Two Days Away: Lakeside Idyll in Lake Rabun, Georgia

Welcoming families for nearly a century, Georgia’s Lake Rabun is a pocket of paradise where time seems to stand blessedly still. 

Nestled in northern Georgia, in a town fittingly named Lakemont, the Lake Rabun area has specialized in old-fashioned family fun since the early 20th century. That’s when Georgia Power Company formed a chain of six grand lakes along the winding Tallulah River, attracting water-loving weekenders especially during the summer. 

An easy 90 minutes northeast of Atlanta, this pastoral escape offers a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lakemont Village has been the community hub since the lake was first filled. Once the site of a general store and train depot, the village now features art, antiques, food, a spa, lodging, and more. Nearby Hillside Orchard Farms and Tiger Mountain Vineyards & Winery are worthy jaunts. 

During the day, local fun is focused on the lake—skiers hit the water in the morning, while fishing, swimming, and boating can fill an afternoon. Rent a pontoon boat, kayak, canoe, or hop aboard a cocktail cruise to ogle the rainbow of colorful boathouses. Just a few minutes away, miles of Blue Ridge Mountain trails reveal Rabun County’s scenic sites, including Minnehaha Falls and Tallulah Falls, and the nearly-1,000-foot-deep Tallulah Gorge. 

Visitors can enjoy amenity-rich rental cabins and the landmark Lake Rabun Hotel year-round. Opened in 1922, this refined mountain lodge enchants with its ancestral charm and an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant with a Southern touch.

In Historic Lakemont Village, shop myriad specialty stores for home and garden décor, antiques, and handcrafted goods. Stroll through Lakemont Gallery for fine art, pottery, photography, twig furniture, and more.

Down the road, fuel your fun at Louie’s on the Lake, which promises pizza perfection—plus a number of Italian specialties. A day of exploring begins at The Open Door at Alley’s Ol’ Store, a historic general store that dates back to the early days of Lake Rabun. 
Pick up supplies, then venture to Tallulah Gorge State Park, home to the magnificent two-mile gorge. A soaring suspension bridge offers picture-perfect views of the river and waterfalls below. And a trip to the lake isn’t complete without boating. Luckily, Rabun Boathouse—affectionately known as Hall’s—rents quite a variety.

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