Georgia On My Mind
Travel Excursion
Plantation House Stone Mountain Georgia - Photo by
Patrice Raplee
By Patrice Raplee
As dusk approaches in Alpharetta, Georgia, the warm sultry air conducts
a symphony of crickets and tiny flickering lights from fireflies dancing
across the lush backdrop of forested greenways. Residents and travelers
seek a leisurely stroll past terraced patios, with the faint sound
of music drifting on the cooling evening temperatures, before deciding
upon the local cuisine. The heat of the summer’s day is easily
forgiven, as drafts of ice-cold beer arrive and plans are made for
the next day’s sightseeing.
Alpharetta is a suburban neighbor of Atlanta, located just 20 miles
northeast; it is also an excellent jumping-off point to explore some
of Georgia’s fascinating plantation homes, cultural venues and
family activities. Alpharetta’s historical Main Street is filled
with wonderful antique stores (a veritable heaven for antique collectors
of 1700s furniture), and glimpses of the past. Horse and buggy rides
convey tourists around the shops of Crabapple and little cafés
serve as a respite for the shopping fatigued.
Historic tours of Alpharetta’s Mansell House and Gardens and
the Milton Log Cabin are free and well worth the visit. Of course,
no tour of the town would be complete without a perusal of Harry’s
Farmer’s Market. This culinary theme park attracts 100,000 shoppers
a week and features foods from around the world.
Exotic Bazaar - Proprietor Laura Concetta Alpharetta,
Georgia,
Photo by Patrice Raplee
Specialty shops are sprinkled about and one such shop that deserves
top honors for fabulous and unique merchandise is the Exotic Bazaar
on McFarland Road. Proprietor Laura Concetta has joined together gorgeous
Victorian style jewelry, couture, art, fragrances and home accent pieces
with hints of Italian and African flavors. The eclectic collection
that charming Concetta has seamlessly fashioned throughout her establishment
takes literally hours of close perusal to investigate. Customers “ooh
and awe” their way from one piece to another, and out-of-towners
take advantage of the shipping store next door to send their prizes
home! This gallery of goodies is not to be missed and is perfect for
the lady who needs to indulge in a completely feminine environment
of treasures, or the gentleman who needs the “perfect partner
gift.”
Outdoor activities range from Equestrian Center shows, golfing, tennis,
annual festivals and nature preserves to professional sports venues.
The Big Creek Greenway provides walkers, joggers, bird watchers and
bike riders miles of paved pathway surrounded by verdant woods and
small creeks that meander past theaters, cafés and world-class
mercantile districts. Families can take advantage of acres and acres
of public playgrounds, parks, baseball and swimming facilities. There
is indeed so much to do and a plethora of new jobs that Alpharetta
has become one of the nation’s hot spots for relocation. For
a suburban district, Alpharetta offers numerous opportunities of fun
and exploration without the frenetic pace of a large city.
Atlanta and surrounding areas are bursting with museums, amusement
parks (Six Flags and Stone Mountain Park), plantations, botanical gardens,
water parks and magnificent cuisine.
For cultural pursuits, the High Museum of Art on Peachtree Street presents
a multitude of collections and is the leading art museum in the Southeastern
United States. From contemporary art to a decorative arts collection
featuring 19th- and 20th-century American furniture; 19th-century American
Landscape paintings; European paintings and sculptures from the 14th
through the 19th centuries, as well as, folk art and photography are
present. This is truly a fascinating and beautiful museum and The
New York Times says, “It’s among the best museum structures
any city has built in a least a generation.”
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is also located on Peachtree and is
one of the nation’s finest orchestras. The Champagne and Coffee
Concerts have proved a model other cities have copied.
For family recreation and fun, visit Stone Mountain Park. This unusual
park offers attractions such as waterslide complex, pedal boats, sky
lift to the top of the mountain, plantation house and animal petting
area; 4D theater, riverboat cruise, hiking, biking, laser show spectacular,
antique car and treasure museum, live music and entertainment and much
more. There are restaurants and playgrounds, picnic areas, gift shops
and accommodations.
One of the attractions of interest to parents and kids for a calmer
stroll is the Antebellum Plantation and farmyard. Kids can pet various
farm animals in a historic setting and the plantation provides a self-guided
tour through 19 fully restored buildings. The plantation house is particularly
interesting with lovely surrounding gardens. Nighttime shows include
the new Lasershow Spectacular. The world’s largest lasershow
Fire On The Lake is stunning, magical and a great place to relax after
a long day of play.
Stone Mountain Park is great family entertainment, huge and worth
a trip to Georgia alone! If you plan on visiting, make sure you
book
several days to see and experience all of the attractions. The high
summer months are indeed hot and humid and may try the patience of
a saint; great times to visit are September to November and spring
to early June.
Georgia is a fantastic travel destination and rivals other states
with events, attractions and activities. Join Travel Excursion
next month
for a visit to historic Savannah and Midnight In The Garden Of
Good And Evil!
For additional information on Alpharetta go to: www.awesomealpharetta.com.
The High Museum Atlanta go to: www.high.org.
The Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra go to: www.atlantasymphony.org.
On Stone Mountain
Park go to: www.stonemountainpark.com.
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