d WANDERLUST
Ralph Daniel
Amicalola Falls’ name comes from a Cherokee term meaning“ tumbling waters.”
Cute photo ops abound at the Red Oak Lavender Farm. 20 | NW GEORGIA LIVING MAY / JUNE 2025
Explore Georgia / Ralph Daniel
Discover Dahlonega
The strollable town square features jewelers, boutiques, an ice cream shop, general store, pet shop, day spa, and more.
scones, finger sandwiches, bite-size sweets, and the owner’ s homemade syllabub, a lemony British dessert based on a 300-year-old recipe. Beverages of a more adult variety are on tap at the Big Creek Distilling Co., where you can not only sample their handcrafted, small-batch gin, bourbon whiskey, and other spirits, but also learn about the distilling process.
When it’ s time to pack it in for the night, your choice of area lodgings includes The Limelight Inn, a boutique property with just 11 rooms, each with its own patio perfect for doing a little late-night stargazing. With no check-in desk or on-site staff, The Limelight runs more like an Airbnb, but folks are on hand each morning to whip up a complimentary continental breakfast in the communal dining area. If you want to stay right on the square, there’ s the Hall House Hotel. The building dates back to 1881, but the rooms are modern and feature amenities like jetted tubs and screened-in balconies( depending on which room you choose).
Dahlonega has a rich performing arts community.
Unlike a lot of former mining settlements that have since become ghost towns, Dahlonega is alive and well, and you’ ll be glad you added it to your must-see list. Former Dahlonega mayor Sam Norton once summed up the city like this:“ It’ s 60 percent Mayberry and 40 percent Asheville.” We couldn’ t agree more.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Dahlonega, Georgia | dahlonega. org
Jill Becker’ s travel writing has appeared in dozens of magazines and websites, including more than 25 stories for CNN. com.
Ralph Daniel