5 Destinations

How to Be a Tourist In Your Own Backyard

Planning a vacation can be overwhelming! Even so, it is important to take a break from work to spend quality time with your family. If you want to avoid traveling due to COVID-19 or if you are simply looking for a unique experience close to home, here are five staycation ideas in the Cherokee County area that will help make this a summer to remember!

— Jessica Forrester

 

1. Splendor Oaks Tiny-Living Glamping

Splendor Oaks Eco-Farm Homestead, located on Bells Ferry Road, is home to three unique glamping getaways, all less than 250 square feet. Guests can reserve the Stay Bird Bus, La Bella Bell Tent or Eden Treehouse through Airbnb. The owners, Kurtis and Dayana Cagle, have created an environment where everyone will feel at home. The lower level of the main house has a guest lounge with various amenities, and a “lake life” fun truck outfitted with kayaks, floats, fishing poles, a cooler and lake pass for nearby Allatoona Lake, which can be reserved at an additional charge. Visit www.splendoroaks.com/airbnbs to see photos of the property along with the links to the Airbnb listings.

2. Canton and Woodstock Walking Tours

Historic Haunts: Take a trip back in time through downtown Canton, and learn about its history and haunts on a 2-hour guided walking tour that begins and ends at the gazebo. The family-friendly tours run from June-November, and are sure to captivate and surprise you. Visit www.facebook.com/cantonhistorichaunts for more info.

Downtown Tour Series: Learn more about downtown Woodstock by taking advantage of the free, themed walking tours exploring various aspects of the area. The guided tours are offered on the last Thursday of the month from March-September, and each month’s tour covers a different topic. RSVP online for a tour, two weeks before the tour date, on the Downtown Woodstock Facebook or Instagram pages. For more information, call the Woodstock Visitors Center at 770-924-0406.

3. Geocaching in Boling Park

Geocaching is essentially an outdoor treasure hunt, in which participants use a GPS or mobile device to navigate to geocache containers. The geocache containers, or “caches,” typically have a small notebook to log your visit and little souvenirs for you to take with you and replace with a small item you brought from home. There are geocaches hidden all over Cherokee County, but Boling Park happens to have three in close proximity, GC Codes: GC1H79N, GC5DC0 and GC6A26, hidden along the Etowah Trail System. Go to www.geocaching.com/play to download the free app, search by location or GC Code, and start finding!

4. Horseback Riding with Georgia Frontiers

Georgia Frontiers is a horse stable offering western-style trail rides from 1-2 hours. First-time or experienced horseback riders will encounter a change in scenery as they follow the guides across 150 acres of wooded trails on the property. Visit www.georgiahorsebackriding.org for more information or to call and make a reservation.

5. Vintage Flights Aviation Experiences

Operating out of the Cherokee County Airport between Canton and Ball Ground, Vintage Flights offers unique aviation and sightseeing experiences in authentic World War II era aircraft. The aircraft are dual-flight control equipped, so you can take the controls if you are feeling daring. Vintage Flights provides unforgettable experiences and will definitely give you a new view of Cherokee County! Visit https://vintageflights.com for more information on rides and rates to book a flight.