Photo courtesy of Limoges Cellars

Get the Girls Together for a Fall Weekend Getaway

When was the last time you and your best friends spent intentional, unhurried quality time together? What if you could get away to a place that lets you disconnect from daily drama and reconnect with each other? 

As many of you know, I moved back to the U.S. about a year ago. So, for the first time in a while, I live a short distance from one of my best friends, something I’m very grateful for. Having relocated over ten times in 34 years, my girlfriends live all over the country – and the world!

So whether it’s because of distance, career demands, family priorities, or all of the above and then some, I know it can be hard to give your friendships proper nurture. And even if your besties do live close by, girl time might look like grabbing a quick cup of coffee, meeting for the occasional happy hour, or flowing side-by-side through your weekly yoga poses.

So maybe getting away together is just the ticket, and I’m here to help with girls’ trip ideas.

How does this sound?

• Wine tasting

• Nature walks

• Coffee on the porch

• S’mores around the fire pit

• Gourmet dinners

• Southern hospitality

Amazing? I know. That’s why the destination I’m proposing for your unforgettable girls’ getaway is: North Georgia.

Stick with me.

I’m going to show you why North Georgia is one of the best places for a girls’ weekend. Whether you want a girls’ wine weekend, a girls’ spa getaway, or a girls’ nature retreat, a North Georgia girls’ trip can be all of those things. And better yet, I’m going to give you all the ingredients you need to make this trip a smashing success.

You’ll be the hero when you tell your ladies, “Hey, I’ve got this. Consider the trip planned.” Because, I know, planning a girls’ trip can often add stress to the daily grind. It can be exhausting trying to balance each others’ schedules, coordinate logistics, and make decisions with a group. 

This might be especially true if you’re the friend everyone relies on to make a plan and figure out the logistics.

Do they have any idea how time-consuming research can be?

And then, when things don’t go 100% according to plan, do you get the flak? We’ve all known that friend who says, “I don’t care what we do! I’m game for whatever!” But when it comes time to take the trip, they complain or question your choices. (Yeah, don’t be that person.)

Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay

So, if it stresses you out to think about coordinating a girls’ weekend, let’s go ahead and lower your blood pressure. Making your girls’ getaway a reality doesn’t have to be an ordeal. Think low effort. Because I’m going to make this easy as pie for you. 

And if you and your girlfriends find yourselves moving through my recommendations and there’s something you don’t like, here’s what you do:

Take one deep breath and one full sip of that delicious Cab Franc you should be holding if you’ve followed my lead.

Then, choose one of these options:

A) Put your heads together and improvise a substitute activity on the fly (trust me, there are plenty).

B) Complain amongst yourselves about that “Stefanie girl from the internet.” 

C) Both A and B.

I’ll happily be the fall girl to keep your friendships intact. You're welcome, sister.

5 Reasons Why I Recommend a North Georgia Girls’ Weekend

1) It’s connected to a major airport.

North Georgia is great for your group getaway because it’s an easy 1.5-hour drive from a major airport (Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport). This means that wherever you and your friends are traveling from, you’re bound to find flights that work well for everyone in your group. My friends and I traveled from Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and South Carolina without any issues.

2) It’s a breath of fresh air.

I live in South Florida, close to the beach. This area is pretty easy on the eyes, with its palm trees, big banyans, sea shells, and sunrises over the ocean. But even Floridians need a change of scenery sometimes. So, I love that in just a couple-hour flight, I can be in a completely different world.

North Georgia towns are nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by lush forests, fairytale waterfalls, calm lakes, and chortling rivers – a feast for the senses. But the Blue Ridge region offers more than just gorgeous nature views.

There’s an abundance of outdoor activities to do. Enjoy this landscape to its fullest by getting out in it. Try hiking, tubing, kayaking, fly fishing, paddle boarding, hunting, archery, and more. There are ample hikes for all fitness levels, including flat nature trails for leisurely walks. Many hikes wind along rivers where you can take a refreshing dip and lead to views of gently rolling mountains, expansive valleys, and magical waterfalls. In fact, there are over 700 waterfalls in Georgia, most of them concentrated in the north/northeastern part of the state.

3) It’s an up-and-coming wine mecca.

Many Americans think only of Napa Valley or Sonoma County as the country’s wine regions. But in North Georgia you’ll find two American Viticultural Areas (AVA), the Dahlonega Plateau and the Upper Hiwassee Highlands. And if you did know Georgia grows wine grapes, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking Georgia wines are sweet, mostly of the Muscadine variety, which is a North American grape native to this region. That has been the stereotype for a while, but many of the region’s winemakers are breaking free from it it with their impressive selection of dry, European-style wines.

For example, winemaker Daniel Limoges of family-owned Limoges Cellars (my favorite in North Georgia) recently harvested Albariño, Vidal Blanc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. On his menu, you’ll only find dry wines, including Cabernet Franc made from his own crop and a Lambrusco-like Chambourcin produced with grapes from a neighboring vineyard.

4) It’s embracing the elevated farm-to-table food scene.

Listen, I’m a foodie. Anyone who knows me knows I have a serious appetite. Growing up, I always finished the leftovers on my sisters’ plates. It’s how I grew up to be taller than them. 🦒 So I wouldn’t send you to rural North Georgia to eat only Zaxby’s (although, if you need a fast-food stop, their chicken sandwiches are actually delicious).

North Georgia serves as a perfect weekend getaway for Atlanta’s city-slickers trying to escape the rat race for a minute, so the hospitality industry in North Georgia is stepping up to satisfy their sophisticated palates.

Take The Mountain Top Lodge in Dahlonega, for example. At their Wit & Wisdom restaurant, you can enjoy a five-course prix fixe dinner menu on Fridays and Saturdays around their gorgeous live edge communal dining table. On Thursdays outdoors at their magical Foxy Lady & Her Garden, you’ll find gourmet chef’s burgers and a selection of other scrumptious bites and drinks. And if you think you can’t get top-notch cocktails in rural North Georgia, think again. The cocktails served at the lodge’s bar are second to none.

5) It’s an oasis of southern hospitality.

Whether you’re traveling on a solo retreat, as a couple, or with a large group of friends, you’ll find just the right accommodations at the right price in North Georgia. Choose between a luxury tent, a rustic cabin, a charming inn, or plentiful AirBnBs. Whatever your style and price point, you’ll find something to suit your needs.

When I’m not staying with family, you’ll find me at the Stovall House Inn. I’m also dying to stay at The Mountain Top Lodge someday. These are family-owned and operated establishments that can somehow make you feel like family and royalty all at once. They focus on more than just offering a comfortable room – they've created a whole experience and are destinations in and of themselves. It helps that they’re within easy driving distance to wineries, breweries, spas, charming towns and shops, waterfalls and hikes – meaning you’re situated perfectly between remote tranquility and plentiful activities.

Tried & True – I’ll Be Your Guide

As if those reasons weren’t enough, know that I’m recommending North Georgia for your weekend getaway from personal experience.

I recently visited the Sautee Nacoochee and Cleveland, Georgia, areas with a group of girls. We stayed only a few nights but left feeling recharged. My girlfriends and I have completely different stressors and demands on our time, attention, and emotion in our daily lives. Yet somehow this girls’ getaway in North Georgia was a cure-all for all of us.

The key elements that came together to make this such a life-giving trip were – first and foremost – the easy company, quality conversations, and abundant laughter. The remote, serene, and scenic setting was really the perfect environment for rich and undisturbed quality time.

Add to that:

• Exquisite, farm-to-table organic breakfasts.

• Elegant estate wines (dry, not sweet – just the way I like them).

• Hearty dinners made with local, seasonal ingredients.

• Charm upon charm at our Victorian B&B surrounded by clucking chickens, curious cows, and baah-ing sheep.

• Getting active outdoors: waterfalls, forests, and mountains – oh my!

We visited in late spring, which meant we enjoyed perfect warmth and were constantly surrounded by happy hues of vibrant green. Even a couple rain showers didn’t take away from the ambiance. There’s something restorative about rocking on the porch while rain replenishes the fertile earth.

We arrived on a Friday and departed on a Monday, staying at the Stovall House Inn in the Sautee Nacoochee Valley. Y’all, this place is a treasure. You’ll feel like you’re visiting family when you’re greeted by owners Jeff and Erin, who make you feel right at home. And if you’ve read Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook, you may recognize the Stovall House from the book cover, with its Americana wraparound porch.

Photo courtesy of Stovall House Inn

(I don’t even say “ya’ll,” but I looked at this photo and it just felt right…)

The decor in the house elegantly embodies the Victorian era during which it was built. In the home’s parlor, you’ll find books about the property’s interesting history and significance in the valley, including handwritten entries in an old appointment book belonging to Doc Walters, who ran his clinic out of the home in the late 1800s.

We stayed here for hours, sipping the whole tasting flight and then some. The views of the rolling Blue Ridge foothills are truly calming, and the ambiance the owners created on their property and in the tasting room (which they built themselves) is beautiful.

Since we did a lot of wine tasting and plenty of eating on this trip, including our B&B breakfasts, pizza, and a 10/10 dinner at Harvest Habersham, we made sure to get some exercise too. We all hiked the Raven Cliff Falls Trail to the waterfall where we took a natural cold plunge under the cascading water. It left us feeling invigorated.

Your Turn – Visit North Georgia This Fall

So, you heard my experience. Now imagine yourself there this fall season with your own best friends. While I loved my springtime visit, fall is the perfect time to go.

As we speak, trees throughout the Blue Ridge are beginning to debut their deciduous seasonal gowns in warm tones of amber and red. Can you picture the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains alive in stunning autumnal hues?

Inhale. Can you feel the crisp air in your lungs, scented by smoldering cedar? How does that charred marshmallow taste, oozing from between layers of chocolate and graham cracker? You lick those sticky fingers and can’t help but smile – what a blessed life.

Ok, if you’re like “Take me there already!” then here’s what I recommend for a long girls’ weekend in North Georgia (in the Cleveland and Sautee area). And if you’re a visual learner, I’ll even give you access to my color-coded North Georgia Map.

Friday, Day 01 – 

• Arrive in Atlanta on Friday morning and make your way by rental car to Stovall House Inn.

• Drop off your things, freshen up, and then head to nearby Hardman Farm Heritage Trail to stretch your legs.

• For dinner, consider driving into the little German town of Helen for a beer and some German fare at Hofbrauhaus overlooking the Chattahoochee River.

• Back at the inn, relax by the fire pit and make s’mores! Then retreat to your quiet room and rest up for a full day tomorrow.

The historic Hardman House. Photo courtesy of Georgia State Parks.

Saturday, Day 02 –

• Delight in your delectable made-from-scratch breakfast. If it’s not too chilly, have it on the porch!

• Head to Limoges Cellars for a Vineyard Hike & Progressive Tasting Experience led by the winemaker and owner himself. Book your ticket ahead and arrive promptly for the 11:00 AM start time.

• Don’t rush off after the experience. On Saturdays, Kristina Limoges stocks the pantry with her thick homemade focaccia squares. This is the staple ingredient to a build-your-own charcuterie tray, which you can make using your own selection of jams, olives, cured meats, cheeses, crackers, pates, and more.

• Before returning to your B&B today, swing by the Old Sautee Store for a little shopping. You’ll find apparel, magnets, bath and body products, decor, and much more.

• For dinner, treat yourself to a gourmet, fresh, and seasonal dinner at Harvest Habersham. Whatever kind of cornbread skillet they have on the menu that night, try it!

Sunday, Day 03 –

• After another delicious breakfast, get some steps in and spend time in nature.

• Walk the leisurely Unicoi Lake Trail for a picturesque stroll, or break a sweat on a slightly more rigorous trail like Raven Cliff Falls.

• For lunch, head to Sweetwater Coffeehouse for a bagel sandwich and a handcrafted coffee drink. Pop into some nearby shops for a souvenir.

• Afterwards, maybe a spa treatment is in order? Check out the services offered at The Spa at Nacoochee Crossing.

• Keep the wine tasting going at Yonah Mountain, and stay for dinner courtesy of their food truck, open until 6:00 PM.

Monday, Day 04 –

• Sadly, it’s time to head back to Atlanta after your last amazing Stovall House breakfast.

• But if a weekend getaway isn’t enough for you, linger longer! You can easily extend this itinerary by spending time in the towns of Dahlonega, Blue Ridge, and more. Take your time exploring historic gold-mining towns, hiking different trails, and finding your favorite winery or brewery.

Okay, this trip sounds so good that my friend and I just booked tickets for our own fall escape 😉 Maybe I’ll see you around a fire pit!

And if you can still snag them, I highly recommend purchasing a ticket to the Winemaker’s Sunset Supper on Sunday, October 27th, a The Mountain Top Lodge and Limoges Cellars collaboration, hosted in the Limoges vineyard. Chef Sean Fritchle will be serving up a delicious menu including a campfire cheese course (say less), roasted pumpkin soup, beef tartare, and smoked saffron risotto with U7 prawns. I mean, c’mon. 🤤

I hope to see you there! Happy exploring, friends.

~ Stef

Are you a visual person? Do you love getting your bearing on a map? 🗺️ (You’re my kinda traveler!)

Sign up for my newsletter below and I’ll send you a link to my North Georgia Google Map!

You’ll see all the points of interest I mentioned, plotted out for you and color-coded. This will help you easily navigate from point to point during your trip. 🤓