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Whether you are seeking a traditional 'girls weekend' of spa treatments, chocolates and shopping, or looking for new adventures -- riding horses, hiking the Appalachian Trail, or tubing -- the Chestatee-Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Convention and Visitors Center presents abundant options with economy in mind.
 
Visit www.dahlonega.org and then click "Where to Stay." Find "Hot Deals," and learn which hotels and bed and breakfasts offer summer discounts and package specials. Forrest Hills Mountain Resort offers a weekend package of $139 per night in their "Bi-level King Suite" that sleeps up to six. Have a picnic lunch on the deck or relax in the Jacuzzi. They will pamper you with spa services or arrange a horseback ride from Gold City Corral. Conveniently located next to the Visitor's Center, Park Place Hotel often hosts large parties on weekends and throughout the week. Search the website for thrifty rates and summer specials on adventure-packed getaways.
 
Planning your restaurant trips saves time and money. "Where to Dine" provides links to area restaurants. Caruso's Italian Restaurant offers a 15% per-table discount coupon you can print off from their website throughout the year. Visit those restaurants online that interest you, and save time and cash on dining. Choices vary from Italian and Mexican, to Southern and classic American fare.
 
Look-up "What to Do." Click "Getaway Packages." The center suggests ideas to build an itinerary for a "Girlfriends' Wine Country Getaway."  The site offers links to five area wineries that regularly sponsor wine festivals and meal events. Pack a lunch for a picnic and attend a wine tasting, or reserve seats for an elegant dinner at a reasonable fee. Winery and vineyard events turn weekends into an affordable adventure.
 
You can always taste wine in town at three tasting rooms located on the square: The Dahlonega Wine Tasting Room sells Habersham Wines. Naturally Georgia is a satellite tasting room for Tiger Mountain and Crane Creek Vineyards, and Upstairs Downstairs offers the "Naturally Georgia" label. Caruso's also makes their own beer complete with a tasting room.
 
Under "Nightlife," you can plan meals around live entertainment. The Crimson Moon Café, touted as "artistic cuisine," excels at vegetarian and new southern cooking. They also promote excellent homegrown music groups. Some concerts are free while others are discounted when purchased in advance.  The tickets range from $12 to $20 per person. If you prefer the theater, attend a show at the Holly Theatre. The next production is a classic stage event, "The Music Man." Tickets range from $12 to $18 and are available online. If you like the sound of FREE, pack a dinner picnic and enjoy an evening concert in the park every Friday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Hancock Park in Dahlonega. The show is free.  Check the website for schedules and more ticket information for these and other events.
 
North Georgia's Chestatee River inspires numerous water activities. Appalachian Outfitters offers affordable adventures. Float in a tube down a lazy path of river that parts a country landscape of lush trees, swim popular waterholes, or ride the gentle or challenging rapids in a canoe. A thirty-minute tube ride is $6 per person. A two-and-a half-hour canoe trip for three is only $48.
 
The website lists an array of unique boutiques and stores under "Where to Shop." Visit the Fudge Factory, Paul Thomas Chocolates, The Humble Candle, and The Gold Shop for thoughtful gifts. Check out Gloria's for jewelry, purses, and scarves. They offer a 10% discount for North Georgia College & State University students and faculty. Treasure's Within is currently advertising 15% off on many purses. Browse the Olde Cannery Arts Center for reasonably priced and original art works from area artists. Stop-by the Dahlonega Farmer's Market on Saturdays for sweet peaches. A Walmart SuperCenter is nearby for quick-stops or grocery shopping, or shop at the Gourmet Food Market for intimate cabin-cooked meals.   
 
These are just a few samples of Dahlonega's weekend activities. You will find a complete directory atwww.dahlonega.org

, organized for easily planning affordable summertime vacations.