There’s something magical about leaving town with the windows down and a loose plan in your back pocket. From Athens, Georgia, the roads stretch into some of the most charming corners of the state...places where stories linger in historic streets, forest trails hush your mind, and lakes glisten with summer ease. Whether you're chasing waterfalls, strolling through antebellum towns, or boarding a vintage train through the Blue Ridge, these day trips are your invitation to slow down and reconnect.
Each trip featured here was a small escape that felt much bigger...offering beauty, reflection, and a deeper sense of place. Ready to see what’s just beyond the city limits?
Best Day Trips from Athens, Georgia:
Exploring Southern elegance and riverfront charm in Augusta
Augusta, Georgia surprised me with how gracefully it blended tradition and reinvention. The riverwalk was peaceful, almost meditative, with locals fishing and soft music drifting from cafés nearby. The old brick facades told stories I didn’t know I needed to hear. I wandered through wide streets and mossy trees, feeling both grounded and curious—like I’d tapped into a slower rhythm that still had a pulse of its own. “I didn’t expect to feel so at home in a city I’d never really known.”
What I Loved Most: Sitting on a quiet bench at the Riverwalk, watching kayakers and feeling the breeze off the Savannah River. Walking through the historic Summerville district reminded me of Charleston—but with fewer crowds and more soul.
My highlights... Lunch at Hildebrandt’s, an old-school German deli with charm to spare. I had the pastrami Reuben with house kraut and a German potato salad—simple, savory, unforgettable. The old-timey soda cooler and vintage groceries added an extra layer of nostalgia.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Athens: ~2 hours southeast
- Vibe: Historic, gracious, riverside calm
- Highlights: Augusta Riverwalk, Morris Museum of Art, Summerville District, James Brown exhibits
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for azaleas or fall for cooler weather
- Cost: Fuel, museum admission (optional), meal
- Hours: Riverwalk is open daily; museums typically 10am–5pm
Tracing timeless towns along Georgia’s Antebellum Trail
Each town along the Antebellum Trail felt like a page in a living storybook. From Madison’s well-kept squares to Eatonton’s literary heritage, I felt like I was touching layers of Southern memory and grace. Time slowed to a thoughtful pace. “There’s a kind of silence here that teaches you how to listen.”
What I Loved Most: Wandering through Milledgeville’s old Governor’s Mansion made history feel personal. I could almost hear the echoes in the wallpapered halls.
My highlights... Brunch at The Brick in Milledgeville was a cozy surprise—spinach and mushroom quiche with sweet tea on the patio. Everything felt easy and rooted.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Athens: ~1.5–2 hours (depending on stops)
- Vibe: Historic, contemplative, charming
- Highlights: Madison, Eatonton, Milledgeville, historic homes, literary sites
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for blooms and walking tours
- Cost: Gas, optional museum fees, lunch
- Hours: Museums typically 10am–4pm; towns open daily
Day Trips for Couples:
Forest bathing in Chattahoochee-Oconee's wild green expanse
The trees towered over me like sentinels of peace. Every trail in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest felt like an invitation to breathe deeper. It wasn’t just hiking—it was reconnecting with something elemental. “This is the kind of silence that resets your nervous system.”
What I Loved Most: Standing at the edge of Anna Ruby Falls, I felt awash in gratitude. The roar of water was strangely calming.
My highlights... A picnic at the Unicoi Lodge trailhead with a simple turkey sandwich, kettle chips, and sweet peaches was perfect. Forest dining doesn’t need anything fancy.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Athens: ~1.5–2 hours northeast
- Vibe: Wild, quiet, grounding
- Highlights: Waterfalls, hiking, trout streams, overlooks
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for cool temps and color
- Cost: Day pass, gas, picnic supplies
- Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Crossing into quiet wonder in the Cherokee National Forest
Driving into Cherokee felt like slowly dissolving into forest. The Tennessee border seemed to blur into something older, greener, and deeply still. I walked trails alone and didn’t mind the solitude—it felt like the forest welcomed it. “Some places don’t speak loudly—they whisper, and you hear them anyway.”
What I Loved Most: The view from Watauga Lake overlook took my breath for a full minute. Blue ridges stretched into haze.
My highlights... Stopped at Farmhouse Restaurant in Tellico Plains for crispy catfish and hushpuppies. It tasted like front-porch summer evenings.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Athens: ~3 hours north (near TN border)
- Vibe: Remote, meditative, expansive
- Highlights: Watauga Lake, waterfalls, quiet trails
- Best Time to Visit: Early fall or late spring
- Cost: Fuel, forest pass if needed, meal
- Hours: Open access; visitor centers 9am–5pm
Floating through summer ease at Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier brought back a bit of childhood—the long summer days, bare feet, the shimmer of light off the water. It’s where time slows down just enough to notice it. I spent the afternoon paddling along the quiet edges of the lake, watching herons take flight and families laugh on the shoreline. “Maybe this is what balance looks like,” I thought, as the kayak drifted gently across glassy water.
What I Loved Most: Floating in the shade of the coves, letting the breeze carry me without needing to be anywhere at all.
My highlight... Dinner on the lakeshore at Fish Tales Lakeside Grille. I had the grilled mahi tacos with pineapple salsa and a side of hush puppies. Watching the sunset over the marina while savoring the citrusy spice of the tacos was a full-sensory moment I won’t forget.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Athens: ~1.5 hours west
- Vibe: Playful, sunny, laid-back
- Highlights: Boating, swimming, picnic spots, marinas
- Best Time to Visit: Summer for full lake fun; early fall for fewer crowds
- Cost: Gas, marina rental (if boating), lunch
- Hours: Most parks open 7am–10pm
Where will the road take you next?
One of the best things about Athens isn’t just the town itself...it’s how many memorable places sit within a few hours’ reach. These day trips reminded me that you don’t have to travel far to find something that moves you. Sometimes it’s a train ride, a trailhead, or a simple sandwich by the lake that becomes the story you didn’t know you were looking for.
Helpful reads if you're planning a trip:
In Summary...
(and if you want to revisit my photo journey)- • Exploring Southern elegance and riverfront charm in Augusta
- • Small open air theater on the lower lever on the Augusta Georgia river walk
- • Tracing timeless towns along Georgia’s Antebellum Trail
- • Forest bathing in Chattahoochee-Oconee's wild green expanse
- • Crossing into quiet wonder in the Cherokee National Forest
- • Floating through summer ease at Lake Lanier