Destinations

The best antidote I know to city stress is to get on the water or walk through the woods. Luckily, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area just north of Atlanta has opportunities for both.

It was the most thrilling “lazy” river I’d ever been on. I sometimes struggled to stay in my tube on the waves and rapids at Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis. Guests of Atlantis pay no admission; others can purchase a day pass for the 141-acre water park, which includes 20 swimming areas, 11 pools and high-speed water slides.

We sat perched in the cramped entrance to Mama J’s Kitchen, but it was worth the wait for the best fried catfish and corn muffins we’d ever had.

Jeremy Norris’ family members were bootleggers and farmers. He carries on their legacy with Broadslab Distillery, located on the family farm, producing moonshine, whisky and rum in a still he designed with his grandfather using his recipe. “We handle the entire process from dirt to bottle,” he said on the one-hour tour that includes a shot glass and tasting.