The Best Weekend Getaways Near Atlanta

Atlanta is one of those city that gets a pile of masses in on the weekends – because , well , we rule . But the downside of being so neat is that we end up pretty much at capacity , which intend it ’s not a bad melodic theme to get the underworld out of township when the randos take over the streets and start asking youwhere to eat in Atlantaand what theactually cool down things to doare . But where to go when it ’s metre to elude away to somewhere not too far , but also not too - too close ? These are the best options for your next weekend pickup by car . All of thatfun Atlanta stuffwill still be here when you get back .

Best Downtown: Durham, North Carolina

Spend the first dark in business district Durham , choose either for a snatch of mid - century modern luxury atThe Durham Hotel(be sure to have a cocktail with a bird’s-eye view upstairs atThe Roof ) , or the funkily renovated motelUnscripted , where you ’ll get a free flute of Champagne at check - in . It too has a rooftop repair called The Patio on the third floor , where you ’ll regain a container bar and swim syndicate . Get a good looking at out into the Bull City , then ride over toDurham Distilleryto see how a matrimonial dyad uses pharmaceutical machines to cold - distill cucumber vodka and to taste American Dry and Navy Strength versions of its Conniption Gin . you could have that later in cocktail atAlley Twenty Six(if the immaculately balanced tiki “ Paw Paw Paradise ” is useable , get it ) or across the street atKingfisher , an old role basement transformed into a Modern subterranean sipping safety valve . But before that , head southwest toSister Liu ’s Kitchen , because it ’s only open until 8 pm and not at all on Sundays , and it ’d be a pity if you miss some of the beneficial hand-crafted shrimp , pork , or kick dumpling in the US . When morning come , get back in the game with pastry like the brioche “ ottoman ” or a personal turkey jackpot pie fromEast Durham Bake Shop . last , select one offour business district restaurants from chef Michael Lee , whether you want Korean modest plates at M Pocha ( his newest ) , Korean fried chicken and ramen at M Kokko , and omakase - style cuisines atM Sushiand M Tempura . By car:5 minute , 30 moment

Best Food Getaway: Raleigh, North Carolina

A six - time of day private road has to be deserving the trip , and in the suit of Raleigh , the payoff is being fed amazing food and drink by a community of talented folks – many recognized repeatedly by the James Beard Foundation – mount a serious culinary challenge to the southeastward ’s usual suspect . There ’s food fromAshley Christensen , whose flagshipPoole ’s Dineris a veritable landmark ( the mac and cheese is compulsory ) , yet she ’s still opening raw spots like the neighboring and decently namedPoole’side Pies , which is designed with elements of a swimming pool and serves Neapolitan - elan pizza pie you ’ll find hard to stop eating . AC is far from the only game in town ; JBF nominee Scott Crawford has one of the live novel restaurants in town atJolie , in the historical Oakwood neighborhood but as stuffy to Parisian perfection as North Carolina gets . If you ca n’t get a arriere pensee ( it might be tough , so be flexile ) , you ’ll probably have easier fortune nextdoor at his more casualCrawford & Son , and it ’s still outstanding . verify to fag into Raleigh ’s culinary diversity , from Chef Oscar Diaz ’s Mexican - influence seafood atThe Cortez , to restaurateur / chef / guitarist Cheetie Kumar ’s Pan - Asiatic and Indian shareables atGarland , plus the Laotian plates at Bida Manda , and the splendidly appointedBrewery Bhavana , which is equal region brewery , bar , library , flower store and dim sum restaurant , which somehow manages to be effortlessly dim-witted with so much going on . And while we ’re talking beer , be certain to visitRaleigh Beer Garden , which has two Guinness World Records : one for most beer on tap , and another for have Earth ’s largest draught excerption . By car:6 60 minutes

Best Affordable Beach Trip: Pensacola, Florida

Folks may brag more about time spent on other beaches along the Gulf of Mexico , but the true statement is you ’re not likely to find a beneficial spate in less than five hour of drive time . Pensacola ’s lily-white sand beach are surprisingly pristine and powdery , not to mention the sparkling disconsolate - green waters . The wharfage on Fort Pickens Roadis capital for sportfishing , peculiarly king and Spanish mackerel , mahi , and cobia , or you may leave the argument - reeling to pro and dine during sunset atThe Grand Marlin , a straggle restaurant chemical compound at the edge of the Santa Rosa Sound . For something a bit more southerly , have a soul solid food dinner party accompany by hot music atFive Sisters Blues Cafein the Belmont - DeVilliers neighborhood , which has aMississippi Blues Markerfor its historic role as a stopping point for jazz , blues , and soul legend ( B.B. King , Sam Cooke , etc . ) along the famous “ Chitlin ’ tour . ” Once you ’ve had your beach filling , rent a kayak and paddle through a tour ofBig Lagoon State Parkin Perdido Key . By car:4 time of day , 50 minutes

Best Mountain Getaway: Suches, Georgia

Until recently , folks who shop at the North Georgia mountains would be more likely to evoke just passing through Suches , an unincorporated residential area with just over 1,000 residents , on your way to Dahlonega or some other nearby town , rather than staying for a night . But with the arrival ofGetaway , a campground of hardwood - draw , super - cosy cabin made from container units straw throughout an area filled with hiking trails and surrounded by timberland , you might want to ignore them . That ’s actually easy to do here , since the cellphone telephone signal is intentionally sorry , and you ’re encouraged to disconnect and get back to nature . You ’ve got a toilet and shower , a plush layer next to a huge window looking out at the Tree , a stocked fire pitfall outdoors and a stash of minibar food in casing you forgot to bring your own ( this includes a outfit to make s’mores ) . It ’s super - romantic for two , and they have cabins for four in case you have friends or family you’re able to tolerate being around in diminished spaces for a Nox or two , and it ’s one of the most relaxing trips you’re able to take if you ’re well-fixed perpetrate to being as unplugged as possible . By car:1.5 hour

Best Hotel Getaway: Charleston, South Carolina

Downtown Charleston ’s Marion Square may have turn a loss the quondam Charleston County Library , but replacing it with the newly fabricate , 179 - roomHotel Bennettis sure enough more of a W than an L. Walk inside past the opulent dual staircase and through the sumptuous rotunda with its maze - patterned floor , and you ’ll make it in the receipt area , where to your left is a mostly pinkish , egg - shaped Champagne bar namedCamellias , where you’re able to pair bubbly with ceviche and caviare . glide by the ego - playing pianissimo and keep right , and you ’ll come at the two - story restaurantGabrielle , which vaunt stellar red-faced Chelydra serpentina , a scope of steak cuts from 7 oz center - rationalize fish filet to 14 oz rib - eye , and special plate like prosciutto - enclose anglerfish . Hit your elbow room and soak in the freestanding bathtub , which has a rack that ’ll admit a book and a cocktail in well-heeled arm ’s reach , then dry out off and playact with the brightness level and curtain controls using your TV remote , because maybe Charleston is n’t so honest-to-goodness - school after all . IfFiat Lux , the seasonal 9th floor rooftop pool is heart-to-heart , get up there and have an “ Outcider ” cocktail with Laird ’s Applejack brandy and maybe a plate of mixed Mediterranean mezze ( humus , tabbouleh , tzatziki , rosemary toast , etc . ) . Go to seam , wake up the next daylight and have a croissant or ham and brie sandwich for breakfast downstairs atLa Pâtisserie , then hit the day spa for a 50 - minute massage . And if you manage to leave the hotel and see a small bit of Charleston , one of the good cities in the land witha clustering of fun stuff to doandan unbelievable roster of restaurants , that choice is always available to you , too . By car:4 hour , 40 minutes

Best Familiar Escape: Birmingham, Alabama

Ever since the main road and interstate exits that lead into business district Birmingham changed , the heart of the city has looked a lot dissimilar , in a good way . live to locals by the nickname “ The Magic City ” ( fun fact : There was once a location of Atlanta ’s famous Magic City strip club in downtown Bham ) , it ’s not an illusion – this mid - country metropolis has come a very longsighted way , even though it ’s not a very long drive on I-20 West to get here . And you could tell how near it is because all of a sudden , Atlanta is penetrate Birmingham in several means . Hop Cityhas opened a beer memory board in town . Chef Adam Evans , who opened The Optimist as executive chef and ran the kitchen when it was recognized with all those national food press honour , hashis own seafood restaurant there called Automatic . It ’s among the best new restaurants in the country , which is important when you share the town withHighlands Bar & Grill , which the James Beard Foundation appoint its “ undischarged ” American eating house last class . On top of that , Monday Night Brewingwill open up its first brewpub here in early 2020 , unite prima beer - makers likeGood PeopleandTrimTab . Oh , and be trusted to murder Five point South , which just like ATL ’s L5P neighbourhood , is full of lovable weirdos and random shops . By car:2 hour

Best Place to Get Some Soul: Augusta, Georgia

Augusta National is indeed beautiful and impeccably maintained , but aside from The Masters you do n’t get much sentence to stick around , so spend time outside the fleeceable gates , out in the urban center where the “ Godfather of Soul ” James Brown , held judicature . The James Brown Family Historical Tour takes you through several pregnant watershed , from the statue on Broad Street to the Augusta Museum of History , which has memorabilia including Brown ’s cape , awards , placard , and exposure . While you ’re feel good , hit The Soul Bar and have a crapulence where James once hang up out in the evenings . Augusta also has a strong sandwich community ; definitely contain in at the packing - inspiredKnuckle Sandwichesfor an “ Uppercut ” cheesesteak and some of the best fries you ’ll ever have . Then have one of the gourmet grilled cheese sammies atArsenal Tap Room + Kitchen , which they have in predetermine formats like The Gov ( government cheeseflower on Texas toast ) , or you’re able to make your own with selection like gouda and pepper bacon on rosemary focaccia . They also have a really well - curated pick of craft beers ( 150 + ) , include some stellar sours and furious ales from as far as Illinois ’ Une Année Brewery , plus cyder , mead , stout , and more , with some ATL - based beer - Jehovah like Orpheus and Wrecking Bar represented . Stay atThe Partridge Inn , which is more than 100 years old and overlooks business district from an elevated perch just five minute west . While you ’re there , have a lunch atJackie M ’s & Son , where you could catch Jamaican beef patty , Philly sandwiches , or a late - fried jerk “ mortal roll , ” before walk around the eatery ’s exterior and taking selfies in front of murals of legendary musician including James Brown , Bootsy Collins , Whitney Houston , and even … underground rap submarine sandwich MF Doom ? ! Also , you get a free household - knight mixtape that could be anything the chef feels like invest on a CD ( malarky , funk , R&B ) with your meal , while supplies last . By car:2 hours , 10 minutes

Best Place to Start a Cycling Journey: Smyrna, Georgia

TheSilver Comet Trailis one of those local amenities that many Atlantans have heard about but have n’t actually visited , which is peculiarly half-baked if you ’re a biking enthusiast . That ’s because it ’s the second - longest rail trail in the US , and is known as a great piazza to groom or bike for leisure , being that it was once the pathway of a rider string that ran for 22 yr until 1969 . It begins in Cobb County at the Mavell Road Trailhead , and cuts through both Paulding and Polk counties for 61.5 miles in Georgia , before associate at the Alabama state line to the Chief Ladiga Trail , creating a continuous 94 - geographical mile stretch that ends in Anniston . Lookfor organized rides in cyberspace forums likeATLBike , and do n’t be intimidate to grab a lead chum and start bicycle – you ’ll find plenty of civilization between stretch , include a Publix , all kinds of restaurant ( Thai , barbecue , Italian ) , and even bicycle shops that rent and serve your getup . By car:15 minutes

Best Place for Scenic Gambling: Cherokee, North Carolina

Cherokee is just one of the towns in Jackson County that put you in the rarified area of the Great Smoky Mountains , but it ’s the amount to win great deal of cash ( or watch it go up in smoke ) that make it really fun . The 56 - acreHarrah ’s Cherokee Hotel & Casino prop , bill as the southeast ’s largest cordial reception growth with a 150,000 - square - foot gambling level full of tabular array and simple machine dispensing and collecting buffalo chip , is your best stake while you wait on the Georgia legislature to seriously turn over real play . If you bring home the bacon , there ’s a Ruth ’s Chris ; if you lose , the 250 + nearby Jackson County river and Creek leave in heaps ofgorgeous waterfalls , which are great therapy when you want contemplation , reflection , and inspiration to get out of a fiscal hole . In less than 20 minutes you could get to three great ones , including the 75 - metrical unit cascade atTom Branch Falls , or the 25 - foot falls of Indian Creek and Juney Whank , which translates in the Cherokee speech communication to “ where the bear passes , ” which hopefully is a mark of your personal marketplace conditions improving after all that Texas Hold ‘ em quad . By car:3 minute

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Birmingham, Alabama