Blue Ridge, Georgia
Blue Ridge is a quintessential weekend getaway if you live near the city of Atlanta. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is right in the middle of its charismatic downtown, dotted with local boutiques, restaurants, breweries, and ice cream shops.
You’ll even get easy access to over 40 independent wineries in north Georgia, so you can stop for tastings and live music.
Take a hike around the Appalachian Mountains and Chattahoochee National Forest, or pick your own blueberries, apples, and sunflowers during farm harvests.
There are also several cozy, family-owned bed-and-breakfasts in this small town where you can relax on the porch, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and sip on a glass of Georgia wine.
How did you forget Natchitoches La, the oldest city in the Louisiana Purchase, and a true gem?