Georgia Weekend Getaways for Music, Nature & Family
Sometimes you just need a quick getaway to recharge, to put things in perspective and to feed your soul. Here are three Georgia weekends that do just that through music, nature and family time.
Macon Music
Macon is the center of Georgia. It was also the epicenter of Southern rock. Capricorn Records, the legendary music label was born here in 1969, recording some of Georgia's most beloved Southern rock bands, like the Allman Brothers. When visiting Macon, it's only fitting to do an Allman Brothers tour of the town.
Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House
The first stop is the Big House Museum. The Big House is where the band, their families and their roadies lived in the early 1970s. It's now a museum showcasing where the band rehearsed, instruments they used, handwritten lyrics and more.
Rose Hill Cemetery
Rose Hill Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a beautiful resting place along the Ocmulgee River for Confederate soldiers, three Georgia governors, as well as Duane and Gregg Allman. The graveside statue of Little Martha is said to be the inspiration for the Allman Brothers Band song "Little Martha."
Rock Candy Tours
While in Macon, go beyond getting to know the Allman Brothers and learn about Macon’s rich musical connections. Rock Candy Tours takes visitors to Macon’s most historic musical venues and talks about why Macon is "where soul lives." Choose from weekly walking tours, trolley or even motor coach tours.
Nature in the City
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park is about 40 minutes outside of downtown Atlanta, but it can feel a world away. There's the amusement park side, Crossroads, where you can play mini-golf, see a 4-D show and climb the ropes at Sky Hike. But the attractions cover only a small part of the 3,200 acres. Stone Mountain has a gentler, more natural side, too. With the recent addition of the REI Boathouse, guests to Stone Mountain can get out on the water on a paddleboard, kayak or canoe.
Truly Living Well
The best way to be one with the earth is to put your hands in the dirt, feel the soil slip through your fingers, and maybe even grow something. At Truly Living Well (TLW), a center for natural urban agriculture in Atlanta, it’s all about quality local food production, no matter where you live.
If you have time, take a course in urban growing. If time is tight, opt for the Grower Boot Camp, an intensive course that teaches practical urban farming techniques. They also have a summer camp for kids with creative themes like travel through food, and themes where kids learn science and math by designing a garden. Scholarships are available for both adult and kids classes. If summer school isn’t your thing, just visit one of the TLW farmers markets around the city.
Family Camp Weekend
Callaway Gardens
Why should kids have all the fun of summer camp? Reconnect with the family at Callaway Gardens. Walk among the butterflies at the Day Butterfly Center; attend the resort's signature events, like The Steeplechase in November, Fantasy In Lights during the holidays, and Sip & Savor Spring; and of course, there are also more traditional activities such as golf lessons, biking and swimming. During the evenings, families can enjoy spending time together with bingo, campfires with marshmallow roasts, stargazing and camp traditions.
Wild Animal Safari
There is so much more for families to do in Pine Mountain. The Wild Animal Safari is part safari, part petting zoo, and all around awesome, whether you go with kids or not. Rent the zebra truck, and purchase some food to feed the animals along the way. Watch out for the giraffe's lonnng, grey tongue. Bring wet wipes and tissues. You’ll need the wipes for your hands and the tissues to wipe the tears of laughter from your eyes.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park
If you're more of a traditional camper, F.D. Roosevelt State Park is close and a perfect way to reconnect with family. Maybe you don’t camp but always wanted to try it. FDR State Park participates in the Georgia State Parks first-time camper program. The program allows visitors to borrow all the gear they need to camp, tent, sleeping pads, lantern, camp stove, roasting forks and even chairs (you provide sleeping bags, pillows, and the s'mores). They'll even help you set it all up.
