Southern Byways

At first glance, the two-year old Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia in Sautee Nacoochee (near Helen) doesn’t look like your typical museum. It definitely takes advantage of its surrounding, the Sautee Nacoochee Valley, with lots of glass, natural light and open spaces. So it would only make sense that the museum would be recognized for its architecture. The museum, designed by Robert M. Cain, architect in Atlanta,Ga., was recently awarded American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture. This was one of only two honor awards given out this year. The award is the highest design award …read more

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Head to Dahlonega, located in the North Georgia mountains, for a quick getaway this summer. Find a package from various bed and breakfasts and inns that matches your interest, such as touring the Dahlonega Gold Museum as part of the Summer Package for Families offered by Forrest Hills Mountain Resort,or indulging in the Summer Spa Package offered by Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa.
 
 
 
Photo credits: (top left) Dahlonega, Georgia, flickr, creative commons by jwinfred; (bottom right) Dahlonega Gold Museum, flickr, creative commons by Possum1500.

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Recognized as the “Best Mountain City” in Southern Living magazine’s 2007 Reader’s Choice Awards, Asheville appeal to so many. Whether you are a history buff, art collector, or just like exploring mountain cities, then Asheville should be on top of your travel list.
Must Do…
Filled with history and lore, the best place to learn about the city is through the Urban Trail walking tour. The tour, about two and a half-hours, makes a 1.7-mile loop of downtown and tells the story of Asheville interpreted through art.
When author Thomas Wolfe who said that you never can go home again, perhaps …read more

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Who would have ever thought some of the best advertising on be on top of a barn roof? Rock City, six miles outside of Chattanooga, Tenn., is probably best known for its unique advertising technique used years ago. Those icons, the red barns with black roofs and white letters, are as Americana as the Burma Shave signs that once dotted the highways. Even today, you can still see a few painted barns encouraging folks to visit Rock City.
Even if you have never seen one of the painted barns, you know that Rock City is famous for its gardens and well …read more

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If I had to choose a time of the year to visit any of the South’s theme parks, I would choose to visit during the holiday season; surely you didn’t think I would say middle of July, right? There is just something about the atmosphere – the lights, the special shows, the music and so much more that makes it a memorable time.

This year’s Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival is no exception. Located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., from November 10 – December 30, the theme park is decorated with 3.5 million holiday lights. With that alone, how can you not …read more

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When you think about the South, what comes to your mind? Perhaps good food, humidity and football -at least those are a few things that come to my mind when someone asks about this region. It is doubtful that you think exotic animals when someone is talking about Georgia.
Oh, but the South is full of surprises. Here’s a quick list of places along the Georgia mountains where you can see all types of animals without having to take your passport along.
Did you know that The Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville is home to the largest collection of kangaroos outside …read more

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Train rides just may be one of the best ways to experience the mountains, especially if you want to see as much as you can in a short amount of time.
In Georgia, hop aboard for a trip on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad . Departing from Blue Ridge, this three- and-a-half hour ride includes a layover stop in McCaysville, Ga., that provides enough time to explore the town as well as nearby Copperhill, Tenn.
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Dillsboro and Bryson City offers a number of trips throughout the year, many are scenic, such as Fontana Trestle and Nantahala …read more

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The year was 1968, and the small mountain town of Helen, Ga., needed help. It needed something to bring in visitors. The town needed a makeover, so they went to a local artist for some suggestions. The artist happened spent some time in Germany and noticed some similarities between the two places. So, he developed some sketches that would transform a sleepy mountain town into an Alpine village in the South.
Today, Alpine Helen is a thriving tourist destination and is one of the more popular places to visit in Georgia – right after Atlanta and Savannah. Perhaps best known for …read more

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Did you know that gold was discovered in Dahlonega, Ga.,  about 20 years before California’s boom? You can still pan for gold here during the Gold Rush Days, held typically on the third week in October. Maybe I’ll unearth some old pictures of me at 12-years-old feverishly panning away, hoping to strike a fortune, but walking away with gold flakes and a lot of garnets.
Anyway, Dahlonega is located a little over an hour from that daily traffic jam we tend to refer to as Atlanta. It’s everything you would expect from a quaint mountain town. There are ample bed and breakfasts, as …read more

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