Weekend Getaways

Mountain attractions in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee have reopened

By Collin Kelley

Whether you want to take a daytrip or make it a weekend getaway, attractions have reopened in North Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee with safety precautions due to the ongoing pandemic.

We rounded up a list of places open to visitors, including outdoor attractions, railway adventures, vineyard tours, and playing the slots. Don’t forget your masks!

BabyLand General Hospital

If you want to see where the Cabbage Patch Kids are born, head to Cleveland, GA for a tour of BabyLand General Hospital. Admission is free, but masks are required, to watch doctors and nurses deliver hand-sculpted Cabbage Patch Kids, which are available for adoption. Visit cabbagepatchkids.com for details.

Hamilton Gardens

Located on the shore of Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, GA, the 33-acre garden features the largest collection of rhododendrons in the southeast. Trilliums, shooting stars, wild ginger, trout lilies, and Solomon’s seal are just a few of the special plants found in the gardens. Social distancing is required and masks are recommended. Visit hamiltongardens.org.

North Georgia Vineyards & Wineries

The North Georgia mountains are home to some of the country’s best wineries, including Tiger Mountain, Wolf Mountain, Haberham, Frogtown Cellars, Three Sisters, and more. Visit georgiawine. com to see all the wineries.

▲ Rock City and Ruby Falls

Less than two hours from Atlanta, Chattanooga not only offers the famed Tennessee Aquarium, but is home to Lookout Mountain and its two big attractions: Rock City and Ruby Falls. Rock City – with its winding trails, See 7 States panorama, Mother Goose Village and more – is open, but masks and timed tickets are required. A mask and timed tickets are also required to descend

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Consolidated Gold Mine

Head to Dahlonega to tour the historic Consolidated Gold Mine, which was founded in 1896. The tour takes visitors 200 feet underground to show how miners blasted quartz veins to find big deposits of gold. You can also pan for gold, go gem mining and more. For details, visit consolidatedgoldmine. com.

Continued from page 35 deep inside the mountain to see the spectacle that is 145-foot cascading Ruby Falls. Visit rockcity.com or rubyfalls.com for tickets and information.

Biltmore

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC is once again open for tourists along with is accompanying gardens, winery, resort. There’s also a special “Downton Abbey” exhibition on show through Sept. 7. Visit Biltmore.com for tickets, weekend getaway packages, and safety information.

◄ Harrah’s Casinos

High rollers can once again enjoy the slots and blackjack tables at Harrah’s Casinos in Cherokee and Murphy, NC. Social distancing is in place on the gaming floor and masks are required. Visit caesars.com for details.

Gibbs Gardens

The nearly 300-acres of French and European-styled gardens features flora and fauna –as well as 24 ponds, 32 bridges, and 19 waterfalls – is open in Ball Ground, GA. Visit gibbsgardens.com for more information.

▲Dollywood

Dolly Parton’s theme park and resort in Pigeon Forge, TN is open again, but there’s a new reservation system in place to help limit the number of guests in the park to maintain social distancing. Along with rides, shows, and dining, the resort is open and so is the water park. Visit Dollywood.com for reservations and details.

Small Is Beautiful

By Kathy Dean

You might believe that size doesn’t matter, but for people who have embraced the tiny house movement, small is beautiful. That’s especially true when the home is set on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Long known for its breath-taking vistas, the area boasts deep lakes, streams, waterfalls, meadows and densely wooded mountains.

Residents take advantage of the natural bounty through its many nature trails, golf courses and streams, perfect for trout fishing.

In the heart of the plateau, and within minutes of the Chattooga River and the Nantahala National Forest, sits The Preserve at Whiteside Cliffs, a private, tiny home community that features designer cottages.

Homeowners can choose from two designs – Low Country and Saltbox, both featuring one bedroom, one bath and high-end finishes throughout. The Low Country home blends minimalism with elegance, filling its 464 square feet with features like high ceilings and quartz countertops. The 452-square-foot Saltbox maximizes space while offering a 270-degree view of outdoors.

Homesites and cottages in the gated community are built to maximize privacy and mountain views. Only 47 cottages are spread across the community’s 33 acres, and tree canopies are professionally sculpted to afford clear views of Whiteside and Black Rock Mountains.

Lot home packages start at $299,000, with top elevation lots priced at $399,000. Since the median home price in the Highlands-Cashiers area is $625,000, The Preserve at Whiteside Cliffs offers homeowners luxury and affordability in a premier mountain location. For more information visit www.thepreserveatwhitesidecliffs.com.