Arriving at The Dillard House, located between the North Georgia and North Carolina mountains, I was invited to experience a simpler time. A time where warm mountain hospitality was extended to travelers. A time when family members sat around the fire in the evening, discussing their days. Located just two hours from Atlanta, Asheville, and Greenville, South Carolina, this hidden gem has been welcoming travelers for 100 years.
We visited the Dillard House as part of their 100th year media celebration.
The Dillards have a long history in the Little Tennessee River Valley. Captain John Dillard arrived in 1794, but it wasn’t until 1917 that the present day Dillard House was established by Carrie and Arthur Dillard. Begun in their modest 6 room home, the Dillard House has expanded to it’s present size of 92 guest rooms and suites and more than 28 cottages and chalets. Over the years they’ve hosted such dignitaries as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney and President Jimmy Carter, but their friendly staff makes everyone feel welcome from the moment you walk in the door.
Designed for leisurely family fun, the Dillard House offers plenty of complementary attractions to keep you busy including:
*Trout Fishing- Overnight guests can fish at the two trout ponds located on the property. Bring your fishing gear and enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening with the family.
*Petting Zoo-Kids will love the Dillard House petting zoo, complete with chickens, goats, a minature donkey and a Shetland pony.
*Carriage Rides- Complimentary carriage rides of the property are given each Saturday from 9 am to 4 Pm.
*Outdoor Sporting Activities- Year round activities include tennis courts, a horseshoe pit and opportunities to explore the grounds. Seasonal activities include the pool and jacuzzi.
*Happy Hour on Saturday- each Saturday afternoon, adult guests can enjoy complimentary wine tasting and horderves.
For the more adventurous, you can purchase unforgetable experience packages, including:
**Horseback Riding– the Dillard House stables provide a variety of packages for ages six and up, including scenic trail riding, river riding, and private horseback rides. For the younger set, there’s a parent led children’s ride, available for children three years and up.
**Falconry –a new program, beginning in March, allows patrons to learn the ancient art of falconry with beautiful birds.
If you are hungry, the Dillard House Restaurant is open seven days a week and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. One of the first farm to table restaurants in the state of Georgia, their menu uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients and changes seasonally. The meals are served “family style,” meaning they’ll bring out dishes of food and keep refilling them for you until you’re full. Favorites include the cabbage casserole, a cheesy concoction that will rock your world, and the most amazing, flaky cinnamon rolls ever.
Want to copy these dishes in your own kitchen? Stop by the Dillard House Store and pick up a copy of The Dillard House Cookbook and Mountain Guide. Not only does it contain delicious recipes, it provides an amazing history of the area through pictures, interviews, and a section devoted to traditional mountain foods. You’ll also find an excursions guide with can’t miss attractions in the area.
After a long day enjoying the outdoors, you can relax in one of the comfortable rooms or sit on the deck behind the room in a comfy rocking chair and enjoy the view. If you’re not able to unplug from the modern world, the Dillard House offers complementary internet. *Tip: Internet reception can be spotty on the drive through the mountains to arrive at the Dillard House. Be prepared and have driving directions printed out in advance.
In honor of The Dillard House centennial this year, special activities are planned throughout the year. “We are really emphasizing that there’s something for everybody, ages 1-100!” Louise Dillard say, “We’re also celebrating memories.” Special events include:
March 17-19: A Celtic Centennial: The North Georgia Players Dinner Theatre will perform “Finnegan’s Farewell” on March 18th. It’s a comedy set at a funeral wake, complete with Irish dancing, singing and music.
March 24-26: Wine, Dine and Punchlines: A Taste of North Georgia Vineyards :Laurie Forster will attend a dinner and wine pairing on March 25th and will hold a taste testing of North Georgia wines from five nearby vineyards.
July 21-23: Brew and Crew: If you are a craft beer lover Master Brewer Smith Mathews of Georgia’s Southbound Brewery, will share secrets during this tasting dinner.
Aug. 19-21: Total Eclipse Extravaganza Experience a once-in-a-lifetime event (only happens once every 100 years!) while viewing the Solar Eclipse from The Dillard House lawn on August. 21.
September 15-17: Dishin’ and Junkin’ with Author Mary Kay Andrews: Author Mary Kay Andrews will share her love of cooking. She’ll also entertain guests at a luncheon on September 16, host a book signing, and “junk” with participants afterwards in Dillard, GA antique stores.
Ready to visit The Dillard House? You can learn more by visiting The Dillard House Website.
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I’ve never been to the Dillard House but would love to get out of the city and become a country girl for a few days! It looks like so much fun
I haven’t been to The Dillard House. However, it looks beautiful and I think I’ll enjoy visiting there esp. since I can fish 😉
That is a beautiful house and I love the country setting. I bet it is fun to visit or stay there.
This looks like a great getaway! I will have to remember this place when we visit next summer!
It’s beautiful and the rooms are beautiful. What a great little nugget of history. 92 rooms….mama wouldn’t wanna clean all those! lol
This looks like such a beautiful place and a sweet little getaway! It makes me envious of all that sunshine and greenery. I’m buried in snow here in Canada right now!
I live in Georgia and I never heard of the Dillard House! Wow looks like its fun for people who love that country down home lifestyle.
This looks like a place to visit to step back from the hustle and relax, excellent!
My father would love the craft beer menu.
Amazing! Lots of activities to enjoy! My kids will surely love to go here!
This looks incredible, they’ve had some really big guest. My kid would love the petting zoo and I would be all about the food.
I love staying in historic homes! This looks like a wonderful place to visit. Learning falconry sounds so interesting too!
what a great place to stay and visit! it makes me wonder whether is it a house or a hotel? lol. that’s very interesting!
It’s both! They have the house with the dining room, conference room, etc, and the guest rooms are separate.
What a great place to visit and stay. It looks like a place that has something to offer everyone.
What a nice, cozy place to unplug and unwind! I would love to stay there for weeks! I think spring would be the perfect time to book a flight to Georgia and stay in this awesome place.
Gorgeous house! I love the stonework and all the farm animals. I hope you had a great trip and your pictures are lovely!
Such a beautiful house! And the view is stunning! Love the pictures, thank you for sharing!
This is such a great spot to spend the day as a family! We have been to The DIllard House, once a few years ago.
What a lovely place for a getaway. It’s cool that they have plenty of fun new things to try outdoors! The dinner and wine pairing should be nice too!
I have not been to Dillard, GA or the Dillard House (duh!!) I think the falconry is a cool thing to add for the kids.
The Dillard House seems like a charming place to stay and a great way to leave the big city behind! I especially love all of those complementary activities.
I was just looking at travel destinations for spring break. This looks like a fun and relaxing place that our whole family would enjoy.
What a charming house to visit! I love that they offer so many outdoor activities to make your stay that much more memorable.
What a beautiful house with all the rock and the countryside is beautiful. Holding that falcon would be amazing.
Dillard House looks like so much fun! You know, thanks to you we’ve started planning a trip to the deep south. It’s gorgeous down there!
Cozy rooms? Check. Good food? Check. Super cute and interesting animals? Check and check. Seems like a winner to me. I think we need to head to Georgia.
I absolutely adore this. Places like Dillard House are where families can really get back to being families and get away from all the hubub of modern life.
This is exactly the kind of place that my family loves to visit. I love how comfy the accommodations are, and we can never say no to animals!
That sounds like a lovely little place to stay! If I am in the area, I will book myself a room!
This looks like an awesome place to stay, let alone visit. It looks peaceful and restful and the food looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve always enjoyed visiting The Dillard House! The food is delicious! It’s been a while since I’ve visited and I know the grandkids would love to go.