The travel issue
Stretch the budget with a trip that does double duty: Pinching pennies? Try making a vacation out of visiting family.
Have a grand ole getaway in Nashville, Tenn.: Fill your vacation with music and family-friendly activities.
Argentina holds beauty, power: Searching for something more exotic? Try a trip to the waterfalls of Argentina.
Need to get away, but don't want to spring for a hotel? Enter the day trip. Here are a few places to visit that are within about an hour and a half drive from Gainesville, but far enough away to feel like a bit of a vacation.
Cartersville
How far (estimated from Gainesville according to Google maps): One hour, 35 minutes
Booth Western Art Museum
Where: 501 Museum Drive, Cartersville
How much: $8 adults, $6 seniors 65 and older, $5 students, children 12 and younger and active military free
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays
Contact: 770-387-1300
Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic site
What: Most intact Mississippian Culture site in the Southeastern United States
Where: 813 Indian Mounds Road, Cartersville
How much: $5 adults, $2.50 children
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturdays
Contact: 770-387-3747
Tellus Northwest Georgia Science Museum
What: The Weinman Mineral Gallery, The Fossil Gallery, Science in Motion, The Collins Family My Big Backyard and planetarium
Where: 100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville
How much: $12 adults, $8 children ages 3 to 17, $8 students, $10 seniors 65 and older, active military free
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Contact: 770-606-5700
Decatur
How far: 54 minutes
Waffle House Museum
Where: 2719 E. College, Decatur
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment.
Contact: 1-877-9-WAFFLE
Walking tours
What: Six self-guided tours; maps available at the Decatur Recreation Center, the Downtown Development Authority office, some local shops and on the official Decatur Web site
Contact: 404-371-8386
Madison
How far: One hour, 30 minutes
Heritage Hall
What: 19th century home
Where: 277 S. Main St., Madison
How much: $5 adults, $2 children and students
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays
Contact: 706-342-9627
Madison-Morgan Cultural Center
What: Museum, galleries and theater
Where: 434 S. Main St., Madison
How much: $3 adults, $2.50 seniors, $2 students
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays
Contact: 706-342-4743 or 877-233-0598
Morgan County African American Museum
Where: 156 Academy St., Madison
How much: $3 adults, $2 students
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays
Contact: 706-342-9191
Rogers House & Rose Cottage
What: 19th century homes
Where: 179 E. Jefferson St., Madison
How much: $3 adults, $2 students
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturdays and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays
Contact: 706-343-0190
How far: 59 minutes
What: Family adventure course, train rides, miniature golf, hiking
Where: Interstate 20, Exit 8, Stone Mountain
How much: $8 parking; $26 adults, $21 children ages 3 to 11 and $23 seniors and military members
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Aug. 9
Contact: 770-498-5690 or 800-401-2407