Why you Should visit Amicalola Falls!
The hiking trails of Amicalola Falls State Park
Author: ArtsyChowRoamer
Amicalola Falls & Burt’s Farm
NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS
While many might think that fall is the best time for a road trip to the mountains it can still be a great place to head during the summer months too. So we recently piled in the car with our furry travel companion to drive up to Burt’s Farm and Amicalola Falls in the north Georgia mountains . This post will give you a good idea of the many fun things to do when visiting the area.
BURT’S FARM
Of course fall is the busiest time to visit this family owned business. They get so busy on the weekends that they have to spread out parking to every possible inch on the property with people directing traffic. It is usually a mob coming in to bring the kids for fun, games, tastings and best of all, pumpkin pickin’ time. (You have to scout for just the right ones for carving right?) 😉
Big boy pumpkin patch at Burt’s Farm
We were glad it wasn’t a fall weekend for us as it made walkin’ about and taking some good shots a lot easier. It;s wonderful seeing all the choices of gourds, decorations and food products available and on display. The deep colors of fall were on display in the decor and the smells of popcorn filled the air.
A nice breeze was blowing and it felt a little like early fall had hit even though the colors of summer surrounded us with their lush shades of greens and yellows. Faint smells of sweet cider drifted over to me making my stomach growl and reminding breakfast was long past.
Tastings are big around these parts especially during fall festival times and Burt’s Farm is no different. While week days are quieter there is still plenty to see, do and eat that will get you into the right state of mind. Grab the kids and the dog (which has to stay in the car…boo!) and head on out for a visit.
Pro Tip: Go on a week day if crowds aren’t your thing! It is much easier to get in and out. The market has lots of good food stuffs for sale and decorations for your outdoor needs. The video below will give you a good idea of what’s cooking at Burt’s.
Pretty gourds in a row at Burt’s Farm in North Georgia…
AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK
Once you got your Burt’s fix then head on over to the Visitors Center at Amicalola Falls State Park to check out the live Aviary exhibit. You can also check in for the hiking trails, zip lining, camping/RV’ing, guided tours and GPS scavenger hunts. Lots of adventures and fun to be had with or without kids!
I usually like to take a walk across the street and head towards the Creek Trail too. The bridge is a nice spot to stop for some great water photos and videos. There are usually some good texture and colors on trees and leaves that make for great close ups that come in handy in your photo files.
AMICALOLA FALLS LODGE
If camping isn’t your thing but you want to get a taste of the great outdoors with fantastic views and a pretty cool place to visit then you want to drive up the hill to the Amicalola Falls Lodge.
Having gone through major renovations not so very long ago, they did a good job of capturing the mountain feel with rustic touches and lots of fireplaces to enjoy! It is very nicely done for a state owned park lodge and I love hitting the front door on a cold day and smelling the logs burning.
The location is all about the views and they are particularly good in fall as the colors continue to turn into those deep splashes of orange, yellow, red and gold the mountains are known for. But summer views are just as stunning especially at sunset. Grab a cocktail and sit around the fire pit as the sun goes down.
COMFY LOBBY WITH FIREPLACE
The two story lobby has a huge stone fireplace which is going at all times during the season. It is decorated for the fall and there are lots of comfy sofas and chairs to sit on and enjoy the view, the warmth of the fire and perhaps read a good book.
There is a large replica of the Appalachian hiking trail hanging on the wall opposite and hikers walk to and fro with their custom designed walking sticks and unusual hiking gear such as socks with individual toes and lederhosen with suspenders (yes I said lederhosen)!
One such hiker even asked me to take a picture of him in his outfit, bought in a series of stores around the area, as he said he wanted to text it to his children for a laugh.
There is a little gift shop off the lobby with all the usual suspects to purchase. I wished they had more unusual things personally but I am sure most will find a little something to take home to friends and family.
The comfortable lobby at Amicalola Lodge is a good spot to read or people watch
HELPFUL STAFF AT FRONT DESK
The staff at the front desk are efficient and friendly. Upon check in and check out they are particularly good about directions and helping folks find interesting things to do both on and off property. While this time of year is not always as busy as the fall or holiday season, the phones seem busy and rang quite a bit while we were there.
BTW, there is no bar in the lodge per se. For those who know me well this is something I usually grade a little harshly on. I am unclear if it is a thing because of it being state owned or what. Having said that, they sometimes set up a mobile bar in the lobby and you can order drinks from the restaurant hostess desk that they will bring out to you.
The dining room has a lovely view with a somewhat limited menu at Amicalola
DINING ROOM MENU LIMITED
For you foodies out there, there is a dining room. It is a pretty place and more than adequate from a size standpoint. You will be surprised how fast it fills up during the season.
The sad part about that is it’s the very reason that the dreaded buffet seems to be a big part of their offerings most of the time. With buffets being on the out right now you most likely will have only the limited menu offerings to depend on.
Since I am no fan of the buffet I am quite happy that businesses have been forced to figure out what to do with their menu instead of depending on this tired overused food offering. Some people say the food is good and others say so so. Hey it’s the location and view you are here for! Enjoy!
Rooms on the back with a patio view are the best to snag at Amicalola
BEAUTIFUL ROOMS
The rooms are very nice in the lodge. They are comfortable and have been designed with mountain touches and details with good color schemes. The bedding is big and fluffy.
The bathrooms are great with sliding barn doors for extra room inside and out in the entry. Someone has thought about the design carefully. There are all different sizes and kinds of plans available even offering two story bigger rooms for families.
I like the rooms with the outside patios to the big views. They are always my choice when staying there.
Also, on the other side is the fire pit which is always lit this time of year and many people gather around at sunset and stay for the warmth of the fire with a good drink into the dark hours. What’s not to like here?
Did I mention there are lots of interesting little day trips to take from here including some good restaurants and shops? Ask about them at the front desk.
Clean simple architecture of the exterior of the Amicalola Lodge
CONCLUSION
This is one of my favorite places to just get out and take a quick day trip to or plan a short weekend stay particularly during the color or the Christmas holidays.
They do a lovely job of decorating the property and with the fireplaces and stoves lit everywhere along with fire pits and candles, well it is just a little bit of magic in the mountains. Try it….you will like it!
The video below will give you a better idea of what this area of Georgia has to offer you as a visitor. If you enjoyed what you read, you might also want to read more blogs under Explore the World. Hey, don’t be a stranger! Let me know what you thought if you visit and tell me where you are going for your next road trip OK? Until next time…
Cheers,
ArtsyChowRoamer
Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter
Note to my readers: This blog was updated with corrections, new info, pics and videos on 7/27/2020
Travel
If you like what you read,click on the button below!
Why? You’ll get my free list of favorite travel products that cover fashion, gear and tech plus other great stuff I promise you’ll want!