Things To Do
Asheville, NC
When flying into the Asheville Regional Airport you have the opportunity to visit this eclectic, historical and fun city. There are many things to do in Asheville including the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, where you can take a tour and test their beers. There are plenty of amazing restaurants where you can explore different cultures and even venture out of your comfort zone at a local vegan cafe. Two of our favorite things are the Biltmore House and The Grove Park Inn. The Biltmore House is the iconic home of the Vanderbilts that offers a fun and fabulous view into the past as you tour of this beautiful home. We love to visit the winery to test their wines and the village shops for a snack. We recommend a day to fully enjoy the visit.
Atlanta, Ga
Flying into Atlanta is a great opportunity to visit the city and try some of our favorite foods and see some of the places Kelly loved going as a child. Our favorite place to grab at bite to eat is The Varsity, a hometown staple with all the food you love to hate. We recommend 2 chili (slaw for Connor) dogs, with rings, a frosted orange and apple pie. Other fun activities in Atlanta include The World of Coke, a fun interactive museum ab Coca-Cola and it’s creator. the Georgia Aquarium, and Centennial Olympic Park.
Chattahoochee National Forest
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities and recreational opportunities. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is full of activities with almost 900,000 acres of coverage. There are hundreds of miles of recreational trails and hiking, plenty streams and waterfalls, and picnic areas.
North Georgia Waterfalls
There are plenty of Waterfalls near Clayton. Angel Falls Trail at Lake Rabun Beach is a 2 mile hike where you can enjoy two waterfalls, Angel Falls and Panther Falls. For a longer scenic walk, take a piece or all of Bartram Trail. You can also view Becky Branch Falls and Dick Creek Falls on this traiil. Visit Martin Creek Falls for an easy view of a cute waterfall with a a short .5 mile walk.
Sky Valley
Sky Valley may be small, but it is beautiful! You can enjoy a round of golf with beautiful mountain & valley views at Sky Valley Country Club or take a hike by a river.
Mud Creek Falls
Once you enter Sky Valley, you will see the sign for Mud Creek Falls just before the Sky Valley Country Club clubhouse. Park your car and enjoy the waterfall or take a short hike by the river. It is also a great place to have a picnic, something we like to do when we are in Sky Valley.
Highlands, North Carolina
Highlands, North Carolina is a short drive from Sky Valley & Dillard. Visiting Highlands is a great day trip to enjoy shopping and dining at many award-winning restaurants.
Dry Falls
Dry Falls is a waterfall a short drive from downtown Highlands. This short walk, down quite a few flights of stairs, provides the opportunity for you to walk behind a 75-foot waterfall and have beautiful river views.
Wild Thyme Gourmet
Wild Thyme Gourmet is a great place to have a nice, sit down lunch. We recommend the Chevre Goats' Cheese Sandwich & the Spicy Bacon Cheddar Burger. ($-$$)
Highlands Deli
The Highlands Deli is a great place to grab a quick lunch when you're checking out the local shops. We love their Highlands Hill & Muffaletta. ($)
Highlands Aerial Park
Highlands Aerial Park is an aerial park a short drive from Sky Valley featuring Ziplines, a Challenge Course and Nature Trails. ($$$$)
Dillard, Ga
Dillard, Ga is a great place to check out local destinations, vineyards, and historcal sites.
Dillard House Restaurant
The Dillard House restaurant serves southern favorites like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato souffle, and peach cobbler. This restaurant serves their food family style and the menu changes every day to feature fresh, local produce. Open for breakfast, lunch, & dinner. ($$)
12 Spies Vineyards
is a wonderful spot to enjoy your afternoon and taste local wine. Their tasting room offers beautiful views and gorgeous sunsets. It is nestled between the mountains and Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest,. You can enjoy a glass of wine on their porch and listen to live music (when available).
Dillard House Stables
The Dillard House Stables offers the opportunity for a horseback ride through the mountains and rivers. These rides can be from 30 minutes to 1 hour and can be done as a group or private ride. ($$$)
The Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center
Foxfire is a local museum which has pioneer era cabins & farm models that offer looks into the past. Additionally, local residents demonstrate craft and trade from the pioneer era. ($)
Clayton, Ga
Downtown Clayton is a great place to grab a bite to eat and do some shopping at the boutiques & stores and view art at the local galleries.
Fortify Kitchen and Bar
Fortify Kitchen & Bar is an award winning, contemporary farm to table restaurant. It was voted one of the Top 100 Best Restaurants in America. Serving both lunch and dinner, the menu ranges from inventive dishes, such as the Lobster Picatta, to traditional favorites like Coq au Vin. ($$$)
The Rusty Bike Cafe
The Rusty Bike Café is located just off the main road as you come into Clayton, Ga. This small café serves award winning breakfast all-day and has a great lunch menu with inventive sandwiches and burgers. We recommend The Black Bird or the Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich. ($-$$)
Moonrise Distillery
Moonrise Distillery is located just off the main highway heading into Clayton, at this small town distillery they love to share their knowledge of the distilling process used to make their North Georgia whiskey and are very knowledgeable and friendly.
Tallulah Gorge
At Tallulah Gorge you can enjoy waterfalls, hiking and beautiful scenery. One of the US great canyons, Tallulah Gorge is two miles long. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks. A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. A paved path follows an on old railroad bed, perfect for strollers and bicycles, while mountain bikers can test their skills on a challenging 10-mile trail.