Less than a 5-hour drive from Franklin, Dahlonega sits nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains amidst the heart of Georgia's Wine Country and at the site of the first U.S. major gold rush.
+ Stay
Dahlonega Treehouse Daybreak
How to best see the stunning fall mountain views? Sleep in the trees! Daybreak is a designer, luxurious treehouse custom-made by artisans with amazing mountain views and a massive deck.
Whether staying a night or a week, the area offers a unique lodging experience to suit every dream and budget - unique bed and breakfasts, mountain cabins, camping under the stars or splurge in a spa and resort.
+ Drink
Georgia’s Wine Country
No need to hop a plane to Napa, France, or Italy to savor award-winning wines,as Dahlonega is located in one of the most highly acclaimed wine regions in the South, and was officially designated as the Dahlonega Plateau AVA (American Viticultural Area) in 2018. From Italianate hillside mansions to craftsman-style lodges, visitors can tour these distinctive wineries to learn first-hand what it takes to coax award-winning wines from ground to grape to glass. During the fall, most wineries present their latest vintages and offer amazing panoramic views of area foliage.
Do+
Mine for Gold/Gold Rush Days
Fun fact: the first major gold rush of the United States was not in California. In 1828, more than 20 years before the boom out west, Dahlonega welcomed an influx of miners after it was discovered to have the largest gold deposits found east of the Mississippi River. Today the city celebrates its rich past with attractions that visitors of all ages can enjoy - from educational opportunities including museums and artifacts to interactive experiences such as gold panning and mine tours. During the peak fall season, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Dahlonega to commemorate the discovery of gold. Gold Rush Days are always held around the Historic Square October 16-17 and feature more than 200 unique art and craft exhibitors, a parade, children’s activities, cloggers and square dancers, music, gold panning and fantastic food vendor choices.
Hikes to view fall foliage
There are many hiking trails both for day hikes and back packing trips near Dahlonega in the Chattahoochee National Forest Trails of Lumpkin County. Before traveling, visitors can download the "Hiking Trails in the Dahlonega Area" guide to learn about 22 trails in the North Georgia Mountains within 32 miles of Dahlonega.
Animal Encounters
Dahlonega offers two area wildlife viewing opportunities. Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo features more than 100 other rescued creatures not normally found in the state from Bengal tigers, black leopards, servals and African lions to lemurs and monkeys. North Georgia Wildlife Park is involved in the conservation of many rare and endangered species such as primates, wild cats, wolves, exotic livestock and more.
Dahlonega Butterfly Farm
Open seasonally, from mid-April - Oct. 31st, The Dahlonega Butterfly Farm offers visitors the chance to learn about the life-cycle and get up-close to 100+ butterflies in a tropical greenhouse. The farm’s outdoor garden features a "caterpillar habitat" with a variety of perennials and butterfly host plants.