3 AMAZING DAY-TRIPS FROM ATLANTA
Nature around Atlanta has an extraordinary kind of beauty. What makes this area in Georgia, even more interesting is the fact that history weaves through every aspect of the experience. The 3 trips described in “Great Ways to Explore the Natural Beauty of Georgia” will guide you through places of great beauty and offer an immersive journey through time. From an ancient monolith, a preserved plantation, and the ruins of old mills to a school bus graveyard and a majestic gorge. Time to explore:
- Stone Mountain
- The School Bus Graveyard and Tallulah Gorge State Park
- The Smith Plantation, Mill, and Riverwalk in Roswell & Sope Creek
If you want to read more about what to see and do in Atlanta and my personal favorite Marietta, check out: Great Reasons to Put Georgia on Your Travel List
Stone Mountain
Our first exploration of Georgia’s natural beauty was a trip to Stone Mountain Park, about 35 minutes northeast of Atlanta. As soon as we entered the park, we were surrounded by lush forests and serene lakes. Suddenly we were awestruck by the centerpiece of the park across the lake: Stone Mountain. The world’s largest piece of exposed granite monolith. It was as big as a mountain but looked exactly like a huge round stone that had just been dumped in the more subdued landscape surrounding it. It was fascinating! As if the mere size of the monolith wasn’t enough it had the world’s largest bas-relief engraved on one side. The relief depicts Confederate leaders Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson.
Stone Mountain
Hike to the summit
The summit of Stone Mountain can be reached by the Summit Skyride, a high-speed cable car, which takes you 825 feet above the ground. Another option is hiking the 1-mile trail up the mountain, which we did. It’s an uphill hike for sure, but it doesn’t involve any climbing, and I would describe it as fairly easy. So rewarding when we reached the top and could enjoy incredible 360-degree views of Atlanta and the Appalachian Mountains. It was fascinating how the weathered and eroded surface of the monolith created an otherworldly atmosphere that resembled the cratered terrain of lunar landscapes. The hike down wasn’t bad and the views along the way were amazing.
The lunar landscape of Stone Mountain
The Stone Mountain Park is a popular place for many different outdoor activities. It has 15 miles of hiking trails and lakes for fishing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. There are several golf courses, a museum, a camping site, and a historic Inn. A scenic railroad will take you on an excursion around the mountain and there is even a Lasershow Spectacular combining lights, music, and fireworks.
The Grist Mill
If you keep reading, you’ll notice I have a thing for mills, and the Grist Mill in Stone Mountain Park is no exception. Guaranteed I took more pictures of this rustic watermill than of Stone Mountain itself. The mill has a large wooden water wheel and was used to grind grains into flour in the 19th century. The exceptional picturesque setting makes it a perfect spot to enjoy the tranquil beauty of Stone Mountain Park.
Grist Mill in Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain – The Town
After hiking up Stone Mountain and a drive around the park, we had lunch in the small town, of Stone Mountain. The charming historic downtown of Stone Mountain had a welcoming atmosphere and seemed very community-oriented. We had lunch at Sweet Potato Café, a simple Craftsman-style house serving Southern-style farm-to-table food. We loved the fried green tomatoes and the simple historic setting!
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Tallulah Gorge State Park is another perfect destination for a one-day trip, located just an hour and a half from Atlanta. The park is a popular place for rock climbing, biking, fishing, and kayaking but the scenic views alone are more than enough reason to visit the park.
The School Bus Graveyard
About 30 minutes before we reached Tallulah Gorge, we noticed a long line of creatively painted school buses near Alto. The School Bus Graveyard is a unique and very visually striking roadside attraction where artists have turned decommissioned school buses into a colorful artistic display. It definitely makes for an interesting stop on the way to or back from Tallulah Gorge.
The School Bus Graveyard
A Natural Wonder
Imagine a two-mile-long and almost 1000-foot-deep canyon carved into the rock over millions of years, by the Tulua River. The Tallulah Gorge is one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern US, and the rugged landscape is just as dramatic as it sounds.
Our visit started at the Interpretive Center, where you can park, get maps, information, and a permit if you plan to hike down into the gorge. From the Interpretive Center, we followed the North Rim Trail. We were constantly awed by the spectacular views of the gorge. Four of five spectacular waterfalls cascading through Tallulah Gorge are visible from rim overlooks.
If you visit Tallulah Gorge a little later in the season than we did the views will be even more spectacular as the trees become fuller and more lush.
Tallulah Gorge
About 80 feet above the rocky bottom a Suspension Bridge spans across the gorge. To access the bridge, we hiked down a series of staircases with more than 1,000 steps. The breathtaking views of the river, waterfalls, and the steep-walled canyon from below were more than worth the strenuous hike.
Spending time at Tallulah Gorge State Park is more than enough for a day, but on our way back we decided to do a little 40-minute detour to the village of Helen.
Waterfall and Suspension Bridge at Tallulah Gorge
Bavarian-Style Helen
I’m sure Helen is a popular place to visit for a reason but this is our experience: First of all, we never even got out of the car, since it was impossible to find parking. The downtown area had Bavarian-style architecture and an alpine village ambiance, with plenty of shops and restaurants (which we enjoyed through the windows in the car). However, it was very crowded and looked more like a theme park than a real town.
On the other hand, the drive to Helen was beautiful. The whole region is rich in forests and state parks including the Unicoi State Park and Chattahoochee National Forest. Picturesque waterfalls such as the Anna Ruby Falls and Dukes Creek Falls can be found close to town. Besides, the Chattahoochee River runs through Helen and offers many opportunities for tubing, kayaking, and scenic views. For more hikes and waterfalls around Helen check here.
Old Sautee Store
On our way back from Helen, we passed a few wineries, and right outside of town we stumbled upon the Old Sautee Store. This historic icon was established in 1872 and originally functioned as a general store. The front portion of the store is now a museum, but this is a museum you don’t want to miss. Admission is free and it looks like when it was a functioning general store back in the day. Original ledgers, scales, a cash registry, glass display cases, old-fashioned merchandise, canned goods, old packaging, farming tools, and housing goods were jam-packed inside. It was a true treasure box!
Old Sautee Store outside Helen
Very unexpectedly we found a “real store” in the back of the original general store. This store offered local crafts, gourmet foods, handmade gifts, nostalgic candies, and traditional Southern products. It also has a deli serving homemade sandwiches and baked goods. A real hidden gem!
Old Sautee Store outside Helen
Roswell & Sope Creek
Roswell
The third day-trip is about 30 minutes north of Atlanta and is centered around a town you’d want to visit more than once, Roswell. It includes a visit to a plantation, shopping, great restaurants, a mill and waterfall hike, and a riverwalk.
Roswell is a blend of historic charm and a thriving modern community, beautifully located in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Strolling through historic downtown Roswell, along the well-preserved 19th-century buildings on Canton Street, is such a joy. If you’re into boutique shopping, art galleries, and specialty shops, this is the place to go. It’s also a perfect spot for lunch or dinner since it has a great selection of diverse and high-quality restaurants and cafes.
Le Bistro at Roswell Provisions, Salt Factory Pub, and Table & Main are cool places to check out.
Roswell City Hall
The Southern Trilogy
Roswell is known for its Antebellum architecture, a characteristic of the Southern United States. The houses include huge pillars in the front, a balcony that runs along the outside edge of the house, creating a porch that offers shade and a sitting area, evenly spaced large windows, and big centered entrances at the front and rear of the house
The Southern Trilogy is a collection of antebellum houses that tell the story of Roswell’s early history and its prominent families.
- Archibald Smith Plantation, the home of one of Roswell’s founding families, the Smiths
- Barrington Hall, the home of Barrington King, and his father, Roswell King, who co-founded the colony which became Roswell
- Bulloch Hall, the home of Mittie Bulloch, the mother of the 26th President of the United States – Theodore Roosevelt.
All three historic houses are open for tours and self-guided tours.
The Smith Plantation
We did a self-guided tour of the Smith Plantation and got a very interesting insight into the lives of both the Smith family and the enslaved people who lived and worked there. The plantation was built in 1845. It was very well-preserved with original furnishings, artifacts, and documents that belonged to the Smith family. Outside the main house, there were several interesting outbuildings such as a cookhouse, barn, carriage house, and slave quarters.
A visit to the Smith Plantation is a great way to learn more about history.
The Smiths Plantation
Roswell Mill
A short drive outside of town we visited Roswell Mill. The mill was founded in 1839 and played a crucial role in the Civil War and the economic development of Roswell. It was used to produce various textiles, and the remains of the mill are located along picturesque Vickery Creek.
The covered bridge and machine shop at Roswell Mill
We parked at the original machine shop, a red brick building on the banks of the creek. Here we crossed the rocky creek through a beautiful covered wooden bridge. As we followed the trail winding high above the creek we could hear the sound of water echoing through the budding spring foliage. After a short hike, we reached a tall, rocky bluff overlooking a dam where cascading water created two rushing waterfalls, once used to power the mill. We kept following the trail as it looped through the forest back to our starting point.
Roswell Mill
Riverwalk in Roswell
The Roswell Riverwalk runs along the Chattahoochee River and is a large network of trails that connect several parks along the river. It is ideal for walking, jogging, and biking, but what makes the Riverwalk special is a 1-mile raised wooden boardwalk. It was fun to bike above the wetlands and enjoy the stunning views. On our ride along the riverbank, we spotted wildlife such as turtles, herons, and lots of birds attracted by the river. It is possible to access the Riverwalk at various parks and trailheads in Roswell.
Riverwalk Boardwalk in Roswell
Sope Creek
Sope Creek is another park worth a visit in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Whether you are into nature, hiking, photography, or history this is a beautiful and interesting place.
It’s possible to hike the Sope Creek Trail and explore Roswell, the Roswell Mill, and the Roswell Riverwalk on the same day. Of course, it all depends on how much time you want to spend in each place.
Sope Creek
The Sope Creek hike is a 1.5-mile-loop starting in a high-end neighborhood just outside Atlanta. The neighborhood itself is worth a walk-through. Less than halfway into the hike, we reached the Marietta Paper Mill.
Large parts of the stone walls were scattered around the forest, and we felt the weight of history as we explored the remains of the mill. The soothing sounds of the nearby creek, a small spillway waterfall, and sunlight through the budding trees created a peaceful and quiet escape in stark contrast to the bustling industrial activity that once took place.
Remains of the Marietta Paper Mill
Marietta Paper Mill was established in 1855. It was one of the largest paper mills in the South during its time, producing paper for the Confederacy during the Civil War. In 1864 the mill was destroyed by Union troops.
We followed the winding trail back through the forest until we reached Sibley Pond. The way the calm water of the pond reflected the early spring foliage around it, created a serene and peaceful setting. This pond is perfect for fishing, a picnic, or just a stroll around it.
The Sibley Pond at Sope Creek
Read More
These day-trips are great examples of how nature can encapsulate the diverse past and evolution of a place. If you’re thinking about visiting Georgia and especially the area around Atlanta, you can read more in Great Reasons to Put Georgia on Your Travel List.
Interested in more travel experiences from our journey across the US? Read more in the travel journal
Busy navigating midlife? We might share some similar experiences. Read more in the midlife journal