Not-your-average Valentine’s Day – Four Memorable, Romantic Adventures
Adventure lovers and true romantics can have a Valentine’s Day to remember at three locations not far from Atlanta. Instead of the usual chocolates and long waits at a restaurant, take your love to new heights, stay in a cozy cabin or treehouse, or create a heart-melting love spell with a Fairy Godmother at a luxury resort. Here are four options:
I Heart You at Fort Mountain State Park
Fort Mountain State Park near Chatsworth offers couples rock-solid proof that their love can stand the test of time. Standing high up atop Fort Mountain and gazing out over the Chatsworth valley is an old stone fire tower with a romantic feature: a rustically lovely, heart-shaped stone centered just above the tower’s window. The story: a young stone mason building the tower for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s hand-carved and set the “heart rock” in the tower in honor of his sweetheart, who later became his wife of 59 years! With the creation of the “heart rock,” this young mason literally and figuratively set his love in stone for all the world to see.
In addition to the “heart rock,” Fort Mountain State Park offers over 14 miles of companionable walking trails, 15 snug cottages with fireplaces or wood stoves, and four romantically-isolated back country campsites. There will be a guided hike to the fort on February 14.
All across the state at Georgia State Parks, couples can celebrate being together on winter wonderland hikes, picnics under the stars and full-moon wagon rides, as well as at a variety of romantic accommodations and specials for couples planning a weekend escape. Looking for a luxury splurge? Smithgall Woods State Park “cottages,” which are really luxury homes to die for, right on a bubbling stream. Smithgall Woods is just a few miles from Helen, Georgia, too, which is a quaint little Bavarian Village set in the mountains of North Georgia.
Flying Hearts at Historic Banning Mills
Adventure lovers can take on a new kind of romantic venture at Historic Banning Mills near Whitesburg, about 45 mins West of Atlanta. What’s more romantic than an exhilarating day of zipping through the woods, then relaxing with an in-room Jacuzzi in your personal tree house room?
Banning Mills tree house suites are perfect for couples and include a jetted tub, fireplace, bathroom and panoramic forest views with rope bridge access. The rooms are made from heart pine logs featuring Aspen Log king beds and pillow top mattress. The comfortable stand-alone tree house rooms enable couples to “stay high” all day and night – you can zip, climb, soar and sleep in the treetops. Massages and meals can be arranged.
The Screaming Eagle zip-line canopy tour at Banning Mills was named the Guinness World Record holder for The Longest continuous Zip-Wire (line) course / tour in the world. The tour includes sky bridges, ropes challenge courses, zip lines that take guests up to 60 MPH and offer exceptional scenic views of the naturally preserved and historic landscape below. This will be a Valentine’s Day couples are sure to remember. For additional information, reservations or lodging options, please visit Banning Mills website or call 770-834-9149.
Rates, Discounts and Package:
February deal: Mention “smooch15” and guests can “buy one get one free Forest zip line canopy tour”.
Package:
One Night Stay in a Creekside Jacuzzi or Pine Log Cabin Room, Five Course Gourmet Meal and Full Country Breakfast the following morning, $299 (all inclusive) or 323.00 (all inclusive) for a Tree House Room.
Love Spells by a Fairy Godmother at Barnsley Resort
Near Adairsville, Georgia, Barnsley Resort’s fairytale setting and stunning scenery alone could make it the ultimate couple’s getaway with cozy cottage settings, beautiful landscaped gardens, preserved ruins and private dining locales such as the historic ruins, a hidden bamboo garden or fireside butler service.
But more than this, Barnsley has a Fairy Godmother (yes her real title) on staff whose sole job is to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
In addition to her regular menu of “Love Spell Experiences” for 2015, Fairy has created A Black Tie Affair love spell ($225) for Valentine’s celebrations. Return from dinner to find tea light candles in your room, setting the mood for romance. Share a bottle of sparkling wine and decadent chocolate truffles for a sweet treat to end a special evening. Open an elegant gift box filled with surprises, including Barnsley Resort’s signature bubble bath.
Additionally for that weekend, lovebirds can enjoy a Valentine’s Day Package including:
- Two-night stay in a luxurious cottage
- Complimentary breakfast, chocolate truffle sweetheart gift and a special four-course gourmet dinner in the Rice House
- $100 resort credit for additional dining or activities such as horseback riding or spa treatments
- Moonlit horse drawn carriage rides on Friday and Saturday evenings
- Rate start at $500 for Manor Room Accommodations.
Whether for Valentine’s Day, your Anniversary, his or her birthday, or just any weekend that calls for romance, you won’t have to go far to get away in the Atlanta area. Taking a drive away from home to celebrate any important date can be so much fun!
Holly E says
Lots of great ideas! The Barnsley Resort looks really nice.
Julie Wood says
What great places to go and see for Valentine’s Day! I would love to go to see Love Spells by a Fairy Godmother at Barnsley Resort in Georgia. It looks gorgeous and romantic!
Anne says
We’ve been talking about moving from this cold snowy New England, and the Atlanta area is one we’ve been looking at. And I must say it looks mighty good right about now! The Fort Mountain State Park, in particular, would be a good destination for me. Thanks.
slehan says
I’ve never been ziplining. Looks like fun.
slehan at juno dot com
Sheri says
These all look like great choices! I need to book some travel time in Georgia.
Alison says
Okay I want a Fairy Godmother! Too far to travel for V-Day for us though. Maybe one day when my boys are older. 🙂
Gina Turner says
I love Georgia, we don’t get there enough, some great places to visit next time we make a trip down there.
Stephanie Keeping says
A lot of great places! I would like the resort!
Jeannette says
We’re in NC so we’re not too far from Georgia! We may have to check some of these out!
MomMaven says
I want a ob where my title is Fairy Godmother! That sounds like a great place.
Liz Mays says
I want to explore them all. They look really fun, and Georgia could be a weekend destination for me.
Avry says
I want to go on vacation so bad! Some of these places look heavenly.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
It all looks so great!! But I really want to see that heart rock in person!
Cat Davis says
Oh wow, some of those places are gorgeous. We’ve always driven through Georgia but never actually stopped to enjoy what the state has to offer.
crystal says
Those look like such fun ways to spend time together with your valentine. My husband and I have a stay cation planned & I couldn’t be more excited.
Crystal says
Georgia is a beautiful place, Valentine’s Day or not. I really love that rock, though, and the zipline looks like so much fun!
Lynsey Jones says
We love Atlanta – and everything around it. It’s just a day trip for us so we zip up there often. My mom lived in Dacula for years. I love Georgia.
AutumnBluesReviews says
These places are all so beautiful. I can’t wait to take a long vacation this summer, or more than one. Outer Banks, North Carolina is a favorite of our family. This year hitting the west coast to visit my daughter and anything that catches our interest.
Jen says
Our oldest has a heart condition, so a family tradition is looking for heart-shaped rocks whenever we’re on nature walks. I’d love to show her the heart rock!
Veronica Lee says
Georgia is beautiful. Would love to visit someday.
Sandy Cain says
I have to get down to Georgia sometime! Everything I read and see about makes me want to go! I have no one to share Valentine’s Day with, but I’d still love to see the sights!
Tamra Phelps says
I love the Smithgall Woods State Park photo! I had never heard of that spot, but I need to put it on my list of places to see!