The small North Georgia town of Dahlonega, located 70 miles northeast of Atlanta, is mainly known for its former glory as a gold bonanza. But today this rustic charming town of 4,000 residents attracts hordes of tourists instead of miners. Some come to pan for gold flecks in the creeks, while others simply stroll around the pleasant town square and soak in the historic ambiance.
Dahlonega was the site of one of Georgia|Georgia’s first major gold rushes in the 1820s. Unfortunately, the gold was on traditional Cherokee Indian land, so the natives were quickly removed to reservations. The town that grew up around the mines was one of Georgia’s first, with Dahlonega’s Gold Museum taking the honors as the state’s oldest public building.
At the heart of Dahlonega lies the town square, a timeless little hub lined with antique shops, ice cream parlors, and plenty of gold mining flavor. Branching off from here is a handful of linear streets lined with homes, motels and a few other shops. Although Dahlonega is usually a quiet town, it gets quite busy during the summer vacation season as visitors flow into the area looking for fun, relaxation and gold.
Highlights
Dahlonega Public Square: the rustic charm of the town square is Dahlonega’s main attraction. Old buildings have been converted into shops, restaurants and historic museums, giving it a distinctively touristy yet pleasant ambiance.
Dahlonega Courthouse Gold Museum: right on the town square is the old courthouse which contains a fascinating museum shedding light on one of America’s first gold rushes. Tools, coins, artifacts and a 23-minute film show the gold fever which gripped this town in the 1800s.
Consolidated Gold Mines: you can try your hand at panning for gold in the streams, or simply take a tour of the largest gold mine in the eastern United States at this popular tourist spot.
Three Sisters Vineyard: wine is just as alluring as gold in this part of Georgia, and the Three Sisters Winery makes a great day trip to check out the beautiful 180-acre farm. Visitors can taste the wines and soak in the panoramic views of the North Georgia Mountains from their hilltop gazebo.