Day trips · Atlanta · United States
6 best day trips from Atlanta
Where to go when you want a day away from Atlanta, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mike Schinkel, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Atlanta is Stone Mountain Park (About 30 minutes by car). The closest option is Stone Mountain Park, about 25 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 6
- Closest
- Stone Mountain Park (25 km)
- Most popular
- Stone Mountain Park
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Mountain Park | 25 km | About 30 minutes by car | Car or ride-hail | Families, First-timers |
| Athens | 110 km | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car | Culture, Nightlife, Solo travellers |
| Helen | 140 km | About 1 hour 45 minutes by car | Car | Families, Couples |
| Chattanooga | 190 km | About 2 hours by car | Car | Families, First-timers |
| Tallulah Gorge State Park | 160 km | About 2 hours by car | Car | Couples, Quiet stays |
| Callaway Gardens | 130 km | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car | Families, Couples, Quiet stays |
The day trips
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25 km · About 30 minutes by car
1.Stone Mountain Park
A huge granite dome rising about 250 metres above the surrounding forest, with a walk-up trail of about 1.6 km to the summit and a cable car for the less energetic. Its north face carries a large carved relief of Confederate leaders, and the park around it has lakes, trails and family attractions.
- Getting there
- Car or ride-hail
- Best for
- Families, First-timers
110 km · About 1 hour 30 minutes by car
2.Athens
The college town of the University of Georgia, known for its music scene that produced R.E.M. and the B-52's. Downtown has record shops, bars and the Georgia Theatre, and the campus North Quad and State Botanical Garden are pleasant to walk.
- Getting there
- Car
- Best for
- Culture, Nightlife, Solo travellers
140 km · About 1 hour 45 minutes by car
3.Helen
A small mountain town rebuilt in Bavarian Alpine style, with tubing on the Chattahoochee River in summer and a long-running Oktoberfest. Unicoi State Park and Anna Ruby Falls are a short drive away for forest walks.
- Getting there
- Car
- Best for
- Families, Couples
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190 km · About 2 hours by car
4.Chattanooga
A river city in Tennessee with the Tennessee Aquarium, the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge and Lookout Mountain, home to Rock City and the underground Ruby Falls waterfall. It works as a long day trip or a one-night stay.
- Getting there
- Car
- Best for
- Families, First-timers
160 km · About 2 hours by car
5.Tallulah Gorge State Park
A gorge almost 3 km long and up to about 300 metres deep in the North Georgia mountains, with rim trails, waterfall overlooks and a suspension bridge across the gorge. Permits are needed to hike down to the gorge floor.
- Getting there
- Car
- Best for
- Couples, Quiet stays
130 km · About 1 hour 30 minutes by car
6.Callaway Gardens
A large resort garden in Pine Mountain with azalea trails, a lake beach and a glass butterfly conservatory. Its Fantasy in Lights drive-through display is a popular December outing.
- Getting there
- Car
- Best for
- Families, Couples, Quiet stays
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Atlanta?
Stone Mountain Park. A huge granite dome rising about 250 metres above the surrounding forest, with a walk-up trail of about 1.6 km to the summit and a cable car for the less energetic.
+How long does it take to get from Atlanta to Stone Mountain Park?
About 30 minutes by car — Car or ride-hail, about 25 km.
+How long does it take to get from Atlanta to Athens?
About 1 hour 30 minutes by car — Car, about 110 km.