Home/Day Trips

🗺️ Day Trips

Atlanta is the launching pad for the South's most diverse day-trip menu — Stone Mountain 25 minutes east, Helen GA Bavarian village 90 min north, Chattanooga 2 hours, Blue Ridge Mountains for hiking, Savannah's historic squares for an overnight, and Athens for college-town vibes.

Stone Mountain Helen GA Blue Ridge Savannah

Beyond Atlanta

Get Out of The ATL

Between matches, North Georgia and the surrounding region deliver outdoor adventure (hiking the Blue Ridge), small-town charm (Helen's Bavarian village), Civil War history, college town vibes (Athens), and one of the most beautiful Southern cities (Savannah). Most reachable in 1-3 hours by car. Atlanta's traffic is legendary on the Connector — leave early or off-peak.

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Stone Mountain Park
25-min drive Half-day or full day Granite Monolith · Cable Car · Laser Show
Stone Mountain is the largest exposed granite dome in the world — 825 feet of bald granite with a controversial Confederate carving on its side (the largest bas-relief sculpture). The park surrounding it offers the Summit Skyride cable car, hiking trails (1.3 mi to the top, mild), the Crossroads attractions area, mini-golf, and the famous nightly Laser Show during summer months. Just 16 miles east of Atlanta — the easiest day trip.
Highlights
  • Walk-Up Trail — 1.3 mi up to summit, sweeping views
  • Summit Skyride cable car — easier alternative
  • Lasershow Spectacular — nightly summer fireworks & laser show
  • Crossroads attractions area for kids
  • SkyHike adventure ropes course
Getting There
Drive~16 mi via I-20 E or US-78 E — 25 min off-peak. Park entrance fee $20/vehicle.
TourSeveral Atlanta tour operators run Stone Mountain day trips ~$80-100 including transport.
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Helen, GA (Bavarian Village)
1h 45m drive Full day Bavarian Theme · Tubing · Wineries
Helen is a small North Georgia town in the Blue Ridge foothills that completely reinvented itself in 1969 as a Bavarian alpine village — every storefront looks like it belongs in the German Alps. It's kitschy and it works: beer halls, German bakeries, tubing on the Chattahoochee River (a Helen tradition), and surrounding wineries. The drive itself is scenic. Best as a long full-day trip.
Highlights
  • Helen's Bavarian-themed Main Street — beer halls, bakeries, kitsch
  • Tubing the Chattahoochee River (Cool River Tubing)
  • Anna Ruby Falls — 3 mi north, double waterfall
  • North Georgia wineries — Yonah Mountain, Habersham, CeNita
  • Brasstown Bald — Georgia's highest peak (4,784 ft), 30 min north
Getting There
Drive~95 mi via I-985 N + GA-365 N + GA-75 N — 1h 45min from Atlanta.
TourAtlanta tour operators run combo Helen + winery day trips ~$130/person.
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Chattanooga, TN
2-hr drive Full day or overnight Lookout Mountain · Aquarium · Riverwalk
Chattanooga is the mid-South's most-loved small city — Lookout Mountain (sweeping views, Civil War history at Point Park), the Tennessee Aquarium (Atlanta's biggest peer), the Walnut Street Bridge pedestrian span, and a thriving downtown food scene. Easy day trip from Atlanta but better as an overnight to do the mountain attractions properly.
Highlights
  • Lookout Mountain — Point Park (Civil War), Rock City, Ruby Falls
  • Tennessee Aquarium — top-tier, two buildings (river + ocean)
  • Walnut Street Bridge — pedestrian-only, Tennessee River views
  • Bluff View Art District — galleries, gardens, restaurants
  • Chattanooga Choo Choo — historic train hotel
Getting There
Drive~120 mi via I-75 N — 2 hours from Atlanta.
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Blue Ridge Mountains Overnight Rec.
1h 45m drive Full day or weekend Scenic Train · Hiking · Cabins
Blue Ridge is a small mountain town in North Georgia — gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, with hiking, kayaking on the Toccoa River, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (4-hour round trip excursion), and excellent farm-to-table restaurants. Better as a weekend getaway than a hectic day trip — many Atlanta families have second homes here.
Highlights
  • Blue Ridge Scenic Railway — 4-hour Toccoa River excursion
  • Toccoa River kayaking and tubing
  • Mercier Orchards — sprawling apple orchard + cidery
  • Hiking — Benton MacKaye, Aska trails, Long Creek Falls
  • Blue Ridge mountain cabins (Airbnb/VRBO)
Getting There
Drive~95 mi via I-575 N + GA-515 N — 1h 45min from Atlanta.
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Savannah Overnight Required
3h 45m drive Overnight Historic Squares · Spanish Moss · River
Savannah is the most beautiful city in Georgia — 22 historic squares laid out in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, draped in Spanish moss and live oaks, with a riverfront on the Savannah River and a thriving food/cocktail scene. Too far for a day trip from Atlanta (3h 45m each way) but a perfect 1-2 night escape between matches. Combine with Tybee Island beaches.
Highlights
  • 22 historic squares — walking tour anchor
  • Forsyth Park & the iconic fountain
  • River Street — restored cotton warehouses, restaurants, candy shops
  • Bonaventure Cemetery — Spanish moss + sculpture
  • Tybee Island — beach & lighthouse 30 min east
Getting There
Drive~250 mi via I-75 S + I-16 E — 3h 45min from Atlanta. Best to leave 5 AM or 9 PM to avoid traffic.
FlightDaily Atlanta-Savannah flights via Delta/Southwest — 50 min, often $100-200 round trip.
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Athens, GA
1h 15m drive Full day UGA · Music Scene · College Town
Athens is Georgia's quintessential college town — home of the University of Georgia, the birthplace of REM and the B-52s, and a strong indie music scene. Walkable downtown anchored by the historic Georgia Theatre and the 40 Watt Club. Great food scene, college sports atmosphere (even off-season), and a more relaxed Southern vibe than Atlanta.
Highlights
  • UGA campus and the Sanford Stadium tour
  • Georgia Theatre & 40 Watt Club — historic music venues
  • Downtown Athens walkable food scene
  • State Botanical Garden of Georgia
  • Buy REM/B-52s vinyl at Wuxtry Records
Getting There
Drive~70 mi via US-78 E or I-85 N — 1h 15min from Atlanta.

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