Fayetteville

Fayetteville's charming downtown square and historic streetscapes offer an easy escape from the big-city bustle of nearby Atlanta. The community is so idyllic that it inspired Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind," widely considered a masterpiece of southern cinema. 

Be sure to stroll the grounds of the Fayette Environmental Education Center, which includes a monarch station, wildlife exhibit and saltwater observation tank. See Starr's Mill Park, a crimson building that once provided electricity through its dynamo. Looking for a little more thrill? Ride the Hurricane Coaster at Fun Spot America Atlanta before sipping tart, carnival-style lemonades. 

When you're ready for a bite to eat, grab chargrilled oysters or warm, handcrafted penne rosa at Frank's @ The Old Mill. Brunch is best had at City Cafe and Bakery, where mile-high French toast slices drizzled in syrup or a traditional German breakfast of warm bread, Black Forest ham and Gouda delight.