As anyone who has spent one day in Atlanta would know, the city itself offers more to do than most have time to do it in! But would visitors know the same of the outlying areas around Atlanta as well? Taking just a few minutes to learn what the surrounding counties of Atlanta have to offer will offer an experience rich in culture and history.
Stone Mountain Park
Located in one of the bigger metro-Atlanta counties, Stone Mountain Park is the largest naturally occurring granite rock in the United States. Though it may seem unimpressive as a description itself, what the Park has to offer will require days to navigate.
If you time your visit just right, there are several annual events held each year at the Park. You will find the Yellow Daisy Festival for shopping in the spring, the Highland Games for jousting in the fall, and the Stone Mountain Christmas during the winter. Each summer, thousands of people congregate on the lawn right in front of the Mountain to watch a spectacular laser show set to Southern hits and classical tunes while enjoying a picnic dinner or the feast one the several restaurants inside the Park have to offer.
Though the festivals are fantastic, some people prefer less crowded adventures. So, just as with any other slightly elevated area, there is a Sky Lift to the top of the Mountain that provides a jaw dropping view of the Atlanta skyline. If heights are a bit intimidating, ride the train around the Mountain, or enjoy the separate village located at the base of the Mountain for some shopping and lunch.
Whatever it is your family is looking for, Stone Mountain Park can accommodate! With its own hotels and even a golf course, plan to stay for a couple of days and entertain the whole family.
Dahlonega, Georgia
If you thought you could only find gold in California, you were mistaken! As one of the first major gold rush cities in the United States during the 19th century, Dahlonega has a sparkling history.
With nearly a dozen different wineries and vineyards within the confines of Dahlonega, lovers and tasters flock to the "Heart of Georgia's Wine Country" at the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains. These wineries offer a wide variety of hybrids and American grapes that simply beg for picking.
Aside from the wine, Dahlonega offers adventures in, hiking, backpacking, panning for gold, bicycling, and several festivals held throughout the year. If outdoor experiences aren't for you, try one of the several different day spas and retreats, shopping, or live music and art galleries located throughout the city.
Mall of Georgia
Shopping never sounded as good as when you walk into the United States' second largest mall - the Mall of Georgia in Buford. With anchor stores like Belk, Dillards, JCPenny, Macy's, and Nordstrom, venturing into the mall seems impossible at first. But once inside, patrons will find a Regal 20 Theatre featuring Hollywood's latest hits as well as an IMAX theatre for the second to none feeling of 3D movies.
Located just below the theater, children will fall in love with the full-size carousel gliding gracefully in the food court while the older kids in your family challenge the climbing wall in Dick's Sporting Goods. If your feet are in need of a break from walking around more than 200 different stores, stop at the Starbucks or one of the several massage kiosks located throughout the Mall.
Though no one would argue Atlanta is a boring city, visitors might look for adventures outside of the city. Consider Stone Mountain, Dahlonega, or the Mall of Georgia as just a few examples of what the metro-Atlanta area has to offer.