Winter 2024

Accommodations
Stay in one of many charming accommodations
steps from the square downtown
or near town in a cabin or vacation rental.
Dahlonega offers unique lodging experience
to suit every budget, including numerous
bed and breakfast inns, resorts and
mountain cabins with stunning scenery.
CROWN AND BEAR
Crown and Bear provides a taste of
Britian with scones, sausages, biscuits and
chocolates as well as grocery items and
snacks. The shop also features wares from
the British Isles, including kitchenware,
linens and teapots.
https://www.crownandbeardahlonega.com/
CONNIE'S ICE CREAM AND
SANDWICH SHOP
Located in a building dating back to 1914,
the locally owned shop serves 24 flavors of
Mayfield Ice Cream, gourmet sandwiches,
salads, hot dogs and hamburgers. Their
specialties are sundaes and banana splits.
https://www.facebook.com/conniesdahlonega
MY VINTAGE GYPSY TEAS
My Vintage Gypsy Teas shop sells teas
made with natural flavors created with
exotic spices and premium herbs. Along
with traditional teas, several blends are
named for local businesses. It is also has a
whimsical gift shop in back.
https://www.myvintagegypsyteas.com/
THE SPICE & TEA EXCHANGE
In addition to offering a wide range of
exotic teas and spices, other produces are
available, such as olive oils and extracts..
Browse the gourmet gifts and accessories
for home chefs. While shopping, sip a hot
or iced beverage from the tea bar.
https://www.spiceandtea.com/dahlonega
Leeatra Vaughn
associate broker, abr, rsps
•AUBURN/OPELIKA
•LAKE MARTIN
& SURROUNDING AREAS
Interested in property
management for your short
term rental in the
auburn/opelika area?
Let’s talk!
leeatravaughn@gmail.com
205.515.9668
Photo by Lamar Bates Photography
THE SMITH HOUSE HISTORIC INN
AND RESTAURANT WITH HIDDEN
MINE SHAFT
This year, the historic inn is celebrating
its 100th year with its history dating back
to 1884 when gold mining engineer Captain
Frank Hall purchased the land. Years later
while constructing a house, a gold and
quartz vein was found under the building,
but the city turned down his request for
mining rights. Not long afterwards, Frank
died.
The new owners, Henry and Bessie
Smith, turned the property into a boarding
house. Bessie became known for her delicious
Southern dishes served with fresh
garden vegetables.
Over the years, others owned the property.
When the current owners, the Welch
family, were doing renovations, they
discovered the hidden gold mine shafts
beneath the building.
Workers found a large hole and shaft
under a concrete slab. As they were cleaning
the area out, they discovered the
famous gold vein in the side wall of the
shaft. The history of the shaft and many of
its contents are on view for guests.
Located on the historic town square,
today the inn has 16 rooms on property, 24
rooms in the new lodge, four villas, and two
houses. Bessie Smith’s signature recipes are
still served in the Smith House Restaurant.
https://smithhouse.com
Along with the Smith House Historic
Inn, other bed and breakfasts include Long
Mountain Lodge, Yellow Daisy Inn, Inn at
Blackberry Hill, Dahlonega Inn on Main,
Lily Creek Lodge, Mountain Top Lodge, One
Off Main, The Limelight Inn and Mountain
Laurel Creek Inn.
Whether you are visiting Dahlonega
during the holiday season or another
time of year, there is plenty to see and
enjoy. Dahlonega is located an hour above
Atlanta. For further information visit www.
Dahlonega.org.
38 EAST ALABAMA LIVING