'Cabbage Patch' Town dubbed gateway to North Georgia mountains

photo Babyland General Hospital, the birthplace of Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, is a few minutes from downtown Cleveland, Ga.

GLIMPSE OF THE FUTUREFor more tips that will help you find the best things to do in the Chattanooga region, pick up a copy of Glimpse, a travel guide that will be inserted into your newspaper on Friday. Glimpse covers the hottest activities and best-kept secrets in nearly 100 cities across Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina and will be accessible online from TimesFreePress.com.

While Cleveland, Ga., may be known for being home to the adorable, round-faced Cabbage Patch Kids, there's more to the city than dolls.

It offers beautiful vistas and natural settings for those who want to explore the outdoors. The Appalachian Trail and Chattahoochee River both begin in the Cleveland area. Breathtaking views can be seen from the top of Mount Yonah, and one-third of the land in White County, where Cleveland is located, is state or federal protected.

Bring home a Cabbage Patch Doll

• The doll's popularity peaked in the 1980s, but the brand remains a beloved children's toy.

• Cabbage Patch Kids come in all shapes and sizes and are born in a secret cabbage patch. All come with a special Xavier Roberts birthmark.

• You can get a freshly "birthed" doll at Babyland General Hospital, which is located on 650 acres in a Southern-style home with white antebellum columns. Admission is free.

• The site was noted in the Travel Channel's Top 10 Toylands.

• Visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The hospital is at 300 NOK Drive. For more information, call 706-865-2171.

Source: Cabbage Patch website

Stovall Mill Bridge

• The last covered bridge in White County is one of the oldest in Georgia.

• Built in 1895 by Will Pardue, the Stovall Mill bridge spans Chickamauga Creek. It is 36.8 feet long and is marked with a parking area and picnic area. It was rebuilt in 1926 and turned over to the White County Georgia Historical Society in 1972.

• The bridge is named for the miller, Fred Stovall Sr., who operated the mills for years.

• It is featured in the 1950s movie "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain," featuring Susan Hayward.

Source: White County Chamber of Commerce

Raise a glass

• North Georgia's soil composition has been compared to Italy's Piedmont region with drainage and elevation ideal for crafting wine.

• As many as seven vineyards are in White County, where visitors can begin their journey down the Georgia Wine Highway.

• Habersham Vineyards & Winery, one of the oldest North Georgia wineries, began producing wine in 1983. The winery is open seven days a week and includes a variety including cabernets, merlots, chardonnays, rieslings and seyvals. It's at 7025 S. Main St. in Helen, Ga.

• One of the newest vineyards is Yonah Mountain Vineyards at 2454-B Highway 17, in Sautee-Nacoochee, near Cleveland. The vineyard is planted with chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon grapes and holds wine tastings year-round.

• For more information on other wineries, visit the White County Chamber of Commerce's website at www.whitecountychamber.org.

Source: White County Chamber of Commerce

Celebratory events

• Babyland's Birthday Party: Babyland and the original Cabbage Patch Kids will celebrate their 35th birthday in September. There will be free activities for children, prize drawings and a DJ. The party runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 14 at 300 NOK Drive.

• White County Agri Fest: This festival offers a chance to rub noses with alpacas, goats, cows and other farm animals. Fresh produce and honey will be for sale. Pottery is also included in the festival. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 28 in downtown Cleveland. Admission is free.

• Christmas in the Mountains: The annual celebration includes a lighted Christmas parade. It takes place from 2 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 7 in Cleveland's downtown square. Admission is free.

Source: Cabbage Patch website and White County Chamber of Commerce

The Yonah Burger

Choose from a menu of nine old-fashioned hamburgers, or create your own

• At Yonah Burger, milkshakes comes in pineapple and cherry, in addition to more traditional chocolate and strawberry. They're priced at $3.25. The restaurant also offers homemade fried pies with assorted fruit fillings for $2.

• Can't get enough sweet tea? Take a jug home. The restaurant sells it by the gallon.

• While this is a traditional burger joint, healthy options include sweet potato fries and a garden burger.

• It's located at 2051 Helen Highway and is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Source: www.yonahburger.com

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