Historical Places to Visit in the Southeast

We often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life in the big city and suburbia. We so easily forget that just a short drive away are some of the most scenic, relaxing, and simply fun destinations in the country. Do yourself and your family a favor and take some time to get away from the craziness of life and the stress of the current economy. Visit a few areas of the Southeast United States that are considered by many to be "hidden gems".

Mountain Rest, South Carolina
Who can say no to a name like Mountain Rest? Head up Interstate 85, from Atlanta, into South Carolina and a mere 2 ½ hours later you will arrive in Sumter National Forest. The Andrew Pickens District of Sumter National Forest contains 120 miles of trail for hiking and biking, the Ellicott Rock Wilderness through which a Cherokee trading trail once passed, as well as spectacular waterfalls. With hiking trails ranging from easy to extremely difficult leading to the 15 waterfalls, anyone can take time to bask in the beauty of nature.

According to the USDA Forest Service, this area contains the highest waterfall in the eastern United States, Whitewater Falls, which measures over 400-feet tall. Among the more moderate trails to a waterfall, a short 30 minute hike will take you to the 70-foot King Creek Falls. Be sure to pack a lunch because once you reach the waterfall you can spend all day just enjoying the scenery. Another popular waterfall is the 60-foot Station Cove Falls, near the Oconee Station State Historic Site. If you are a fan of lovely flora, you will certainly enjoy the abundance of wildflowers that bloom along the trail to the waterfall.

Spending a week or just the weekend resting from the hassles of your daily life is easy here. The Cherry Hill Recreation Area has over 25 campsites that rent for $10 per night. Modern amenities are available such as flush toilets, hot showers, and drinking water for those who want to sleep in a tent or under the starts but are not up to a completely rough camping experience.

Franklin, North Carolina
Despite a population of approximately 3400, Franklin, North Carolina has a deceptively large number of attractions for travelers from places such as Atlanta, Georgia, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Columbia, South Carolina. A short 2 ½ hour drive from downtown Atlanta will bring you into the mountains of western North Carolina where you can begin your weekend (or week) of relaxation and fun.

The mountain vistas of this beautiful area can be enjoyed in any number of ways. Whether you are looking to spend a romantic weekend getaway at a local bed and breakfast, or your family is up for a little more adventure by staying in a cabin up the mountain, you will feel at home here. Linda Harbeck, of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, obviously loves her town. "There is something for everyone. We have a lot of unique restaurants, many of which are family-oriented, and our town offers a lot of great things to do," says Harbeck.

Franklin is the county seat of Macon County, North Carolina, which boasts a large number of gem mines. From rubies and sapphires, to garnets and moonstones, many of these mines are used today as tourist attractions. Get your Ziploc bags ready and visit any or all of the mines where you can either dig your own dirt or grab a bucket and sift through dirt that has been dug for you. A few of the mines have guarantees that you will find at least one gem in every bucketful, but often the most valuable gems are found when you dig on your own. Pack a lunch so that you and your loved ones can spend all day looking for those "hidden gems".

The Rock, Georgia: The Rock Ranch
The Rock Ranch, a unique experience to be sure, is located only 1 ½ hours south of Atlanta in The Rock, Georgia. The Rock Ranch is owned by S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A, and was opened with the intent on giving family a chance to experience agriculture in many entertaining ways. There are many things to do including a huge cornfield maze that changes each year to give families a chance to learn new information with each visit, Family Fun Days during the autumn, and field trips throughout the year to learn fun facts about farming.

The trip to The Rock Ranch doesn't just have to be a day trip either. You can stay at The Rock Ranch Guest House which is complete with three bedrooms, a kitchen, living room (with a TV) and a deck that looks out over the pond on the ranch. A quiet night or two in the country will do wonders for your family as you reconnect over a simple meal and games or a movie. However, if your family is up for a little more adventure, check out their Conestoga Campout packages. Bunk beds are set up inside the wagons and the basic package offers wood for a campfire as well as a picnic setup. You can purchase a variety of extras to include a hotdog dinner, a storyteller, and a visit from an expert stargazer to educate you and your family on the night sky.

Fort Benning, Georgia
Everyone who proudly calls themselves an American should consider this "hidden gem" a must-see. Two hours south of Atlanta is Ft. Benning, Home of the Infantry, situated next to Columbus, Georgia. Opening on June 19, 2009, the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park is the most unique experience of its kind. Built as a tribute to infantrymen of the past and present, the museum is almost 200,000 square feet and houses artifacts and dramatic scenes from each major conflict that the infantry has been involved in since the Revolutionary War right up through the Desert Wars.

Patriot Park includes a large parade field, life-sized bronze vignettes of battle scenes along a peaceful tree lined walkway, and a restored World War II company street for visitors to see what life was like for 16 million young American men at that time in our history. The new parade field is currently holding graduations every Thursday and Friday that are open to the public.

When asked what the new museum and park meant to him, former infantry officer Loran Montgomery had this to say, "It's about time that the contributions of the infantry were recognized in a manner that befits the sacrifice we have made, and continue to make, every single day."

If you and your family are making the trip to see the National Infantry Museum, you will have plenty to keep you busy for the day, and when you are ready for a break from the walking, the Soldier Center also houses a gift store, a restaurant and bar, and an IMAX theatre.

For Details To Know If You Want to Go

Sumter National Forest: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/index.shtml

Franklin, North Carolina : http://www.franklin-chamber.com

The Rock Ranch: http://www.therockranch.com/

The National Infantry Museum: http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com