Guest Guide

•Finding Your Way at ATL Airport

Landing internationally — you'll arrive at the International Terminal (Terminal I). After clearing customs and collecting baggage, head outside to the curb.

• •Renting a car: follow the "Rental Car Center (RCC) Shuttle" signs at the curb — a free shuttle runs every 15 minutes straight to the Rental Car Center.
• •Taking Groome or a hotel shuttle: board the free Complimentary Terminal Shuttle at the curb — it drops you at the Domestic Terminal's West End, right by the SkyTrain entrance and shared shuttle pickup area.
• •No checked bags? Before customs, you can take the internal "Plane Train" straight to the Domestic Terminal instead — it's faster.

Landing domestically — after baggage claim, exit from South Terminal via W2 or North Terminal via W1; for either option, cross the crosswalk to the ATL SkyTrain building. For the Rental Car Center, board the SkyTrain and get off at the 2nd stop (~5 min, runs 24/7). For Groome or a hotel shuttle, follow signs to the Ground Transportation Center at the terminal's west end.

•Getting Here from the Airport

The nearest major airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It's about 75-80 miles (120-130km) from the venue — roughly 1.5 hours in normal traffic.

•Directions to the Venue

• •From the airport: I-85 North, then GA-400 North.
• •At the end of GA-400, follow US-19 North / GA-60 through downtown Dahlonega.
• •Turn onto Hwy 52 West and continue about 4 miles, then stay right on Hwy 52 toward Ellijay.
• •Drive a quarter mile and the chapel will be on your left.

•Getting Around Locally

Dahlonega is far from Atlanta, so taxis and rideshare apps (Uber, etc.) can be difficult to find. We strongly recommend renting a car if you are flying into GA - especially for family flying in from overseas, renting directly at the airport is the easiest option.

•Parking

There is parking on site.

•Nature & Outdoors

• •Amicalola Falls State Park (~15–20 min drive) — At 729 ft, one of the tallest cascading waterfalls east of the Mississippi. $10/car day pass. The first 0.3 mi from the lower lot to the overlook is a paved boardwalk — easy for strollers or anyone with mobility concerns. Feeling more adventurous? The 8-mile Approach Trail from here leads to the start of the Appalachian Trail.
• •Lake Zwerner Trail (~9 min drive, 5.5 mi) — An easy 3.2-mile loop around a quiet lake, good for a short walk in the mountain air.

•Gold Rush History

Dahlonega was the site of America's first major gold rush, in 1828.

• •Consolidated Gold Mine (~12 min drive, 6.7 mi) — A guided underground tour through real mine tunnels, followed by gold panning — a hit with kids.
• •Dahlonega Gold Museum (~12 min drive, downtown square) — Housed in Georgia's oldest surviving courthouse; gold-rush artifacts and coins minted right in town.

•Wineries

• •Montaluce Winery & Restaurant (~11 min drive, 3.9 mi) — Tuscan-style architecture and vineyard views; food and wine tasting.
• •Wolf Mountain Vineyards (~12 min drive, 6.1 mi) — Sweeping Blue Ridge Mountain views; seasonal winter tastings and brunch on weekends.
• •Frogtown Cellars — Also part of Dahlonega's wine country, with seasonal winter tastings.

December weekend brunch and private tasting slots book out months ahead — reserve now if you'd like to go.

•Downtown Shopping

Dahlonega General Store (downtown square, ~12 min drive) — An 1833-era general store selling homemade jams, classic candy, wooden toys, and local souvenirs — a good spot for small gifts.

Dahlonega's Old Fashioned Christmas — Wedding Weekend Schedule

Our wedding weekend (Dec 6–7) is the peak weekend of Dahlonega's annual Christmas festival — the whole historic square is strung with lights. Worth arriving early or staying a day late for.

•Historic & Iconic

• •The Smith House — A Dahlonega institution since 1922, famous for family-style fried chicken served at long shared tables. 84 South Chestatee St, a 1–2 min walk from the square.
• •Bourbon Street Grill — Cajun/Southern cooking right on the downtown square, with a 2nd-floor balcony overlooking the Christmas lights.

•Casual Pubs & Comfort Food

• •Spirits Tavern — A cozy local pub near the square with handmade burgers, pub fare, and craft drinks.
• •Johnny B's — Handmade pizza and hearty burgers, easygoing and casual.
• •Foothill Grill — Classic homemade comfort food in a cozy, family-friendly spot.
• •Danny's Restaurant — Classic American breakfast and lunch.

•Southern BBQ

Hickory Prime BBQ and Jr's Roadkill BBQ & Ribs — smoky, slow-cooked pulled pork and ribs, done Southern-style.

•Something Different

• •Hoka Hoka — An Asian fusion spot, if you're craving something outside classic American fare.
• •El Jimador — Lively, crowd-pleasing Mexican — nachos, guac, tacos.

•Holiday Tea Room & Street Food

• •Waffle's English Tea Room — Victorian/Dickens-style Christmas Tea, seasonal (late Nov–late Dec), reservation required. 47 S Park St, near the Visitor Center.
• •Dahlonega Food Trucks — Fri/Sat nights during December's festival, in the lot across from Hancock Park. Hot cocoa, apple cider, gingerbread, kettle corn, and outdoor BBQ — a good way to skip restaurant lines.