10 Free Things to Do in the Northeast Georgia Mountains
Have fun with family in the Northeast Georgia Mountains without spending much cash.
Appalachian Jams in Dahlonega
On the Dahlonega Gold Museum lawn, you can often find a Saturday afternoon jam session (check official schedules at Downtown Dahlonega). Locals and visitors flock to the weekend jam sessions on the Dahlonega square, where fiddles, dulcimers, a forest of banjos and even the occasional yodeler or buck dancer take center stage. The twangy sounds, handed down through the generations, echo off the mountains in this small, Northeast Georgia town that began as a gold rush settlement.
Babyland General Hospital
A free tour of Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland lets you see Cabbage Patch Kids being born, but fair warning: Your kids will probably want to adopt one!
Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery
See rainbow trout as they develop at the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery in Suches. Take a pole and fish in Rock Creek (with Georgia fishing license and trout stamp). Monday through Friday: call ahead.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest-CNF, in the north-central section of Georgia, has waterfalls, trails and lakes for fishing and swimming, and the highest point in Georgia, Brasstown Bald. Many of the day-use areas are free, others have a small fee.
Goats on the Roof
Goats on the Roof is a longtime favorite roadside attraction, featuring a family of goats that run around on the roof of the building, fed snacks by a pulley system. The shops below sell Amish foods and furniture, along with gifts, homemade fudge and nitro ice cream.
The Gourd Place
More than 200 gourds from 23 countries can be seen at The Gourd Place near Helen. See everything from contemporary works to early-American reproductions to gourds from around the world.
Mountain Fresh Creamery & Glo-Crest Dairy
Watch your milk being bottled while you shop for minimally processed dairy products, including milk, cheese and butter Mountain Fresh Creamery & Glo-Crest Dairy in Clermont.
Old Sautee Store & Museum
See artifacts from a country store founded in 1872, then buy fresh-baked bread or farmers cheese at the Old Sautee Store & Museum in Sautee Nacoochee.
Stovall Mill Covered Bridge
Picnic within view of Georgia’s shortest clear span covered bridge, Stovall Mill Covered Bridge, built in 1895.
Walking Tour of Our Solar System
The 1.8-mile scale model Walking Tour of Our Solar System begins at the sun on the southeast corner of the Gainesville downtown square.
