Cooper's Creek Store — Local services in Dahlonega

Easily a 10 out of 10 Cooper's Creek Store is everything a true country store should be!!! If you're ever near Cooper's Creek, do yourself a favor and stop by this Mom & Pop store, they truly have EVERYTHING. We have been to this area many times on vacation or passing through to our vacation spot and have never encountered a bad time with the store, the owners nor the employees. First off, the breakfast sandwiches are the best I've ever had, so much so that we grabbed a bag full to take with us on one trip to Tennessee for other mornings. Oh and if you haven't tried their fresh Pineapple Fried Pies they recently made, OMG! They seem to be making all kinds of sweets (pies, cakes, cookies, etc.) and all of it is out of this world. The owners don't believe in serving anything out of their kitchens unless it's fresh, hot and made from scratch. At this store you'll never get pre-made food from a box that is heated up and served as "homemade & fresh". They also have ice cold drinks and soft serve ice cream that are absolutely refreshing on these insanely hot days and when taking a break from fishing behind the store. They have picnic tables and now a huge deck to relax under with fans and a TV to watch. We just recently came through and saw that they are putting in a Gem Mining area, can't wait until it's finished so I will have something fun to do while my husband is trout fishing. Oh and let me add from someone who is always driving on fumes, I am beyond thankful for their onsite gas pumps, they've saved me more than once. But I also want to mention that I've literally seen the owners filling up a cannister and taking it out to help someone on the mountain who ran out of gas. What really sets Cooper's Creek apart from other stores around are the owners. They are truly amazing people, they are down to earth, they welcome any and everybody into their store and will help anybody. I've sat out on the picnic tables eating my ice creams and listening to people (I love to people watch) anyways the comments I have heard are heartfelt for this family who moved here to live their dream and to be the best to a community, the locals and anyone they encounter. They support their community, they are kind, always laughing and smiling and generosity, helping whenever they can. I promise you if you stop here on your way to your destination you will never give your business to anyone else. They just...

Tube the Toccoa!

This won't be like your bumper-to-bumper tube experience in Helen -- expect a more low-key float, and no-frills rental experience. Roger or Diane will get you sorted out and give you a lift if you need to shuttle a vehicle. Grab some drinks and snacks at Coopers before you leave.

The best float is simply from behind Coopers Creek Store down to Deep Hole Campground -- a ~1.5 hour float, down Coopers Creek and then it joins up with the Toccoa. It's easy to drop a car at Deep Hole ($5 day pass) -- head west on 60 and it's about a mile on the left.

If you are adventurous and have all day, you can tube from Deep Hole to the Swinging Bridge (or from Swinging Bridge to Van Zandt's) in 4-5 hours. Much of this stretch winds through pure national forest so be aware there are no take-outs until you reach the bridge. (But there are take-outs along route 5 for the Swinging Bridge to Van Zandt's route).

For Swinging Bridge, shuttle a car to the very end of route 816 (a long 3 miles -- fire road / 10-15 mph). From 816 to the swinging bridge, it's a few hundred yards more on the fire road until it joins MacKaye Trail down to the falls. Swinging Bridge is also a great mini-hike and point of interest for...

We stopped in and this became our only place to eat for the entire time we stayed in Suches. Not only can you get a real Chicago dog with the correct bun an fixings with the correct Vienna brand dog. The Chicken salad was my wife's favorite, beyond generous sandwich size should be in viral video along with the freshest tomatoes we have both ever had. I have ate alot of brisket over the years and hands down this was the best I have ever had. Crispy ends, rendered fat so no blubber, sweet and spicy sauce wow. We took two quarts of Brunswick stew and had over potatoes for two nights, just over the top good food. Lots of cool stuff hidden all over the store, awesome ladies working there! Clean bathrooms! Salsa to die for. All in a beautiful setting! Will be back, wish you sold...