With summer’s arrival, you may be on the lookout for day trips that will allow you to discover unique communities that boast their own personality and offer an array of enjoyable experiences. Fortunately, metro Atlanta is replete with cities and towns that do just that. Here, we highlight three spots in particular that have a vibe all their own and will let you fill your daily itinerary with everything from scrumptious meals to outstanding entertainment and beyond. Get ready to ease into summer days with a trip or two to the following local hot spots.

Braselton

Located 43 miles northeast of Atlanta at the convergence of Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties, this North Georgia town welcomes thousands of visitors each year and has become one of the metro area’s most coveted residential locations.

~ Morning

Start your day at the Galloping Galette, an authentic creperie brought to Braselton by a husband-and-wife team from the Brittany region of France. The French-inspired bistro features a complete menu of savory buckwheat galettes and sweet crepes, all of which can be ordered as prepared or built to suit your tastes. The laid-back breakfast (and lunch) spot also offers artisan coffee and vegan and gluten-free options. Brunch is served on Sunday and includes a delightful collection of cocktails.

~ Afternoon

If you arrive on a late Friday afternoon or Saturday, the vintage-inspired Braselton Trolley allows guests to take in the town’s vibe. Riders can access downtown boutique apparel and gift shops, restaurants, antique shops, a general store and much more. A trolley ride also includes a stop at the Château Élan Winery, where you can take a tour and relax in the tasting room, visit the lush vineyards and enjoy access to a full calendar of events. Reservations are required for winery tours, and advanced tickets are suggested for the tasting room.

~ Evening

Perhaps you’ve shopped all afternoon and your taste buds are ready for some refreshing craft brews. The Braselton Brewing Company features a nice variety on its tap list, including a strawberry blonde ale, scotch ale and coffee milk stout, among others. Wine selections and cocktails range from cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay to mimosas and a winey spritzer, while burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, cheesesteak and bratwurst also grace the menu. Patio seating is offered at the brewpub’s upper and lower levels.

~ Where to Stay

Château Élan Winery & Resort is Braselton’s crown jewel of hospitality, blending European luxury and Southern hospitality. In addition to offering well-appointed inn rooms and suites, the resort features golf and tennis clubs, a spa, a French-style café and coffee shop, afternoon tea service in the hotel’s glass-top atrium and more. Guests also can indulge in activities such as cooking classes, charcuterie workshops, painting classes, wellness classes and bike rentals. chateauelan.com

Peachtree Corners

Gwinnett County’s newest city, Peachtree Corners is  a vibrant municipality located 22 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta and home to more than 45,000 residents, 45,000 jobs and an innovation hub that houses some of the world’s most disruptive technology companies.

~ Morning

Start off your trip in Peachtree Corners with a Sunday brunch at the chef-driven Stage Kitchen and Bar. Diners can order traditional brunch favorites like eggs benedict or select crème brûlée French toast or a ratatouille omelet, among other dishes. The creative small plates menu stretches the culinary imagination with duck fried rice, short rib eggroll and lamb lollipops. Lunch favorites include options like shrimp and grits and the tuna croissant melt. The brunch menu also features handcrafted cocktails including mimosas and Bloody Marys.

~ Afternoon

Want to upgrade your wardrobe? Spend the afternoon at The Forum, one of the metro area’s premier destinations for shopping, dining and more. The outdoor locale includes a wide array of retail spots, including contemporary women’s clothing boutique A Nose for Clothes and Gifts We All Want, which specializes in American-made and local artists’ gift items, home décor, jewelry, artwork and more. The Forum is also home to several restaurants and hosts a variety of special events throughout the year.

~ Evening

The Town Green, a two-plus-acre community gathering place, hosts Peachtree Corners’ annual Summer Concert Series, a free event that features live music under the stars. The concerts are held on the last Saturday of each month from May through October and feature popular tunes performed by original artists and cover bands; this year’s acts include Risky Biscuit, Guardians of the Jukebox! and a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Fans are encouraged to eat at restaurants in the city’s Town Center or bring their own food to the concerts.

~ Where to Stay

Too tired to drive home after a long day of activities in Peachtree Corners? Check in for the night at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast. Located just four miles from The Forum on Peachtree Parkway, the hotel features standard guest rooms, suites and executive rooms, as well as indoor and outdoor pools and an onsite fitness center. Guests can eat casual fare at Latitude 33, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and includes a bar with big screen televisions.

Smyrna

Known as the Jonquil City for the thousands of jonquils that bloom in gardens and along the streets each spring, Smyrna is located just 10 miles northwest of ­Atlanta. It is home to more than 56,000 residents who enjoy access to great locations and a bounty of events all year long.

~ Morning

Start your day in Smyrna with a hike on the Silver Comet Trail, a fully paved pedestrian rail trail that begins at the Mavell Road Trailhead. Walkers, hikers, rollerbladers, cyclists and dog walkers can enjoy this non-motorized trail with access to restrooms, picnic trails, parking and water at the trailhead. The Silver Comet Cumberland Connect leads to the Highland Station shopping center. The Silver Comet Trail traverses through Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties, ultimately connecting with the Chief Lodge Trail in Alabama.

~ Afternoon

A visit to Truist Park, home of the World Champion Atlanta Braves, is not only the perfect place to catch a game live, but also to trek through the team’s rich history with the Braves Hall of Fame, the Hank Aaron statue commemorating the legend’s 715th home run in the Monument Garden and more. Arrive early at The Battery, a mixed-use destination connected to Truist Park, to grab some Braves merchandise, have lunch at one of the area’s coveted restaurants or tailgate and grill out at Lot 29.

~ Evening

Wrap up your day in Smyrna with a visit to Creatwood Tavern, which boasts Smyrna’s only rooftop bar. Sink your teeth into one of six different varieties of burgers, including a delectable bacon and smoked gouda creation, as well as a variety of sandwiches, traditional or boneless wings, salads and entrees. A new signature cocktail menu boasts a host of wonderfully crafted libations that can be enjoyed overlooking a perfect view of the city lights.

~ Where to Stay

If you want to stay overnight or for several days, the rooms at Candlewood Suites Atlanta-Smyrna offer a full kitchen, full-sized refrigerator, stovetop, microwave oven, dishwasher and cooking and dining utensils. One-bedroom suites with king or queen beds and studio suites also are available, along with a fitness center. There are even six lot spaces reserved for EV charging.