Gold in California? Pshaw, the first major gold rush in the United States took place in 1828 in and around the Dahlonega, Ga., area, some 20 years before the one in California.
Today, visitors still can see sites related to those glittery days and also visit the town’s commercial district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But Dahlonega also has become a biking center, a hub for wineries and a scenic fun stop amid foothills and forests.
The Historic Lumpkin County Courthouse, which now houses the Dahlonega Gold Museum, is in the center of downtown Dahlonega.BEST THINGS TO DO
Gold rush!
• The Dahlonega Courthouse Gold Museum, which offers visitors a look at mining history in Georgia, is one of the most visited historic sites in the state.