Attractions

Dawson County offers a wide variety of exciting experiences for the entire family. Visitors to our historic North Georgia mountain community can find great opportunities for shopping, outdoor adventure or just enjoying some of our local events and festivals.

Below you'll find a list of the most popular attractions in Dawson County. For more information about these and other attractions, please contact the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce at (706) 265-6278.

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge

Dawson County is home to 729-foot Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Amicalola Falls State Park surrounds the falls, and the Amicalola Falls Lodge is located at the top of the falls. All of the 57 rooms in the lodge offer spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Recreational activities include hiking, trout fishing, and sightseeing on the 1,020 acres of natural surroundings. Accommodations include the Amicalola Falls Lodge, The Maple Restaurant, meeting rooms, cabins, campsites, and the Len Foote Hike Inn, a secluded getaway for hikers. Special programs are offered March through December.

Phone: (706) 265-4703 for park information or (800) 573-9656 for lodging
Website: Amicalola Falls State Park

Appalachian Trail

An 8 mile approach leading from Amicalola Falls State Park begins the 78 mile Georgia portion of this famous hiking trail to Maine. Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is located 8.5 miles north of Amicalola Falls.

Phone: (706) 265-4703 (Amicalola Falls State Park)
Website: Appalachian Trail

Atlanta Motorsports Park

Atlanta Motorsports Park is a private membership club and motorsports playground where family, friends, and businesses come together to share and celebrate their passion for driving. Set in the breathtaking Blue Ridge mountains near Dawsonville, – just 45 minutes north of Buckhead – Atlanta Motorsports Park’s facilities include a Formula One designed 2-mile road course for members and clients. Also, AMP is home to America’s most unique karting circuit with elevation changes found nowhere else in the world.

Phone: (678) 381-8527
Website: Atlanta Motorsports Park

Bowen Center for the Arts  

Located in the historic “Old Rock School” in downtown Dawsonville, The Bowen Center for the Arts offers breathtaking gallery shows, exciting theater productions, exceptional musical presentations and fun-filled social events.   Community camps and classes offer wonderful training opportunities for individuals to develop skills that can be shared in the county and abroad.  Visit the Bowen Center artist gallery and gift shop to find items created by local artists.

Phone: (706) 216-2787 (ARTS)
Website: Bowen Center for the Arts

Burt's Farm

A unique experience for all ages and a North Georgia tradition! Burt's Farm offers 40 acres of home grown pumpkins, popcorn, Indian corn, and ornamental gourds. Hayrides are offered September 1 - November 15. Located on GA 52, just south of Amicalola Falls State Park.

Phone: (706) 265-3701
Website: Burt's Pumpkin Farm

Regal Dawson 400 Cinemas 10

Enjoy a movie at our state-of-the-art cinema.

Phone: (706) 216-1622
Website: Regal Dawson 400 Cinemas 10

Dawson County Historic Courthouse & Jail

The Dawson County Historic Courthouse is located on the square in downtown Dawsonville. It was built in 1858 and added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1980. The Historic Courthouse is the oldest working courthouse in the state, and houses 5 offices and a courtroom. The Old Jail is located just off the Square and houses 9th District Opportunity, a private non-profit corporation. Visitors are welcome to come and tour the old prison cells and former living quarters of the county sheriff. Please call ahead for visitation hours. 54 Highway 53 W, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534

Phone: (706) 265-3744

Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery

Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery is a legal moonshine distillery, located in the heart of “The Moonshine Capital of the World” – Dawsonville, GA. Spirits are made from traditional recipes that have been passed down through the family for over 150 years.  Free tours of the distillery and free samples of moonshine are available. 

Phone: (706) 344-1210
Website: Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery

Dawsonville Pool Room

Made famous by owner Gordon Pirkle, the Pool Room offers a family atmosphere containing an rare and unique collection of history and memorabilia on Bill Elliott's NASCAR career and early moonshine runners. The menu includes the famous made from scratch Bully Burgers and fresh-cut fries.

Phone: (706) 265-2792

Discover Dawson Driving Tours

From Dawsonville, access to the beautiful North Georgia countryside is simply a matter of picking a point on the compass and pointing your automobile in the right direction. The southern Appalachian Mountains loom over the foothills to the south and west with incredible views of nearby peaks including Springer Mountain, Burnt Mountain and Disharoon Mountain. On a clear day, the skyline of Atlanta, more than 40 miles distant, can be seen from several vantages. Choose from 5 scenic routes through the beautiful countryside of Dawson County and surrounding communities.

Phone: (706) 265-6278
Website: Dawson County Driving Tours

Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Museum

Learn about the history of stock car racing and prominent members of Georgia's racing heritage. Vintage race cars are on display outside and in, including the first NASCAR race car driven by Bill Elliott, moonshine cars, a car driven by the late Casey Elliott, the car owned by Raymond Parks and driven by Lloyd Seay, and the Gober Sosebee '39 Ford, which won Daytona no fewer than three times. "Saturday Night Drive-In Theatre” is a themed exhibit where you can sit in old cars to watch a movie.

Phone: (706) 265-3256
Website: Georgia Racing Hall of Fame

Lake Lanier 

At 39,000 acres, Lake Lanier is the largest lake in Georgia and offers exciting outdoor activities including beach and park access, camping, fishing, boating, swimming, and other water sports.

Phone: (404) 945-9531 (US Army Corps of Engineers)
Website: Lake  Lanier

North Georgia Premium Outlets

140 name-brand outlet stores in an attractive outdoor village setting. Stores include Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole Haan, Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Liz Claiborne, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Restoration Hardware, Williams-Sonoma Outlet and more.

Phone: (706) 216-3609
Website: North Georgia Premium Outlets

Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze

Uncle Shuck's offers a unique twist to the time-honored fall trip to the pumpkin patch. The Corn Maze is a fun family activity for the young and old!

Phone: (888) OSHUCKS
Website: Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze

For more information about these and other attractions in Dawson County, please contact the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce at (706) 265-6278