Amtrak from Atlanta is a ticket to fun

For Atlanta residents, three charming towns make great getaways via Amtrak. To the north —- passing over the highest train trestle on the East Coast along the way —- are Toccoa and Clemson, S.C. To the south is Anniston, Ala. Yes, you could drive there, but why deal with traffic when you can relax on the train, watching scenic countryside slide by the window?

Toccoa

Toccoa owes its start to three speculators who sold land lots and brought in an excursion train with the first tourists in 1873. Today downtown Toccoa is still vibrant. Visitors can step off the train, walk a block to a historic inn and spend the weekend browsing antique shops —- all without renting a car. Antique buffs should make their first stop the Whistle Stop Mall on Sage Street. Housed in an old department store, there’s a large selection of antiques at prices that are bargains by Atlanta standards.

> Two shops that reflect Toccoa’s mix of culture and small-town ambience are Dream Giver’s Gallery and Allye & Co., both on East Doyle Street. Dream Giver’s Gallery features only artists from the Toccoa area. Pottery, paintings, wooden bowls, sculptures and jewelry are all one-of-a-kind items. Across the street, at Allye & Co., visitors can shop for flowers and gifts or get their hair done.

> Toccoa Falls is about 1 1/2 miles from downtown, on the campus of Toccoa Falls College. Or rent a car (Enterprise serves the area) near the train depot and drive five miles to Currahee Mountain, site of Camp Toccoa, which was a training ground for World War II paratroopers. For more information visit http://mainstreettoccoa.com.

Clemson, S.C.

From the Amtrak station, visitors can take a Yellow Cab (864-882-3454) to the James F. Martin Inn on Clemson University’s campus. Just four blocks away is a stop for the “CAT” bus (www.CATBUS.com), which provides free transportation around Clemson and to the towns of Anderson, Pendleton and Seneca.

> Stop by the ‘55 Exchange (www.clemson.edu/icecream) in the student center for student-made ice cream and blue cheese. Fans of the university will want to check Judge Keller’s on College Avenue. Located in a former general store, it specializes in Clemson University clothing and memorabilia.

> Relocated from an area near Charleston, S.C., the Hanover House (www.clemson.edu/welcome/history/hanover.htm), built in 1716, is typical of the French Huguenot colonial-style home. The interior is filled with 18th- and 19th-century reproductions and antiques, and an heirloom vegetable garden graces the backyard. Beside the house is the South Carolina Botanical Garden (www.clemson.edu/public/scbg), which encompasses 295 acres and features the Bob Campbell Geology Museum, walking trails and a 70-acre arboretum.

For more information, visit www.cityofclemson.org.

Anniston, Ala.

Train travelers will likely encounter Amtrak caretaker Al Applegate when they disembark. He helps passengers board in the scant minutes the train stops. He’s also likely to direct visitors to the 31-foot-tall “World’s Largest Chair” in front of Miller’s Office Furniture at 625 Noble St.

Visitors will want to make arrangements in advance to be picked up from the station by a rental car company. (Avis, Enterprise and Hertz serve the area.)

> If you’re traveling with children, head to Lagarde Park. Its 65 acres have play areas, picnic pavilions and walking trails.

> The Anniston Museum of Natural History (www.annistonmuseum.org) features exhibits on ancient Egypt, Alabama’s natural history, birds in their habitat and a re-creation of the African savanna. The Berman Museum of World History (www.bermanmuseum.org) features 8,000-plus artifacts, including paintings, bronze statues, historic documents and antique weaponry.

For more information on the city of Anniston, visit www.ci.anniston.al.us.

TRAIN TRAVEL TIPS

> TICKETS

Book your tickets at www.Amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL. Tickets also may be purchased at the Atlanta station at 1688 Peachtree St. (Parking limited.) Tickets are not available at the Anniston, Clemson or Toccoa stations. Riders can choose a reclining coach seat or a sleeping car. Meals are included in the sleeping car price.

> TRAVEL TIME

From Atlanta, the trip to Anniston on the southbound line and Toccoa on the northbound line is 1.5 hours each. Clemson is 30 minutes north of Toccoa, making it about a two-hour ride from Atlanta.

> Boarding

Plan to arrive at least a half-hour before the train is scheduled to arrive. The train stops in Atlanta for 20 minutes; at smaller stations the train stops only a minute or two. All passengers age 15 and older must provide a photo ID. For travel to small stations, only two pieces of carry-on baggage are allowed, with weight and size limitations.

> FARES

Rates vary by date and time. A recent search for the last weekend of March featured one-way coach seats for $16-$24. Sleeping car upgrades were an additional $94-$315.

> DINING

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, $7-$22.50. Children’s menus are available; meals for special dietary needs are available on some trains with 72-hour advance pre-ordering.

IF YOU GO

Where to stay

Simmons-Bond Inn. Five antique-filled guest rooms in this 1903 mansion run $89-$129. Ask to see Nellie Bly’s desk. 130 Tugalo St. West, Toccoa. 706-282-5183, www.simmons -bond.com.

The James F. Martin Inn. Overlooking the Walker Golf Course, rates are $99-$275. Continental breakfast included. 100 Madren Center Drive, Clemson, S.C. 888-654-9020, www.cuconference center.com.

The Victoria. The 60-room inn offers rooms, suites and a cottage, $99-$239. 1604 Quintard Ave., Anniston, Ala. 256-236-0503. www.thevictoria.com.

Where to eat

Shirley’s Sole Food Cafe. Southern food like your grandma used to make, if she was as good a cook as owner Shirley Combs. Try the homemade chow-chow and fresh pickles. Serves lunch and dinner. Closed Sundays. 212 W. Currahee St., Toccoa. 706-297-7739.

The Pot Belly Deli. Serves breakfast and lunch, $1-$7.25. Open daily. 109 Wall St., Clemson, S.C. 864-653-3663.

Classic on Noble. A gourmet menu served in a restored 1894 building. Its specialty is shrimp and grits. Lunch $10-$14; brunch buffet $20; dinner $20-$39. 1024 Noble St., Anniston. 256-237-5388, www.classicon noble.com.