We stayed 2 nights at the Amicalola Lodge in the state park, which is pretty nice, but had a very mediocre dinner in their restaurant (which for lunch has a decent buffet).
We drove around north Georgia the next day, found a nice wine bar in Blue Ridge (which is an interesting touristy town). Came back through Dahlonega and had a nice dinner this time at a place we know. Dahlonega is "famous" for having the first gold rush in the US. Hiked a couple miles at Woody Gap;
Next day we drove to Highlands, NC, stopping in Clarksville and later Clayton, which is another pretty nice touristy town that once was drying up and blowing away. The winery I wanted to check out was closed for the season. Had lunch at a Cuban place that was really good.
Found a beer rooftop in Clayton:
Our route guidance to the motel was ... goofy, finally found it, way up in the mountains, I thought it was nice enough but the wife said it was only OK. They have a steak house which was busy and quite good, Oak Steakhouse, small chain. Left the next day stopping in Clayton again, the weather was turning on us, so finally just drove home. Hit major traffic in ATL, huh.
