Sunday Fall Scenic Drive? (Atlanta, Woodstock: trip , house, event)

[ready2move]

My husband and I would like to take a short but scenic drive tomorrow. They say this weekend is the peak of the season. Not being familiar with anything north of Woodstock, which is the best way to go. I heard on the news that taking 75 to highway 136 or 36 is a great drive. I would prefer to go up 575 and maybe stop somewhere that is dog friendly.

Any ideas?

TIA

[DisgustaTruth]

If you want to do a nice loop drive starting on I575.. here are a cpl of suggestions:

Take I575 North towards Talking Rock
Take GA HWY 136 east from Talking Rock.. this will take you over the ridges and is a nice scenic drive to get some views..
Take GA 136 all the way to GA 183,then make a left on GA 183.. after a couple of miles.. make a right onto GA hwy 52.. after a cpl of miles you will come to the entrance of Amicalola State Park.. I highly recommend stopping here.. not sure how much water will be at the falls because of the drought.. but make the drive to the top of the mountain where you will find beautiful views..
as you exit Amicalola make a left onto GA hwy 52 heading east toward Dahlonega.
Not a lot of mountains on this stretch but nice pastures and meadows.. very scenic..
As you come into Dahlonaga.. take time to explore the area around the town square.. nice little shops and cafes... If you want downhome cooking family style.. consider dining at The Smith House.. YOu can head back to metro Atlanta via GA 400..
If you want more mountain scenery you might want to consider heading further north.. but you may not have time on this trip to venture that far.

[ready2move]

Thanks!

That is great info..We actually drove to Dahlonega over the summer and walked around the square. I loved it, very quaint and charming.

Are dogs allowed in the park?

[DisgustaTruth]

I have seen dogs at Amicalola Park..seems pretty dog friendly to me.. I think they have to be on leashes but most of the state parks seem dog friendly.

If you have time there is a really lovely loop drive north of Dahlonega.. I would highly suggest taking this drive if you want to see some great scenery and views..

start in Dahlonega as your base
head north on US Hwy 19...
At the fork at Porter Springs head NW on GA hwy 60 (toward Suches)...This stretch of Nwy 60 gets into some good elevations with great views.. a good spot to stop is at the parking lot where Appalachian Trail crosses Hwy 60... nice views to the south.. and you can even hike a small segment of the AT is you like.. Thhen continue to proceed NW on GA 60 to suches..
At suches make a right onto GA Hwy 180...continue N on GA 180... this is a really curvy road and gives you great scenery, esp when fall colors are at their height.
Eventually HWY 180 will loop back over to US hwy 19.. at this junction is where you will find Vogel State park.. This park makes a nice pit stop..is dog friendly.. and has some beautiful scenery with a small lake and Blood Mtn in the background.
Continue south on US Hwy 19.. you will cross the appalachian trail again.. there is a parking lot and a Outfitters store and hikers rest stop... Some nice views here as well.. Continue back south on Us hwy 19 toward dahlonega.. elevation descends sharply.. nice views.. if you have time stop at Desoto Falls (two waterfalls here)... then continue back south toward Dahlonega.. cute little mountain stores along the way wortha stop or two..
Hope this helps.