The North Georgia town features world-class attractions, several of which celebrate 2026 milestone anniversaries, along with outdoor adventures and special events year-round
DAWSONVILLE, GEORGIA—JUNE 2026—Dawsonville, conveniently nestled within the scenic North Georgia Mountains, is a perfect escape from urban life, only an hour from downtown Atlanta and two hours from Chattanooga. But don’t take this small town as a sleepy hideaway. It’s filled with world-class attractions, such as the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame that highlights the town’s unique racing heritage and the world-class Atlanta Motorsports Park which remains one of the “Top 10 racetracks in North America.” Family farms, cultural arts, the great outdoors and seasonal events mean Dawsonville truly has something for every season.
Georgia Racing Hall of Fame
Visit the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame (415 Highway 53 East, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-216-7223), any time of year to view both original and replica racers from the 1940s to today, including the triumphs of award-winning NASCAR drivers Bill “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” Elliott and his son, Chase Elliott. Learn how moonshiners in the early 20th century supercharged their cars for speed to outrun the feds which lead to the creation of NASCAR and secured Dawsonville as the Birthplace of Stockcar Racing.
Special museum events include the Labor Day Car Show, the 59th Annual Moonshine Festival and Car Show in October and end-of-the-year holiday events. Coming up in July, the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame will be on hand in the Fan Zone at the NASCAR Race at Echo Park Speedway, better known as the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. The Hall of Fame is also chartering a bus from Dawsonville for this event, which includes a VIP package.
Don’t miss stopping next to the museum for spirits and beer at Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Co. and Border Hop Beer Co. (415 Highway 53 East, Suite 130, Dawsonville, Georgia, 30534; 706-781-1829). In addition to innovative cocktails and craft beers, Grandaddy Mimm’s serves up team trivia every Friday night.
Fuel Kitchen at Atlanta Motorsports Park
Continue the celebration for speed at Dawsonville’s Atlanta Motorsports Park (20 Duck Thurmond Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 678-329-8051). Here, guests can throttle high performance sports cars, motorcycles and karts while experiencing firsthand the two-mile, F1-designed circuit created by the renowned Hermann Tilke and the .85-mile pro kart tracks with more than 43 feet of elevation change. Road and Track Magazine called Atlanta Motorsports Park one of the “Top 10 racetracks in North America” and SPEED SPORT awarded the track a 2023 Outstanding Facility Award for its “excellence and innovation in the high-performance driving and racing industry.”
When the adrenaline settles, quell hunger pangs at the Atlanta Motorsports Park Fuel Kitchen within the karting clubhouse that overlooks the F1-style racetracks. Executive Chef Jason Perry, with his background in country club dining and tenure with Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, serves up fresh, farm-to-table ingredients with locally sourced meats, artisan breads and seasonal produce from Georgia’s finest purveyors.
North Georgia Premium Outlets
The shopping is endless at North Georgia Premium Outlets (800 Hwy 400 South, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-216-3609). The outlet mall celebrates 30 years in 2026 and launched numerous stores in 2025-2026 to add to its more than 100 premium stores. New additions include: Bubble World Tea, Buckle, Carhart, Dolce & Gabbana, Hey Dude, Hollister, Miss A, Psycho Bunny, Offline by Aerie, Sephora, Simply Southern and Vineyard Vines.
Bowen Center for the Arts
In the center of Dawsonville lies a cultural hub. The Bowen Center for the Arts (334 Highway 9 North, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534, 706-216-2787) produces ongoing exhibits, juried arts shows, classes for children and adults and concerts throughout the year. Don’t miss their gift shop that sells gorgeous items from local artists. Currently, Bowen is exhibiting “Reimagine,” a traveling art show that brings together artwork by Georgia artists now through July 31, 2026. The annual Quilt Show will be August 15-September 30, 2026, followed by classical music to end the year’s calendar.
Dawsonville Pool Room
This downtown landmark at the heart of Dawsonville turns 60 this year, a testament to its position as a community gathering place. Visit the Dawsonville Pool Room (9 Bill Elliott Street, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-265-2792) for its heartfelt hospitality, good food such as its famous made-from-scratch Bully Burger, and the years of racing history that line its walls. The restaurant honors the town’s racing history, including Bill and Chase Elliott who hail from Dawsonville, and have sounded a loud siren for every Elliott victory since the 1980s.
Family farms
The area surrounding Dawsonville is ripe with family farms that open their doors to the public in fall. Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch (125 Bannister Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 888-OSHUCKS) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and Burt’s Farm (5 Burts Pumpkin Farm Road, 11336 Highway 136 West, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-265-3701), known for its pumpkins and hayrides, is planning something big for fall. We’re talking really big, as in a giant pumpkin where hayriders will pause and an educational/animated video will tell the life story of a pumpkin. It’s hard to miss Fausett Farms Sunflowers (11336 Hwy 136 West, Dawsonville, Georgia; 706-265-9661), with hundreds of acres of sunflowers along Georgia Highway 136 that beg for selfies, a favorite with road trippers.
Where to stay
Dawsonville and the surrounding area offer a variety of lodging options from sleeping in the great outdoors in style at Timberline Glamping at Amicalola Falls (418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road, Dawsonville, Georgia, 30534; 706-204-9245) or the mountain retreat of Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge (Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road, Dawsonville, Georgia, 30534; 706-265-8888).
For a more traditional lodging experience, there are several hotels and vacation rentals available in the area, including the new Springhill Suites by Marriott scheduled to open in October. See a full list of lodging options here.