Dahlonega & Beyond
Like having a friend who knows every hidden trail, every sunset spot, and exactly where to sit at every winery. This is our Dahlonega — the real one.
Dahlonega is a gold rush town turned wine country escape — 15 minutes from your treehouse. But the best stuff isn't on the tourist maps. Here's what we actually recommend to friends.
Gourmet burgers, craft cocktails, and a vibe that feels like the town's living room. The locals' favorite for a reason. Sit on the patio if weather allows.
Visit Website →Upscale Cajun on the square. The Shrimp & Grits is the move. Great deck for people-watching and weekend brunch.
Visit Website →A proper British shop and eatery run by our good friends Fiona and Katz. Imported goods, gorgeous gifts, and if you're lucky, corgi hugs from Sir Waffle. A Dahlonega gem.
Visit Website →Right downtown. Smoked meats done right — the Pig Melt (grilled cheese stuffed with pulled pork) is legendary. Good portions, honest prices.
Visit Website →Closer to us than downtown. Hands down some of the best BBQ in the area. Smoked meats, homemade sides, and portions that mean business. Get there early on weekends — they sell out.
Coffee Encrusted Ribeye. Meatloaf that makes you rethink meatloaf. French Onion Soup. Live music many weekends.
Visit Website →The breakfast spot. Cozy, unpretentious, and the kind of place where you end up staying longer than planned. Try the biscuits.
Boarding house-style family meals served the way they've been doing it for a century. All-you-can-eat Southern fare. An authentic piece of Dahlonega history.
Opened in 2024 by Fiona and Katz (same lovely folks behind Crown & Bear). Proper English afternoon tea in a beautifully appointed historic house. Reservations required. Perfect for a special occasion or if you just want to feel fancy for an afternoon.
The coffee spot. Great atmosphere, specialty drinks. Hidden gem off the main square.
The one everyone talks about. Glass-walled tasting room that feels like floating above the Blue Ridge. Over 200 medals. The Sunday Brunch ($48) is legendary — themed monthly, buffet style, with live music and those views. Book weeks ahead. Seatings at 12:30 & 2:30pm only.
Visit Website →Step into Tuscany without leaving Georgia. 400 acres of vineyard landscape, sweeping mountain views, and Le Vigne restaurant serves Tuscan-inspired dishes that rival the wine. Request the walking vineyard tour before dinner.
Visit Website →At 1,600 feet, this is the view. A 2,000 square foot covered deck with 360-degree panoramas where hawks soar at eye level. Farm-to-table menu. Craftsman cottages if you want to stay. Sunset here is absolutely magical.
Visit Website →The "baby" vineyard everyone's talking about. 80 acres of working farm with roaming sheep, alpacas, goats, and donkeys. Indigenous American grape varieties you won't find anywhere else. Wood-fired pizza on-site. Unpretentious, authentic, and good for the soul.
Visit Website →Family-owned, right down the road. Personal attention from the actual owners, vineyard views, quality wines. Perfect for couples who want conversation over crowds.
Visit Website →Perched at 1,600 feet with some of the region's most spectacular views. Their Estate Viognier is exceptional. Ask about private tastings with winemaker Jim Penner.
Visit Website →Good ol' Canadian folks brewing craft beer right on the square. Rotating taps, laid-back vibe, and a great spot to wind down after exploring downtown.
Veteran-owned meadery sharing a tasting room with Dahlonega Brewery. Wines made with local honey, craft beers, and jams made from their meads. Something for everyone.
Visit Website →Right down the road from us. Small-batch craft spirits — whiskey, bourbon, moonshine done right. Great tasting room and friendly folks.
Visit Website →The best sunrise spot in North Georgia. Follow the white blazes through rhododendron tunnels to a granite pulpit at 3,737 feet. 180-degree views that explain why the Cherokee called these the Blue Mountains. Faces southeast — come for sunrise, not sunset.
Two waterfalls, 480 feet combined. The lower falls are a 5-minute walk. Legend says Spanish conquistador DeSoto's gold is hidden behind them. Pack a picnic.
A 100-foot waterfall splitting through a massive cliff face. The trail follows Dodd Creek through moss-covered forest with smaller cascades along the way. Parking fills fast — arrive before 8:30am on weekends.
Two stunning waterfalls for almost no effort. The lower falls slide into a swimming hole perfect for hot days. The upper falls plunge 60 feet into a deep pool. Family-friendly and absolutely gorgeous. Road in is narrow and unpaved — part of the adventure.
604 stairs to the top. It's a workout, but the views are the reward. The name means "tumbling waters" in Cherokee. ADA accessible West Ridge Trail available if stairs aren't your thing.
Park Info →A 150-foot cascading waterfall in a dramatic gorge. The trail descends through beautiful forest with multiple viewpoints. Less crowded than Amicalola but equally stunning.
Georgia's highest point on the Appalachian Trail at 4,461 feet. For serious hikers only. On clear days, you can see Atlanta.
Best Sunrise
Faces southeast. Golden light breaking over the Appalachian Trail. Bring a thermos. Worth the early alarm.
Best Sunset
Vast westward views from the observation platform. Watch the last golden rays paint the Blue Ridge purple.
Best 360° Views
Georgia's highest peak at 4,784 feet. Works for both sunrise and sunset. Four states visible on clear days.
Easy Sunrise
5 minutes from the treehouse. Serene water reflecting the early sky. No hiking required.
America's first major gold rush started here in 1828. Housed in the historic courthouse. Quick, fascinating, and air-conditioned.
Visit Website →Go underground. The 45-minute tour stays a cool 60°F year-round. Includes gold panning where you keep what you find. Perfect rainy day activity.
Visit Website →120+ handmade chocolate recipes made on-site. The Georgia Peach Truffles are extraordinary.
Visit Website →Family-owned since 1982. 15+ fudge varieties. The Dahlonega Nuggets (pecans in caramel dipped in chocolate) are legendary.
Visit Website →Pro tip: Some of our favorite days at the treehouse involve doing absolutely nothing. The forest provides plenty of entertainment — bring a book, a bottle of wine, and let the hours disappear.
Want something more personalized? After booking, we'll send you a custom adventure guide tailored to your interests — whether that's waterfalls, wine, or just the best spot to watch the sunset. Just let us know what you're into.