Seniors Mosey On Down to Dahlonega

USA Today suggests that visitors swing down to Georgia and visit a neat town called Dahlonega. Ever heard of that town?  It’s not large, only around 6,000 inhabitants, but it is loaded with fun things for senior visitors to see and do. It’s the county seat of Lumpkin County and 60 miles north east of Atlanta.

Small as it is, Dahlonega has been selected by several publications as one of the top places to retire. Senior hikers, if you are up for some serious hiking, Dahlonega sits at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mountain.

The 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse is the oldest courthouse in Georgia. Dahlonega — the name means Gold in Cherokee. Licklog, Dahlonega’s first name, was a place deer would come and drink water.

First Major Gold Rush In The US, Seniors Learn

Benjamin Parks was hunting deer in this area in 1828 when he stumbled on the purest vein of gold in the world. When the cry of Gold hit the Georgia coast, fortune hunters headed west for Dahlonega and its nearby neighbor Auraria (Latin for gold). Dahlonega is “Pure Gold”, located on top of the largest gold deposits found east of the Mississippi River.

It preceded the California rush in 1848-1855. And yes, gold is still being mined there today. You’ve heard the expression “Thar’s gold in them thar hills.” That came from Dahlonega. The Dahlonega Gold Museum is a Georgia historical site and stands in the middle of the town square,  housed in the old Lumpkin County Courthouse built in 1836.

I don’t know about you, but my wife and I would first head into the older section of town and Downtown Dahlonega is one of Georgia’s foremost historic downtown centers, winning the Georgia Downtown Association’s 2010 Award for Excellence in Downtown Development.

Shopping and dining choices are abundant with 50 retail stores and 15 restaurants. A walking tour of downtown is a high priority for most senior visitors to Dahlonega.

Seniors Enjoy Dahlonega’s Festivals

Festivals are an integral part of Dahlonega’s rich heritage and are a great means to take in the outdoor beauty of the area. From the Dahlonega Trail Fest in March to the Old Fashioned Christmas celebration in December, more than a dozen fun-filled festivals are held throughout the year.

Some of the principal attractions include two gold mines, the Consolidated and the Crisson Mines.  The Historic Holly Theater packs the house on a regular basis. Gold City Corral and Carriage Company invites senior visitors to go on a one hour trail ride or if you are “not into horses”, do so in a carriage.

Families enjoy animal encounters at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo. Five inviting wineries are also nearby. Dahlonega is a major entry point for tourists going to the Chattahoochee National Forest and the North Georgia mountains that provide some awesome scenery.  Furthermore, the Chattahoochee-Oconnee National Forest allows recreational gold panning in many area streams and creeks. jeb