Community Spotlight: Dahlonega, GA
A Rich Experience Dahlonega, Georgia is a charming town rich with history, art and adventure. Originally Dahlonega was known for the Cherokee word meaning “yellow money” and was the site of the first major U.S. Gold rush in 1828, which was 21 years before California’s rush and is home today to the artifact-rich Dahlonega Gold Museum. The Historic 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse is the home to the Dahlonega Gold Museum where visitors can see rare gold coins, artifacts, and history of the area. There is more to this town than it’s “golden history”, as Dahlonega has the greatest concentration of wineries in all of Georgia. Its fertile, mineral-rich soil produces amazingly versatile lines of European, French hybrids, and American wine grapes used in the making of many award-winning wines. Dahlonega’s restaurants range from cozy bistros to friendly cafés to metropolitan-chic delights. The downtown square also offers plenty of shopping including one of a kind boutiques, art galleries, historic tours & attractions, concerts in the park, and local wine tasting rooms. Festivals are an integral part of Dahlonega’s heritage and are perfect ways to take in the beauty of the outdoors. During the holiday’s, an Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration is held in December with lighting of luminaries, festivities, carolers, and Santa on the Square. Surrounding the area are a host of outdoor activities including Amicola State Park which is located just outside of Dahlonega on GA Hwy 52. The park was named “Amicalola” which means ‘tumbling waters’ by the Cherokee Indians for its spectacular waterfall, that is the highest waterfall in the Eastern U.S. at an awe-inspiring 729 feet. Dahlonega is home to the beginning of the Appalachian Trail, a 2,100 plus mile hiking trail that extends up the eastern United States from Georgia to Maine. The famous trail starts on Springer Mountain which is located just a few miles from the in Amicalola State Park & Lodge. The resort offers a variety of activities including hiking, camping, picnic, trout fishing, geocaching, conference center, lodging, and restaurant facility. Weather you like to fish, kayak, or hike, there are many places for outdoor adventures. Horseback riding is also a popular activity with many visitors with several locations to ride within the Chattahoochee National Forest area. Golfing just outside the Dahlonega area provides a relaxing day with spectacular views of the mountains and the Chestatee River. Voted Georgia's Best Small Town in 2022 by Southern Living, visitors are welcomed to lodge in a variety of accommodations including Cabins, Resorts, Historic B & B's, hotels or camping in the surrounding area. Just pack your bags, schedule some time and let Dahlonega's home town hospitality take care of the rest! Plan your visit today today and discover why “It's Pure Gold”. Stop in or call the Dahlonega Visitor’s Bureau at 13 Park Street. Call 1-800-231-5543 or go to www.dahlonega.org for more information.
