Search
  1. Home
  2. EPIC ROAD TRIPS
  3. WEEKEND TRIPS FROM ATLANTA
7 Best Weekend Trips from Atlanta

7 Best Weekend Trips from Atlanta

Molly Harris | | 4 minutes Read
North America

Home of the world’s busiest airport, it isn’t hard to travel from Georgia‘s capital. For a fun escape, these are the best weekend trips from Atlanta.

Whether you hop on a quick flight or take to the highway, visit these spots to enjoy another Southern city.

Best Weekend Trips From Atlanta

1. Asheville

Asheville is an easy drive from Atlanta and remains a favourite southern escape by many. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and bordered by the French Broad River, kayaking, rafting, hiking, cycling and climbing are all options within reach of the city.

There are breweries to spare, excellent restaurants and a laid-back local scene ready to welcome visitors in for a relaxing time away from the high rises.

best atlanta weekend trips

2. Greenville

Just a couple of hours up the interstate, Greenville is an easy stop for a change of scenery. There are tons of outdoor adventure opportunities here, but cycling is a top choice for everyone from beginners to professionals training for the next race.

Greenville is home to a vibrant restaurant culture, potent cocktail programs and tons of good breweries.

Best Weekend Trips from Atlanta

3. Charleston

For a beach retreat, head to the coast of South Carolina. Charleston is home to colourful streets, an iconic cuisine and old school Southern charm.

It’s the perfect place to sip a mint julep on the porch and people watch for a slower pace on the weekend. Shop Kings Street and visit the Saturday farmer’s market for a truly local experience.

instagrammable places in charleston

4. Nashville

Music City is a favourite amongst travellers for a reason. While Broad Street and its many honky-tonk bars provide plenty of entertainment, the city’s museums and live music venues also abound.

Whether hitting a dive bar, dining on hot chicken or visiting the perfect replica of the Parthenon, Nashville is a weekend home run.

5. Chattanooga

Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls and Rock City Gardens might be the top tourist sites near Chattanooga, but the Tennesee mountain city is home to great outdoor activities too.

The picturesque small town is just a few hours north of Atlanta and is a classic choice if the weekend includes overnighting inside the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

6. Orlando

Orlando is something of a drive from Atlanta, but the city’s commuter culture often doesn’t mind the drive. This Florida resort town is naturally for the kids-at-heart with stops like Disney World and Universal.

What you might not realize, however, is that there’s great shopping and restaurants in downtown Orlando too.

7. Helen

Closer to Atlanta is a perennial favorite: Helen. This tiny mountain town was built to resemble a European alpine village, and its quaint charm has won over many.

Float down the river on a tube during warmer months, or visit with fingers crossed for snow during the winter. There’s a popular Octoberfest, but no matter what time of year you go, relaxing with a beer in hand is a given.

How do these rankings work?
Molly Harris Photo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Molly Harris is a freelance travel journalist dividing her time between the United States and the Western Balkans.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

MOST POPULAR

SIMILAR ARTICLES

newsletter