Known for its rich historical heritage, the Civil War, Martin Luther King, Jr and the civil rights movement, and, of course, peaches, Georgia is amazing. Our travels take us to or through Georgia at least twice a year and we absolutely love it. When I think of Georgia, the history and elegance of Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With The Wind” comes to mind. When my wife thinks of Georgia, one of her favorite vacation spots is on the forefront of her mind – Tybee Island. She just can’t get enough of it. There are a LOT of fun facts about Georgia that I was never aware of until recently. It is the largest state east of the Mississippi River, it has had 5 capitals, and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is known as the busiest airport in the world according to the Airports Council International. Georgia is known as the Peach State, but it’s also the country’s top producer of pecans, peanuts, and vidalia onions. The state’s onions are considered some of the sweetest in the world.
We have uncovered three distinct hidden gems in this wonderland and want to take today to share them with you in our fifth installment of our “Hidden Vacation Gems” series.
Indian Springs State Park – Flovilla
In the heart of Middle Georgia, near I-75, Indian Springs is one of the oldest state parks in the United States and a popular spot for outdoor recreation. For centuries, Creek Indians collected the spring water for its healing qualities, and during the 1800s, the area was a bustling resort town. Indian Springs State Park’s natural artesian spring has been used by generations of people for its flowing mineral water, that some claim to have homeopathic qualities. Produced by the pressure of the earth forcing underground water to the surface, the water at Indian Springs picks up many minerals during that process. Today, you can still sample the spring water flowing inside the stone Spring House built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.
Comprising 528 acres with a 105 acre lake, there are cottages for rent, 62 tent, trailer, and RV campsites, picnic shelters, a pioneer campground, museum, boat ramp, and playground. Whether you like biking, hiking, miniature golf, or boating, there is a little something for everyone. We love it for it’s pristine natural beauty. It’s a great escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Chateau Elan Winery & Resort – Braselton
A quick 45 minutes north of Atlanta is a hidden luxury gem nestled on 3500 acres of vineyards in Braselton, GA. Only 15 miles from Lake Lanier, Chateau Elan Winery & Resort is in an area all by itself, perfectly secluded. The Chateau Elan just underwent a $25 million renovation and transformation and is even better than ever. The 16th century style charm and legacy of the estate will immerse you in a luxuriously relaxed atmosphere. The resort offers 251 guest rooms and 24 suites, 3 restaurants, a fitness center, winery, as well as an exquisite pool and spa. All of the modern amenities are there, but it still puts you in a state of complete serenity and relaxation. This beautifully crafted, upscale reproduction of a French chateau is exactly the place you want to be to get away from it all. You can choose to do a wine tasting, or tour the vineyards and learn firsthand about the wine making process from one of the knowledgeable wine stewards. Whether you stay to enjoy the European spa, taste the award-winning wines, or simply relax and walk the vineyards at your leisure, Chateau Elan Winery is the best hidden resort in Georgia.
Sleepy Hollow – Blairsville
Deep in the heart of Blairsville, Georgia, in the Northeast Georgia Mountains, there is an enchanted fairy garden called Sleepy Hollow. This magical place still remains much of a secret to the residents of Georgia, but it’s absolutely worthy of a visit, not to mention worthy of complete admiration. Visiting this garden will make you feel like a child again, as it’s filled with whimsy and wonderment for people of all ages.
Owner Art Millican Jr is a former Disney artist, imagineer and model-maker. 
He started at Disney as a teenager selling popcorn on Main Street. He took every free moment to go to the art department to learn all that he could from the master artists. They taught him everything from drawing and sculpting to welding and fabrication. They taught him that you can create anything that you can dream up. Art eventually was hired into the art department and worked his way up to Senior Artist in charge of the 3 dimensional art department. He held that position for over 15 years. He has designed and built many displays for America’s leading theme parks such as Dollywood and Six Flags to name a few and now makes these enchanting creations available to you. Each of our Fairy Houses is completely handcrafted by Art and can take at least 2 weeks to make.
While visiting the garden, you can tinker about the trails and keep an eye out for the gnomes, or even take a peek inside Art’s studio. The most unique part about this garden is that no two pieces are the same. Bringing the kids to the gardens will help propel their imagination to new levels. And maybe even help you relive some of the best parts about childhood. It’s the perfect place for the young as well as the young at heart.
So there you have it. Our top 3 hidden vacation gems in Georgia. To inquire further about any of these or other great places to visit in Georgia, please contact us. In the meantime….happy Red Frog Travels…. 🙂
