Georgia Magazine - January 2013 - (Page 26)

The Dillard House restaurant is known for its generous servings of homemade Southern dishes. Experience Southern hospitality around Dillard • • BY JENNIFER STEWART KORNEGAY T he small town of Dillard is about two hours from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. But resting in a quiet valley between peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it feels a world away. And there’s no better base camp for everything the area offers than the Dillard House. This historic property has been serving hearty helpings of classic comfort foods and Southern hospitality for more than 90 years, and when billboards promoting the property say, “Come visit the Dillards!” they aren’t kidding. The Dillard family ﬁrst came to the area when Capt. John Dillard was given 1,000 acres in 1794 for his service in the American Revolution. More than a century later, in 1917, Arthur and Carrie Dillard opened the Dillard House inn. Today, the resort, still owned and operated by their descendants, carries on the family tradition of friendliness. “We tell our staff to treat our guests like they were guests in their own home,” says current owner John Dillard, 67, who runs the place with his wife, Louise, daughter Natalie, son John Jr. and a welcoming staff. 26 Pick a place Once you’ve chosen to visit the Dillard House, you’ll have to decide which of the resort’s accommodation options is right for you. The aptly named Rock House Inn, with its stone exterior, is the original Dillard House. It’s intimate and cozy, with only six units available and antiques dominating the décor. While the look harkens back to yesterday, the Rock House rooms have all the modern conveniences. The Dillard House Inn consists of eight one-story complexes, each with its own name and unique view off a shared back porch equipped with comfy rocking chairs. All of the rooms are spacious and include ﬂatscreen TVs, wireless Internet and a kitchenette with a coffeemaker. The four cottages provide the most privacy. The two-bedroom Helen’s Cottage is especially quaint, with hardwood ﬂoors, a wood stove ﬁreplace and wrap-around porch. Two miles from the main resort, the Dillard House’s Chalet Village is tucked away on 90 acres of mountainside loveliness. The 25 chalets range from rustic to quite luxurious, More online at www.georgiamagazine.org with a wide array of sizes. Wherever you decide to lay your head at night, the Dillards’ high standard of service runs throughout the property. Fun activities Your next choice is deciding what to do. You could easily ﬁll your stay without ever leaving the borders of the Dillard House. Like ﬁshing? Toss a line in one of two fully stocked trout ponds. Love animals? Stroll over to the petting zoo where docile goats, chickens, sheep and cows are happy to have anyone, but especially kids, interact with them. Indulge in a horse-drawn carriage ride or play a leisurely game of horseshoes. Tennis courts and a swimming pool are also available. One of the more popular on-site activities at the Dillard House is horseback riding. Gentle horses and trails meander through some stunning scenery. “We’re one of the few places around to provide horseback trail riding, and it’s a real favorite with our guests,” John says. There’s plenty to do on the property, but adventures of all kinds in GEORGIA MAGAZINE PETER MCINTOSH Down-home, mountain style Dillard ★ http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - January 2013

Georgia Magazine - January 2013
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Liberty Notes
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar of Events
The 2013 Readers' Choice Awards
Currents
Bird Dog Capital of the World
'A whole new stratosphere’
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - January 2013