14 Bucket List Items to Cross off Your List on the Highway

11 Jan 14 Bucket List Items to Cross off Your List on the Highway

Where is the best place to cross off multiple items on your bucket list? Hospitality Highway of course! The cities on Hospitality Highway provide the most fun and unique activities to satisfy any personality, age or skill level. Pick from outdoor bucket list items, cooking extravaganzas and must-see historic sites and get ready to clear a thing or two off your list!

American Girl® Boutique and Bistro – Photo Credit: Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau 

Alpharetta

Send your taste buds on a flavorful adventure with a visit to Publix Apron’s Cooking School. As one of only five in the country, this premier cooking class will have you whipping up new and improved meals in no time. Additionally, participants have exclusive bragging rights, as this location is the only one in Georgia. Featured classes, demonstration classes, information about private classes and special topics can be found on their website.

The kids are in for a surprise! Shoot to the top of your kids “favorite list” with a visit to American Girl® Boutique and Bistro, the only one in Georgia. This American Girl® boutique offers visitors the chance to choose a doll from one of the American Girl® books, or create a custom doll to bring home and keep the unique in-store experience alive for years to come. Already have an American Girl®? The bistro offers delectable dishes and an experience that caters to sharing a meal with your doll. New to the shop, you can now search for exciting augmented reality experiences throughout the store by downloading the American Girl® app before your visit – look and scan icons in the store to join in on the fun!

Where to stay: Reserve a stay at one of 23 modern and affordable hotels in Alpharetta. Most hotels in Alpharetta offer complimentary parking, a selection of suites, complimentary breakfast, free WiFi and local shuttle service – all the essential modern amenities for today’s modern traveler.

iFly – Photo Credit: Patch.com

Buckhead

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s you! Soar to new heights at indoor skydiving facility, iFly and confidently check flying off of your bucket list. Ideal for adrenaline junkies, this exhilarating activity is fun, safe and allows anyone from age 3 to 103 the opportunity to experience the thrill of flight.

Currently home to the 82nd governor of Georgia and open for tours throughout the year, The Governor’s Mansion allows history buffs a chance to walk in the shoes of the Governor. Tours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for groups of 10 or more that show a behind the scenes look at what he does day-to-day!

Where to stay: Retreat for the day or at the end of the night at one of Buckhead’s many comfortable overnight accommodations. A list of centrally located hotels can be found and reserved here.

Cavender Creek Winery – Photo Credit: Dahlonega Convention and Visitors Bureau 

Dahlonega

Dahlonega has claimed the high ground, with the highest concentration of wineries and wine tasting rooms in all of Georgia, and recently Dahlonega has even added a distillery with a highly recognizable name — Z.Brown (named for famed musician Zac Brown). Even more recently, a meadery (wine made from honey) has been added to the mix.

Dahlonega now features six wineries and nine wine tasting rooms. Dahlonega is also the Wine Tasting Room Capital of Georgia, with seven wine tasting rooms and a growler store all within walking distance on or around the Historic Public Square. During your visit drive through the gorgeous, pastoral, rolling hillsides and soak up fabulous mountain views, or stroll Dahlonega’s charming and award-winning downtown, with more than 60 delightful retail outlets and 15 restaurants— all of which are independent and locally owned.

If you’re looking for a authentic and genuine way to kick off the New Year, Dahlonega’s gold heritage (Dahlonega was site of the first major U.S. gold rush) allows you to discover gold by panning and learning more about this rich piece of history. Both Consolidated Gold Mine and Crisson Gold Mine offer panning for gold and gemstones, and Consolidated’s tour takes you 200 feet beneath the ground to experience what a day in the life of a gold miner was really like.

Where to stay: Call one of Dahlonega’s many over night accommodations including hotels, lodges and cabins, home base during and after your adventure. Reserve your stay before your next visit, here.

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge – Photo Credit: Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Dawsonville

Elevate your view and experience at Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge! “OH” and “AW” while on a zipline canopy tour through the North Georgia Mountains and soak up the stunning scenery or stand atop the 729-foot waterfall – the highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. With plenty of adventure options, the fun doesn’t stop there. Customize your adventure by choosing from activities such as archery, climbing walls, guided hikes, GPS scavenger hunts, bird watching, guided fitness trail runs…the list goes on!

Cheers! Cross the Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery off of your bucket list and have fun while doing so. Located in the heart of the Moonshine Capital of the World, this facility offers tours during which you will get the chance to learn about the distillery’s award-winning products, how they’re made and also sample some of Bill Elliott’s finest moonshine.

Where to stay: Stay a little while longer and indulge in the many offerings of Dawsonville. Customize your visit by reserving a stay at one of the cities many hotels, motels, resort, cabins lodges or bed & breakfast. Reservations can be made here: https://hospitalityhighway.com/communities/dawsonville/.

Barrington Hall – Photo Credit: Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau 

Roswell

Trust us, you’re going to want to experience this! The only professional theatre company in North Fulton, the Georgia Ensemble Theater will have you laughing and singing along to the company’s five-play series, which includes comedy, drama and musicals. Check current and upcoming shows on the company’s website and pick the production of your dreams to see and enjoy.

Nestled in the heart of historic Roswell and presented by the Roswell Visitors Center, get a look at the beauty and history behind the vintage homes, historic sites, museums, monuments, churches and cemeteries that lie on Roswell’s Historic Districts 640 acres – 122 of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This Historic District Self-Guided Walking Tour is the perfect way to see and experience Historic Roswell at your own pace.

Where to stay: Extend your stay with a reservation at the Holiday Inn or the Country Inn & Suites by Carlson. Both hotels are conveniently located in close proximity to all the festivities and offer free WiFi among other amenities.

Foot Golf – Photo Credit: Steel Canyon Golf Club

Sandy Springs

Foot Golf is what happens when soccer meets golf, and those looking to try their foot at this unique sport can do so at Steel Canyon Golf Club in Sandy Springs. Foot Golf is played with a soccer ball on a golf course, but with separate greens. Much like traditional golf, the goal is to get the ball in the soccer ball-sized hole in as few kicks as possible. It’s a great way to enjoy a day outdoors with family and friends.

Unique to Sandy Springs, Di Amano Chocolate is a tasty handmade chocolate shop offering out of this world goods to single handedly enjoy or share with others. If you’re a chocolate lover or fancy homemade treats, you won’t be let down by the delicacies offered by this locally owned and family operated business. Pick and choose from mix chocolate assortment boxes, bark, chocolate covered potato chips and so much more!

Where to Stay: Rest your head for the night at the Homewood Suites Atlanta/Perimeter or the Wyndham Atlanta Galleria, and enjoy some well-deserved comfort and relaxation.

Lake Lanier – Photo Credit: LakeLaneir.com

Cumming/Forsyth

See Georgia in a way unlike any other! Balloons over Georgia allows you to hop in a hot air balloon and soar through the skies over picturesque North Georgia. Some staple sites that you can expect to see while in the balloon include: Lake Lanier, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, the Atlanta skyline, and the beginning of Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountain. Depending on when you decide to scratch this off your list during your next visit to Georgia, you might even catch a glimpse of the area’s wildlife including deer and hawks.

Known as one of America’s favorite lakes for a good reason, Lake Lanier is a must visit! The largest lake in Georgia with 700 miles of shoreline spread over 38,000 acres, this glorious lake has something for the entire family to participate in. Cross more than one thing off the list with a visit to the golf facilities, or take part in the most popular activities: fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, water skiing or swimming.

Where to stay: For a place to call base, reserve a stay at the Fairfield Inn or the Hampton Inn and enjoy complimentary breakfast amongst various other amenities.