Okay, so I’ve been itching to get out of Atlanta for a quick weekend trip, something easy and not too far. I started by grabbing my laptop and just Googling “quick trips from Atlanta.” You know, the usual.
Brainstorming and Searching
I wanted something within driving distance, maybe 3-4 hours max. I was open to anything – mountains, beaches, cute little towns. I wasn’t feeling anything too specific, just wanted a change of scenery.
I jotted down some ideas that popped up:
- Chattanooga, TN: I’ve heard it’s got a cool aquarium and some nice outdoor stuff.
- Asheville, NC: Everyone raves about the Biltmore and the artsy vibe.
- Greenville, SC: I’d heard good things about their downtown area.
- Savannah, GA: Always a classic, with the history and the Spanish moss.
Narrowing it Down
I started looking at driving times on Google Maps. Asheville seemed a bit further than I wanted for just a quick trip. Savannah, while tempting, I’ve been there a few times already. So, I started focusing on Chattanooga and Greenville.
Next, I started looking at things to do in each place. I checked out some travel blogs and looked at pictures on Instagram. Just trying to get a feel for the vibe of each place.
Making a Decision – Chattanooga!
Chattanooga seemed to have a good mix of things to do. There’s the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, and some cool-looking restaurants and breweries. It also seemed like a pretty walkable city, which I like.
Greenville looked nice, but Chattanooga just seemed to have a bit more going on that appealed to me right now. Plus, it was a slightly shorter drive, according to Google Maps.
Booking and Planning
I found a cute little Airbnb downtown, within walking distance of a lot of the attractions. Score! I booked it for two nights. Then I started making a loose itinerary. I didn’t want to over-plan it, but I wanted to have a general idea of what I wanted to see and do.
I’m planning on hitting the Aquarium first, then maybe checking out Lookout Mountain and Ruby Falls. I also found a couple of restaurants that looked good, and a brewery that has outdoor seating. Sounds perfect!
I’m all packed and ready to go. I think this little getaway is exactly what I needed. Can’t wait to explore Chattanooga and report back!
