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Georgia’s Lake Country with the Girls

By Karon Warren

Who doesn’t love a girlfriend getaway to the beach? Unfortunately, we can’t always make it to the beach, so I look for the next best thing: a beautiful lake. For me, that means heading to Georgia’s Lake Country, home to Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair. Approximately an hour and a half to two hours east of Atlanta, both lakes were created by Georgia Power to generate hydro-electricity. Formed in 1953, Lake Sinclair encompasses 15,330 acres with 417 miles of shoreline; Lake Oconee followed in 1979 with 374 miles of shoreline.

Today, both are surrounded by everything that makes a great girlfriend getaway: upscale resorts, fun shopping, entertaining cultural attractions and, of course, delicious food. If you want to go all out, I recommend The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro. Book a room with a balcony overlooking the Lake Oconee, so you can enjoy the tranquil view day and night.

Another must-have for a girlfriend getaway? A day at the spa. And The Ritz-Carlton Spa delivers. My personal favorite is the Drift to Sleep massage. My treatment started with a soak in an aromatherapy milk bath, followed by a body massage that thoroughly relaxed me. The best part? If you’re like me, you are ready for a nap after a good massage. With the Drift to Sleep massage, you get to take one! My therapist gave me a fluffy down duvet and invited me to take a 30-minute power nap. Who was I to resist?

If you want a more budget-minded resort, consider Cuscowilla Golf Resort on Lake Oconee in Eatonton. Make sure you book a room in the Lake or Lodge Villas that overlook the lake. Outfitted with a patio or balcony, these rooms provide lovely views of the water. My favorite time was early in the morning, when you could watch the mist fade away as the sun comes up.

My room at Cuscowilla was spacious and comfortable, and included a beautiful view of Lake Oconee.

My room at Cuscowilla was spacious and comfortable,
and included a beautiful view of Lake Oconee.

Who wouldn’t want to wake up to such a gorgeous view of Lake Oconee?

Who wouldn’t want to wake up to such a gorgeous view of Lake Oconee?

When you are ready to explore the Lake Country, I would start with Madison, just a short drive away. This quiet town features several beautiful antebellum homes, including a few open for tours (after touring Heritage Hall, I highly recommend enjoying the view from one of the front porch rockers). In addition, there is a walking tour highlighting the architecture of Madison that includes more homes as well as churches, the courthouse and other significant buildings.

This is just one of the beautiful historic homes that line the streets of Madison.

This is just one of the beautiful historic homes that line the streets of Madison.

Ready to shop? Then head to Greensboro, where you can explore the many shops that line the historic downtown area. My favorite is Genuine Georgia, which carries Georgia-grown products and artwork. Also, don’t leave this town without taking tea at The Potted Geranium. Have it served up with the raspberry pecan streusel bar. You won’t regret it! For a more complete tour of Greensboro, stop by the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, and pick up the brochure for a historic walking tour through the town.

When having tea at The Potted Geranium in Greensboro, be sure to try the delicious raspberry pecan streusel bars. My favorite!

When having tea at The Potted Geranium in Greensboro,
be sure to try the delicious raspberry pecan streusel bars. My favorite!

To add a little culture to your getaway, make your way over to Milledgeville, home to several interesting attractions. The city served as Georgia’s state capitol from 1804 to 1868, and today visitors can tour the Old Governor’s Mansion, a gorgeous example of High Greek Revival architecture. You’ll also find Andalusia, author Flannery O’Connor’s farm. In this quiet setting, O’Connor wrote many of her books, including “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” and “The Violent Bear It Away.”

Author Flannery O’Connor penned many of her stories at Andalusia, her farm in Milledgeville.

Author Flannery O’Connor penned many of her stories at Andalusia, her farm in Milledgeville.

Literary fans also will enjoy the Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton, which showcases the stories of Uncle Remus made famous by Eatonton native Joel Chandler Harris. The museum also includes a wing dedicated to Joseph Addison Turner, the man who served as a benefactor and mentor to Harris. It was at Turner’s plantation, Turnwold, where Harris would hear the stories he turned into Uncle Remus tales.

A great showcase on the tales Joel Chandler Harris turned into the popular Uncle Remus tales.

A great showcase on the tales Joel Chandler Harris
turned into the popular Uncle Remus tales.

There is so much more to do, see and experience in Georgia’s Lake Country, but, unfortunately, I didn’t have time to do it all. Of course, that just means I’ll have to return with my girlfriends for another visit. I hope you’ll join us!

Disclosure: Karon visited Georgia’s Lake Country as a guest of the Georgia Travel Media Marketplace hosted by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 

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Filed Under: Girlfriend Getaways, USA, Weekend Getaways Tagged With: Andalusia, Cuscowilla Golf Resort, Georgia's Lake Country with the Girls, Girlfriend Getaway, Greensboro, Karon Warren, Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair, Mom Blogger, Old Governors Mansion, Ritz Carlton Lodge, This Girl Travels, Travel, Uncle Remus Museum

About Karon Warren

A freelance writer for more than 15 years, Karon Warren has covered a variety of topics, most notably travel, weddings and lifestyle. She loves discovering new people, places and experiences that epitomize the amazing wonders found in this world and sharing their stories with her readers. When she is not out exploring, Karon resides in the North Georgia Mountains with her husband and two children. You can learn more about Karon at www.karonwarren.com. Also, catch up with her on Twitter as well as Instagram.

Comments

  1. wanderingeducators says

    June 18, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    Looks like SUCH an amazing – and restful – place! Thanks for the recommendation!

  2. Cat of Sunshine and Siestas says

    June 18, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    I’ve never been to Georgia and it’s been ages since I’ve been on a girls trip, but so lovely to come across a reference to Andalusia, where I currently reside! Wonder what the story is there.

    • Judith says

      June 18, 2013 at 11:36 pm

      Andalusia is the name of Flannery Oconner’s farm near Milledgeville, Ga.

  3. James Nolan says

    June 19, 2013 at 2:23 am

    Thanks for your kind words. We hope that you can come back to see us. Check out North Madison AV. in Eatonton for great architecture examples.

    • Karon says

      June 19, 2013 at 3:30 am

      Thanks for the tip, James! I definitely will be back!

  4. Laurel- Capturing la Vita says

    June 19, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    What a beautiful place. Seems perfect for a weekend away.

  5. Larissa says

    June 19, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    This looks like a beautiful place to spend some time, whether with the gal pals or anyone else! I like that you have shared two different lodging options in different price categories.

  6. Micki says

    June 19, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    I may make the trip just to get my hands on some of those raspberry pecan streusel bars. Yum! 🙂

  7. Sandra Foyt says

    June 19, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    What a wonderful place to visit! I’d love to see where the Uncle Remus stories originated. And I LOVE the idea of a having the liberty to take a nap during a spa session!

  8. Dale says

    June 20, 2013 at 3:50 am

    I don’t go on many ‘girls trips’ – surprisingly 😛 – but I do long to travel to Georgia as it’s always been a reference in so many films and music that I love that I’ve been meaning to see and feel the inspiration for myself for a while.

  9. Mary @ Green Global Travel says

    June 21, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    We spend most of our time just north of Atlanta on Lake Allatoona. It’s our little piece of paradise. Thanks for the tips about the lakes east of the city. Madison is a beautiful little town. I’ve always wanted to have brunch there.

  10. Bethaney - Flashpacker Family says

    June 22, 2013 at 1:41 am

    What a beautiful setting for a relaxing weekend getaway.

  11. Travelogged says

    June 23, 2013 at 8:50 pm

    Lakes are underrated — I grew up going to a lake (as opposed to the ocean) and I just love them!

    • Karon says

      June 23, 2013 at 8:56 pm

      Me, too! I think that’s why I enjoyed Georgia’s Lake Country so much!

  12. Gabi (The Nomadic FAmily) says

    June 25, 2013 at 1:15 am

    love it. looks lovely. and that raspberry pecan dessert should be illegal. looks amazing. my son and are dying here. gabi

    • Karon says

      June 25, 2013 at 4:02 pm

      It was lovely, Gabi! And you are so right! Those raspberry pecan desserts should be illegal! It might be the only way to keep me from eating so many!

  13. Colleen Lanin says

    June 26, 2013 at 12:37 am

    You had me at raspberry pecan streusel bars!

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