Dahlonega is a small rural town that draws plenty of tourists. It provides a good stop for lunch, or to browse the shops that surround the courthouse at the center of town.
During my visit to Dahlonega, traffic was crawling through town, and finding a parking spot was no easy task. Of course, it was a weekend day in the middle of summer, so I’m sure the congestion would ease up during the week.
At the very center of town you’ll find the old Lumpkin County Courthouse, which serves as home for the Dahlonega Gold Museum. On display are chunks of gold and some of the coins minted at the Dahlonega Mint in the decades before the Civil War.
I had hoped that, by wandering away from the crowded center of town, I’d find something less touristy and more authentic. I didn’t. The only area of interest was a park, a few blocks from the center of town. Its main feature is this Christmas tree shaped iron sculpture, featuring silhouettes depicting animals and mountain life.
Note: This trip was first published in 2006.
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