Fall Weekend Getaways 2024
Things to see and do

Cooler mornings and harvest times means times for Fall weekend getaways 2024. It is the time of year when family fun means sporting activities, visits to pumpkin patches and finding your way through the corn maze. It’s all about the colors of orange, gold and deep reds. The best way to see and do all the fun is not far way. Here’s a long list of to start planning for the best Fall weekend getaways 2024.

Dahlonega, Georgia:
Well known and always a hit is the popular Gold Rush Days Festival.
During the peak fall leaf season, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Dahlonega to commemorate the discovery of gold. Gold Rush Days are always held around the Historic Square the third weekend in October.  For your Fall weekend getaway 2024 the festival will be held  Oct 19-20 and features more than 200 unique art and craft exhibitors, a parade, children’s activities, cloggers and square dancers, music, gold panning and fantastic food vendor choices.   For more information click this link.

Here’s a little “did you know fun fact: the first major gold rush of the United States was not in California. In 1828, more than 20 years before the boom out west, Dahlonega welcomed an influx of miners after it was discovered to have the largest gold deposits found east of the Mississippi River. In fact, the shining dome of Georgia’s Capitol in Atlanta features pure Dahlonega gold. Today the city celebrates its rich past with attractions that visitors of all ages can enjoy – from educational opportunities including museums and artifacts to interactive experiences such as gold panning and mine tours.

Beech Mountain, North Carolina:

All the magical wonder of the favorite story of Alice in Wonderland comes to life for the Fall weekend getaway 2024 in Beech Mountain, NC. Click your Heels and Head Back in Time to the Historic Land of Oz at the Autumn at Oz Festival.

Follow the yellow brick road and join fans of the classic Wizard of Oz film from all over the world for the annual Autumn at Oz festival. It all happens on the last three weekends in September. It’s time now to plan for all the fun and make sure you don’t miss the adventure. Visitors can immerse themselves into the magical Land of Oz and meet favorite characters from the classic story. While you’re there watch out for the flying monkeys – well maybe not flying but they’re there ready to share a little frightening fun moments. The festival also offers unique arts and crafts vendors, delicious varieties of food and beverages, and eight live performances. This is a popular event each year. Head over to their website for tickets now to purchase before you go. The limited number of tickets means you better book fast.

After you have followed that famous Yellow Brick Road, perhaps hitting the aptly named Emerald Outback trails is in order. Experience Beech Mountain’s expansive views via biking or hiking trails, where over 7-miles of treks in the Emerald Outback will lead you to paths undiscovered.

Brasstown Bald & Blairsville
The highest peak in Georgia, Brasstown Bald is just a half an hour from Downtown Blairsville. You can walk the 1.2-mile trail to the top or take the shuttle. The 360-degree view of four states (Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina) is unbeatable.  Check out the attached photo of the breathtaking sunset taken in this very spot.

Blairsville offers outdoor adventure seekers pristine hiking trails including the legendary Appalachian Trail which passes through the area. A few of the trails including Helton Creek Falls Trail and the Trahlyta Lake Trail in Vogel State Park will lead you to stunning waterfalls. Nothing beats breathing in crisp mountain air while soaking up nature’s beauty.

Downtown Blairsville is home to the area’s cutest shops and restaurants with the tastiest menus. In the center of the square, you will find the iconic Union County Courthouse, which doubles as a museum of Union County and Native American history. For those looking to experience the flavors of Blairsville – several wineries including Odom Springs Winery and Living Water Winery & Vineyard are offering visitors beautiful scenery and tasting opportunities. A visit to Blairsville wouldn’t be complete without a little moonshine and spirits at Grandaddy Mimms Distilling Co. or a beer tasting at the new Blairsville Brewing Company.

The 55^th annual Sorghum Festival is set to take place October 12 & 13 and 19 & 20 at Meeks Park. Blairsville’s longest running festival celebrates the ancient art of cooking sweet syrup from sorghum cane. This fall festival is one of the most popular in Georgia and is a celebration of the locally grown sorghum plant.

A variety of accommodations are available including cozy cottages, mountain cabins or an apartment downtown, all of which are perfect for weekend getaways or week-long adventure. www.visitblairsvillega.com

Brunswick Islands:

Located in NC’s Brunswick Islands, just six hours from Atlanta or a short direct flight to MYR, the NC Oyster Festival celebrates the Tar Heel State’s rich coastal culinary heritage. The highlight of the NC Oyster Festival is, of course, the oysters! Oyster lovers can participate in a number of contests throughout the weekend. Festival goers can show off their shucking skills in either the professional or amateur oyster shucking contest, eat their way to the coveted title of the “Oyster Eating Champion,” or wow the judges with their skills in the Oyster Stew Cook Off.

New Smyrna Beach Florida:

The New Smyrna Beach Area is set to dazzle food enthusiasts during the inaugural NSB Coastal Catch Restaurant Month from October 1-31. More than 15 of the area’s most beloved restaurants will showcase the region’s coastal heritage with exclusive seafood dishes, special menus and elevated dining experiences. Highlights include succulent shrimp, savory scallops and surf-and-turf delights, all featuring the freshest local catches. Diners can indulge in three-course prix fixe menus priced at $39 and $59. Renowned chefs will create innovative dishes available for a limited time, all using locally sourced ingredients. Participating restaurants include Outriggers Tiki Bar & Grill, Norwood’s Treehouse, Third Wave Cafe, La Terrazza, Spanish River Grill, General Public House and more. Residents and visitors can get a first look at the specialty menus at https://www.visitnsbfl.com/coastal-catch.

 

 LaGrange, GA

Visit the animals this Fall at Wild Animal Safari. While you’re there check out on Oct. 19: Sweetland Craft Beer & Music Festival – Sweetland Amphitheatre invites craft beer enthusiasts to enjoy live music, local vendors, nonprofits, craft brews and more. A portion of the event’s proceeds will also be donated to the Chattahoochee River Keeper, which recently opened its headquarters at LaGrange’s newest venue, Oakfuskee Conservation Center.

Roanoke, Virginia

Learn more about how you can get involved in the outdoors this fall at downtown Roanoke’s GO Fest. The Go Outside Festivaltaking place October 18-20offers the chance to explore a range of activities and connect with others who share their passions. The three-day event has vendors for everything outdoors, including large pools in the middle of downtown for fly rod casting demonstrations and testing out paddleboards, along with plenty of outdoor-related entertainment (lumberjack competitions, BMX shows and more) and of course, plenty of beer. New at GO Fest – “Adventure Outpost” at nearby Explore Park for even more fun beyond Downtown Roanoke! Take the GO Fest Shuttle or drive yourself for camping, a van life experience, bike demos, and a return of the fan favorite Ultimate Air Dogs show!

 

New Smyrna Beach, FL

The New Smyrna Beach Area is set to dazzle food enthusiasts during the inaugural NSB Coastal Catch Restaurant Month from October 1-31. More than 15 of the area’s most beloved restaurants will showcase the region’s coastal heritage with exclusive seafood dishes, special menus and elevated dining experiences. Highlights include succulent shrimp, savory scallops and surf-and-turf delights, all featuring the freshest local catches. Diners can indulge in three-course prix fixe menus priced at $39 and $59. Renowned chefs will create innovative dishes available for a limited time, all using locally sourced ingredients. Participating restaurants include Outriggers Tiki Bar & Grill, Norwood’s Treehouse, Third Wave Cafe, La Terrazza, Spanish River Grill, General Public House and more. Residents and visitors can get a first look at the specialty menus at https://www.visitnsbfl.com/coastal-catch.

Olde English District, South Carolina
This seven county region in north-central SC is a great choice for Fall weekend getaways 2024 to learn more about early American history. The area got its name because of an early English settlement in the mid 1770. This year there are two  events to check out. Carowinds, located on the border of NC/SC, is one of the South’s most popular amusement parks. During select nights of September 13 – October 27, 2024, the park transforms into SCarowinds and is filled with haunted mazes, scare zones and live entertainment. Some of the rides also remain open during the evening hours!

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Over in Winnsboro, also in the Olde English District, there’s the Rock Around the Clock festival, ready to experience on October 11 – 12. The festivities kick off with a Friday night street dance with music and vendors, and then continues into the festival and the popular Classic Car Show.