering treasures right in the heart of northern Georgia. And this small mountain town continues to celebrate its golden past today.
Today, you can visit the Dahlonega Gold Museum in the center of town to learn about this golden period in the town’s history.
The Dahlonega Gold Museum
Located in the center of town, the Dahlonega Gold Museum will guide you through the rich history of gold mining in northern Georgia. The museum is actually situated inside of a restored courthouse and features a 23-minute high definition film that describes the mining techniques and lifestyles of the prospectors who once populated the area. You will find antique gold coins, nuggets, and bearing quartz rock. This historic landmark will take you back in time, and you will enjoy learning about where the gold rush all began.
Gold Rush Days
You can also relive some of the town’s gold past during the annual Gold Rush Days held the third weekend in October. Running side by side with the Oktoberfest in Helen Georgia, the north Georgia mountains are the place to be this time of year. The annual event includes a gold panning contest, live entertainment, and a king and queen coronation.
The Consolidated Gold Mines
For a fun and unique attraction located close to the Dahlonega, Georgia cabin rentals, grab the whole family and head over to The Consolidated Gold Mines. Here, you and your group will get transported back in time as you descend 200 feet beneath the ground and into the mines. On this 40-minute interactive tour, your expert guide will tell the stories and tales of Gold Rush miners at the turn of the century.
Consolidated Gold Mines was the largest gold mining operation east of the Mississippi and today offers visitors a guided tour through the history of gold mining in Dahlonega.
After the tour is complete, you will receive a gold and gemstone panning lesson from proficient panners who are truly the best of the best. If you’re interested, you can take a crack at it yourself and see if you get lucky and strike it rich.
The Crisson Gold Mine
Because this authentic open-pit gold mine is conveniently located in Dahlonega, Georgia, cabin rentals at Cedar Creek are a convenient choice for your Georgia mountain vacation. Enjoy the rich history of the mine established in 1847 that features a stamp mill about 125 years old.
This mill was used for crushing quartz rock that contained gold. At Crisson Gold Mine, you will have the opportunity to pan for gold and precious stones such as emeralds, garnets, sapphires, amethysts, rubies, and much more. Many lucky customers have been fortunate enough to find pristine gems which they have gone on to use to make jewelry.
In addition to allowing you to pan for gold on-site, the folks at Crisson Gold Mine also sell ore by the 5-gallon bucket. This way you can pan for riches when back at your Dahlonega, Georgia cabin rental. Who knows what you will find?
The Gold Fever Package
Do all of these fun gold-related activities sound like fun to you? At the city visitor center, you can purchase a gold fever package which will allow you to enjoy all three for a lower price for museum admission, a tour at the Consolidated Gold Mine, and gold panning at the Crisson Gold Mine. This is an excellent deal for any travelers staying in the Dahlonega, GA cabin rentals who are trying to strike it rich in northern Georgia.
There is something for everyone in the historic and exciting town of Dahlonega, GA. Cabin rentals are a great way to get close to all the action and try your luck at finding gold and gems on your vacation. Every day’s an adventure here!
Dahlonega Cabins and Local Hot Spots
Sometimes one just needs an escape, a chance to get away from the rest of the world, and the rush of day-to-day life to start living again. Rediscovering the joys of life can be as simple as taking a short vacation or a longer one if you prefer. In the great state of Georgia, you can book a spectacular Dahlonega cabin
Dahlonega cabins offer majestic mountain views.
North Georgia Cabins have all the comforts of a home in the mountains. You can sit on the wrap-around porch in the early morning and watch the sunrise over majestic mountain vistas. At the end of the day, you can take a relaxing soak in the hot tub, or sit and watch the sunset. In the evenings, you can stare up at the stars in the beautiful Georgia sky while enjoying the cabin’s surround sound entertainment system.
The Dahlonega, Georgia cabin rentals offer much more than a place to take a break from your busy life. It is the perfect spot for that needed escape. Our cabins also provide you with a starting point to discover the hidden treasures of this mountain community. From the great outdoors to the refined tasting rooms, from biking to kayaking, from getting your hands in the dirt to hand-crafted art, Dahlonega has it all. What hidden treasure will you uncover first?
Share Your Experience
If you have visited the mines, were you lucky enough to strike it rich? What sort of treasure did you uncover? Did you take a two-wheeled ride? Share the tales of your adventures with us below in the comments section of our blog.
