3. Picking Farms and Horse Farms
There is still quite a bit of open land in the county and there are some nearby fun picking farms in the northern section like Kinsey Family Farm on Jot-em-Down Road and Warbington Farm on Crowe Rd.
The Kinsey Family Farm is well known for it's sunflower field, Christmas tree farm, hayrides, fish feeding, pumpkin patch and apple cannons.Open in the fall-it will also host events as well-they will do marshmallow roasts as well! They do have spring and summer hours, check their website.
Warbington Farms is primarily a strawberry picking farm (get there now, they are ready!)corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes and more with year round hours. Check their website for hours and days they are open.
Roadside stands spring up all over the county this time of year to buy fresh produce and more. Most horse farms are private, but if you take a ride up off 369 both ways you will see many horses and some cows grazing in the distance.
Ok, so you may not find those Louboutin pumps you have been looking for in the area (except for possibly a consignment store or Goodwill...) but there are some nifty places to buy lots of things and get your retail therapy going without heading to Buckhead:
My favorite kitty greeter at the Green Bean Exchange---------->
Cool Bees Art and Gifts is located on Highway 9 just north of Post Road and is a slice of hippie and art in the burbs! Owner Terry Henner has opened this shop in a rennovated older home stocked to the brim with items from local artistans, jewelry, clothing, collectibles and Greatful Dead stickers...she also offers art classes and hopefully will have a live music venue there this summer.
Jul's Candles is located on James Burgess Road right across from the Sharon Elementary School and is one of the area's favorites for home made candles and scents (I love the 'black tie' scent), jewelry and they will even fill a container that you bring.
Market 334 is up on Dahlonega Highway right north of the courthouse and is also full of local artisans.
The Green Bean Antiques Exchange is a fun shop on Highway 20 if you dig antique malls-they are ful of vintage items, furniture, clothing, jewelry and more-it is a treasure hunt. I especially love the hilarious taxidermy cat that welcomes you at the door...
For the latest in gifts and trendy jewelry, try 2 Posh Dames on Highway 306 right off exit 17. They carry Vietri, Rhonda Smith Designs, Hanky Panky, Caspari, Archipelago, Natural Life and more.
Enjoy your retail therapy-and if that doesn't satisfy you, then there is also the outlet mall a few miles north on 400.....
More on my blog at www.northatlantalifestyle.blogspot.com
