There's no denying Savannah is a great winter escape, but Georgia beholds more hidden gems off the traditional tourist path.
Still boasting Southern charm and quite possibly more natural beauty, there's one lakeside town at the Blue Ridge foothills that's more than worthy of being your next idyllic getaway.
Perfectly suited for a short break or weeklong vacation, you can fly into Atlanta and be here in just an hour.
Known as the ‘Queen City of the Mountains‘, you'll have stunning natural landscapes to explore or old-timey streets packed with boutiques, galleries, surprisingly diverse eateries and sidewalk cafes to enjoy during the region's mild winters.
Way Down Yonder On The Chattahoochie
Gainesville (not to be confused with the college town of Gainesville, Florida) is a tranquil escape near the Chattahoochee River, which led to the formation of Lake Lanier after being dammed.
Country singer Alan Jackson once famously sang, “Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee,
it gets hotter than a hoochie coochie”.
And that's why winter is one of the best times of year to visit. You'll have far fewer crowds to deal with and splendid hoochie-coochie-less weather.
Gainesville's history runs deep as a mining community dating back to the 1800s, formerly known as Mule Camp Springs.
Nowadays, Gainesville is best served as a beloved mountain secret to escape the city grind by unwinding lakeside or ample cozy stays through the town center.
Adding to Gainesville's fascinating timeline, this storied town was actually an Olympic site in the 1990's, where you can still check out Olympic Park to learn more about how Gainesville became more than a blip on the map from a gold rush giant to an Olympic site, and back to being a locals' favorite hideaway.
Lakeside Bliss & Mountain Trails: Enjoy Gainesville's Natural Attractions
Much of the Blue Ridge Mountains found themselves on the wrong side of headlines as Hurricane Helene wreaked unprecedented havoc earlier this year, causing extreme floods, destroying roadways, and essentially wiping small towns off the map.
While North Carolina wasn't so lucky, this side of the mountains made it through, where you can still explore numerous hiking trails, such as venturing into the Chattahoochee National Forest (check closures first) or Blood Mountain Loop.
Despite being nestled at the Blue Ridge foothills, glimmering Lake Lanier takes a lot less effort to navigate.
There are a variety of fun water activities for the whole family, but kayaking, jet skiing, and renting a pontoon boat are the most popular.
Lake Lanier is lined with upscale resorts too, ranging from rustic lodges to wooded cottages for the ultimate relaxing hideaway.
Some, like Forest Hills Resort, feature a nice spa as well. To save money, you could always stay at reliable chains such as Hilton Garden Inn or Best Western Plus, but there's one name you'll surely recognize that's synonymous with fun waterfront getaways.
Margaritaville also has a ‘lakefront paradise' here, but offers a surprisingly unique experience for snow lovers too.
License to Chill Snow Island is a must-visit. Here, you can ice skate and zoom down one of North America's longest snow tubing slides, one of Gainesville's family-favorite destinations.
A Surprising Foodie Destination
When you think of the South, you might think of simple comforts like barbecue, fried chicken, and homemade pies.
Gainesville has all of the above and then some with some surprising cuisine you may not expect.
For example, one of the most popular restaurants is Hello Hilo, a Hawaiian restaurant owned by King's Hawaiian Bakery.
Gainesville has a thriving brewery and winery scene as well. Enjoy peaceful scenery on the outskirts of town at Mulberry Springs Vineyard and Winery, holding an impressive 4.9-star rating on Google.
Or mingle with locals at Tap It Gainesville Pints & Growlers with a wide selection of craft beer.
But sometimes, keeping it simple is best. For classic southern staples, you can indulge in savory barbecue at Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern or order the town's best cheeseburger since 1947 at Collegiate Grill.
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