Close to three-quarters of the county voters supported President Obama in 2012, the highest proportion of any Vermont county. Dahlonega is a long-standing favorite mountain town in Georgia because there are so many things to do. Athens may seem liberal due to the college, but underneath it all, the locals are mostly very conservative. Tallulah Falls Restaurants: TheMain Street Grill & BBQ is literally the only restaurant in Tallulah Falls. Whether its white water rafting, horseback riding, or ziplining, thrill seekers will have plenty to do in Dillard. Swipe left for slideshow. RoadSnacks is reader-supported. Theres also Grandaddy Mimms Moonshine Distillery, Coopers Creek, Reece Heritage Farm, Sunrise Grocery and lots more. Dublin, Georgia Flickr Neal Wellons But its surroundings are wild, including the massive Rabun Bald mountain. Summervilles outdoor attractions dont draw anywhere near the tourist crowds youll see in other North GA hotspots. The town is also only about an hour from Atlanta, so its easy to get here or take a side trip here on a weekend. Cleveland Restaurants: The Cleveland restaurant scene is fairly conservative compared to other cities in North Georgia. The natural formation has near-constant winds, and is widely known as a picturesque place where snow occasionally blows upside down. Nearly 200 years later its also known for music (Zac Brown and the Bear On The Square bluegrass festival), Appalachian crafts, and a beautiful historic downtown square. In the early 1900s, Tallulah Falls was a famous resort town whose popularity rivaled that of Niagara Falls. They might be located in or near the mountains, making it easy to access and enjoy the beautiful landscape. But its location in Rabun County, just south of North Carolina mountain towns, ensures there are plenty of outdoor activities and attractions for visitors and locals alike. When most people think of the Appalachian mountain range . 1) Washington, D.C. In an otherwise relatively conservative state, this Ozark mountain town of just 2,000 welcomes artists and outdoorsfolk, the LGBTQ+ community (there's an amazing drag scene and year-round Pride. Population: 10,442Percent Democrat: 79.1%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $27.0# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.53More on Doraville:Photos |Data. There, live music can be heard, delicious meals can be devoured, and fun street festivals can be enjoyed throughout the year. The population was 6,445 at the 2010 census, up from 4,882 in 2000. Situated on the shores of the Chattahoochee River, the 531-resident-town of Helen is a perfect place for a day trip in the Georgia mountains. In order to do so, we turned our sites on measuring how each city in Georgia with populations greater than 5,000 voted and contributed to political campaigns in the past several years. Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. Its easy to spend your weekend here hiking, biking, and fishing while being surrounded by peace and quiet. Between the endless outdoor adventures, creative arts and music scene, and bustling downtown area, Dahlonega GA is the perfect North GA mountain getaway. Over the last 10 years it has grown to be one of Georgias most popular mountain destinations, while staying true to its charming small-town origins. Also known as the Qualla Boundary, the Cherokee reservation isnt technically part of North Carolina, but a sovereign nation. Not the people getting elected. READ MORE: The 15 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels & Cabin Rentals in NC & VA, Size: 6.17 square miles Approximate Population: 969 Official Website. And just 268 residents! The population was 9,892 at the 2010 census. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, the views around Highlands seem endless and hiking trails abound throughout the dynamic terrain. But outside the touristy town youll find some of the most beautiful places in Georgia, with the Chattahoochee National Forest and Unicoi State Park offering loads of wilderness to explore. The most popular is visiting Brasstown Valley Resort, which features102 guest rooms, 8 cabins,a full-service spa, horseback riding tours, 18-hole golf course, an excellent restaurant, and stunning scenic overlooks. Bryson City is also close to other popular parts ofGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, including the Road to Nowhere. One of the smallest towns in North Georgia appearing on this list, Cave Spring encompasses just 3.68 square miles of land. Milton. Morrow is a city in Clayton County, Georgia, United States. Visitors can explore the local Boone hiking trails and waterfalls, spend the day at Elk Knob State Park, learn about the Revolutionary War at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, or visit the Tweetsie Railroad theme park. READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Burnsville NC, Size: Unknown Approximate Population: 46. sweatypapertowels bro get out of georgia. Theres also shopping and restaurants on Commerce St, the Historic Summerville Train Depot & Train Turntable,the Historic Couey House, J.R. Dick Dowdy Park,Willow Springs Park, and more. This gives the town of Brevard a more youthful feel than others on this list. The town was founded in the early 1900s by NC Supreme Court Justice Heriot Clarksonafter his Switzerland Inn was built, and is the only commercial access point youll find along the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway. But with buildings such as the 1847 Adairsville Depot History Museum and the 1902 Stock Exchange & Public Opera House, it feels like a timeless slice of Georgia history. Well send you our newsletter with travel destinations, With a name like Sky Valley, youd better bet that this town is scenic and beautiful. READ MORE:The 15 Best Blue Ridge Georgia Cabins to Rent. Bend, OR Population: ~94,500 Known for outdoor adventure. 0 Not_Saying- 8 mo. Marietta, liliburn, John's Creek, Lawrenceville, tucker, snellville. Nature lovers will find plenty of activities in the area, including countless campgrounds, hiking trails, and trout streams. Theres also 3 lakes (Tallulah Falls. But it has none of the traffic congestion or crowds those towns tend to get on weekends, and there are some very cool Cherry Log attractions worth exploring. READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Brevard NC & Transylvania County, Size: 3.5 square miles Approximate Population: 653 Official Website. Interestingly, this is also the only mountain town in North Carolina that the Appalachian Trail (which runs all the way from Georgia to Maine) passes through directly. The town is close to the Georgia Hall of Fame, and Bill Elliot fans will have a blast dining at the NASCAR-themed restaurant, Gordon Pirkles Dawsonville Pool Room. There are lots of things to do in Banner Elk, including two NC wineries, the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, hiking to waterfalls, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, and visiting the Land of Oz, a Wizard of Oz theme park. Asheville is a vibrant, truly beautiful city, and attracts artisans, naturalists, and discerning . Other fun Hiawassee attractions include visiting the historic Pioneer Village at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds and casting a line in the Hiawassee River, which is known as the hidden jewel of trout fishing., READ MORE:The 15 Best Things to Do in Hiawassee GA & Young Harris GA, Size: 1.5 square miles Approximate Population: 370 Official Website. Its many natural wonders include Helton Creek Falls, Nottley Lake and River, the Chattahoochee National Forest, Brasstown Bald, the Blood Mountain trail and more. Its also home to the Bear On the Square Mountain Festival, an annual celebration of Appalachian culture thats held every April. Its also a first-class destination for outdoor enthusiasts: At 3,424 feet, Bell Mountain is one of tallest mountains in North Georgia for hiking, offering spectacular overviews of the lake and town. by Bret Love. But Bellas Junction Cafe (1.2 miles), Dillards Cupboard Cafe (3.4 miles), and Claytons Ristorante Paoletti are all within a 10-15 minute drive. Its also fun to visit the Foxfire Museum here to learn about Appalachian life throughout the ages. Popular favorites include Maine St Coastal Cuisine (seafood), The City Cellar & Loft (Southern), Table 20 (Farm-to-Table), and Fire It Up BBQ. Air & 9-Day Guided Tour of Southern Italy, 8-Day River Cruise: Burgundy to the Camarge, 8-Day Douro River Cruise from Portugal to Spain, 6-Day Finland Winter Wonderland Guided Tour, Plan the Ultimate Trip w/ the Anchorage Travel Guide, Start Planning Your Urban & Wild Anchorage Getaway, 9-Day Danube River Cruise w/ 3-Nt Romania Hotel, Discover Anchorage's Local Flavor: Dining, Pubs & more, 7-Day Mantua to Venice River Cruise | Up to 50% Off, Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos All-Incl. The Bartram Trail is a recommended spot for hiking, and it extends through North Georgia to the North Carolina border. The University of Georgia helped make Athens one of the most liberal parts of the state, if not as liberal (or as vote-rich) as similar college towns in the Midwest and Northeast, and the. Its also home to Brevard College, which is widely regarded as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the USA. In these cities, progressive values and policies tend to dominate the local landscape, shaping the social, economic, and political dynamics. To that end, weve compiled extensive research on 20 Best Places to Live in the Georgia Mountains, including background on what makes each town special as well as the best things to do and places to eat there. Angel Falls, Panther Falls, and Minnehaha Falls are all adjacent to Lake Rabun, while Tallulah Gorge is less than 5 miles away. For hiking, head to the Benton Mackaye Trail near Highway 60 and hike to the Toccoa River suspension bridge. Sedona, AZ Population: ~10,300 Known for red rocks and canyons Lake Tahoe, CA There are so many gorgeous cascades within 15 miles of downtown Clayton, you could easily visit 5-6 in one day. It sits at an elevation of 2,792 feet in the heart of Chattahoochee National Forest hiking trails, with wilderness surrounding the town on all sides. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 18,468. Other attractions include the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, Uncle Shucks Corn Maze (one of our favorite fall activities), and Burts Pumpkin Farm. Little Switzerland NC is not like most of the North Carolina mountain towns on this list. Nature lovers should be sure to visit the expansive Hamilton Gardens, a botanical garden that is home to more than 3,000 plants and the largest collection of rhododendrons in the state. Not only is Milton the 3rd best place to live in The Empire State of the South, it was "named best quality of life in Georgia.". To take in as much of this intriguing historic town as you can, start at the downtown HendersonvilleVisitor Center, where the helpful staff can give you an overview of all the cool things to do in town. Located 24 miles north of Rome, just 10 miles east of the Alabama border, this sleepy northwest Georgia town has a population of around 4,320 people. Just outside of town youll find some of the bestPisgah National Forest hiking trails, as well as trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, and more. With elevations ranging from 3,200 to 4,200 feet, Sky Valley is the highest city in Georgia. Things to Do in Suches: If you love the great outdoors, Suches offers endless options to explore. One of the areas most recognizable sights is the white gazebo that sits atop the Sautee-Nacoochee Indian Mound at The Hardman Farm, which was home to a former Governor of Georgia. Blue Ridge, Georgia Blue Ridge is a mountain town located in the Chattahoochee National Forest. NASCAR fans will enjoy Gordon Pirkles Dawsonville Pool Room and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, and the Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery is definitely worth stopping by. Black Mountain has a charming town square with numerous antique shops, gift shops, old fashioned general stores, and restaurants that are guaranteed to please. Known as the Land of the Waterfalls, Brevard NC is home to over 200 waterfalls, including Moore Cove Falls, Wintergreen Falls, Hooker Falls, and Upper Bearwallow Falls, just to name a few. Dunwoody was incorporated as a city on December 1, 2008. The town is best-known for (and named after) Young Harris College, a liberal arts college founded in1886, which currently has around 800 students. If youre looking for the traditional trappings of small towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains historic downtown areas, charming shops, with lots of restaurants to choose from sleepy Cherry Log GA might not be the spot for you.