Dahlonega, Georgia Visitor Guide
Gold rush history, a lively square, wineries and the gateway to the Appalachian Trail
Dahlonega at a glance
The Public Square
Start here
The square is a National Register historic district around the 1836 Old Lumpkin County Courthouse, which houses the Dahlonega Gold Museum at 1 Public Square (open daily; adults $10). The buildings around it date mostly from the 1800s.
Our Gold Museum guide has hours and ticket prices, and the day-trip overview covers the mines.
Where to eat and hear music
| Place | What it is | Details |
|---|---|---|
| The Smith House | Family-style Southern cooking: buttermilk fried chicken, cornbread, country vegetables. Family-owned since 1922. | 84 S Chestatee St; (706) 725-8148. September hours: Tue-Thu 11-3, Fri-Sat 11-7:30, Sun 11-3; call for fall hours. |
| Montaluce Winery & Restaurant | Two restaurants: Le Vigne (farm-to-table, Tuscan-inspired) and Trattoria di Montaluce (pasta, brick-oven pizza) | 501 Hightower Church Rd; (706) 867-4060; reserve through Exploretock |
| Wolf Mountain Vineyards | Vineyard café lunch Thursday to Saturday and Sunday brunch | 180 Wolf Mountain Trail; (706) 867-9862; reservations required for groups of 8+ |
| Canopy + the Roots | Underground listening room for music, comedy and spoken word, with a coffee bar upstairs | 53 W Main St; shows scheduled through December |
Hours change with the season. For more places to eat and drink, see the visitors bureau dining page.
Wineries
The Dahlonega Plateau is Georgia's best-known wine region, with eight wineries and 12 tasting rooms, according to the visitors bureau. Most are open Thursday through Sunday, and weekends are busier. Wolf Mountain pours Thursday to Sunday 11 to 5 from March through December. Montaluce is open daily. Kaya Vineyards & Winery is at 5400 Town Creek Road. Three Sisters Vineyards is a working family farm at 439 Vineyard Way; call (706) 865-9463 for tasting hours.
Springer Mountain and Amicalola Falls
The southern end of the Appalachian Trail
Springer Mountain, at 3,782 feet, is the southern terminus of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail. You can reach the summit plaque by a short hike from Forest Service Road 42 (a rough drive in), or take the roughly 8-mile Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls State Park, the traditional start for thru-hikers.
Amicalola's 729-foot falls are the park's headliner; the lodge calls them the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. Parking costs $10 per vehicle per day, and the East Ridge Trail is closed for maintenance right now. For more, see our Appalachian Trail page.
Upcoming events
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 17-18 | Gold Rush Days Festival | Opens 9 AM; parade Sat 3 PM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Scares on the Square | 5-7 PM |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Lighting of the Square | 3-8 PM |
| Dec 5-13 | Christmas Market, Hancock Park | 10 AM-5 PM |
| Sat, Dec 12 | Christmas Parade | Noon-1 PM |
Getting there
From Helen it's about 27 miles, or 45 minutes, through Cleveland. From Atlanta, take GA-400 north; it's about an hour without traffic and longer on fall weekends.
Quick questions
How far is Dahlonega from Helen?
About 27 miles, roughly 45 minutes.
Where does the Appalachian Trail start?
At Springer Mountain, 3,782 feet, in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Dahlonega. The 8-mile Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls State Park is the traditional route.
When are Dahlonega's biggest fall events?
Gold Rush Days on October 17 to 18, Lighting of the Square on November 27 and the Christmas Market December 5 to 13.
More to explore
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