Nearly two centuries after deer hunter Benjamin Parks tripped over a rock in the mountains of North Georgia and cast his eyes upon its glitter, setting off America’s first major gold rush, an increasing number of visitors are discovering other types of riches in the picturesque community of Dahlonega—just one hour north of Atlanta and near the terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Many of these riches are natural: shafts of sunlight that pierce shimmering fall colors; cozy wooded dells; rich soil that nourishes a growing cluster of vineyards; 120 waterfalls. Others are man-made, including a downtown on the National Register of Historic Places brimming with period architecture, performance venues, art galleries, 16 restaurants, a well-stocked general store, and a gold museum. Architectural Digest called Dahlonega one of the 25 Best Small Towns in America.
