Quality of Life

Enjoy the best of what the Southern Appalachian Mountains have to offer in Dahlonega – Lumpkin County The community has a wide range of assets such as, a preserved historic downtown district, clear streams and scenic mountains. Our area also boasts an advantageous location with access to highly developed thoroughfares and The Military College of Georgia, University of North Georgia.

The wide range of employment opportunities, convenient access to quality educational facilities, shopping and community services opportunities make Dahlonega – Lumpkin County a growing destination for new families, retirees and second-home owners.

Residents enjoy numerous facilities to participate in a cultural, historical and leisure activities. From a thriving arts community, to impromptu mountain music, gold panning, phenomenal golf courses and other recreational venues, Dahlonega – Lumpkin County residents enjoy their chosen community to the fullest. Over the past 12 years, our downtown events and event businesses have grown dramatically. Venues, audiences, quality, and reputation boomed – so much so that the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce declared the arts as “Dahlonega’s New Gold Rush.” Hancock Park is one block from the Public Square and is a favorite place for people to gather and engage in events, such as First Friday Night Concerts and the Farmers Market.

Outdoor enthusiasts make this their prime destination for hiking, canoeing and kayaking, trout fishing, horseback riding, cycling, golf, mountain biking, four wheeling and some of the most magnificent motorcycle rides in the country.

Dahlonega’s downtown district is a visually resplendent and walkable village, with handsome historic commercial buildings, inviting public spaces and lush trees. Residents enjoy the intimacy of living “near the Square,” and those who live outside the district or out in the county frequently seek the downtown experience, walking, jogging, shopping and indulging in entertainment and fun in the serene pedestrian atmosphere. Residents easily access 29 professional service businesses, including banks, salons, insurance, dry cleaning, and health care in downtown Dahlonega. The downtown district also has 65 retail shops, 18 restaurants, five churches, a food market, a university and three parks.

The strength of the tourism effort can be confirmed by the partial list of awards/achievements listed below:

Georgia Exceptional Main Street 2017
Nominee for USA Today’s “Best Southern Small Town” 2017
Southern Living “The South’s Best Small Towns 2017”
Where to Retire “Delightful Downtown Cities” 2017
National Main Street Center “Great American Main Street City” 2016
Georgia Urban Forestry Greenspace Award 2016
TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals “America’s Prettiest Small Town Vacations” 2016
Architectural Digest “21 of the Best Small Towns in America” (#3) 2016
National Geographic Traveller’s 21 “Best of the World” destinations, 2016
USA Today/10 Best Readers’ Choice Award “Best Southern Small Town” (#4) 2015
USA Today/10 Best Readers’ Choice award “Best Summer Weekend Escape” 4th in the nation 2014
“Downtown Development Award of Excellence 2010” – Georgia Downtown Association
“Best Downtown”- Georgia Magazine Readers Choice 2007
“Best Wine Town Runner Up, Southern Dream Towns” – Garden & Gun Magazine
Top 20 Events – Old Fashioned Christmas and Annual Family 4th of July – Southeast Tourism Society

Others:
“Accredited National Main Street Program City”
“Preserve America Community” – President’s Council on Historic Preservation
“Georgia’s Wine Tasting Capital” – Georgia State Legislature
“Georgia’s Premier Sports Cycling Community” – Georgia State Legislature
“Appalachian Trail Community” – Appalachian Trail Conservancy
“Tree City USA Community”(16 years) – National Arbor Day Foundation