Getting away from Atlanta for the weekend...suggestions? (Savannah, St. Simons: rent, theatre)

[southkakkatlantan]

I want to take a weekend trip (leave on a Fri afternoon, return on a Sunday afternoon) somewhere but don't know where yet. I was thinking some place near a beach IF the place is warm enough to enjoy the beach at all this time of year.

The length of the trip is an issue, meaning I would be driving. So I really don't want to spend 7-8 hours in the car for such a short weekend trip. I've never been to St. Simon Island, Jekyll Island, Pensacola or Destin, FL...so these were all on my list.

I'm looking for a place to simply relax, which is why I am thinking a beach destination. But I'm also down for a place that has any of the following to do:

-Great restaurants cuz I love to eat LOL
-A decent nature scene if I wanted to go walking, or a decent museum
-Horseback riding lessons
-Perhaps a nice theatre or comedy place?
-etc...?

I plan to go in mid-Feb; any suggestions?

[BobKovacs]

None of the listed beach destinations will be warm enough in mid-February to actually enjoy the beach- you'll have to head toward Miami to make that happen.

[AnsleyPark]

Consider the mountains. You can rent a nice cabin in Blue Ridge and enjoy the town, surrounding towns, horseback riding, etc. Our, if you want to go a bit fancier, you could consider Asheville NC. Closer by, you could consider Callaway Gardens or the Ritz Carlton Lodge at Lake Oconee (all, except for Asheville, within an hour and a half drive).

[blondandfun]

I'd go to Tampa, if you can drive 6 hours.. It's around 70 high usually right now, and they will have more culture than the Panhandle. Biloxi is 5 hours away and it's fun, but strictly for gambling, not for food or culture.

Does tampa improve in february?? I'd like to go down there and binge on seafood. I'm not crazy or stupid, so I don't eat any seafood up here... of course the lack of omega 3 fatty acids might explain a lot about Atlanta........

[AnsleyPark]

Oh, heavens. Atlanta's seafood is just fine for goodness sakes. But, if I'm driving all the way to Tampa, consider heading over to Ponte Vedra (Jacksonville).

[JPD]

Originally Posted by blondandfun

Does tampa improve in february?? I'd like to go down there and binge on seafood. I'm not crazy or stupid, so I don't eat any seafood up here... of course the lack of omega 3 fatty acids might explain a lot about Atlanta........

You're putting on an act, right?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by southkakkatlantan

The length of the trip is an issue, meaning I would be driving. So I really don't want to spend 7-8 hours in the car for such a short weekend trip. I've never been to St. Simon Island, Jekyll Island, Pensacola or Destin, FL...so these were all on my list.

St. Simons would be nice. I like it in the winter. For a short trip you might consider flying, as it's only a couple of hundred bucks and you can be there in an hour.

[sjuraud]

North - I'll agree with previous poster. Anything up near the Blue Ridge Mountains would be good for either camping or renting a cabin. Cherokee, NC is close enough to make in a few hours if you're into gambling.

North East / East - Charleston is a pretty great city to hang out it as well as Savannah and surrounding areas. They both have old world southern architecture that you don't see many places anymore. The restaurants are great there. I agree that it's too cold for beach unless you just want to walk around on the sand and not get wet.

Southwest - Some of the beaches on the panhandle and over into Alabama coast are nice. Destin, FL and Gulf Shores, AL. If you're up for a 7 - 9 hour drive New Orleans is doable.

South - The area of Mid-Florida (Tampa & Orlando) I don't think offer much more than the panhandle as far as beaches go during the winter IMO. Miami would be a bit warmer but I have no idea how warm the water is this time of year.

[sjuraud]

One more thing. If you do end up going to Pensacola there is a Naval Air Museum that is definitely worth checking out if you're into that sort of thing. National Naval Aviation Museum - Welcome Main Page Be aware that it is on an active military base, so you will need to bring a drivers license or some type of ID to get on base. The museum is free, but of course they take donations.