Spring Break 2012 Ideas, Travel Tips, and Entertainment for All

Calling Spring Breakers! Spring break is a week of no homework, no classes, and no after school activities. Will you be struggling to keep your kids busy and entertained? Well, parents, look no further. We have some great ideas of where to go to get your kids out of the house, have tons-of-fun, and create lots of memories! The spring weather is around 75 degrees, it's a perfect time for people of all ages to enjoy the many outdoor adventures that Georgia has to offer. Time to hit the road and take a trip to the North Georgia Mountains!

Just north of Atlanta, a resort is waiting for you where the river flows, the activities are plentiful, and the mountains are yours to explore. Not only that-- you can find all of this at hotel prices! Yes, a resort at hotel prices! The Villas at Coosawattee offers cabins and villas with options such as fireplaces, hot tubs, and lofts for an accommodation that is perfect for your traveling entourage.

And the resort features some pretty amazing amenities! The kids will have a blast at the Fishtrap Park while you meander over the suspension bridge, taking in all of the sights and sounds of the Coosawattee River. Visit the Recreation center for relaxation and rejuvenation or to tap into your competitive and adventurous side. With activities ranging from the heated indoor pool and fitness center to tennis courts, a fun-tastic arcade, and miniature golf, the center has a little of something for everyone. And reconnecting with nature has never been easier with fishing ponds, walking trails, picnic & cook-out facilities, and six peaceful parks throughout the property.

The surrounding area outside of the resort is also chock-full of things to do too! Here's a sampling: Whether looking for adventure like horse-back riding (Fort Mountain Stables) or golfing (White Path Golf) or exercise such as mountain bike riding (Bear Creek Trail) or hiking (Oak Ridge Nature Trail) or picturesque locations like waterfalls (Julie Anna Falls and Mountain Creek) and rivers (River Loop), Ellijay has PLENTY to do during Spring Break travels. Dining and shopping are also fantastic choices as the North Georgia Mountains offers some delectable cuisine (Charlie's Italian Restaurant), unique boutiques (Bella), and outlet malls (North Georgia Premium Outlets).

The resort is 75 miles north of Atlanta or 70 miles south of Chattanooga off of Highway 515 in Ellijay. Turn onto Old State Route 5 and then take a right towards Historic Downtown Ellijay. Travel for approximately 4 miles and take a left onto GA Hwy 382 / Green’s Country Store. Travel up the hill for .6 miles and take a right into the main entrance of The Coosawattee River Resort. Check in for The Villas is located at The POA office, which is approximately a half mile from the gate on the right. For more information about The Villas, call (706) 276-1075 or visit http://www.thevillasatcoosawattee.com

Summer Retreat Exploring North Georgia

Is the mid-summer, sweltering heat making you want to retreat to the cool mountains? Cool off in the mountains this summer with an inexpensive vacation before the kids go back to school. Take a staycation in the North Georgia Mountains at The Villas at Coosawattee with resort amenities and activities, playing around Ellijay, heading to the local day-spa, engaging in wine-tasting, getting some thrills golf mountain-side, as well as exploring Blue Ridge, Blairsville, & Dawsonville.

Calling all you folks around the North Georgia area! Is that mid-summer sweltering-hot heat making you want to retreat to the cool mountains? Need to take a little vacation before the kids head back to school? Is the economy getting you down with gas prices soaring? Well, we have the perfect solution for you-- a staycation in the North Georgia Mountains ! Whether you live in Atlanta , Athens , Savannah , or from parts of the area within 150 miles of Ellijay, we have a great staycation waiting for you.

First off, The Villas at Coosawattee River Resort is the perfect place to take a staycation. The resort offers a vast array of activities included in the price of the rental (starting around $105 per night). The Recreation Center boasts a Junior Olympic sized heated indoor pool, tennis courts, putt putt golf, arcade games, and a work-out gym with updated equipment. The Teen Center and Pool II are two outdoor pools, and the resort features six gorgeous parks where visitors can engage in activities ranging from fishing, camping, picnicking and grilling, horseshoes, and so much more. And a huge attraction is The General Store’s kayaking and tubing down the Coosawattee River . The location also serves up breakfast and lunch and has many seasonal events such as summer-time Pickin’ on the Porch.

Now for the adventure and fun: head over to The Alley in Ellijay for lots of cool, indoor adventure. Bowling, laser tag, bouncers, build-a-bear shop, arcade games, and a snack bar are all under one roof, making for a complete afternoon or evening of fun. Visit Mini Huck’s next to Wal-Mart for some wet and wild fun with a giant water slide, carousel swings, water balls, jumping pillow, bouncer, and more. Or catch a movie at the quaint East Towne Cinema which features special matinees as well as evening 7pm and 9pm shows.

With a short drive north, take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad through the beautiful Toccoa River area in a vintage climate controlled or open air railcar. And while you’re in Blue Ridge , be sure to stroll the shopping and dining district for all sorts of gems, treasures, and delicacies. Then further north in Blairsville, The Misty Mountain Train Museum features America 's largest O-gauge train display: 3,400 sq. ft. layout with 14 O-gauge trains traveling on a mile of track over 12 bridges and 4 trestles and through 15 tunnels. Or over in Dawsonville, check out the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, which has free admission and loads of cars on display. Dawsonville also has The North Georgia Premium Outlets where you can find impressive savings at designer, specialty, and name-brand stores.

In regard to the surrounding attractions, several locations can give you a piece of the great outdoors with a dose of the wild. The Kangaroo Conservation Center exhibits hundreds of kangaroos of 9 species, and the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve has over 100 animals onsite with many different species. Amicalola Falls features 729 foot falls, the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River . An 8.5 mile approach trail leads from the park to Springer Mountain , the southern end of the 2,135-mile Appalachian Trail with numerous other trails for shorter journeys. For the adventuresome staycationer, pan for some gold at the Crisson Gold Mine which actually was a pit gold mine that was established in 1847 and worked commercially until the early 1980s.

And don’t forget to take some time to pamper yourself and relax. Spend some time wine tasting, which you could spend an entire staycation in wine-tasting at Sharp Mountain Wineries, Three Sisters, Wolf Mountain, Frogtown Cellars, and Crane Creek—to name a few. Or make some reservations at Spectra Hair & Dayspa for massages, facials, pedicures, and more. And experience the thrill of golfing with one of the best courses in the northwest Georgia area. White Path Golf Course features 18 holes on a beautiful and challenging mountain golf course, with a driving range and practice green available. The golf course is open to the public.

Saving money and staying close to home don’t mean not having fun. Discover what the North Georgia Mountains has to offer while taking a staycation at The Villas at Cooswattee and exploring the North Georgia Mountains. You and your entourage will discover a whole world of adventure and excitement right in your own backyard.

The Women's Vacation Getaway

Women Traveling Solo? Women Traveling Together? Want a Girls Weekend Out? We have the destination for you! Visit the Blue Ridge Mountains and stay at The Villas at Coosawattee River Resort. You will be nestled in the peaceful, tranquil, and relaxing resort with a heated pool and fitness center at your finger tips. Bask in the sun or stretch out your muscles while enjoying the fresh air and nature’s sights in the Blue Ridge Mountains. And only a short drive out of the resort, you will find places to pamper yourself, shop, dine, and engage in wine tasting.

Accommodations

The Villas at Coosawattee River Resort is a gated vacation retreat, perfect for you women traveling solo or in groups. Select villas feature hot tubs, perfect for chatting into the evening with your friends. Accommodations are friendly, quaint, and comfortable—and prices are reasonable. Cabins start at $95.00, and villas, A-Frames, and condos are also available. The rentals are distributed throughout the resort in the most beautiful locations—along the river, at the highest points, and nestled in the woods.

Resort Amenities

Included in your stay is the use of the varied and expansive resort amenities—heated pool, sunning decks, fitness center, outdoor pools, and tennis. Of course, all of the attributes of nature are yours to enjoy as well, whether hiking, strolling, picture taking, star gazing, or meditating by the river or pond. The Villas at Coosawattee allows you to unwind, disconnect, and relax—or wind up, reconnect, and energize-- whichever the retreat has in store, The Villas at Coosawattee River Resort has the accommodations and amenities!

Pamper Yourself

While enjoying your stay at The Villas at Coosawattee River Resort, venture out of the gates to the city of East Ellijay for spa treatments. Spa Glisson is the hottest day spa in North Georgia. The comfortable, relaxed, and professional atmosphere welcomes the first time spa-goer as well as those who are avid spa enthusiasts. The spa offers body treatments such as massage, wraps, and scrubs, facials & facial massages, ear candling, hydrotherapy, and more.

Spectra Hair Creations in Ellijay offers precision hair design, spa pedicures, and spa manicures in a relaxing and rustic salon. The stylists specialize in cuts, color, and hair extensions. Whether you want to add a little color, change your hairstyle, or get that special style for a night out on the town, the personable staff creates a look that fits what you want and fits you. Or maybe you want to spruce up your nails or have your toes sparkle for those summer sandals—relax and let the professionals at Spectra take care of you.

Shopping

Outside of The Villas at Coosawattee River Resort is, the Ellijay Square Shops, which hosts a potpourri of shops to wander through. The shops art, candles, antiques, gifts, collectibles, and more. For a refreshing break from your shopping excursion, have a seat in the square and enjoy the sights & sounds of the water fountain or treat yourself to some homemade fudge.

Further up the road is the historic Blue Ridge and McCaysville where a shopping trip for Appalachian arts and crafts, pottery, quilts, antiques, mountain home furnishings, apples, smoked trout, and even hand-made alpaca sweaters and shawls, is in store! Antique shoppers can spend unlimited time snooping through a growing number of shops and antique malls from Blue Ridge to McCaysville and back. Blue Ridge's Main Street is dotted with unique specialty shops, galleries and eateries from one end to the other.

And if outlet shopping is more your style, checking out the North Georgia Premium Outlets is a must. The shopper can find impressive savings at Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole Haan, Gap Outlet, Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Restoration Hardware, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Williams-Sonoma and more.

Wine Tasting

Maybe wine-tasting is in your sights? Corks and Crumbs in the Ellijay Square offers a wonderful introduction to North Georgia’s wine country. This quaint little bakery and bistro with a wine tasting room is located in the middle of the Ellijay square, perfect for a walk around the fountain and peeking into all the shops. But don’t do all your shopping in the square as Corks and Crumbs is also an antique shop! The bakery and bistro offers a full menu of salads, sandwiches, soups, and brunch. Enjoy a delicious glass of award winning Frogtown Cellars Wine with your meal-- the wait staff at the Tasting Bar is happy to make a recommendation. Or have a seat at the Tasting Bar and chose from a wide array of Frogtown Cellars Wines..

A little further away is the Sharp Mountain Vineyards, which is perfect for a day's outing. Pack a picnic, enjoy a beautiful mountain drive, and take a tour & tasting for just $5. Savor your picnic at our Pavilion while drinking in the beautiful view – rows and rows of espaliered vines against a backdrop of blue-green rolling hills and a commanding view of herself. Sharp Mountain Vineyards was established with a single focus: to produce the best quality wines possible. Unlike growth-oriented and machine-dominated vineyards, Sharp Mountain Vineyards produces approximately 8 tons annually with winery capacity of 7,000 bottles per year. All of the wines produced at are unfiltered and very low in sulfites, and the dry wines have zero residual sugar.

So, when you are looking for a women’s get-away, whether solo or as a group, North Georgia has you covered with accommodations featuring an array of amenities, places for pampering head to toe, a vast array of shopping spots, and delectable wine tasting too. Directions to The Villas at Coosawattee River Resort are as follows: off of 515 turn onto Old State Route 5. Take a right towards Historic Downtown Ellijay for approximately 4 miles. Take a left onto GA Hwy 382 / Green’s Country Store. Up the hill (.6 miles) take a right into the main entrance of The Coosawattee River Resort. For more information about The Villas at Coosawattee River Resort, please visit http://www.thevillasatcoosawattee.com or call 706-276-1075.