Plan the perfect outdoor date! Georgia’s view-packed mountain summits, towering waterfalls, and sandy beaches make the perfect romantic outdoor adventure near Atlanta.
Gorgeous mountain summits, sunlight-dappled river valleys, and broad, sandy beaches: Georgia’s outdoor beauty is diverse and simply stunning. Looking for a great, romantic outdoor date idea near Atlanta? We’ve got you covered with great some great options.
Our state is brimming with an abundance of beautiful, romantic spots that make the perfect venue for a great outdoor date, from parks and mountain tops near Atlanta, to Georgia’s sandy southern coastline and soaring mountain summits in North Georgia. And while many are cheap (or even free!), they’re all big on beauty. (A sunset cuddle on a view-packed mountain summit? Yes, please!)
Our favorite outdoor date ideas near Atlanta
We get a ton of emails from readers asking for help with outdoor date ideas. Here’s our short list of Georgia’s best, most beautiful and most romantic outdoor spots, all fully worthy of the perfect date with a dose of adventure:
Piedmont Park
1-4 miles
Atlanta’s historic Piedmont Park provides a picturesque setting for a great outdoor date in the city. Stroll to the covered gazebo on the pedestrian bridge overlooking Lake Clara Meer, and soak up the views as the Atlanta skyline reflects in the glassy water. Bring a picnic basket and a blanket, and enjoy a romantic lunch or dinner on the sweeping lawns of The Meadow or Oak Hill.
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East Palisades on the Chattahoochee River
4 Miles
Take a romantic stroll along the banks of the Chattahoochee River in metro ATL. The East Palisades Trail meanders the along river’s banks and climbs to several lofty bluffs with outstanding views of the river near Vinings. The trail explores a bamboo forest, too – perfect for a quiet cuddle with some beautiful river views.
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Arabia Mountain Summit
1.3 Miles
Make the short hike to the top of Arabia Mountain and bask in the sunshine while catching some beautiful views. The mountain’s summit makes for a great outdoor date – and it’s far less crowded than its nearby neighbor, Stone Mountain.
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Cumberland Island
2-20+ miles
For an amazing romantic weekend, take your date to Cumberland Island, Georgia’s wildly beautiful National Seashore south of Savannah. You’ll find serene, white sand beaches, Carnegie family mansion ruins and wild horses wandering sabal palm and live oak forests. Reserve a campsite at Sea Camp, or backpack deeper into the island for an incomparable multi-day adventure. (Or an uber-luxurious stay, book a room at the Greyfield Inn.) Just don’t forget the bug spray.
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Sweetwater Creek
2-6+ miles
Hike the Sweetwater Creek Red Trail to high, rocky bluffs overlooking the whitewater and waterfall-filled, tumbling landscape at Sweetwater Creek State Park just west of Atlanta. You’ll trek through a scenic forest, over sandy river banks, and over boulder-filled outcrops before catching stunning views high above the water.
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Rabun Bald on the Bartram Trail
3 miles
Hit the trail with your date and hike to Georgia’s second highest peak and some spectacular 360-degree summit views. This moderate hike on the Bartram Trail treks through gorgeous fern and rhododendron filled forests before reaching the view-packed summit of Rabun Bald. Climb the historic observation platform to take in the stunning, wrap-around views of seemingly endless mountains, with views stretching to Black Rock Mountain in Georgia, and Albert Mountain and Whiteside Mountain in North Carolina.
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Fort Mountain State Park
1.5 miles
Hike to one of the most spectacular views in Georgia on the Fort Mountain Overlook, Wall and Tower Trails. The short hike explores an ancient rock wall, a historic stone lookout tower and an overlook with sweeping views of the Cohutta Wilderness. (Look for the heart-shaped rock built into the historic fire tower’s wall, a valentine left by a stone mason in the 1930s.)
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Jacks River Falls on the Beech Bottom Trail
9 miles
This hike is big on beauty, exploring one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Georgia. The stunning Jacks River Falls tumbles and spills over a series of massive rock outcrops in North Georgia’s pristine Cohutta Wilderness. This 9 miler is well worth the effort – and a great date idea for a bit of quiet and solitude.
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Minnehaha Falls
.4 miles
This hike is short, sweet and packs an amazing amount of beauty in less than one half mile – the perfect outdoor date idea for a beginner hiker. Hike to the base of the towering Minnehaha Falls near Lake Rabun, and don’t forget a picnic.
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Amicalola Falls
2 miles
Georgia’s tallest waterfall, Amicalola Falls, makes for a great outdoor date. Catch an up-close view of the towering waterfall on a series of stairs and bridges on this scenic two-mile hike. At the crest of the falls, you’ll score some beautiful, long distance views of the Appalachian mountains and the roaring falls below.
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Skidaway Island State Park near Savannah
2 miles
The Sandpiper and Avian Loop Trails at Skidaway Island State Park near Savannah trek through live oak-filled forest draped with Spanish moss, over boardwalks through salt flats, and catch sweeping coastal views. The views are stunning any time of day, but they’re particularly beautiful at sunset when the day’s last rays reflect off the tidal waters and filter through moss covered trees.
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Romantic getaway
Rent a cabin or cottage in the North Georgia mountains
Treat your date to a weekend in the Georgia mountains! Check out our Georgia cabin reviews for recommendations on some of our favorite Georgia cottages and cabins. Find a nearby adventure on our favorite North Georgia hiking trails or our favorite North Georgia waterfalls, all great for a romantic adventure with a heavy dose of classic Georgia beauty.
SEE OUR FAVORITE NORTH GEORGIA CABINS
Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.