This driving tour following the route of scenic Georgia Highway 197 travels off the beaten track to the mountains and lakes of Northeast Georgia. It includes a map and information on shopping, restaurants and lodging along the way. One of the stops on the tour, Mark of the Potter on the Soque River, is pictured above.

Meander down Scenic Hwy 197 where you can stop to have a morning biscuit; go fly fishing or horseback riding; shop for handmade regional arts and crafts, flowers, and native plants; experience fine dining and local entertainment; stay at cozy bed and breakfasts or comfortable cabins; park your RV or camp at Moccasin Creek State Park or nearby Unicoi.

Start in the historic town of Clarkesville where Hwy 197 heads north, or head west from Clayton and enjoy the beauty of Lakes Burton, Lake Rabun and Lake Seed.  Or venture over from Alpine Helen and maybe you will see the occasional bear coming out of the woods.

Regional arts include pottery, painting, stained glass, woodcarving, rustic furniture, and other work of the many local artisans.  Lunch in historic Batesville and dine on the shores of Lake Burton.  Trout abound on the beautiful Soque River, and deer roam the woods. Tuck your head on your pillow after a long leisurely day and listen to the sounds of nature.

Links

Driving tours in the Northeast Georgia Mountains

• Scenic Highway 197 Driving Tour
• Exploring the Soque by James Sullivan
• Folk Potters of Northeast Georgia

The Heritage Art Loop is a self-guided driving tour of Northeast Georgia craftspeople, artists, plus some interesting places to eat. Officially, it starts in Athens but you can jump in at any point on the map and take all or part of the tour. Points along the way include: Masada Leather and Terrapin Brewery in Athens, the potter Tina McCullough, Christie Moody’s Blue Heron Glass Art Studio, and the Point of Art Gallery.

There is link to an area map that we could not get to work. Alternatively, you can download a pdf copy of the Heritage Art Loop brochure that has a map on it.

See the Heritage Art Loop profile.

Downdown Madison, one of the communities on the Antebellum Trail

Georgia’s Antebellum Trail is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2009 with the first annual Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage. Comprised of seven communities, this Pilgrimage will transport visitors back in time as they visit historic homes, experience authentic battle sites, view impressive architecture and tour magnificent museums.

Georgia’s Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage will take place on three consecutive weekends this spring. The dates are April 16-18, April 23-25 and April 30-May 2, 2009 from 10am – 4pm. It will feature events and tours along the Trail as well as entrance into private, historic homes not open to the general public. Tickets are $25 and will include access to seven attractions and/or events. The tickets can be purchased at any of the Welcome Centers along the trail. To enhance the visitor’s experience, complementing tours and free events and activities will be featured throughout the Pilgrimage weekends. Please call 800-709-7406 for more information.