ALBANY, GEORGIA—JANUARY 2022—Savvy seniors looking for adventure, new-moms needing a break or bridesmaids celebrating the bride-to-be will find that Albany, Georgia, is the place to go with your best girls. Just off of I-10 in the southwest part of the state, only 30 minutes from I-75, this idyllic Main Street city developed along the Flint River is an escape that will satisfy active outdoor lovers, oenophiles, culture-seekers and fashionistas. Smash the stereotypes of a girly-girls getaway and design a retreat that takes every interest into account. 

Wine, dine and retire

Perhaps the two attractions that seal every vacation deal are the food and lodging. Albany has more than two dozen safe and affordable accommodations to suit every taste, many with complimentary breakfast. Some require no driving to dinner and drinks. One option is Merry Acres Inn, with historic Southern historic charm and complimentary transportation to and from three restaurants. For celebrity panache, stay in the Paula Deen cottage, complete with two bedrooms, living area, small kitchen and memorabilia showcasing the Albany native. After dinner and dessert, continue soul sessions over nightcaps at Merry Acres’ on-site Manor House Pub. Next morning, linger over a complimentary hot breakfast. Special room and amenities packages are available, including a splurge-worthy chauffeured 1939 Studebaker or 1973 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Merry Acres Inn, 1500 Dawson Road, Albany, Georgia 31707; MerryAcres.com

For no additional charge, the Inn offers transport in a Mercedes van to one of three highly regarded restaurants to suit the mood. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays Harvest Moon transforms from Albany’s top family-friendly eatery into a hopping nightlife destination as Southwest Georgia’s go-to music venue. The Catch Seafood and Oyster Bar focuses on the fresh, not frozen, bounty of the Georgia and Florida coast, yet satisfies meat-eaters and vegetarians. 

Relax with sips at Albany’s Pretoria Fields Brewing and enjoy home-brewed seltzers and beers. Catch live music and local events and choose from a collection of core beers as well as specialty blends throughout the year. Take a quick daytrip to Still Pond Vineyard and Distillery for tastings. Sample some of Still Pond’s 18 award-winning wines and savor sips of flavored and straight moonshine, vodka and other spirits, including its vodka awarded a Double Gold medal. In December the Still Pond Festival introduces the year’s Christmas wines; other events are held throughout the year. 1575 Still Pond Road, Arlington, Georgia 39813; StillPond.com

Outdoors and Active

Active outdoor adventurists have plenty of options. Paddle the Flint River by kayak or canoe via the several picturesque launch areas. Kayak Attack Adventures can provide all equipment, advice and guided tours. Albany’s six-acre Riverfront Park offers walking and biking trails. The downtown Albany Welcome Center in the Historic Bridge House offers brand new bicycles for rent at reasonable rates, including a helmet, a lock and at no extra charge. Engage in the South’s quintessential quail hunting experience at internationally recognized Wynfield Plantation, which also offers a 10-station sporting clay course and skeet range. At the Welcome Center, or online at VisitAlbanyGA.com/explore, discover dozens of additional pursuits, including mountain biking, golf and fly-fishing.

Pampering and polish

Albany is also a shopping destination. In addition to malls and national retailers, more than 20 boutiques and specialty stores provide on-trend fashions and home décor, antiques, gifts, recreational and fitness gear. New locally owned additions include Rebel Dolls, offering standout, youthful clothing and accessories, and The Paisley Fig specializing in fair-trade products and featuring local artisans. Ibiza curates unique yet affordable clothing, shoes and accessories, while Roots & Wings Boutique has just about everything, thanks to three generations of family owner-managers. 

Before or during a day of shopping, fortify at one of three specialty coffee shop options, including Cornerstone Coffee, which serves locally-roasted beans, along with pastries from Sugar Mama’s Bakery. After the marathon, kick back and relax with massages, spa mani-pedis, facials and more at Oasis Day Spa and Salon.  

Culture, entertainment and history

The Albany Museum of Art offers a host of galleries and exhibitions featuring regional, national and internationally recognized artists with a remarkable collection of 19th and 20th Century American and European art. The Albany Municipal Auditorium plays host to Ballet Theatre South while the Albany Civic Center showcases musical performances from country to contemporary Christian.

Albany pays homage to its heroes and ordinary people who were part of the Civil Rights movement. The Albany Civil Rights Institute offers a walk in the footsteps of history. A digital oral database features stirring real-life recollections, while an interactive exhibit is an experience of life’s harsh realities of the times. A trip through the museum ends at the Old Mount Zion Baptist Church Sanctuary where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired thousands in 1961. Back in town, rest and reflect with a free “concert” at Ray Charles Plaza. The Albany native and beloved musician is honored with a life-size bronze sculpture seated at a Baby Grand piano on a rotating pedestal fountain. His sweet, familiar melodies play as water spills into a reflecting pool. 

Looking for even more local dining, lodging, shopping and attractions? Find it all at VisitAlbanyGA.com. Albany also is the perfect launching pad for short drives to nearby attractions for visitors exploring the exciting Southwest Georgia region. 

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BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA–JULY 2019–Girls just want to have fun! The saying is true and making the truth a reality is as close as a visit to Blue Ridge, Georgia, about 90 minutes north of Atlanta via Interstate 575. Here, put the feminine in fun–whatever form it takes, from skeet shooting to hiking and biking, fishing to upscale, plush shopping and spa-ing.

Annie, get your gun

Grab your shotgun and ammo and enjoy a competitive round of clay shooting in a sport frequently referred to as “Golf with Shotguns.” Noontootla Creek Farm (NCF)(3668 Newport Road, Blue Ridge, Georgia) offers 12 shooting stations for a total of 100 targets. Sporting Clay Course hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 1-4 p.m., Sunday. Call 706-838-0585 for groups or any other days.

Make trails

Spend a refreshing day hiking or biking to local waterfalls on forested trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest–without making a dent in the budget. Find a hiking map here. Hike to Fall Branch Falls, where the upper portion is a series of cascades that lead to a single major drop of some 30 feet, with the water plunging into a deep pool at the base of the falls. Restock hunger-quelling supplies at   Chester’s Provisions (733 East Main Street), which features unique food and beverages, including craft beers and wine, as well as an assortment of entertainment accessories. Gear up at Blue Ridge Mountain Outfitters (500 East Main Street), a full service outfitter store offering premier brands in the outdoor industry. They also offer guided mountain bike rides and hikes out of their McCaysville and Blairsville locations.

Take the adventure to two wheels and bike these trails. Rent mountain bikes at Ocoee Adventure Center (4651 Highway 64, Copperhill, Tennessee) and challenge yourself with routes throughout Blue Ridge. For a different experience, check out 

Pedego Electric Bikes (257 East Main Street) with rentals that feature pedal assist, as well as options for guided tours. Enjoy one of the trails they suggest along the Toccoa River or by Lake Blue Ridge without wearing yourself out.

Cast a line

Georgia’s Blue Ridge is the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia! According to Georgia Outdoor News, the Toccoa River is one of the region’s rivers that holds the characteristics required for anglers to find big trout. Serious trout fishermen know that there is serious trout fishing in Fannin County not only in the Toccoa, but in Rock Creek, Cooper Creek and Noontootla Creek. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources publishes a comprehensive trout fishing guide to Georgia, available at the Welcome Center. NCF also offers two miles of guided trophy fly-fishing. With two locations, one in Copperhill near the Toccoa and Ocoee, and another on Lake Blue Ridge,  Toccoa River Outfitters (120 Grand Avenue, Copperhill, Tennessee) provides guided wade trips and float trips on both the head waters and the tail waters of the Toccoa River. Or, shop Cohutta Fishing Company (490 East Main Street) where you’ll find goods from companies such as Filson, Orvis, Simms Fishing Products, Mountain Khakis, Howler Brothers, Scott Fly Rods, Thomas & Thomas Fly Rods, Nautilus Reels and Pendleton, as well as guided experiences. Access points to fishing in the area can be found on these handy printable maps and guides: 

• The Wild Toccoa River & Lake Blue Ridge
•  Upper Toccoa River, Lake Blue Ridge to the Ocoee River 

R&R

When it’s time to relax, splurge on soothing massage therapy, holistic facials or therapeutic body treatments during a spa day at Teatrees Boutique Spa (3293 East First Street). Nearby, Serenity in the Mountains (59 McKinney Road) offers spa and suite packages that may seem like a splurge, but are actually a bargain. Serenity in the Mountains was rated one of the “10 best value spas in the country” in Rachael Ray’s magazine. Try the tree house suites for a spa treatment with heightened perspective and the newly opened Himalayan salt cave, which offers a peaceful area to detox and rejuvenate.

Treasure hunting

Find the perfect memento to memorialize your getaway with jewelry and bags at Canoe (624 East Main Street) where Lynn Kemp showcases wearable art. Foodies will love restocking the pantry with splurge-worthy treats at Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company (511 East Main Street, Suite 100) which hosts a gourmet selection of more than 65 varieties of olive oil and balsamic vinegars–such as roasted walnut or blood orange infused oil–and provides the opportunity to taste these remarkable innovations from around the world. Nearby, Out of the Blue (647 East Main Street) offers an extraordinary selection of the finest wines, beers and artisan cheeses from around the world. They sport the only beer growler station in Blue Ridge, too. Outfit your home at New Blue Home and Gift (531 East Main Street, Suite 103) and Mitzi’s on Main (631 East Main Street); then, accessorize with treasures from High Country Art and Antiques (715 East Main Street). Peruse this gallery for traditional and impressionist fine art, folk art, photography, pottery, jewelry, sculptures, antiques and collectibles. Find more treasures at 3 Monkeys Home Accents (35 East Thomas Road) featuring the works of local artists among vintage finds. At Turning Leaf Wood Art (651 East Main Street) see works of more than 50 exclusively American artists. Pop next door to Wrapsody in Blue (652 East Main Street) for home furnishings, accessories and gifts that emulate the beauty of the mountains, lakes and rivers of the area. Top off a visit to Blue Ridge with a stop at Multitudes Gallery (801 East Main Street), owned by Michael Lacey and featuring high-end glass work, art and jewelry. Inside, find Fishbone Studio–home to Betty Wassmer Ceramics, showcasing the original creations of this noted ceramicist.

Seeking reasons to stay? Try these additional outdoor adventures.

If you go

For accommodations complete with kitchens, choices include lodges with stunning mountain views, creek-side hideaways, riverfront fishing lodges, cabins on the lake, cozy cabins, hotels and resorts–which range in price from $100 to $1,000 per night. Visit www.BlueRidgeMountains.com/where-to-stay for a complete listing.

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