Dahlonega Things to Do

the price memorial building is located on the site of the 1837 u.s. mint. prior to the civil war the mint produced six million dollars worth of gold coins from area mines. in 1861 the confederacy took over the mint from the union. in 1871 the mint and ten acres of land around the mint was transfered to north georgia college. the original mint was destroyed by fire in 1878 and the north georgia college administration building was built in it's place in 1879. in 1934 the building was named the price memorial admistration building after the founder of north georgia college. the steeple of the building is clad with dahlonega area gold.

We have come to Dahlonega several times and now and have never gone in the Gold Museum, so we said what the heck. Well I gotta tell you it was very educational, fun, the guide were very informative and made it more fun and enjoyable. Plenty of history, a short movie, walking tour and small gift shop make up this nice old building which use to be the old Lunpkin County Courthouse built in 1836.

This is a cool town to walk around, if you get thirsty well get stop in for a tasting at Habersham's Tasting room. In this tasting room you can try a few other vineyard wine out also, Creekstone Vineyard and I think Stonepile Vineyard. As you may have notice by now we check out as many of the tasting room and vineyards in this area that we can.

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Now we're talking fudge! The fudge here at the Fudge Factory is some of the best I have ever tasted, you can not walk out without some. It smells so good inside you can't help but try & buy. A must stop in while walking around town.

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We have come here to Frogtown Cellars vineyard several times and love it here! The wine is very good and reasonablly priced, they even have a good Ice Wine if you get there before they are all gone. They do serve lunch items here but very limited choice, good though. This vineyard is a part of the Georgia Wine Highway. A must do!

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Terry & I have been here a few times for tastings and have bought many a bottle. This is a nice vineyard the staff are very good with the customres and explain about the wine while they pour. The prices are very reasonable so we always walk out with some. It's located just down the driveway from Frogtown. 2 or 3 minute ride.

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The old Lumpkin County Courthouse (built 1836) was bought by the State of Georgia and is now part of the State Parks system. It contains very complete and interesting displays about the Gold Rush era. A short movie is presented with interviews of old-timers about how things were. Lots of memorabilia (mining equipment, tools) including a complete set of the gold coins minted here by the federal government between 1838-1861.
On weekends during the warmer months artisans set up around the square and demonstrate their crafts.


Admission is $4 adults, $2.50 children.

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The town Square of Dahlonega, Georgia, has a gold museum (a State Parks historic site) built in the former historic county court house.

On the West side of the square you will find historic buildings with themed restaurants. On the East side of the square you can shop, including at the old store turned into a 'tourist trap.'

On the Nouth side of the square are more restaurants.

On the North side of the square is the tourist office.

I don't suggest you plan to spend hours at the square but the Gold Mueum is worth at least an hour and the film was actually quite interesting.

Inside the historic 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, the oldest courthouse in Georgia, is the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site. The museum's exhibits include a set of these coins, a nugget weighing more than five ounces, a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle used to blast soil from mountainsides, a film and gift shop. Visitors can also explore the courthouse features, including beautiful wooden chapel seats from 1889 and the judge's chambers.
Dahlonega prospered with this mining activity, and a U.S. Branch Mint opened in 1838, coining more than $6 million in gold before closing in 1861.

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We visited the Crisson Gold Mine, where we took a tour of the mine and the kids mined for gold and gemstones. I was very impressed with how knowledgable and helpful all the guys who worked there are - they helped my son identify every little gemstone speck that he found. This mine has been operation since 1847, and our tour guide was the great-grandson of the original mine owner. They are open 7 days a week, take Visa and MC, and it was about $10 a person for the tour and panning.

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During early fall Dahlonega hosts the Gold Rush Festival. Just a mountain artsy time with a parade. Alot of fun!!