Weekend in Georgia one of three ways: on a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge.
Trip tips: Take in Thomasville's shady, tree-lined streets at a slower pace. The town's aristocratic elegance has attracted the wintering wealthy, including the Rockefellers and Goodriches.
Trade the gray city pavements for a peaceful mountaintop in the Young Harris/Hiawassee area — less than a two-hour drive from Atlanta.
Bike-friendly Athens is just 2 square miles and packs in 80 award-winning bars — many with live entertainment every night of the week. Some of the most popular are: 40 Watt Club, the World Famous, Go Bar and Highwire.
BUDGET
Stay: A "getaway" package for two, offered at nearly 10 area hotels, includes breakfast (offered at most), two tickets for a guided tour of the Main House and Art Gallery at Pebble Hill Plantation, two tickets to the Thomas County Museum of History, and $20 in Downtown Dollars to spend any way in over 70 downtown shops, boutiques and restaurants. One-night rates from $99. 229-228-7977, www.thomasvillega.com.
Eat: The pizza dough at Moonspin is proofed for over 60 hours before it is spun into your lunch pie. Sauces are homemade and they even grow their own tomatoes and greens for the salads ($5-$8). A $9.25 Lunch Special includes salad, a one-topping slice and drink. 113 N. Crawford St., Thomasville. 229-226-4488, www.moonspinpizza.com.
Experience: Stroll the brick-paved streets while shopping for gifts and antiques shops in the historic downtown area, and "Hunt the Lost Quail." After the Civil War, wealthy Northerners wintering in the area discovered that the hills and pine forests were home to the quail, a game bird that would provide a pastime during their stay. Today, numerous quail hunting plantations have continued this tradition, drawing sportsmen to Thomasville — while the town has a focus on preserving their habitat. Pick up a "hint" map at the Visitor Center (144 E. Jackson St. in the Muni Auditorium) to locate one or all of 12 bronze quail statues that are hidden high, low and in plain sight. Stop into the Bookshelf (126 S. Broad St.) for books on the life of a Thomasville quail.
MODERATE
Stay: Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa is surrounded by peaceful nature in the North Georgia mountains and features lodge and cozy cottage accommodations. The resort's fine dining room offers picturesque mountain views. The "escape" package includes breakfast buffet and a choice of two amenities: 18 holes of championship golf, a two-hour horse trail ride, or a 50-minute Swedish massage or a 50-minute mani-pedi at the Equani Spa (with treatments inspired by the area's native Cherokee), from $275 (room only from $189). 6321 U.S. 76, Young Harris. 706-379-9900, www.brasstownvalley.com.
Eat: The 13th Annual Georgia Wine Country Festival will be held on weekends throughout June at the Three Sisters Vineyards (free admission; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday). Along with jazz to bluegrass entertainment, Georgia barbecue by Rib Country and Bonelick BBQ, Georgia wine, and Georgia beer will be available to purchase (prices vary). 439 Vineyard Way, Dahlonega. 706-865-9463, www.ThreeSistersVineyards.com.
Experience: Make it a goal of your scenic road trip to include a stop at Brasstown Bald for spectacular 360-degree views of parts of Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina from atop the 4,784-foot peak. The visitor's center is located at the summit, and picnic tables are at the south end of the parking area. Ga. 515, Blairsville. 706-745-6928, www.mountaintopga.com. On the way home, stop into some of the unique specialty shops filled with the works of many well-known painters, potters, sculptors and creators of Appalachian folk art. Quality antiques, primitive furniture, vintage jewelry and more can be found at the 10,000-square-foot Hiawassee Antique Mall. 460 N. Main St., Hiawassee. 706-896-0587, www.hiawasseeantiquemall.com.
SPLURGE
Stay: The Colonels, an original Georgian plantation house established in 1860, is on the 30-acre Angel Oaks Farm and horse pastures, which were once terraced cotton fields. Guests choose from four modern bedrooms, or two antique rooms at weekend rates from $115 to $175. Children age 12 and older welcome with supervising parents. This country manor is located 6 minutes from the Georgia State Botanical Garden and 15 minutes from downtown Athens. 3890 Barnett Shoals Road. 706-559-9595, www.thecolonels.net.
Eat: Foodies will relish Athens' best on a two-hour Boulevard Tour. This outing celebrates the food scene of this historic railcar and milltown neighborhood while taking in a bit of local history. Stops along Boulevard, Nantahala and Hiawassee streets include Heirloom Cafe, White Tiger Gourmet, Hip Pops and the Jittery Joe's Roaster; $38. Custom tours can be arranged with a minimum of eight participants. 706-410-1111, www.georgiafoodtours.com/.
Experience: BYO-Bike to partake in a full-day (July 13) Agro Cycle Tour to locally owned farms, including tastes at each farm and a farm-sourced meal at the end of the trail. A nearly 40-mile route visits three farms; $68. Bike rentals, $25 daily. If you can't bike, a tour by auto is permitted. 706-410-1111, www.georgiafoodtours.com/athens.
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