Atlanta, the vibrant heart of Georgia, is not only the capital city but also a cultural hub, a travel hub, and a place where Southern charm meets big-city energy. Home to the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International, and the global headquarters of Delta Airlines, Atlanta welcomes millions with open arms and nonstop motion.
From sunrise strolls through historic neighborhoods to after-dark adventures in its thriving food and music scenes, there’s always something happening. It’s no wonder so many people choose to plant roots in the dynamic, ever-growing Atlanta Metro area.
Stone Mountain, Georgia
Stone Mountain is the perfect place to go when you want a short road trip with some fun things to do. This lovely area is just 45 minutes from Atlanta, making it a road trip you can take frequently if you enjoy spending time there. Stone Mountain Park is a must-see destination, offering a variety of activities and attractions, including the Summit Skyride, Dinosaur Explore, the Dinotaurium, and the Scenic Railroad, to name a few. Stone Mountain Park has so much to offer, you could easily spend the entire day there.
Other attractions in Stone Mountain include the Confederate Hall Historical & Environmental Education Center, the unique Collectible & Antique Chair Gallery featuring a collection of mini chairs that are not doll house chairs, and the unique Old South experience that takes you back in time with a collection of period artifacts and buildings that have been restored for the 18th and 19th centuries.
Cartersville, Georgia
If you love cars, this easy road trip to Cartersville is a must. Just under an hour from Atlanta, it’s home to two fantastic attractions every car enthusiast should check out. The first stop is the stunning Savoy Automobile Museum, featuring five amazing galleries for your viewing pleasure, one permanent collection, and four rotating galleries.
The second place you should visit is just five minutes from Cartersville: the incredible Old Car City USA, a junkyard like no other in the world! It features more than 4,000 classic cars in a forest landscape and 6 miles of trails. You will not be the same after a visit to Old Car City!
Other attractions in Cartersville include several museums catering to history buffs, such as the Booth Western Art Museum, Tellus Science Museum, and the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. Once you have had your fill of the incredible museums in town, enjoy the rest of your day or visit and discover all there is to see in Historic Downtown Cartersville.
Dawsonville, Georgia
Dawsonville is a fun road trip destination just one hour away from Atlanta. This place is perfect for car lovers. It takes you to the birthplace of stock car racing and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. The museum is packed with memorabilia from racing legends, including NASCAR stars Bill and Chase Elliott.
Another fun car-related attraction is the Formula 1-designed Atlanta Motorsports Park, known as the most unique kart racing track in the world. Don’t forget to visit Gordon Pirkle’s Dawsonville Pool Room for their delicious hamburgers and a look at some terrific racing memorabilia.
Other fun attractions the whole family will love include the Get Air Trampoline Park, hiking on some challenging trails, or spending quality shopping time at North Georgia Premium Outlets, a Georgian-style shopping village. It boasts more than 140 name-brand outlet stores, including Pottery Barn, Nike, Gucci, and many others.
Dahlonega, Georgia
Dahlonega is the perfect road trip for a mountain getaway that is only a little over an hour from Atlanta. There’s something to love about this city all year long, from hiking and swimming in the summer to seeing the beautiful colors of the leaves turning in the fall.
Hallmark movie lovers may recognize Dahlonega from the movie Christmas in the Smokies, which was filmed entirely in this charming city. Wine lovers will love Wolf Mountain Vineyard, where you can enjoy wine tastings, eat at the café and restaurant, and enjoy the beautiful grounds.
Other activities and attractions include touring the Dahlonega Gold Museum, hiking and swimming at De Soto Falls, or spending the day in Historic Downtown Dahlonega, where you can find over 100 restaurants, shops, and other small businesses to explore!
Lake Lanier, Georgia
When you live in a busy city, it’s nice to get away where you can enjoy outdoor activities and get back to nature. That is exactly what you’ll find in Lake Lanier. This scenic area is only 1 ½ hours from Atlanta and offers a variety of activities and outdoor attractions, including Lake Lanier itself. Spend some time fishing, boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, and camping. Hiking enthusiasts enjoy a variety of trails, including the Laurel Ridge Hiking Trail. You can swim at many parks that offer beach areas, but please note that the swimming areas are not staffed by lifeguards, so extra caution should be taken.
Another attraction you may want to visit is the Elachee Nature Science Center, a great family-friendly destination offering exhibits, live animal encounters, hiking trails, and special events throughout the year. If you want to make a weekend or more out of this road trip, consider Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, which features the fun Fins Up Water Park, great food, live music, and much more!
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, TN, offers stunning scenery, a diverse range of outdoor recreational activities, and numerous attractions to explore. This vibrant city is just two hours from Atlanta, making it a great day trip, weekend getaway, or even a vacation destination. Sundays are the perfect day to enjoy the Chattanooga Market, now in its 25th year, featuring a diverse array of vendors, delicious food, and special events.
Other great choices include visiting the Chattanooga Zoo, enjoying all that Coolidge Park has to offer, taking the Chattanooga Ducks tour, or spending the day at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park and SOAKya water park. Add in some great shopping spots and plenty of fantastic restaurants to try, and you have the perfect road trip destination!
Blue Ridge, Georgia
When you feel like getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Atlanta, Blue Ridge, Georgia, is a perfect spot for a road trip! Located just two hours from Atlanta, this charming mountain town offers some terrific craft breweries to explore, including Bear Claw Vineyards, Grumpy Old Men Brewing, and Angry Hops Brewing.
Other wonderful attractions and activities include Zipline Canopy Tours, fishing for trout in the Toccoa River. You can even spend several hours enjoying a unique train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway that offers a wonderful two-hour, 26-mile trip with a two-hour layover in McCaysville, where you can have lunch, shop, and explore.
Amicalola Falls, Georgia
Another outdoor adventure road trip is Amicalola Falls, Georgia. Located two hours from Atlanta, this Outdoorsy trip is perfect for the adventurers in your road trip group who can choose from guided waterfall hikes, zip lining at the Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures, and even archery and axe-throwing at the Amicalola State Park and Lodge. Better yet, try it all if you have time!
When you get hungry, Amicalola State Park and Lodge has its own restaurant, The Cascades, offering delicious buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dawsonville is relatively close if you want to find other restaurants to choose from and some shopping opportunities.
Toccoa Falls, Georgia
A hidden gem just two hours from Atlanta is Toccoa Falls, Georgia, a great place to go when you want to enjoy some outdoor activities and a slower pace. Before you reach the falls, take a quick 10-minute detour to Clarksville, Georgia. There, you’ll find the Miles Through Time Automotive Museum, filled with classic cars, vintage signs, art, and rotating memorabilia.
Once you get to Toccoa Falls, history buffs will love the Currahee Military Museum and the Stephens County History Museum, both located in downtown Toccoa in a restored train depot.
Other attractions and activities include the Currahee Vineyards, a family-owned winery that offers wine tasting, great views, and a wonderful atmosphere, and the beautiful Ritz Theatre, originally built in 1939 and recently renovated. This wonderful historic theatre offers a variety of entertainment, including movies, theatrical performances, and live concerts, throughout the year. Don’t forget to check out the rest of Historic Downtown Toccoa, featuring a large selection of retail shops, restaurants, and other small businesses.
Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Another great road trip for nature lovers is Lookout Mountain, best known for See Rock City. This year-round attraction features unique rock formations, beautiful gardens, and seasonal events like the popular Enchanted Garden of Lights during the holidays. Other lovely features of Rock City include a beautiful waterfall, a swinging bridge, and enchanted fairytale scenes.
Adventure seekers will love the exciting Ruby Falls High Point Zip Adventure featuring different zip lines and a 40-foot climbing tower. For shopping enthusiasts and foodies, Chattanooga is just six miles from Lookout Mountain, offering a variety of great eateries and restaurants to try, as well as shops to browse.
Savannah, Georgia
There is so much to love about Savannah, it’s impossible to list it all! This great road trip destination is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes from Atlanta and offers a wealth of things to see, do, and explore, making it likely that you will want to make this trip more than once to experience everything. This amazing city is rich in history and stunning architecture, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy both at the Savannah History Museum and the Mercer-Williams House Museum.
A trip to Savannah wouldn’t be complete without a ghost tour or two with one of the tour companies in town, like Blue Orb, Spooky Savannah, or Hearse Ghost Tours. Shopping enthusiasts will have a blast in City Market or the River Street Market Place, two fabulous places to browse the shops and enjoy great food. With everything there is to do in Savannah, you will never be bored!
Asheville, North Carolina
Although Asheville is approximately 4 hours from Atlanta, it is a popular road trip destination for Atlanta residents seeking a brief escape, and for good reason. Asheville is loaded with things to do and explore, from camping, hiking, and exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway to spending the day (or a few days) exploring the stunning Biltmore Estate and Grounds. Add in a huge arts district and shopping galore, and you have a road trip with something for everyone.
Downtown Asheville is filled with consignment and antique shops, a variety of restaurants featuring all types of cuisine, art galleries, and so much more that you won’t know where to start. Don’t forget to visit the beautiful Grove Park Inn, which features a variety of events throughout the year and where you can enjoy the Blue Ridge Artisanal Buffet every Sunday and Buffet dinners on Friday and Saturday nights.
Asheville remains a favorite destination for Atlanta residents, even after Hurricane Helene in 2024. While parts of the city were impacted, attractions like the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and downtown shops have reopened and are welcoming visitors. With scenic views, vibrant arts, great food, and plenty to explore, Asheville offers a memorable getaway that’s well worth the four-hour drive.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Get ready to reach a road trip destination so jam-packed with things to see, do, and explore that you won’t be able to get it all done in one trip! Charlotte is an exciting city just 4 hours from Atlanta and makes the perfect weekend getaway and vacation destination. Car enthusiasts will love the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Charlotte Motor Speedway. If you can plan your trip to coincide with a race at the Speedway, do it – you won’t regret it!
Shopping opportunities are everywhere in Charlotte, from the numerous malls, including the popular Southpark Mall, to Uptown Charlotte, where you can browse the shops, art galleries, and enjoy terrific food. If this is a family road trip, there are plenty of kid-friendly activities and attractions, including Carowinds Amusement Park and Carolina Harbor, Carowinds’ water park. No matter what your interests are, Charlotte has something that will satisfy those interests.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Pigeon Forge is an unforgettable road trip destination located approximately four hours from Atlanta in scenic eastern Tennessee, offering a wide range of things to see and do, such as the gorgeous Old Mill. It is the perfect family trip, but can also be just as fun and enjoyable for a couple, friends, or solo.
One of Pigeon Forge’s biggest attractions is Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park, which has a water park, amusement rides, and a Dolly Parton Museum. This is a family favorite with tons of things for the kids to enjoy.
Other attractions and activities include the Smoky Mountain Opry, Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall for shopping fun, and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede dinner theater. Whatever you choose to do in this charming mountain vacation spot, you are sure to come back to Atlanta feeling rested, refreshed, and ready to tackle the workweek.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
One of the best getaways on our list is Gatlinburg, Tennessee, just four and a half hours from Atlanta. Gatlinburg is a great weekend getaway or vacation spot where you can enjoy hiking, bird watching, and taking pictures of the beautiful waterfalls. If you love paranormal adventures and ghost stories, enjoy the Ghost and Haunt Tours of Gatlinburg for a fun, spooky adventure.
If you love pancakes, you are certainly covered in Gatlinburg! A surprising and unique fact about this lovely spot is that there are almost two dozen pancake houses, such as Little House of Pancakes and Log Cabin Pancake House, serving a variety of flavors, including chocolate chip, blueberry, buckwheat, and more, to satisfy all your pancake cravings. Shopping enthusiasts will love The Village Shops in Downtown Gatlinburg, offering more than 27 shops to browse and find those perfect treasures to take home.
Tallahassee, Florida
The State Capitol of Florida is a great destination for a road trip, with tons to see and do, and it is only 4 ½ hours from Atlanta. Tallahassee offers a wide variety of attractions and activities that make it a favorite place to vacation, whether you have only a few days or can take a whole week. Car enthusiasts will love the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, which displays one of the USA’s largest collections, along with much more. No trip would be complete without a stop (or two) here!
History buffs will love visiting Tallahassee, with its array of great museums to explore, including the Tallahassee Museum, Goodwood Museum and Gardens, the Museum of Florida History, and the Florida Historic Capitol Museum. If you ever wanted to learn about Florida history, you can certainly do that here! Other attractions include a variety of retail shops for shopping enthusiasts to enjoy, as well as a great selection of restaurants. Add in a tour through the Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park, and the unique and eclectic Historic Railroad Square, and you have the makings of a relaxing and interesting trip!
Saint Simons Island, Georgia
This popular barrier island just off the Georgia coast is the perfect weekend or week-long road trip for anglers, golfers, and beach lovers. Just 4 ½ hours from Atlanta, this scenic island offers a slower pace of life. Beautiful beaches, such as East Beach, provide the ultimate relaxation from the city’s hustle and bustle. History buffs can learn a bit about the Georgia coast’s contribution to WWII at the World War II Home Front Museum or learn about the St. Simon’s Lighthouse at the Lighthouse Museum.
If you love fishing, you can spend some time fishing off the St. Simon’s Pier and then head over to one of the golf courses, like the Retreat Course or the Seaside Course, for a few rounds. After spending the day on the course or the sand, enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the popular restaurants, such as Iguanas Seafood Restaurant or Barbara Jeans, and enjoy the shops in Pier Village for some shopping.
Charleston, South Carolina
Pack the car and get ready for an unforgettable road trip to the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina, just five hours from Atlanta, but a world away from the hectic pace of the city. With its cobblestone streets, gorgeous antebellum houses, delicious restaurants, and quaint shops, you will take a deep breath and feel everything start to slow down and unwind. You won’t lack for things to do in Charleston, that is a guarantee! If you love shopping, this exciting city has you covered with places like Charleston City Market and the popular King Street, where you will find a great assortment of shops and restaurants.
Other attractions that might grab your interest include Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie, and the fascinating Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum right on the harbor, where you can tour the USS Yorktown. You can even schedule a unique overnight event called Operation Overnight, where you get access to normally off-limits areas of the museum and sleep on the USS Yorktown!
Amelia Island, Florida
Another road trip gem is the beautiful Amelia Island, Florida, just 5 ½ hours from Atlanta, and worth every minute of the drive. If you are a seasoned car enthusiast with a love for car shows, you may already know about Amelia Island, as it’s the home of The Amelia Concours d’Elegance, held every year in March for a whole week! If you can plan your road trip when the Concours d’Elegance is going on, it will be a trip you will never forget.
Other things to enjoy and do in Amelia Island include spending time on Centre Street, the downtown area of the island, where you will find a selection of great shops, eateries, dessert shops like Fantastic Fudge, and the Fernandina Harbor Marina. Be sure to stop by the Palace Saloon while you are downtown, the oldest bar in the entire state of Florida. Fort Clinch State Park is another great stop for history buffs, and depending on when you go, you can enjoy reenactments. Don’t forget to take a walk on those beautiful beaches!
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The last of our road trip choices takes you to fun and exciting Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Although it is just a little over 5 ½ hours from Atlanta, if you are looking for a great road trip and love the beach, amusement parks, golf, and delicious seafood, this is the road trip for you. Along the Myrtle Beach boardwalk, you will find old-fashioned arcades, shops, eateries, and the Family Kingdom amusement park.
Car enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at Wheels of Yesteryear Vintage Auto Museum, a car museum with over 150 cars and a gift shop that you don’t want to miss! Other great attractions include Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, the fun and scary Nightmare Haunted House, and fun miniature golf at one of the miniature golf courses along the beach. Add in a huge selection of fabulous restaurants, including several buffet restaurants, and you are all set for a great time and great food!
Have Fun on the Way!
All of these great destinations have a lot to do and enjoy once you’re there, but don’t forget to enjoy the driving part of getting there, too! Great road trip music, plenty to drink and munch on, and great conversation can make the journey unforgettable.
If you see a little unplanned stop that catches your eye, stop and take a look. You never know what you may find when you take the time to follow those explorer urges! Some of the best little restaurants I’ve ever been to were discovered on road trips and were not part of the plan.