Atlanta Day Trips: Stone Mountain and Beyond

November 5, 2026

Most day trips from Atlanta need a car, because MARTA rail stops well inside the Perimeter. Stone Mountain is the closest, and the north Georgia mountains lie 65 to 90 miles away. Distances are approximate, and hours and prices change by season.

Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Park is about 16 miles east of downtown, about 30 minutes by car. The granite dome carries a large carving of Confederate leaders Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The memorial was proposed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and in 1915 the Ku Klux Klan announced its re-founding in a ceremony on the summit. The carving was unveiled in 1970 and finished in 1972, and Georgia law bars altering or removing it. The Atlanta History Center describes the mountain as a natural wonder turned Confederate monument, and many visitors treat the visit as a lesson in how that memorial came about. Read the Atlanta History Center’s account before you go.

Parking costs $20 per vehicle per day and covers the walk-up trail, which the park describes as 1 mile, while other sources measure about 1.3 miles each way. Bare granite is slick in rain and exposed to lightning, so skip the climb in wet weather or when storms threaten. Wear shoes with good tread. The Summit Skyride and other rides need an Attractions Ticket, reported at about $40 for adults. The classic Lasershow was retired after 40 years, and the park now runs the Music Across America Drone & Light Show, with the classic show returning on a few dates. Check the park’s ticket page and calendar.

Dahlonega wine country

Dahlonega is about 65 miles north, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car. The town surrounds a historic square and lies near vineyards including Wolf Mountain Vineyards, Montaluce Winery and Cavender Creek Vineyards. Tasting rooms keep their own hours, so check each winery’s page, and plan a designated driver.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

The railway runs a 26-mile round trip from Blue Ridge to McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, along the Toccoa River, with two-hour and four-hour options. The 2026 calendar listed seasons from February 28 to May 31, June 1 to September 18 and September 19 to November 3. See the railway’s site for the current schedule. Blue Ridge is about 90 miles from Atlanta, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes by car.

Helen and Anna Ruby Falls

Helen, a Bavarian-style village, is about 85 miles northeast. Anna Ruby Falls, nearby, charges about $5 per person aged 16 and up, opens from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 4 p.m. and has free parking. Children are free.

Athens

Athens is about 70 miles east and is home to the University of Georgia. The campus and downtown music venues make an easy day outing.

Chattahoochee River

The river north of the city is popular for floating, but it is dangerous when Buford Dam or Morgan Falls Dam releases water, because levels can rise by several feet within minutes. Call the Army Corps release line at 770-945-1466 or the Morgan Falls line at 404-329-1455 before going. The water is cold, and everyone should wear a life jacket. The stretch near the city is calm, flat-water floating.

For guided trips from the city, search Atlanta day trips on Viator .