Best Day Trips from Atlanta
Ready to unplug from the daily routine and take a romantic day trip from the city? Well, you are in the right place! I think that day trips from Atlanta offer the perfect way to escape the bustle of the city and discover the best places to visit Georgia at the same time. This is exactly why I decided to share my favourite things near Atlanta so that you can use my guide as an inspiration to plan your own road trip.
Personally we've enjoyed peaceful days on the beach on weekends the most so I have a lot of bias there. But beyond the beaches, here are my favorite day trips from Atlanta from our recent four week road trip across the "The Peach State", and I hope you’ll enjoy them too as a local.
Athens, Georgia - 1 hour 30 minutes from Atlanta
This is my #1 day trip from Atlanta because it offers so many diverse choices. We started our road trip here. With three people's moods to worry about, we never know what we may feel like once we arrive. Since there is so much to take in, we decided to join a guided tour with a local guide on our first visit which was a great idea.
The cool thing about Athens is that you can be spontaneous and pivot to something totally new last minute on our trip. Exciting museums? Sure! Lots of affordable and totally free options? Of course!
First I recommend strolling through downtown Athens, filled with cafés, quiet corners of campus green, botanical gardens, and art galleries.
My personal highlight was the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. It was super peaceful right in the middle of the city, with walking trails and themed gardens. We all loved it as a family day trip from Atlanta!
Stone Mountain Park - 35 minutes from Atlanta
I thought that this place was one of the best day trips in Georgia when I moved to the South. Why? Stone Mountain Park has natural beauty, and history in one easy day trip just outside Atlanta.
After a short drive out of the city, we started the day walking along the shaded trails at the base of the mountain. Next, The Scenic Railroad added a playful touch, letting us enjoy the scenery without rushing anywhere.
Finally, we learned about the park’s history, both its natural significance and its complicated pas.
Personally, we loved visiting during the Yellow Daisy Festival, held annually at Stone Mountain Park. We caught it in mid-September but dates shift around so you have to check.
My absolute favorite highlight of our road trip was a picnic by Stone Mountain Lake. We think it's a peaceful local gem perfect for relaxing.
Mableton - 25 minutes from Atlanta
This is easily one of the most underrated pockets of metro Atlanta I’ve visited and I think it's perfect as a half-day trip if you don't have a lot of time. You can enjoy music, step into history, and still find time to stretch your legs in the fresh air. Mableton is located along the Chattahoochee River so you can trust me that the views are lovely. I instantly thought our journey was worth it! My personal highlight was visiting the Mable House Historic Site and learning about its 19th-century past.
Lake Lanier - 1 hour 10 minutes from Atlanta
This is one of my favorite vacation ideas. I especially love it when I want to spend a day on the water. Why? First off, it's literally the city's backyard escape, but still super indulgent. For me, being near the water for a day is always the best way to hit the pause button and let my body re-set. Chris, our son and I love it here and we visited many times while based in the area. Some days, we simply relax by the shore of Georgia’s largest lake. On other day trips, we decided to be more active.
My personal highlight was watching kayakers on the quieter northern stretches of the lake.
Callaway Gardens - 1 hour 15 minutes from Atlanta
If after reading the heading you are thinking that you don't want to spend a whole precious day trip on a garden, I would argue that you'd be wrong. Callaway Gardens is not just about gardens! I think it's definitely one of the most beautifully curated nature destinations I’ve visited in Georgia.
First off, it's apread across thousands of acres in Pine Mountain. This means that there are gardens, sure, but also incredible lakes, tons of trails (you can visit 10 times and never go on the same trail). Kids love it here because it's so easy to just relax and feel the joy of nature.
For me, Callaway Gardens is one of the best day trips from Atlanta because it's peaceful, fragrant and unique!
We went for a quiet walk through the Meadowlark Garden where I took the incredible photos you see here, my personal highlight.
Congratulations for reading through all my Best Day Trips from Atlanta on a Road Trip. I hope that our experiences inspire you to go on your own road trip to one (or more!) of my favorite USA destinations!
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
