5 Best Things to Do in Clayton, GA

© Moonrise Distillery

Founded in 2012, the Moonrise Distillery is situated at the foothills of Georgia’s Appalachian Mountains, just as visitors enter Clayton. The distillery produces handcrafted artisan Georgia Rye Whiskey and Bourbon made using traditional equipment and methods, deep-well mountain spring water, and locally sourced grains. Visitors can stop by the Moonrise Distillery for a tour lasting around forty-five minutes, which is led by the head distiller and includes samples of the award-winning product line. Tours start at noon with the last one taking place at 4:00pm. The distillery also hosts Sunday Funday from noon until 5:00pm.

31 Webb Rd, Clayton, GA 30525, Phone: 844-994-4759

© Laura Ballard/stock.adobe.com

The Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia covers eighteen counties today and has three different ranger districts in the northern part of the state: Conasauga Ranger District, Chattooga River Ranger District, and the Blue Ridge Ranger District. The forest includes more than 2,200 miles of streams and rivers, including trout streams, more than 450 miles of trails for hiking and other outdoor recreation, and around 1,600 miles of “roads.” Natural attractions in the Chattahoochee National Forest include the Anna Ruby Falls, Brasstown Bald, and the start of the Appalachian Trail, which extends across more than 2,000 miles of wilderness.

© Main Street Gallery

The Main Street Gallery, as the name suggests, is located on Main Street in Clayton, Georgia, housed within a renovated historic building. The art gallery offers plenty for visitors to see, consisting of three floors full of art exhibits with an emphasis on folk art or self-taught artwork. The gallery has maintained a relationship with unique folk artists for many years. While some of these featured artists are from the local area, the majority are residents of the Southeast, with a handful from other parts of the United States. The Main Street Gallery also has unique furniture, pottery, and contemporary art.

51 N Main St, Clayton, GA 30525, Phone: 706-782-2440

© Black Bear Creek Antiques

Black Bear Creek Antiques is nestled within the gorgeous mountains of northern Georgia, right in the quaint mountain town of Clayton. The shop provides a unique shopping experience for people who love to shop for antiques. Black Bear Creek Antiques is home to a great collection of mountain home decor and furnishings, period prop rental for film and television, consignments, works created by artists in Georgia, vintage fishing and hunting gear, collectibles, rare books, vintage advertising, and other curiosities. Offering something for nearly anyone, the unique antique shop and general store is even sometimes marketed as a “man’s shop.”

6028 US-76, Clayton, GA 30525, Phone: 770-861-7308

© Beechwood Inn

The Beechwood Inn has been names as one of the South’s “Most Charming Inns” by Southern Living Magazine, one of the top thirteen “East Coast Inns with Excellent Wines” by Wine Spectator, and one of the top five destinations “for your next wine and food-focused escape” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The Beechwood Inn restaurant has also been recognized as one of Georgia’s “Top 10 Farm-to-Table Restaurants,” offering fresh farm-to-table dishes using primarily produce grown by the inn itself. Breakfast features a number of local products and fine dining is available on Saturdays with the Chef’s Tasting Dinners paired with fine wine.

220 Beechwood Dr, Clayton, GA 30525, Phone: 706-782-5485