
Things to do during your stay in Clarkesville, Georgia…
Clarkesville is a small Georgia town, within Habersham County, displaying southern charm and situated at the heart of the North Georgia Mountains. Founded in 1821 by an American Revolutionary Veteran and named after his son, John C. Clarke, Clarkesville is a good landing spot for many Georgia Mountains Attractions. Those looking to spend time exploring the history of small towns; shopping in local businesses for antiques, arts and collectibles; dining in non-traditional eateries; visiting multiple North Georgia vineyards; hiking trails; fishing the Soquee River; discovering waterfalls; or appreciating the solace that comes when spending time relaxing among the beauty found within nature’s landscape.
Clarkesville
“CLOSE TO HOME” BY FOOT EXPERIENCES
In less than a 5 minute walk from Southern Seasons Inn, you can enjoy Clarkesville’s downtown. A casual stroll on the square allows for shopping inclusive of antique stores and boutiques, dining at a variety of locally owned restaurants, sampling brews and wines from local businesses offering tastings, or enjoying a play at the City’s theater.
Habersham Community Theater: Enjoy a live performance stage production at the City’s local theater. The theater’s schedule of performances varies throughout the calendar year.
Mauldin House: The City has captured this historic home and has created a sweet spot to learn about the history of Clarkesville as well as the museum itself. The Mauldin House acquired its namesake from the original owners of Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Mauldin, a hat maker businessman. This is a stop that you do not want to miss. This museum embraces a corner within downtown Clarkesville and is one of which the landscape whispers for you to make a visit. This is also a great spot for pictures.
Clarkesville Greenway: Gain access to the City’s developing recreational trail system within a block from the Inn. This city amenity provides a natural trail and is home for walking, jogging, hiking, bird watching, nature study, fishing, and picnicking that surrounds a small natural wetland.
“CLOSE TO HOME” SHORT DRIVE EXPERIENCES
There are many attractions close by to the Inn for guests to escape for anywhere from a few hours to a day full of adventure.
Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art: Take a 5 mile drive to Demorest to enjoy the this art museum. This indoor museum attraction is located in downtown Demorest and transitions the display of art being showcased throughout the calendar year.
Shopping
FOR THE SHOPPING/HISTORIC TOWN EXPERIENCE
Helen, Georgia: Drive approximately 20 minutes from Clarkesville’s downtown to discover a flourishing mountain town with a tapestry of a Bavarian-style Alpine Village. The cobblestone streets are lined with a surplus of specialty store shopping along with variety of unique restaurants. The town’s architectural landscape and the scenic State Park along the river will take you back in years. For those looking for a tubing experience, there is also an opportunity to float down the Chattahoochee River (seasonal).
Clayton, Georgia: Drive approximately 25 minutes from Clarkesville’s downtown to discover a history infused small mountain town. Shop in the variety of specialty stores and find a seat at one of the many fun, unique restaurants to enjoy a meal.
Wine
FOR THE VINEYARD EXPERIENCE
Wineries: The North Georgia Mountains are home to a large collection of award winning wineries. There is something for every pallate who enjoy the various flavors harvested grape vines have to offer.
- Yonah Mountain Vineyards – Cleveland, Georgia– yonahmountainvineyards.com
- Currahee Vineyard and Winery – Toccoa, Georgia — curraheevineyards.com
- Habersham Winery – Helen, Georgia – habershamwinery.com
- Sweet Acre Farms Winery – Alto, Georgia — sweetacrefarms.com
- CeNita Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room – Cleveland, Georgia – cenitawinery.wixsite.com
- Tiger Mountain Vineyards – Tiger, Georgia – tigerwine.com
- Serenity Cellars – Cleveland, Georgia – serenitycellars.com
- Curahee Vineyard And Winery – Mt. Airy, Georgia –
- Stonewall Creek Vineyards—Tiger,Georgia
- Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery – Dahlonega, Georgia
- The Cottage Vineyard & Winery – Cleveland, Georgia
- Kaya Vineyard & Winery – Dahlonega, Georgia
- Frogtown Cellars – Dahlonega, Georgia
- Noble Wine Cellar – Clayton, Georgia
- Cavender Creek Vineyards — Dahlonega, Georgia
- Wolf Mountain Vineyards – Dahlonega, Georgia
- 12 Spies Vineyards – Rabun Gap, Georgia
- Accent Cellars – Dahlonega, Georgia
- Montaluc Winery & Restaurant – Dahlonega, Georgia
Outdoors
FOR THE OUTDOOR EXPLORATION EXPERIENCE
Hiking and Waterfalls:
- Tallulah Gorge State Park — Tallulah Falls, Georgia
- Unicoi State Park – Helen, Georgia
- Tallulah Gorge Rim Trail –Tallulah Falls, Georgia
- Panther Creek Waterfall – Clarkesville, Georgia
Sunburst Stables: Spend some time zip-lining among the trees of North Georgia and/or ATV’ing on the course that they have created among the North Georgia terrain. A horseback ride through the forest or slipping away from shore and taking a boat on the water are all ways to enjoy a day in the outdoors.
Blackhawk Fly Fishing: For the outdoor adventure guest(s) who do not mind getting their “feet wet” in the beautiful spring creek fed waters of the picturesque Soque River. This privately managed location provides its guests with an opportunity to experience the Soque River fly-fishing for Rainbow and Brown trout. Reservations are required.
Fern Valley on the Soque: Just four miles north of Clarkesville on the Soque River. Create a memorable experience and test your line at fly-fishing. This location is recognized as an enjoyable experience for all level of anglers and is known for the quantitative supply of Rainbow and Brown trout throughout the river. They do limit their daily angler count.
Moccasin Creek Park: This close-by picturesque park is a great spot for those looking to enjoy some water and/or land adventure. Moccasin Creek Park houses beautiful 2,800-acre Lake Burton, which provides the perfect spot for boating, water skiing, boating and fishing. During the warmer southern months, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and canoes are able to be rented. An adjacent trout rearing station as well as several hiking trails are available for park visitors.
Drives
FOR THE “SCENERY DRIVE” EXPERIENCE
Take a drive along Scenic 197. This supplies you with a beautiful scenic driving route from Clarkesville to Lake Burton. Some must-see stops are Mark of the Potter, Burton Emporium and Gallery, the Cottage Garden, and LaPrade’s Marina. You will catch sights of the Soque River, well-known and nationally recognized for its outstanding fly-fishing.
Mark of the Potter: A definite stop to visit this area gem of a pottery shop. It features four in-house potters who create impeccable stoneware, including bowls, plates, and jars, in various textures and shapes. There is a porch off the shop that has a beautiful view and sounds of the Soque River inclusive of a waterfall. Visitors are able to feed the trout while relaxing on the porch.
Hickory Flat Pottery: A pottery Studio settled in the 100+ year historic Wikle home. In addition to the pottery studio, there is a precious gallery displaying various pottery, glass, jewelry, metal, copper, glass pieces of art from over 20 artists.
Stop by the Cottage Garden: At Cottage Garden Plants & Gifts, you can peruse tons of Clarkesville treasures including antiques, hand-painted furniture, local art, plants and flowers, and more. Don’t forget to follow the wooden walkway to the shop’s small outdoor shed where you’ll find unique garden supplies for your home.
Historic Churches
FOR THE “LOCAL WORSHIP” EXPERIENCE
There is a collage of worship centers within Clarkesville and surrounding cities that are a short drive. The following are places of worship that are within walking distance from the Inn. However, there is a collection of worship centers within Clarkesville and surrounding cities that are a short drive.
Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church
260 East Green Street, Clarkesville GA 30523
(706) 754-2451
Clarkesville First United Methodist Church
1087 Washington Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523
(706) 754-2677
Mount Zion Baptist Church
1287 Washington Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523
(706) 754-2626
First Presbyterian Church
181 Jefferson Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523
(706) 754-2935