Hi all, I am going to document what I think were some pros and cons of this area, based on my weekend trip. Now, we didn’t do all of it so this is not comprehensive. I will include things I do think should be done, however, based on observation.

1. DO: plan to stay where you can easily access the hiking trails. We stayed north of town in a cabin. Seems like most of that nature stuff is up there so for that purpose, north works. They have extensive trails and nature parks so if that’s your thing, do it!
2. DON’T think there won’t be traffic going into town. Both ways, it backs up because there’s only one road. So keep that in mind when booking. You get through it fairly quickly but because people are constantly crossing, it slows down.
3. DO plan to pay or walk farther when parking. Looks like there may have been some free parking on the East side of town, back in there, but we didn’t explore all the roads. We paid 5 bucks one night then realized they up it to ten on weekends so either walk from a parking lot on the South side or plan to pay.
4. DON’T buy firewood from the place about a mile and a half down 356. That is NOT aged/seasoned wood and it will not burn unless you already have a HOT fire going.
5. DO visit the Hofbrauhaus restaurant. I don’t know if it is associated with the one in Munich, which has a sister place in Newport, Kentucky, or what but it was really good. German food was at least authentic, as compared to some that I researched were a little less than. (The Troll Tavern being one.)
6. DON’T go during Oktoberfest if you don’t like crowds or drinking beer! I am guessing it’s a lot less packed when not during a festival. Granted, it looks like they do a few different ones throughout the year. But plan your trip accordingly.
7. DO get the cheap souvenir cup if you go during Oktoberfest. You can refill it at any restaurant/bar there and it’s cheap! Like, 6 bucks. And they had a great variety of German and domestics. I mean, good craft beer options!
8. DON’T expect any places to have NFL Sunday Ticket. If you’re the type of football fan who likes to watch all the games, nowhere does it. We found a place with twenty TVs but they were not playing all the games.
9. DO explore some places outside the town, such as Fred’s Famous Peanuts and the Chattahoochee Cheese Shop. Neat stuff!
10. DO the tubing. We were too late and the water was both low and cold. But it looks awesome. Now, I will say: tubing has always been weird to me because I can’t figure out if the kids would enjoy it. Since it’s sort of a slow thing where adults chill and drink, would kids even like it? They peddle it as a fun kid activity but I think they’d get bored. HOWEVER, this one looks like it has some faster rapid-like areas so perhaps it is for kids after all.
11. DON’T expect good cell service! We literally had to go old skool and look at the map on our phones and hope to find our cabin. It’s slightly better in town, depending on where you are but it’s generally non-existent.
12. DO visit Anna Ruby falls. It’s an easy half mile out on a paved trail but the falls are fantastic. Good payoff.
13. DO stop off in Athens if you can (about an hour and a half from there) to go to Akademia brewing. Looks like they have good food and I can attest that the beer is great!

I am sure there’s more but that’s my list. Happy Thursday!