Abigail Dunagan, Campus Carrier arts and living editor

The city of Rome has a lot to offer, but it is still a relatively small town. While Berry has plenty of beautiful hikes, it can be difficult to find new things to do on the weekend, especially if you are an upperclassman or have been living in the area for a few years. Luckily, Rome is not too far from Atlanta and other attractions like Cloudland Canyon State Park. These places can be visited in a day with a bit of a drive. Now that the weather is starting to warm up, there are plenty of budget-friendly activities that are just a short drive away. 

For those who love flowers and nature, Gibbs Gardens is located an hour and a half away in Cherokee County, Ga. This attraction boasts over 300 acres of gardens, and it is one of the largest residential gardens in the nation. Highlights include the daffodil gardens, the manor house gardens and the waterlily gardens. Along with the collection of featured gardens, Gibbs Gardens also includes many seasonal gardens. The website shows updates of the gardens that are currently in bloom. Right now late daffodils, late tulips, pansies and dogwoods are blooming. 

Tickets for Gibbs Gardens cost $25 a person, and can be purchased online or in-person. While $25 is not super cheap, there is enough in these beautiful gardens to occupy an entire day. When planning this trip, be sure to factor in the cost of gas and lunch along the way. Gibbs Gardens is closed on Mondays, but it is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. 

If you love nature but spending a day in a flower garden doesn’t sound super exciting to you, check out Cloudland Canyon. Located in Dade County, Ga, Cloudland Canyon is home to many scenic waterfalls, hiking trails, forests and wildlife. It is located on the edge of Lookout Mountain. The drive is about an hour from Rome, and there is no cost to hike the trails so budget according to gas, lunch or any additional souvenirs. There are many different hikes with varying levels of difficulty, so visitors can select a hike that is best for their abilities. The park also offers activities outside of hiking, like a disc golf course and bike trails. A round of disc golf is $4 per person, and bikes can be rented for $35 for half a day or $55 for a full day. 

If nature is definitely not your thing, the city of Atlanta is brimming with day-activities, restaurants and shopping centers. Atlanta is roughly an hour and a half from Rome depending on traffic, but it is a big city so be sure to plan your day accordingly. On the pricier side of activities, Atlanta boasts the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coke and Zoo Atlanta. Tickets for a day in one of these attractions will cost anywhere between $20 to $40, and in Atlanta you may also have to factor in additional parking costs. There are a variety of affordable restaurants near these attractions such as Johnny Rocket’s and The Varsity. 

If you are looking for something to do in Atlanta that is a little more budget friendly, the city offers many different shopping centers and malls. Visit the Ponce City Market for a unique collection of restaurants, shops and weekly events. If you are interested in walking through Atlanta, the Beltline is a trail that traverses 22 miles through the city. Formerly a railroad, this trail can be walked, hiked, biked or roller-skated through. The Beltline passes through Ponce City Market and several other shopping areas, and it is free to walk on. If you plan on visiting one of these locations, make sure to plan for lunch, gas and shopping costs. 

The semester is winding down to a close, and finals week is just around the corner. For many Berry students, these next few weekends will be full of studying and completing final papers. It may be hard to find the time to go to some of these places, but it’s important to take breaks during this stressful season. These last few weeks of school can be overwhelming, but having a weekend trip to look forward to can help manage the stress.