Georgia Fall Leaf Spectacular, Day Weekend Trips

Great Georgia Mountain Trips, Dahlongea, Rome, Helen, State Parks

Oct 3, 2009

For Southerners and Georgians, near the mountains, Blue Ridge and Appalachian October leaf colors and scenes will be great for trips and hiking due to ideal conditions.

Shortening daylengths, cooler days and nights, remind all that Fall is here. Spectacular leaf shows soon will unfold in North Georgia. Even now, some leaves are turning color – plan early and wisely for trips to enjoy the Fall scenery. Peak leaf time should fall between October 28-31, with modest leaf color displays a week before and a week after the peak.

Fall Leaf Trips and Hikes in North Georgia, Dahlonega, Lake Lanier, Rome

A day, or weekend, trip is good. Be prepared for traffic and congestion in some areas of North Georgia. Plan final destinations and routes carefully for enjoyable, safe trips – here are some ideas:

Dahlonega is Cherokee for "golden color" or "yellow money" , and this famed Gold City was gold rush territory in 1828. Dahlonega, founded in 1833, has the Gold Museum, the Corral and Carriage Co., and connects with the nearby Appalachian trail. The town also has interesting gift stores and good eating. Four miles away is Amicalola State Park and beautiful Amicalola Falls.

Lake Lanier is vivid and scenic with nice restaurants and stopping places, and it is only 45 miles from downtown Atlanta. The Buford Dam site provides great vistas and nearby picnic areas

Rome, a city of about 36,000 – where the three "rivers meet and the mountains begin" – is the home of Berry College and Shorter College. The small city is a hub of activity throughout October with three big events– a very good play, a coin show and an arts and crafts event. "Steel Magnolias" is featured Oct. 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 at Rome's DeSoto Theatre; the Rome Coin Show features good coins and free admission, Oct. 16 and 17, 9 AM - 6 PM; the Chiaha Festival of Arts and Crafts at Ridge Ferry Park will occur at about peak leaf time (Oct. 24 and 25, 10 AM - 5 PM). Good dining and stores abound throughout Rome – a wonderful, historic area to visit about 65 miles from Atlanta.

Great North Georgia Fall Leaf Trips, Helen, Ana Ruby Falls, and Unicoi Park

Octoberfest is one of Helen's and North Georgia's biggest tourist attractions. Helen is at the base of a mountain and the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Chattahoochee River originates a few miles northward, and gently flows along the edges of town. This is a premier place to visit in Georgia for German food, atmosphere and crowds. Helen has many restaurants, shops, plenty of lodging, abundant musical entertainment and merryment throughout the town. Regular horse carriage rides are available for visitors, and carriages definitely slow the pace through town. If you like crowds, and do not mind traffic, this is a do not miss event that occurs all through October, and into November.

Anna Ruby Falls Park is a few miles down the road, and is an excellent visitor's attraction. A short hike up trail provides a great view of the falls, and many photographic opportunities. Less than a mile away is the Unicoi Lodge and State Park with fine accommodations and excellent buffet dining. A short distance up the mountain on Ga. Route 75 Appalachian Trail hiking is available.

Hiawassee. This is a beautiful mountain and Lake Chatuge location with fine lodging, campgrounds, several restaurants, and the Anderson Music Hall for Country and Western music including Willy Nelson appearing October 2009.

Hiawassee is only a short distance away from the Young Harris , the hometown and continued residence of now-retired Governor and U.S. Senator, Zell Miller. Heading West on Ga.515/76 are Blairsville and Lake Nottely, and Blue Ridge town and lake. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway leaves from Blue Ridge to McCaysville, Ga. and Copper Hill, Tenn. for a 26 mile, 4.5 hr roundtrip with beautiful vistas.

North Georgia Tours and Trips in Rabun County, Toccoa, Lake Rabun, Clayton, Mountain City

Scenic mountain vistas and waterfalls abound in this Blue Ridge Mountain area that was inhabitated by aboriginals over 10,000 years ago. The area was home to Cherokee Indians, and many of the names reflect Cherokee influences ( Nacoochee, Tallulah, Terrora, Cherchero, Stekoa). In the 1700's the region was settled by people moving from North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The Toccoa River and Terrora Park, maintained by the Georgia Power Co., is a beautiful area to visit and photograph. A short distance away is Tallulah Gorge where the great Carl Wallenda of the Flying Wallendas, used a tightwire to cross the gorge's width of over 1200 feet. At age 65 he did a headstand twice on the wire suspended about 150 feet above the gorge's bottom. He lived to die another day.

A few miles further are Clayton and Mountain City with gift, antique stores and roadside sales of Fall goods at assorted flea markets. The Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, famous for the Foxfire series of books, as well as the family-style restaurant, the Dillard House are embedded in this county.

Peak Leaf Color and Times for North Georgia's Fall Season

The expected full, Fall-time, leaf colors will peak between October 28-31 and into early November. This article will update that information as it becomes available. Have a great trip and enjoy this annual spectacle!

The copyright of the article Georgia Fall Leaf Spectacular, Day Weekend Trips in Georgia Travel is owned by Donald Reinhardt. Permission to republish Georgia Fall Leaf Spectacular, Day Weekend Trips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.