DEL.ICIO.USFROM ATLANTA TO DAWSON COUNTY
One-tank trip: Dawson County
For the AJC
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Ann Taylor and Max Azria, stripers and Mother Nature and 300 bouncing ‘roos: There’s only one place that brings all these elements together: Dawson County.
Located in the foothills of North Georgia’s mountains and edging Lake Lanier, Dawson County bills itself as the place to “hike, shop, fish, canoe and commune with the kangaroos.”
Dawson County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Amicalola Falls State Park boasts a waterfall that can be viewed from various perspectives. Picnics and hiking are popular park pastimes.
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From its perch at the trail head of the Appalachian Trail and with the 25,000-acre Dawson Forest, as well as Amicalola Falls and the Etowah and Amicalola rivers within its boundaries, Dawson County lives up to that promise.
Into the wild
Nature enthusiasts find plenty to fill their time, their cameras and the “ahh” factor. Here is the site of the highest falls in Georgia at Amicalola Falls State Park — all 729 feet splashing down the mountain and into the river below. It flows to the very “Edge of the World” and the Amicalola River’s Class IV whitewater rapids on the Amicalola River Trail — a fine place to pack a picnic lunch to share atop the rocks on the shoals.
The state park sits at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, beginning the 78-mile Georgia portion of the famed trail that wends all the way to Maine.
With acres of forest, layers of mountains, two rivers and a lake, Dawson County has horseback riding and mountain biking, miles of hiking trails, fishing, a wildlife preserve and places for canoeing and kayaking where scenic splendor equals the rush of the waters.
There’s hunting, too — for bargains. North Georgia Premium Outlets and its 140 brands, including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Coach, Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Restoration Hardware, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Williams-Sonoma and more, are located here. The Food Pavilion has a nice lineup, including Blue Ridge Bread Co., Jump Asian Express and Mrs. Fields Bakery and Coffee. A children’s playground is located handily between the Children’s Place and the Gap Outlet.
If shopping sounds too tame, hit the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame to learn about the history of stock car racing and prominent members of Georgia’s racing heritage. You’ll see vintage race cars even before you enter the building. More cars are on display inside, along with the “Saturday Night Drive-In Theatre,” a themed exhibit where you can sit in old cars to watch a movie. This being a museum about racing, the film narrates the evolution of stock car racing beginning with its moonshine days.
See the first NASCAR race car driven by Awesome Bill from Dawsonville (Bill Elliott); moonshine cars; a car driven by the late Casey Elliott; the car owned by Raymond Parks and driven by Lloyd Seay; and the Gober Sosebee ‘39 Ford, which won Daytona three times. Return to “happy days” in an on-site eatery: Champions Cafe is a retro-style diner with signature black- and white-checked floor and shiny booths.
Outback, folk art
The foothills of North Georgia’s mountains boast one of the most unusual attractions in the United States: The Kangaroo Conservation Center, the largest kangaroo conservation habitat outside Australia, is located in Dawsonville. Visitors can board the KangaRanger safari tram for up-close sightings of the hopping marsupials, the smaller wallabies with their long tails, and the tiny joeys tucked protectively in their mama’s pouch. Hit the footpaths for a walkabout to the Butterfly Garden or Billabong Encounter — a trek through a watering hole.
Spread over 87 rural acres, the center also focuses on “Australasian” animals — those such as lories and lorikeets and blue-wing kookaburra — from the region that includes Australia and the southeastern portion of Asia, and the islands between Australia and Asia in particular. Its Aussie Outpost has a truly diverse and beautiful array of gift items that includes a life-size stuffed kangaroo with a pouch full of joey and ‘roo-themed jewelry in cloisonné enamel, sterling silver and pewter, plus ornaments, books, toys and wall art, notebooks and photo frames made of recycled materials.
A new Dawsonville attraction is Around Back at Rocky’s Place, a showroom of more than 200 working folk artists: folk potters, painters, woodcarvers, metal sculptors and fiber artists. Open weekends and by appointment, the gallery focuses on the work of artists from North Georgia and the Southeast and is made up of everything from face jugs to paintings to whirligigs to “Folk Time” watches, including those created by celebrated Georgia folk artist John “Cornbread” Anderson.
Take a hike
Lodging is part of the adventure at Amicalola Falls State Park. To reach the Len Foote Hike Inn, intrepid guests hike a moderate 5-mile trail that originates at the top of Amicalola Falls and winds through the Chattahoochee National Forest and Amicalola Falls State Park. With scenic splendor at the beginning of the line and a soft bed and hot shower at the end, the Hike Inn is ideal for those who enjoy “civilized” wilderness camping. Dinner and breakfast are served family-style, and a variety of programs — everything from worm composting to storytelling — is offered.
Or take it easy
The Amicalola Falls lodge is a little more accessible, close to the “tumbling waters” that the Cherokee Indians knew and named Amicalola. The lodge has 56 rooms, including several suites and 14 fully equipped cottages. Wireless Internet service is available in the lodge. The Maple Restaurant serves a Southern-style buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a spectacular view of North Georgia’s mountains from the glass-walled dining room on the side.
So go ahead: Hike, shop, fish, canoe and commune with 300 kangaroos. You’ll be well-fed and well-rested, too.
If you go
Dawsonville is about 60 miles north of Atlanta off Ga. 400. For information, contact the Dawson County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-877-396-6288 or visit www.dawson.org.
Eats
Dig into a famous Bully burger at Dawsonville Pool Room (706-265-2792;
www.dawsonvillepoolroom.com). Dine on regional cuisine, with an emphasis on locally grown, at the Blue Bicycle, winner of a 2008 Silver Spoon Award. The restaurant features a “ride out the recession” prix fixe, three-course menu for $20.09. (706-265-2153; www.bluebicycle.net)
Sleeps
» Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road, 706-265-8888, www.amicalolafalls.com.
» Comfort Inn, 127 Beartooth Parkway, 706-216-1900, www.comfortinn.com.
» Forrest Hills Mountain Resort, 135 Forrest Hills Road, 706-864-6456, http://forresthillsresort.com.
» Len Foote Hike Inn, 240 Amicalola Falls Road, 706-867-6203, http://hike-inn.com.
Attractions
» Amicalola Falls, 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road, 1-800-864-7275, 706- 265-4703, www.gastateparks.org/info/amicalola.
» Around Back at Rocky’s Place, Etowah River Road, 706-265-6030, www.
aroundbackatrockysplace.com.
» Chestatee Golf Club, 777 Dogwood Way, 706-216-7336, www.chestateegolf.net. Call for a tee time.
» Gold City Corral and Carriage Co., 49 Forrest Hills Road, Dahlonega, 706-867-9395, www.goldcitycorral.com. Guided one- and two-hour and half day rides. Prices: $30/hour for adults; $20/hour for children under 12.
» Dawson County Arts Council: The Bowen Center for the Arts, 334 Ga. 9 North, 706-216-2787, www.dawsonarts.org. Upcoming shows: May 1-June 30, “Heart in Hand” quilt exhibit.
» Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, 415 Ga. 53 East, 706-216-RACE, www.thunderroadusa.com. Hours: 10-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
» Kangaroo Conservation Center, 222 Bailey-Waters Road, 706-265-6100, www.kangaroocenter.com. Admission: Wander Down Under tickets $16 per person. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. New Aussie Outing tickets, from $22-$32 per person. Children must be 5 or older.
» River Park Canoe Launch, 706-344-3646, www.dawsoncounty.org.
» North Georgia Premium Outlets, 800 Ga. 400 South, 706-216-3609, www.premiumoutlets.com.
Services »
