Best Road Trips from Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is not just the pulsating spirit and the capital of Georgia but also the starting point of several exciting road trips. Whether it is the beach that attracts you or the serenity of hills or small towns, the southeast region is for every traveler. Here are some of the best road trips from Atlanta, each of which is a different experience.
Best Road Trips From Atlanta
Savannah, Georgia – Steeped in History
Distance from Atlanta: Approximately 250 miles
Driving Time: About 4 hours
Travelers looking for an interesting place packed with history, architecture, and food should visit Savannah. It has been quite famous for maintaining its historical center intact with Spanish moss-draped oak trees, beautiful antebellum structures, and 22 beautiful squares with vibrant green gardens. They can walk through the paved alleys or take a carriage ride on a guided tour. Some of these are Forsyth Park for a walk around the park and River Street, which is filled with restaurants, bars, and shops beside the Savannah River.
Tourists can also feel the history by visiting museums and old defensive structures. The Fort Pulaski National Monument provides information on the Civil War. BBQ or barbeque is another Southern comfort food that visitors would love to encounter, and other Southern delights, such as shrimp and grits, are offered in many restaurants.
Asheville, North Carolina – Art and Nature Converge
Distance from Atlanta: Approximately 200 miles
Driving Time: About 3.5 hours
With beautiful natural surroundings as well as emerging artistic venues, Asheville is a city that has it all. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, staring at scenic views all year round is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and rafting. It is also an art lover’s paradise with several hundreds of art galleries, studios, and live music joints. The River Arts District of Asheville is unquestionably the artsiest and boasts more historic warehouses converted into artists’ studios.
The Biltmore Estate is an antebellum mansion many visit because of its architectural design, the gardens, and the winery. As for beer lovers, Asheville presents an incredible variety of craft breweries: more than 30 places where the guests can taste fresh generations. It also has yearly festivals that range from music, dance, food, craft beer, and many others.
Chattanooga, Tennessee – Gateway to the Appalachians
Distance from Atlanta: Approximately 118 miles
Driving Time: About 2 hours
Evaluate the case of Chattanooga, showing it to be an aesthetic city with appeal for sightseeing, recreational activities, fantastic history, and prehistoric roots. Chattanooga is a city on the Tennessee River surrounded by mountains and ridges; there, it is possible to find many recreation opportunities. There are hiking trails and rocks in Little Rock City and scenic Ruby Point, learning the Ruby Falls lookout tower, or riding the incline Railway, one of the steepest passenger railways in the world.
Owing to the current development, Chattanooga enjoys increased tourism in tourist facilities such as the Tennessee Aquarium and the rampant art facilities in the Bluff View Art District. For local eats and shopping, shoppers get to explore Downtown Chattanooga while the beautiful walk of the recently converted pedestrian walkway of Walnut Street Bridge overlooking the river at sunset.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee – America’s Favorite Park
Distance from Atlanta: Approximately 197 miles
Driving Time: About 4 hours
The Smoky Mountain National Park is one of America’s most beautiful national parks for people who love nature. It is the most visited national park in the United States, with great opportunities to enjoy views and various fauna. The expansive park contains many habitats. Due to numerous trails that cover hundreds of miles, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail, the area can be hiked. Noteworthy geophysical characteristics of the park are Clingmans Dome, which is the highest point with an outlook of the Smokies Blue Mist Rolling.
One of the best ways to explore the park is by automobile; for instance, the Cades Cove Loop Road will allow visitors to view historic houses and churches, waterfall trails, and wildlife nearby. This is among the parks easy to access since you can access various towns such as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for accommodation and other amenities, making it a one-stop tour for any outdoor person.
Charleston, South Carolina – Charm and History by the Sea
Distance from Atlanta: Approximately 300 miles
Driving Time: About 5 hours.
Charleston is a beautiful city with a real touch of the South and its history. The city is particularly noted for the many handsome restored houses that indicate its colonial origins. Tours of the historic downtown area are a passion for those wishing to take in the atmosphere and view wonderful architectural sights such as Rainbow Row. The old slave mart museum gives a real feel of what the city used to be, but the vibrant city market sells arts and crafts.
Another reason visitors find Charleston special is its rich and diverse food culture; the place presents South Carolina’s modern and traditional cuisine with seafood as its main highlight. Moreover, Folly Beach is just a few minutes drive, which offers relaxation by the sea, sunbathing, swimming, and boating.
Helen, Georgia – Alpine Reprisal in the Appalachian
Distance from Atlanta: About 90 miles
Driving Time: About 1.5 hours
Visit Helen, which is situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia and resembles a traditional Bavarian village. This picturesque town is a real mix of Southern hospitality and German heritage. Tourists are free to stroll around the cobbled pathways within the city and shop for souvenirs, which can be anything from candles to German beer mugs.
The lively spirit is best felt during the Oktoberfest festival, which takes place in Helen and is believed to be the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States. It includes music, dancing, Você, and, of course, beer. Nature fun is not a problem around this location; the Chattahoochee River lets people tube and fish, while nearby trails provide space for hiking and cycling with spectacular mountain views. To have a unique experience, go on a trip in the fall season to enjoy the changing colors of the trees in this beautiful town.
Blue Ridge, Georgia – Serene Mountain Getaway
Distance from Atlanta: Approximately 90 miles
Driving Time: About 1.5 hours
Blue Ridge is a communing, scenic, stressful, and free vacation destination where you can recharge spiritually. Wedged in this beautiful small town are easy access points to the Chattahoochee National Forest, which is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. The pride and joy of any trip to Blue Ridge is none other than the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Departing from the original Blue Ridge depot in the town of Blue Ridge, the Railway carries visitors through the picturesque foothills of the Appalachians, with a view of the Toccoa River.
Blue Ridge is located downtown and is filled with local and artsy shops and fine restaurants offering farm-to-table cuisine. Lake Blue Ridge has boating, swimming, and fishing facilities and is dotted with ideal views and places for a picnic around the lake. If you want an adventurous trip with nature or seek a place to relax, Blue Ridge offers an appealing environment with novelty.
All these areas offer a chance to discover a variety of geographies and people within a short car ride distance from Atlanta. From history found in the beautiful city of Savannah to arts and culture in Asheville, the stunning natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, to the festive spirit of Helen, the road trips offer personal exciting experiences that range in interest. So start to lend your car, begin the tour, and explore the best of the Southern region that is easily accessible from Atlanta in Georgia.
