What small Southern town makes for a perfect weekend getaway from Atlanta, thanks to its charming historic downtown, vibrant restaurant and bar scene, leisurely laid-back pace, and scenic waterfront? If you guessed Savannah or Charleston, we have good news! This one’s much closer to home. Acworth may be metro Atlanta’s best-kept travel secret, because this little town has a lot going on. Here’s why you should put it on your list this year:

1. Exciting new eats

Acworth is jam-packed with great dining destinations, serving everything from seafood to soul. And downtown’s status as an open container district makes it the perfect place to spend an evening sipping and strolling. On top of that, 2020 is bringing some exciting new restaurants and bars into the city’s dynamic food and drink scene. Get excited for a chef-driven restaurant serving seasonal cuisine, a one-of-a-kind beer garden and tap room, and even the city’s first craft brewery, with other new bars and eateries in the works (stay tuned for more updates on those). The city’s already diverse dining scene is about to get even better, and we can’t wait to spend time exploring it.

2. A fascinating new history destination

History buffs will love Depot Park, a replica of Acworth’s historic train depot. Inside, you’ll find dozens of oral history videos from long-time Acworth residents and thousands of archival photos that show how much this historic city has changed (and in some ways, stayed the same) in its long, rich history.

3. Your new selfie backdrop

Of course, we love the fact that the new Lemon Street pedestrian bridge (which connects the 140 gorgeous green acres of Logan Farm Park with historic downtown), makes it even easier to explore Acworth on foot. But there’s something else you should know about this bridge: the scenic view from the top is highly Instagrammable. Perched above the railroad tracks that have defined this city’s landscape for decades, the view from the bridge is ridiculously photogenic, especially come sunset. (PS: kids of all ages will love watching the trains zoom past from above.)

4. Easier parking

The vibe in Acworth is all about taking your time and enjoying life — around here, things just seem easy. Hundreds of new (and free!) public parking spaces make it even easier to get out from behind the wheel and explore the charms of Acworth on foot.

And… golf carts!

Start your engines: a new ordinance allows people to ride golf carts in streets, and you don’t have to be a golf pro to zip around like one. Seeing Acworth from behind the wheel of a golf cart is easy, leisurely, and a whole lot of fun — you can rent yours for the day from Appalachian Outfitters on Main Street.