Clayton is a quaint Blue-Ridge-Mountains community just two hours north of Atlanta. On the Eastern Continental Divide, the town is the gateway to Black Rock Mountain State Park — the highest state park in Georgia. With wildflowers, fishing, waterfalls and 80-mile views, it’s a must-visit.

Go back in time at Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center, where 20 historical log structures make up an Appalachian Village outdoor museum. Or enjoy a thrilling trip down the Wild & Scenic Chattooga River aboard a white-water raft. The Southern Highroads Trail, a 364-mile-long loop of scenic and historic highways, runs through Clayton.

Kiddos will love a stop by Goats On The Roof — a tourist destination made popular throughout the years (and most recently on TikTok) where you can feed the “kids” that hang out on the roof.

This “Farm-to-Table Capital” of Georgia offers up award-winning chefs cooking dishes with buttery biscuits and tender, fresh-from-the-farm, local meats and vegetables. But the eateries aren’t the only award winners. A weekend in the mountains isn’t complete without a glass (or two) of vino from Tiger Mountain Vineyards or Stonewall Creek Vineyards.

The charming streets of downtown contain upscale clothing boutiques, home decor mercantile and accessory apothecaries. Stop into Reeves Hardware, which began trading in 1928 and is still hawking everything from caulk to Carhartt and fly-fishing equipment. Of course, a trip to Clayton wouldn’t be complete without a hand-crafted, Georgia-peach Smash Soda at The Clayton Pharmacy and Soda Fountain Restaurant.