Clarkesville, Georgia

Helen is built for crowds. Clarkesville isn't, and that's the appeal. It's the seat of Habersham County, and the New Georgia Encyclopedia dates its start as a village and county seat to 1823, when wealthy families used it as a cool summer retreat from south Georgia. You can still feel that history on the courthouse square: old brick storefronts, a few shops and restaurants, and room to park once and walk.

The town sits at about 1,400 feet on the south side of the Soque River, a stream that gives the area its fishing reputation and its best view, the one from the back windows of Mark of the Potter. If you're driving the Highway 197 corridor toward the lakes, Clarkesville is the natural stop on the way.

The gallery sits at 9982 Highway 197 North in a building tied to a 1930s water-ground gristmill, with the Soque River running right behind it. Inside you'll find handmade ceramics and functional pottery along with work by local and regional artists. The business says it has supported artists for more than five decades.

Summer hours are 10 AM to 6 PM every day. The shop doesn't post winter hours on its website, so call (706) 947-3440 before an off-season visit. Our Mark of the Potter page has more on what to look for.

Glen-Ella Springs Inn is the dressy option: 16 guest rooms in a building described as more than a century old, on a 12-acre meadow next to the Chattahoochee National Forest. The restaurant serves the public as well as guests, and dinner reservations go through OpenTable.

In town, The Copper Pot and The Attic are both on the county's food and drink list, alongside everyday spots like Huddle House and Your Pie on Washington Street. Menus and hours change, so check each restaurant's page before you plan a meal around it.

The county tourism site lists the Mauldin House and Garden and the Old Clarkesville Cemetery as local historic stops, and the North Georgia Technical College campus north of downtown sits on land that once held the Georgia Ninth District A&M school (1907 to 1933). Film fans might know the area from the comedy Wanderlust, which was partly shot in and around Clarkesville.

The Soque River is a trout stream, and anglers should check the Georgia DNR fishing rules for licenses and regulations before wetting a line; our trout fishing guide covers the basics. For wine, see our Habersham County wineries page, and pair the trip with nearby Cornelia, about 15 minutes away.