Although Dahlonega is a small town, it has a lot to offer. Day trips are filled with lots of fun things to discover and enjoy while on your getaway. Enjoy shopping, restaurants, gold panning, theaters, art galleries, wine tours, and lots of open land and incredible nature to appreciate and explore along hiking trails across the Appalachian Trail.
Gold Mining and Panning
“There’s gold in them thar hills!” was shouted, and one of the first gold rushes in American history was begun in North Georgia in the late 1920s. The gold belt stretches for about 150 miles across the North Georgia Mountains with one of the first finds in Dahlonega. “Talonega” is the word in Cherokee that means golden or yellow. This gold rush gave a name to this gold-rich city and placed it on the map of our American history. There is still gold to be found today, and thus the mining and gold panning continues. Visit one of the places below to find out more about the history of the area and find gold yourself!
Dahlonega Gold Museum
Located in one of Georgia’s oldest courthouse buildings in Lumpkin county, the Dahlonega Gold Museum is a historic site worth visiting. Once you have taken in all the sights of the building, you can pan for gold and have a glimpse of how it was when the gold rush was in full swing. Watch a 17-minute film about the history of the area, see gold nuggets and coins in the museum, and visit the gift shop to take a little piece of history back home with you.
1 Public Square
Dahlonega, GA 35033
Crisson Gold Mine
Crisson Mine has 22 different gold-bearing veins of quarts that are mined for visitors to pan through. Gem mining is also a popular activity for customers and a lapidary is available to help you turn any gems you find into beautiful jewelry.
2736 Morrison Moore Parkway East
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Consolidated Gold Mine
Dahlonega’s only underground gold mining tour is a unique and memorable adventure to explore in a real gold mine. They give tours through the gold mine rain or shine and offer gold panning as well as gem mining and an on-site lapidary studio to cut the gems for jewelry keepsakes.
185 Consolidated Gold Mine Road
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Vineyards and Wineries
The ‘heart’ of Georgia’s wine country, Dahlonega’s wine trail offers unique and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as one-of-a-kind, award-winning wines produced specially by passionate winemakers. Dahlonega wine tours are available from Atlanta to Dahlonega, visiting a variety of wineries and tasting rooms, and can either be pre-planned for your group or customized to fit the areas you wish to visit.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards
Located only 5 miles from downtown Dahlonega, Wolf Mountain Vineyards is a leader in fine wine, winning over 200 medals in major wine tasting competitions. Bring along all of the adults in your group as well as your leashed, furry friends and enjoy a tour of the grounds, a wine tasting, and brunch or dinner, all with the backdrop of the incredible Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding.
180 Wolf Mountain Trail
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery
Built as a rustic winery, Cavender Creek has been remodeled and has grown into a place of casual elegance tucked into the mountains of North Georgia. Live music is enjoyed in the tasting room that is built above the cellar and provides seating where guests can enjoy locally grown and sourced wines that are produced on-site. Miniature donkeys and chickens add to the rustic vibe and are one of the ways this vineyard is lovingly remembered by visitors.
3610 Cavender Creek Road
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Dahlonega Walking Tours
Five different tours of Dahlonega explore the pubs, wineries, restaurants, and history of Dahlonega, as well as highlight some of the paranormal activities and ghosts that roam the homes and streets of this small town. Enjoy this unique way to see the sights… if you dare!
19 East Main Street
Upstairs Porch, Suite F
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Restaurants and Theaters
The Crimson Moon
Located on the historic public square of Dahlonega, The Crimson Moon offers southern cuisine and live music in its concert hall dining room.
24 Park Street North
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Smith House
Serving family-style, traditional Southern food, the Smith House offers elegant dining rooms to host large groups for special occasions or you can schedule pickup orders for individuals or family style for a group as well.
84 South Chestatee Street
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Bourbon Street Grille
Looking down on the historic town square, Bourbon Street Grille spreads across two floors and offers a New Orleans style, Cajun cuisine that makes a mouth water. Stay and eat in the open-air atmosphere of the balcony or pick up your meal to go and eat later. But make sure to come back for an incredible brunch only served on weekends.
90 Public Square North
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Shenanigans Restaurant and Irish Pub
Located just a block from the town square, Shenanigans offers traditional Irish cuisine like steak, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. All the desserts are made from scratch, so save room.
87 North Chestatee Street
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Dahlonega Magic Theater
Take your group and entire family to visit the Dahlonega Magic Theater for a magical night of entertainment. Magic, illusions, escapes, comedy, and even a little ventriloquism await you for the perfect ending to your day in Dahlonega.
81 Crown Mountain Place
Suite A400
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Holly Theater
Any visit to Dahlonega should include a visit to the Holly Theater which was originally built in 1948 and has since been renovated and entered into the National Register of Historic Places. A community theater at its finest, the coming attractions include adult and children’s theater as well as musical tribute bands that music lovers must see.
69 West Main Street
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Outdoor Activities
Shops, restaurants, and attractions are all great reasons to visit the town of Dahlonega and its surrounding areas. But, the natural beauty of the foliage, flowers, mountains, streams, and animals is unparalleled and worth some time as well.
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo
The Preserve is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing animals that were orphaned or in need of a forever home. See tigers, zebras, and camels along with other exotic animals as well as some bird and reptile species. You can schedule a private encounter that allows you up close and personal to some of the larger animals with a trainer, or walk the preserve to observe animals and even feed some with buckets of food sold on-site.
469 Old Dahlonega Highway
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Red Oak Lavender Farm
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia, the Red Oak Lavender Farms appeals to both your sense of sight and smell. They distill their own lavender essential oils and offer over 100 natural, pure, and high-quality lavender products from their Cottage Shop. The unmatched beauty of the gardens can be observed through tours, classes, and events throughout the year.
2882 Red Oak Flats Road
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Amicalola Falls State Park
Amicalola State Park is in the direct vicinity of Dawsonville, Elijay, and Dahlonega and has beautiful waterfalls, hiking trails, and waters for canoeing and kayaking. One popular trail for hiking, trail running, and bird watching is Lake Zwerner Trail. It is a 3.2-mile loop that twists and turns around the lake and through the woods introducing you to the town of Dahlonega with the help of nature. Three of the most popular waterfalls to visit in the area are Amicalola Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Dick’s Creek Falls. They are all magnificent and are one of the many reasons why North Georgia is a place people return to year after year.
