Fun yet budget things to do in Dahlonega, GA??

[caribear]

I am currently visiting family in North Georgia and I was thinking of taking DD9 and DS5 to Dahlonega for the day. Trying to decide between a few options and wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions. I wanted to take the kids gold panning/gem mining.....and it looks like there are two options....Consolidated Gold Mines and Crisson Mines.....then I was thinking about a petting zoo....either Chestatee Wildlife Zoo or North Georgia Zoo, but I would only do the petting farm option to save money....so I am not sure how much fun that would be. Might also drop by Babyland General as I remember going there as a kid. Any other suggestions? Any budget southern eateries along the way? I am not going to do any of the falls as it is a little warm here now....and the kids will not be as into it as I would. Thought about walking around Helen, but not sure if there is really anything to do there besides shop or river rafting/tubing. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

Dahlonega is where I live! I prefer Consolidated Gold Mine. Out of the two zoos you mentioned I have only been to Chestatee Zoo. I looked up North Ga zoo and it looks pretty neat. Since you are looking for a petting zoo type thing I would go with N. Ga zoo. I know Chestatee doesn't have a petting zoo but you are able to get close to the animals but not touch. There is a gold museum on the historic square. While on the square stop by the fudge factory they give out fudge samples and check out the general store. It's an old timey type store. Also if you are here on a Friday evening they show a free movie in Hancock Park (a block from the square) on an inflatable screen.

In Helen they have a mini water park and you can add all day tubing to it. It's 15.00 for the waterpark, 8.00 for all day tubing or 3.00 for 1 either short or long trip. check out helenwaterpark.com. Also in Helen is mini golf. Nearby is Unicoi state park and Anna Ruby falls which is an easy paved walk to the water fall. It's still in the 60's at night and cooler out before noon here.

Babyland General Hospital is free and fun to visit. They have moved to a new bigger location and have added somethings.

HTH any questions or anything else I can help with let me know.
Tanya

 

[caribear]

Thanks Tanya for the suggestions!!! Tubing sounds fun and the price is definitely budget...think I will wait for DH to join us on the next trip and we will make a day of it! I think we are going to go to Consoidated Gold Mine for the tour and some gem finding....then head over to Babyland General or the petting zoo....will see how the kids do and go from there. I love the falls and have been many times when I used to live in GA (Roswell/Alpharetta), but moved about 13 years ago to Florida. It is so pretty up in the mountains....very different from what we see in Orlando!!! Thanks again for the great info!!

 

[The Wise One]

I grew up in that area so I can tell you going to Helen is a must! It's a gorgeous Bavarian town and the tubing is so much fun and it's pretty to boot!

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

Thanks Tanya for the suggestions!!! Tubing sounds fun and the price is definitely budget...think I will wait for DH to join us on the next trip and we will make a day of it! I think we are going to go to Consoidated Gold Mine for the tour and some gem finding....then head over to Babyland General or the petting zoo....will see how the kids do and go from there. I love the falls and have been many times when I used to live in GA (Roswell/Alpharetta), but moved about 13 years ago to Florida. It is so pretty up in the mountains....very different from what we see in Orlando!!! Thanks again for the great info!!

Your welcome! Enjoy the visit. I use to live in Roswell too. I still work in the area and make the drive every day. It's nice to come home to the mountains.