Sometimes there’s nothing better than escaping the city with your girlfriends and reconnecting in nature. Whether you want to explore a new hike together or just spend some wifi-free time bonding, we’ve put together a list of our favorite ways to spend a girls’ Getaway.
Play Cards
Going wifi-free with your friends is a great way to rediscover fun games, like cards. Every cabin comes with a set of cards and without the distraction of phones, you and your girlfriends can focus on the fun of the game and each other.
Explore Together
This is your chance to get outside and appreciate the beauty of nature together. Gather your friends and bring your pup along for a fun hike. We recommend packing a picnic, with dog treats for your furry friend, for when you all reach the summit.
Self-Care
Recreate the sleepovers from your teenage years by doing a face mask together. If skin care isn’t your thing, bring along some essential oils for an aromatherapy night. Have some self-care time together and pamper yourselves on your well-deserved break. If you brought along your dog, we recommend giving them a dog toy so they can feel special too.
Activity Time
Every cabin comes with a set of activities, ranging from word puzzles to questions to ask each other. Laugh over questions or put your minds together to solve the puzzles. Some activities are pup-friendly, like going forest bathing or tracing constellations. If you’re looking to bond with your fellow humans, give your pup this dog bone to keep them occupied.
Just Be
Don’t be afraid to do nothing together. Feel free to just relax together and snuggle up your pups. After all, you should go home feeling rested and recharged.
Ready for a girls’ Getaway? Grab your friends and hit the road. If you’re looking for more dog friendly tips, read more from our friends at Chewy.
Your Getaway is about finding time to disconnect and recharge. Your time of relaxation shouldn’t have to wait until you get to our Atlanta Outpost though, it should begin the minute you leave the city.
Change your journey to Getaway from a commute into a fun road trip. Whether you’re looking for exciting hikes, delicious food, or something to sip on, we’ve found some great stops for you to enjoy along the way.
Attractions Along the Way
Consolidated Gold Mine, 185 Consolidated Gold Mine Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30522 ~ 35 min fromOutpost Descend 200 feet underground into this 100-year-old mine to see how turn-of-the-centuries miners found gold in Georgia. After panning for your own gold, visit the Dahlonega Gold Museum nearby, housed in the 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards, 180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega, GA 30533 ~ 35 min fromOutpost Tucked at the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest with views of the North Georgia mountains, Wolf Mountain has earned over 200 medals for its wines. Its grounds are landscaped beautifully, transforming the vineyard into a lovely place to taste wines and brunch.
Helen, GA, Visitor Center at 726 Bruckenstrasse, Helen, GA 30548 ~1 hr from Outpost This German mountain town is the third most visited town in the state. It boasts beautiful views, fun outdoor activities, and well-known vineyards, so it has something for just about everyone.
Grumpy Old Men Brewing, 1315 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 ~ 45 min fromOutpost The couple of retired beer enthusiasts who founded Grumpy Old Men Brewing in 2012 began by brewing their stores in an outdoor shower and eventually opened their microbrewery in Blue Ridge. In 2018, the original two migrated to the other side of the 18-tap bar, passing the company onto “another Grumpy Old Man & his Crabby Lady.” There’s lots of space in the tasting room to play games and chat with other brew-loving folk.
Brasstown Bald, 2941 GA-180 Spur, Hiawassee, GA 30522 ~ 1 hr fromOutpost Take in the view from Georgia’s highest peak at 4,784 feet above sea level. You can walk the half-mile climb to the top where, on clear days, you can see four states with the help of on-site telescopes.
Amicalola Falls State Park418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534 ~ 1 hr fromOutpost This state park, which features the highest waterfall in all of Georgia, is visited by hikers, climbers, and zip liners. Go for a hike or check out their other adventure activities.
Lake Lanier, 1820 Mary Alice Park Rd, Cumming, GA 30041 ~1.5 hrs from Outpost Popular with boaters, swimmers, and jetskiers, this frequently visited lake is a great stop on your way to the Outpost. Stop at Mary Alice Park for a picnic and to get some sun.
On the Local Menu
Capers on the Square, 84 Public Square N, Dahlonega, GA 30533 ~ 40 min from Outpost For delicious Mediterranean fare with good gluten-free and vegetarian options, Capers is a Dahlonega staple. After narrowing down your choices off the menu (good luck) you can sit by the restaurant’s big windows or outside in the square and people watch.
Bratzeit, 77 Memorial Dr, Dahlonega, GA 30533 ~ 40 min fromOutpost Born in Switzerland and Germany, the owners of Bratzeit bring their native cuisine and Swiss-German tastes to Northern Georgia. The schnitzels are fantastic, and order a classic apple strudel to top off the fare.
Shenanigans, 87 N Chestatee St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 ~ 40 min fromOutpost With its hole-in-the-wall atmosphere and snug quarters, Shenanigans plates Irish-American classics (try the fish ‘n chips) and a diverse beer menu.
Lake Burrito, 3050 Keith Bridge Rd, Cumming, GA 30041 ~ 1 hr fromOutpost Lake Burrito’s Tex-Mex menu, fresh ingredients, and tasty vegan options has made it a favorite with locals. Visit in the mornings for their staple breakfast tacos, and between the nachos, quesadillas, and burritos, you can’t go wrong with whatever you order.
Walks in the Mountains
Jarrard Gap Trail Distance: 1mile Difficulty: Easy Dogs allowed on-leash Close by your cabin, this trail climbs gradually from Lake Winfield Scott Campground and merges with the Appalachian Trail. With ridge-line views, the path continues into the Blood Mountains in a lovely loop.
Long Creek Falls on the Appalachian Trial Distance: 1.9 miles Difficulty: Easy Dogs allowed on-leash This two-mile section of the Appalachian Trail is one of the most beautiful in Georgia. It winds through a lush valley en route to Long Creek Falls, full of wildlife, flowers, steep cliffs, and soft moss in every season. The double-tiered waterfall rises over 50 feet before emptying into a deep pool, shadowed by bunches of rhododendron.
Yonah Mt. Hike Distance: 4.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed on-leash Recognizable by its asymmetric shape and exposed rock outcrops near the top, Yonah Mt. rises from the foothills of the southern Appalachian Mts. and is one of North Georgia’s best hikes. The continuous uphill hike climbs through a rocky, moss-filled forest leads to stunning panoramic views of the horizon. Check out the views from the rock outcrops along the way and at the summit, as practice some leaf-, flower-, and snow-spotting in all seasons.
Blood Mt. Loop via the Appalachian and Freeman Trails Hike Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Hard Dogs allowed on-leash Towering over the surrounding peaks, Blood Mt. is Georgia’s highest Appalachian Trail summit, rising high to 4,459 ft. at the summit’s massive rock outcrop, which offers sweeping, stunning views and a chance to explore the historic stone Blood Mt. Shelter. This loop explores quieter stretches, beginning at the Neels Gap trailhead and hiking the eastern face with the Byron Reece Trail. It merges with and follows the Appalachian Trail at Flatrock Gap to the summit, descending along the Freeman Trail, which leads back through a fern-filled valley.
Appalachian Trail: Three Forks to Springer Mt. Hike Distance: 8.6 miles Difficulty: Hard Dogs allowed on-leash Spanning from Maine down through the eastern United States, the Appalachian Trail winds to a stop here in North Georgia, its southernmost point. This hike traces the last steps of the trail and dips through the greek, creek-strewn Three Forks Valley before climbing to an end at the summit of Springer Mt. with the reward of the southern Appalachian Mts., blanketed in blue haze.
Ready to start your road trip? Book your Atlanta stay today.
While Virginia-based photographer Leah MacDaniel specializes in wedding photography, she has always had a passion for landscape work as well. As part of our Artist Fellowship Program, Leah recently took to Getaway Shenandoah for some uninterrupted time with her camera.
Leah, who owns and operates Flit Photography, she starting taking photos after she inherited a set of antique 35mm film cameras from an aunt who passed away.
“For a long time, those cameras felt too special to use, so I kept them carefully packed away and dutifully moved them with me from place to place,” Leah said. “However, when I started my journey with minimalism, I decided that I could no longer hold onto these cameras just as a sentimental token – they either needed to be useful to me or they needed to find a new home.”
Once she took the cameras out for a spin, Leah started sneaking around at night to search for new places to photograph. She began experimenting with portraiture after one of her friends let her photograph them.
“I am a firm believer that every person should have at least one portrait of themselves that makes them feel amazing,” Leah said. “I would love to be able to use portraiture in an affirming way to help trans youth feel comfortable and beautiful.”
In the short term though, Leah’s been dreaming of photographing a styled bridal shoot in a swamp. First though, she’ll have to find a client with the same vision.
While Getaway allowed Leah to be both bored and uncomfortable, it also allowed her to grow and enjoy the space she needed to create. Leah frequently craves solitude in nature, so our Outpost was the perfect place to escape to.
“As an introvert, my internal batteries get drained pretty quickly,” Leah said. “I don’t have to do anything fancy. I just need a quiet space where I can be alone with my thoughts and tune in to what I really need.”
Interested in a creative break of your own? Escape today.
Looking for a blend of classic and modern for your road trip to Getaway? On her recent Artist Fellowship at Getaway Blake Brook, Claire Gohst of indie rock project Paper Citizen put together her ideal escape playlist.
With a mix of classic hits and new indie rock tracks, Claire’s playlist is a great listen for a pleasant, upbeat drive to our Outposts. Listen along for some tunes from the Beatles, George Ezra, and Paper Citizen herself.
With the hustle and bustle of city life, we know it can be hard for artists to find uninterrupted time to create. That’s why we created our Artist Fellowship Program, to give creatives a space in nature to work on their projects. We love seeing what our artists come up with and we’re excited to share some of our recent fellows.
Illustrator and New Yorker Cartoonist Jeremy Nguyen has been drawing since he was a kid, but he didn’t start working his humor into his art until he was a teenager.
“I really try to look at everything and anything,” Jeremy notes. “Something can strike me about a current event, or a new exercise fad, or seeing someone mad for getting too much ice in their iced coffee. I love finding jokes in the minutiae, but I also love taking on broader ideas and contextualizing them in ridiculous situations.”
Jeremy, who recently escaped to Getaway Catskills, believes in taking frequent breaks and enjoys taking naps, grabbing coffee, or grocery shopping for restful moments. His dream projects include drawing a graphic novel, illustrating a board game, and collaborating with his favorite brands for global campaigns.
Zai Divechahas been a full-time sculpture artist for four years and in the beginning of her career, she worked primarily with metal. After feeling frustrated by the heavy machinery and toxic chemicals in her work, she decided to move to another medium.
“At the beginning of 2018, I made the switch to working with paper, and it changed everything,” Zai reflects. “I felt more engaged with my creative process, more playful and happy in my day-to-day life, and way more proud of the finished pieces.”
“Lately I’ve been making these white, monochromatic, textural sculptures and installations out of paper,” Zai said. “The process itself is meditative and calming, and my hope is that the finished pieces make the viewer feel quiet and peaceful inside.”
Zai, who recently escaped to our New York Outpost to create, said her dream is to create a large paper installation for a wedding.
“I love being able to subtly affect people’s moods with my work. It’s the best compliment when someone says, ‘I saw your work the other day, and it made me feel so calm,'” Zai says. “The idea of making something that could serve as the backdrop for an emotional life milestone appeals to me.”
Looking for a creative break of your own? Book your escape now.
If you’re looking for a gentle singer/songwriter playlist for your escape into nature, then we’ve found the perfect playlist for you.
Evelyn Frances, who’s escaping to our New York Outpost this August, put together her favorite tunes to listen to while she’s relaxing. Featuring Bjork, Maggie Rogers, Mountain Man, and more, her playlist is great for your mornings at Getaway.
One of our favorite things to do is read all of our guest feedback after Getaway trips—there are so many different folks who get away for different reasons, but all with the same goal of spending time with loved ones or alone out in nature.
Stacie Galiger is a math teacher at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia who wrote in about the challenges of being a single mom, and so we reached out to chat education, travel and single parenting. She’s been a teacher for sixteen years, and when her husband died her kids were two, five and eight years old.
“One of the things that terrified me the most about being a Single Mom was the fear that I wouldn’t be able to raise my daughters the way I had always envisioned—with lots of adventures, wild time and travel!
I didn’t want them to grow up feeling like their childhood had been compromised by our circumstances so I vowed to do whatever I could to raise them hiking, camping, paddling, climbing and exploring,”
Outdoor activities are natural de-stressors. The combined benefits of being in the outdoors with physical exercise is a double win; Stacie runs as a stress reliever and has done half marathons and other races in the past. She lives minimally and intentionally—her and her girls don’t have a TV and the three of them share a room and often have dance parties:
“Music is really important to me and helps me with everything from running faster, to calm down, to having dance parties with my kids! So Spotify premium is a splurge I love. The Discover Weekly playlists feel like a gift I get every week and I create playlists for pretty much everything,”
Hiking with the girls. Photo by Stacie Galiger.
Note: we’re big fans of playlists for drives, too. While technology has made life simpler in ways we don’t even think about anymore (imagine life before the iPod or without the ease of creating playlists) it has profoundly changed the way we live, and the way we educate:
“We have so many resources and are literally connected to the world from anywhere. It’s exciting, but I think it’s also changed the role of the teacher from one who disseminates information to a mentor who helps students find and discern the facts themselves. Our role to teach students to think critically has never been more important.”
Thinking critically is increasingly important in an era where we’re constantly moving, scrolling and always checking for the next notification or update. It’s also good to just pay attention, and Stacie’s tip for keeping balance in her own life is true to this spirit: “I try to get outside and really pay attention to everything as much as possible. Even if it’s just walking to dog around the block, I take the time to look at the moon or listen to birds while I do”.
“I try to get outside and really pay attention to everything as much as possible. Even if it’s just walking to dog around the block, I take the time to look at the moon or listen to birds while I do”.
Here are her top tips for single parents who want to travel with their kids and get outside:
Always pack snacks. This is such an important family rule that I painted it on our living room wall. Most travel meltdowns (child and adult) are caused by hanger and impatience. No one makes good decisions or is good company while hungry! When you’re on the road, you never know when and where you’ll be able to stop for food so always have some energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, etc.
Do your research ahead of time. When I was young and had no little people depending on me it was fun and exciting to get lost on a dirt road in Costa Rica, arrive in Prague without plans or reservations, and have no idea how I was getting from the airport to my friend’s apartment in Ireland. Now it’s really important and helpful to know what’s around us when we travel. I still love spontaneous stops and side adventures, but with three little kids depending on me all the time I feel much more comfortable going into things having some ideas about the locations we are headed to.
Don’t be afraid to change plans, adjust expectations and ask for help. I’m super stubborn so this was a hard one for me, but the bottom line is if the parent is stressed out the kids aren’t going to have a good experience. Getting out there is important and valuable and even if things don’t go to plan remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can and if the kids are having a good time and learning, that’s what’s important.
A big thank you to Stacie for all of her insight—you can follow her and her adventures on her blog here.
If you’re interested in contributing or being featured in our Journal, reach out to us at journal@getaway.house.
Those of us immersed in the buying, selling, growing and making of wine are often called on to answer the all-important question of what to drink in every given situation. So, we at Early Mountain winery in central Virginia are thrilled to share our recommendations for the campfire. Some reflections:
You are an expert Every wine drinker is an expert in their own tastebuds so speak with confidence at your favorite wine shop- sharing what flavors you generally like (feel free to use beer, cocktails, or wines you currently love as a reference) and don’t apologize for your preferences. If you like sweet and fruit driven flavors, citrus, spice, or a bit of edgy bitterness a knowledgeable wine salesperson can guide you appropriately. We promise it will work better than grabbing the prettiest label.
Consider the food Don’t get hung up with “rules” but some basic reference points can help guide you – sweet flavors (s’mores, anyone?) do best with fruit driven or sweet wines (Lambrusco, fresh young reds such as the Early Mountain Soif blend). Grilled pineapple shines with a demi-sec sparkling or Chenin Blanc. Grilled flavors sing with wines touched by smoky oak (Cabernet Franc, barrel aged Chardonnays). Mild flavors of seafood and veggies benefit from a zip of acidity (Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng).
Drink Local We encourage you to skip the supermarket mass brands and instead pop into a local wine shop or local winery to see what is happening close to your Getaway. Whether central Virginia, upstate NY, or Texas hill country, the last 10 years have brought an incredible surge in passionate quality winemaking in lesser known regions. And many of these wines don’t make it beyond their state borders, so make your Getaway a chance to discover something new.
And we’ll let you in on a secret – any wine tastes better when you’re relaxed, tuned out, and surrounded by friends. So pretty much any choice will be a win.
Find out more about Early Mountain here, or book an escape to Getaway Shenandoah and be sure to check them out on the way there or back.
Early Mountain Vineyards is just a short drive from Getaway Shenandoah, and home to an award-winning tasting room and sprawling vineyards. We asked them for tips on how to pair wine for your next campfire cooking session.
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