Fall in Georgia offers vibrant colors and cooler temperatures, but there’s so much more than that. Many of the area’s small towns come to life with exciting seasonal events, autumn-inspired cuisine, and unique outdoor adventures. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a scenic afternoon hike or a wine tasting with a scenic mountain view, these six towns offer some of the most exciting fall fun in Georgia — Augusta, Helen, Thomasville, Milledgeville, Dahlonega, and Ellijay.
Augusta
Nestled along the banks of the Savannah River, Augusta blends Southern charm with deep-rooted heritage and a vibrant arts scene. Here’s how to make the most of your time in this charming town.Â
Perhaps one of the city’s biggest draws is its booming downtown district, which offers easy access and walkability to local shops, restaurants, and attractions. The legendary Broad Street — once considered the widest in the country — runs through the middle of downtown and offers the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
As you stroll along Broad Street, stop into popular shops and restaurants like The Book Tavern, New Moon Café, Art on Broad, and Farmhaus Burger. This is also where you’ll find Augusta & Co., the city’s official experience center that offers a rotating art gallery, a tasting bar, and local merchandise.
As you explore the streets of Augusta, you’ll likely spot a colorful mural or two, so keep your eyes peeled for some vibrant photo ops. Standouts include Spirit of Funk (190 James Brown Boulevard), Robot and the Moon (215 12th Street), and Augusta, I Love You (943 Ellis Street).
To explore more of the city’s arts scene, visit one of its local theaters to catch a local play or musical performance. The Imperial Theatre was once the rehearsal space for Augusta native James Brown, while the Miller Theater serves as the permanent home of the Augusta Symphony.
Augusta is also known for its links to the Civil Rights Movement. The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History pays homage to its namesake, a prominent education and civil rights leader, through guided tours and local events.
Another significant landmark is the Tabernacle Baptist Church. It once served as a gathering place for civil rights activists, and the structure remains a symbol of resilience, equality, and faith.
Helen
Dubbed “Georgia’s Official Outdoor Adventure Destination,” Helen is a nature lover’s dream. To kick off your travels, take a ride on the Georgia Mountain Coaster. As the first and only mountain coaster in Georgia, you can choose your own adventure by going as fast or as slow as you want. The best part? The coaster is within walking distance of Downtown Helen.
For more laid-back outdoor fun, visit Unicoi State Park. Nested deep in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the park offers everything from axe throwing to kayaking, fly fishing, zip lines, mountain biking, and paddle boarding.
To make a weekend of your trip to Helen and Unicoi State Park, you can stay overnight in one of the park’s lodging options. Choose from hotel-style rooms, cabins, RV sites, or tent campsites. You can also opt to stay in one of six glamping sites — all of which offer modern amenities like air conditioning, heat, a coffee maker, and electrical outlets.
The park is also home to two on-site restaurants. Unicoi Restaurant offers seasonal, locally produced Southern cuisine, while Smith Creek Tavern pays homage to Helen’s Bavarian heritage.
Before or after your state park adventures, take the trek to nearby Anna Ruby Falls. The hike is relatively easy, and the payoff is beautiful. The trail is paved and just under half a mile long, leading to two beautiful cascading waterfalls.
After a successful day of exploring, treat yourself to beautiful views and wine at Habersham Winery. As one of the state’s oldest (and largest!) wineries, it has been producing award-winning wine since 1983. The menu includes everything from rosé and chardonnay to merlot, and more.
Of course, no trip to Helen is complete without visiting its Bavarian-inspired downtown district. As you stroll through the traditional alpine town, stop into any of the specialty shops and restaurants, including Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen and Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & Pub.
Thomasville
From its rich history and natural beauty to a booming culinary scene, there’s something for everyone in Thomasville. Before embarking on your adventures, you’ll need to fuel up. Luckily, there are a variety of local and delicious restaurants.
To start your morning off right, visit Q Café for fresh-baked biscuits that are said to be as big as a cat’s head! Another morning staple, Empire Bagel offers handmade bagels and a wide variety of schmears, including veggie, bacon cheddar, whipped smoked salmon, and honey butter.
To taste a bit of everything, book a walking tour with Taste of Thomasville. As you stroll through the streets of downtown, you’ll sample award-winning dishes from restaurants like Jonah’s Fish & Grits, Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop, and AJ Moonspin Pizza.
Thomasville is known as the “Quail Hunting Capital of the World,” so it’s no surprise that the area is popular among hunters experienced in guided expeditions with well-trained bird dogs. If hunting isn’t your thing, you can also participate in the town’s Hunt the Lost Quail Scavenger Hunt, which invites you to find 18 bronze quail statues throughout Downtown Thomasville.
Nestled among beautiful plantations, Thomasville is known for its gently rolling hills and rich red clay soils. Two local plantations, South Eden Plantation and Pebble Hill Plantation, even offer luxury accommodations. Pebble Hill offers tours of its elegant main house and beautifully maintained grounds, perfect for a leisurely day of exploration.
To thoroughly examine Thomasville’s history, take a guided or self-guided tour with the Thomasville History Center. We recommend touring the unique Lapham-Patterson House, which was built in 1885. The unique 6,000-square-foot house showcases the eccentric personality of its previous owner, Charles Lapham.
You can also spend an afternoon exploring any of Downtown Thomasville’s 100 shops and restaurants. Nestled along the town’s quaint brick streets, you’ll find everything from art galleries to clothing boutiques, spas, and home decor stores.
The downtown area is also known to host a variety of annual events, including the upcoming Victorian Christmas celebration (December 12-13, 2024), which invites you to dress up and celebrate the season!
Milledgeville
Once the capital of Georgia, Milledgeville is a vibrant city with a storied past. From guided historic tours to a bustling downtown district and outdoor adventures, here’s how to make the most of your time here.
You’ll likely need more than a day to experience everything Milledgeville offers. While there are various hotels to choose from, many visitors opt to stay in one of the city’s charming vacation rentals — many of which are situated on the riverfront or in the historic downtown district. A complete list of rental options, from historic homes to cozy bungalows and quaint farm stays, can be viewed HERE.
When you’re ready to explore Milledgeville’s magic, a great place to start is embarking on one of its historic trolley tours. Offered on Friday and Saturday mornings, visitors are invited to hop aboard “Milly the Trolley” to learn about local architecture and the city’s historic neighborhoods. Tours are about one hour, and tickets are $12 per person.
Another historic landmark, Andalusia Farm was once the home of American author Flannery O’Connor. The house is open to the public for tours and offers an inside look at Flannery’s life, her literary works, and how the farm played a significant role in her life and writings.
Lake Sinclair is another destination that draws visitors to Milledgeville. Spread across 15,300 acres, the man-made reservoir offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, and camping. A few local outfitters, including Sinclair Marina and Anchors Marina, also provide boat and fishing rentals for your adventures.
Milledgeville’s historic downtown district is another must-visit destination, offering charming shops and delicious restaurants. Popular stops include The Local Yolkal Café, Firefly Boutique, Eclectic, and Taste & See Plant-Based Eatery.
Dahlonega
Located about an hour outside Atlanta, Dahlonega is a charming must-visit mountain town. Known as the first major U.S. Gold Rush site and located in the heart of Georgia Wine Country, a weekend here is the epitome of a quintessential fall getaway.
While the city is undoubtedly breathtaking year-round, fall offers some of the best leaf-peeping opportunities. Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge is a popular choice among hikers, as it’s home to the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. You can also stay overnight at the on-site Len Foote Hike Inn, which is Georgia’s only backcountry lodge.
If possible, we recommend planning your trip around the annual Gold Rush Days Festival. The event occurs every third full weekend in October throughout Dahlonega’s Public Square and Historic District. From a pie-eating contest to the Gold Rush Parade and over 300 arts and crafts vendors, it’s no wonder this event attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Thanks to its prime location in the heart of Georgia’s wine country, you can also easily spend an afternoon exploring local vineyards. Wolf Mountain Vineyards is a premier destination, offering beautiful mountain views, a serene tasting room, and an on-site bistro that includes delicious food pairings.
Another beloved local winery, Three Sisters Vineyards is Dahlonega’s first family farm winery. During your tasting, you can sample everything from merlot to cabernet sauvignon.
SB Tip: To make your wine tour experience even easier (and more luxurious!), enlist help from North Georgia Wine Tours. They offer private tours for groups of up to 14 people and visit three local wineries in the Dahlonega and Cleveland areas.
Before or after your wine tastings, spend some time perusing the local shops and boutiques in Dahlonega’s charming downtown square. Alpine Olive Tree offers gourmet food and gifts, while Juliana’s Boutique is the perfect place to find on-trend clothing and accessories.
Ellijay
Ellijay is a small town full of local charm and seasonal activities. As the “Apple Capital of Georgia,” one of the best ways to kick off your fall adventures is with a visit to some of the local orchards.
From June through November, Ellijay produces over 22 varieties of apples. You can sample some of the best flavors at local outposts like Hillcrest Orchards, R&A Orchards, and Mercier Orchards. To see a complete list of local orchards, click HERE.
Ellijay is also home to the annual Georgia Apple Festival. This year’s event takes place on October 12, 13, 19, and 20. Visitors can shop from hundreds of vendors as they enjoy on-site demonstrations, live music, and delicious fair food.
If it’s outdoor fun you’re after, you’re in luck! Also known as the “Mountain Biking Capital of Georgia,” Ellijay offers several trails perfect for both hiking and biking. A popular trek is along the Cartecay River, which boasts a 5.2-mile loop and beautiful riverfront views.
For a more unique outdoor excursion, Appalachian Trail Riders offers guided horseback riding tours. Located at S&T Stables, the tours invite beginners and advanced riders alike to explore the beautiful 250-acre grounds.
After a day of exploring, there’s no better way to unwind than with a refreshing glass of wine or beer. Luckily, Ellijay has plenty of options, including 14 wineries and vineyards, two distilleries, two hard cideries, and a brewery.
With so many places to choose from, the Ellijay Sips Trail offers a fun and cohesive way to explore the best local wineries and breweries. After signing up for the free pass, you earn points at each location. Then, you can redeem your points for exclusive prizes — including a four-day wine country getaway or a $150 gift card.
Happy exploring!
This article is sponsored by Alpine-Helen White County CVB, Thomasville, Georgia, and Visit Milledgeville.
