Ball Ground

Ball Ground — once a quaint agricultural settlement — is a growing community nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Just an hour north of Atlanta, Ball Ground features a charming downtown with restaurants, breweries, and taverns, as well as weekly events like fitness classes, local markets, and seasonal activities.

Explore Gibbs Gardens, a 376-acre property with dozens of ponds, bridge crossings, and hundreds of varieties of plants. The gardens are a feast for the senses year-round, but especially gorgeous in spring. Wander the Daffodil Gardens, home to more than 20 million blooming daffodils, or tour the Waterlily Gardens, with five ponds showcasing 140 varieties of waterlilies in their natural environment.

Golfers can tee off at Hawks Ridge Golf Club, a championship course designed by Bob Cupp that spans 550 acres of towering pines, rolling elevations, and scenic water hazards. Afterward, unwind at Feather’s Edge Vineyards, where locally sourced wines and nightly live music create the perfect date-night atmosphere.