Around Atlanta: Enjoying the Fall Season

Check out these Four wonderful places to visit during the Fall Season.

Located North of the Atlanta area, toward the North Georgia Mountains: Burt’s Farm, Fausett Farm, Amicalola State Park, Gibbs Gardens.

All four sites are fairly close to each other. You could make a long day or weekend excursion with the family.

Burt’s Farm

5 Burts Pumpkin Farm Rd.

Dawsonville, GA 30534

website: https://www.burtsfarm.com/

Burt’s has a huge selection of pumpkins, and other fall decor. I have not seen a better selection of pumpkins in the Atlanta area. There are many different sizes and colors, and the prices are great. There are wheelbarrows to hold your pumpkins so you can wheel them to checkout and out to your car. Burt’s offers tractor hay rides that are fun for kids and families. There are many different foods and treats to buy and sample at Burt’s. You can push a stroller around the area, but it is definitely easier without a stroller. The earlier in the season, and the earlier in the day you go, the crowds and parking are fairly easy. If you go at peak times, expect to park farther away and contend with large crowds.

We live in Marietta, and it takes us a little over an hour to get to Burt’s.

Fausett Farms Horse Trails and Sunflowers

11336 HWY 136 West

Dawsonville, GA 30534

website: http://www.fausettfarmshorsetrails.com/home.html

You will see Fausett Farms on your way to Burt’s, and it is worth a stop. We have never done the horse trails. If you want more information about the horse trails, visit the website. We have visited Fausett Farms to see the sunflowers. In years past, the sunflowers have seemed better. I’m not sure why that is. I don’t know if they rotate the fields, or if it’s the natural life of a sunflower field?? Some of my photos are from last year (you can really see the difference in the sunflowers). You can buy sunflowers at the farm. The sunflower fields are great for photos. You can walk in the fields. There are a few tractors for kids to sit on, and one staged area with decor. The fields are somewhat stroller-friendly. You probably could push a stroller around if you had to. But, it is much easier to get around without one. The day we visited, it was pretty muddy with a lot of soft ground, and a stroller would have been challenging. There is a donkey or horse wagon ride, that we have never been on because it is always too hot when we are there.

Amicalola Falls State Park

418 Amicalola Falls Road

Dawsonville, GA 30534

website: https://www.amicalolafallslodge.com/ga-state-park/

If you like to walk on trails and visit waterfalls, Amicalola Falls is worth a trip. The state park is very close to Burt’s and Fausett Farms. If you go during peak times, especially in the Fall, be prepared to have trouble parking. Go as early as possible to avoid parking troubles. We visited in an off-peak time, and were able to park with no problem. There is a trail that will take you toward the waterfall. You can take pictures from different views along the way. There are a LOT of steps, so be prepared for some serious calf-burn. But, my son did the climb at 6 years old, and he was fine. You can rest along the way if you get tired, or if serious leg-burn sets in. This is not a stroller friendly climb. You can go part-way, or all of the way up. If you go all of the way up, you will arrive at the Lodge. There are pretty views of the North Georgia Mountains from the Lodge.

Gibbs Gardens

1987 Gibbs Drive

Ball Ground, GA 30107

website: https://www.gibbsgardens.com/

Gibbs is known for it’s daffodils in early spring. But, in the Fall the Japanese Maples and the water lilies are in bloom. There are many different paths to explore, each path leading to a different area with collections of flowers. Blooms will depend on what time of year that you visit. You can take kids and families. Honestly, I enjoyed myself more when I went solo. Without kids, you will have more opportunity to really enjoy the gardens and really get to look at everything. I enjoyed just being able to sit and relax in the gardens. When we took my son, I feel like I did not get to “see” anything. The gardens are stroller-friendly. There are many lovely photo opportunities.