Retreat to the Mountains in Clayton
Spend a relaxing long weekend in the state’s peak-peppered northeast corner. You can escape to the lively little town of Clayton to immerse yourself in the beauty of the celebrated Blue Ridge Mountains. Both the Southern Highroads Trail and US 441 Heritage Highway pass through this tight-knit community, making it easily accessible. Once there, you’ll discover why it has such wide appeal.
Eat
Creative local chefs, adept at capitalizing on the local agricultural bounty, have earned Clayton a reputation for its authentic dining scene. Taste it for yourself at Fortify Kitchen & Bar, which serves everything from gouda fritters to fried green tomatoes. Or head next door to its casual sister restaurant, Fortify Pi, loved for its artisanal, brick-oven-fired pizza.
Foodies of all ages will enjoy a meal at Clayton Pharmacy’s soda fountain, where griddled hamburgers, pimento-cheese sandwiches and hand-dipped milkshakes never go out of style. Sunday Diner promises home-cooked comfort food beloved for breakfast, like Granny’s Tater Cakes, with coffee on the side.
Sleep
Lovers of history and luxury will find much that appeals at Beechwood Inn, from spacious rooms, suites and cabins to amenities, including spa treatments, wine tastings — even picnics to a waterfall — all on or near the hotel’s century-old grounds.
Do
Downtown is filled with curated boutiques, offering everything from home furnishings to on-trend fashions. Outfit your crew for exploring the great outdoors with camping gear and locally made snacks at Wander North Georgia, and fuel up with a steaming latte from White Birch Provisions.
Visitors looking to experience the majesty of nature won’t want to miss the adrenaline rush of whitewater rafting down the Chattooga River, water sports on Lake Burton and hiking to see some of the area’s most spectacular scenic overlooks and waterfalls, such as Dicks Creek and Martin Creek Falls. Motor over to Tallulah Gorge State Park for a lung-busting hike from the gorge’s scenic floor, or a more moderate trek to see cascading Bridal Veil Falls.
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