Hotel at a Glance: Kingwood Resort

The majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains is on full display at northern Georgia’s Kingwood Resort. Each guest room has a private balcony looking out to the peaks, and floor-to-ceiling windows in the main dining room add the stellar scenery to mealtimes. Players will find even more great vantage points on the 18-hole golf course, where rolling greens are surrounded by tree-lined hillsides.

• In-room amenities: a mini fridge and free WiFi
• Swimming and splashing in indoor and outdoor pools
• Seasonal menus at the restaurant feature dishes such as grilled salmon and bourbon pecan pie.
• Signature spa treatment: the Golfer’s Par 3, which includes a foot soak and a massage meant to improve golf swings
• Relaxation awaits: Guest unwind in the hot tub and with time in the steam room and sauna.
• Staying fit: The resort has tennis courts as well as a gym with cardio equipment and free weights.

Clayton, Georgia: Small Town in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Clayton, Georgia, might be small—its population hovers around 2,000—but its landscape looms large. The city is part of the Nantahala National Forest, more than half a million acres with waterfalls, river gorges, and old-growth trees. It’s a natural playground where tourists come to go whitewater rafting or fly-fishing for trout on the Chattooga River and ride horseback on tree-lined trails fringed with wildflowers. Back in town, visitors step back in time at Clayton Pharmacy, where cola and strawberry drinks are poured from an old-fashioned soda fountain. Guests can also visit the Main Street Gallery to see works by local artists.