4 GREAT DESTINATIONS LESS THAN A DAY’S DRIVE

Atlanta is filled with many exciting spots to visit and things to do, but sometimes you just want to explore someplace new. With summer vacation here, there’s no better time to take off on a well-deserved respite. Whether you’re looking to spend a night, a week or just an afternoon, your new home is convenient to several nearby locations worth a trip. Here are four fun-filled destinations, all less than a day’s drive.

ASHEVILLE, N.C.

Approximately three and a half hours from Atlanta sits the beautiful and vibrant city of Asheville, renowned for its lively mix of architectural styles, an eclectic arts scene, a rich history and its nearly endless array of outdoor activities. Located in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is one of the top outdoor cities in the Southeast, with recreation options including white water rafting, hiking trails, zip line canopy tours, mountain biking, horseback riding and much more.

The city’s downtown district is filled with lovingly preserved buildings sporting art deco, beaux arts and neoclassical designs. Visitors and locals stroll among artists, street musi- cians, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and museums. The sprawling Biltmore Estate is one of Asheville’s must-see attractions; built in the late 1800s by art collector George Vanderbilt, it features 252 rooms and occupies more than 175,000 square feet.

Other notable attractions include the Basilica of St. Lawrence, a Catholic church dat-

PHOTOS: (Top Two) ExploreAsheville.com; (Middle Right and Bottom Right) See Rock City Inc.

Hiking the Blue Ridge Mountain in Asheville

Outside Atlanta

ing back to the early 1900s; the Moog Factory, where world-famous Moog synthesizers and electronic instruments are created; and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Historic Site, where the author spent part of his formative childhood.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA.

Just two hours northwest of Atlanta along the Georgia-Tennessee border, Lookout Mountain boasts a number of eye-opening attractions. High atop the mountain, Rock City Gardens draw more than half a million visitors a year, who come to view stunning rock formations thought to be 200 million years old. The 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail is filled with deep crevices and lush gardens with more than 400 species of wildflowers and vegetation winding through the 14-acre property. Other attractions include a 1,000-ton balanced rock; the Swing-A-Long Bridge, which spans nearly 200 feet; and Lover’s Leap, which offers breathtaking views of seven states from above a 90-foot waterfall.

Ruby Falls, located in a limestone cave deep in the heart of the mountain, is known as America’s tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public. This 145-foot waterfall flows from the roof of the cavern. And the Incline Railway, heralded as the steepest railway in the world, whisks visitors up to the top of Lookout Mountain, where they can enjoy magnificent views of the Chattanooga Valley and explore the battlefields of Point Park, where the Battle of Lookout Mountain took place during the Civil War.

NASHVILLE, TENN.

Just three and a half hours from Atlanta, Nashville sits on the Cumberland River and sports a rich downtown area known for its restaurants, entertainment venues, shops, galleries and museums.

Nashville, the capital city of Tennessee, is also widely known as the epicenter of the country music industry, earning the nickname “Music City.” Fans making a pilgrimage there will want to check out the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, a shrine to the genre’s rich past filled with historic artifacts and informative exhibits. The Grand Ole Opry House, another must-see musical landmark, is the home of the weekly Grand Ole Opry live show, dedicated to country, bluegrass, gospel and other down-home genres. The historic Ryman Auditorium, the Opry’s famous former venue, still hosts a variety of concerts and performances.

Nashville is also home to Vanderbilt University, a private research college. The Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the classic Greek temple, houses an art museum. The Hermitage, the former plantation home of Andrew Jackson, is now a museum devoted dto the former president. And the Tennessee State Museum traces the state’s past from prehistoric times to the present.

TOWNS COUNTY, GA.

Nestled against the North Carolina border, this Georgia county is a top destination in the summer. That’s the season when the lush woodlands of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chattahoochee National Forest burst into song with an abundance of concerts, including Travis Tritt performing at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawasee. It’s also close enough for a weekend getaway, allowing visitors to unwind with a hike beside natural waterfalls, a kayak ride along the

Hiwassee River or a leisurely boat ride on Lake Chatuge. Climb to the top of Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest point of elevation at 4,784 feet above sea level, where a visitor information center and viewing tower await.

Brasstown Valley Resort is one of the area’s premier destinations, boasting an array of activities, from horseback riding, fishing, golf and spa indulgences, or the chance to curl up near the roaring fire in the rustic lobby. The area’s two largest towns, Young Harris and the county seat Hiawassee, are home to antique shops, art galleries and restaurants. Dine on gourmet fare at the Chophouse of Hiawassee or enjoy casual waterfront dining at the Sand Bar & Grille.