Just a short hour's drive to the east takes Atlantans to one of their favorite country retreats in Hard Labor Creek Park. Despite the name, leisure is more the order of the day, with day-trippers and overnight guests taking advantage of the park's 50 picnic sites, 20 cottages, 51 trailer and RV sites, and miles of nature, hiking, and equestrian trails. A small boating lake is on hand for water sports and fishing, plus a fishing stream and golf course for more casual outdoor enthusiasts.

Head east out of Atlanta for some outdoor fun when the grind of city life has got you down. Take Interstate 20 to US-378, and find the park seven miles (12 kilometers) east of the town of Lincolnton. Twenty cottages, 165 tent and trailer sites and plenty of rugged camping facilities are available, plus 121 picnic sites, five shelters, and a beautiful lake with a full-access boating ramp. Lounge on the beach, try your hand at water skiing, or simply stroll the miles of nature trails and enjoy some fresh air for a change.

When it's time to take your game to the next level, get into the swing at Trader Golf. These high-volume club brokers buy and sell slightly used golf equipment, and pass the savings on to their very grateful customers. Whether you are looking to begin a golfing career, or just replace a seven iron that somehow wrapped itself around a tree, Trader Golf can usually meet your needs. Trader Golf will also buy your old clubs for reasonable prices. Call or visit the website for other locations.

The Antique Car Museum was opened in 1963 by Tommy Protsman to showcase his private collection of antiques and cars. With nearly four decades of experience under its belt, the museum now houses forty antique cars and over 4000 interesting antiques. The museum includes such rare cars as a 1948 Tucker and a 1928 Martin. Voted by Car Collector Magazine as one of the top ten car museums with fifty cars or less, the museum is a sure-fire destination for all car lovers and antique connoisseurs. Operating hours change monthly, see website for updates. See main Stone Mountain Park website for One-Day All Attractions Pass pricing and details.

As Atlanta pushes its borders north, so too does the metro area's art scene. The SLM Studio/Gallery in downtown Roswell leads the charge, featuring the original figurative paintings and sculpture of award-winning artist Sandra Milton. This popular area artist has garnered a loyal following in Georgia, and her Roswell studio serves as the focal point of her expanding national reputation.

This contemporary gallery is artist-owned and artist-operated, and features a creative, modern showing of original two- and three-dimensional work. As Roswell's first predominantly contemporary art gallery located in the heart of the downtown historic district, it seems a bit out of place, but the change is a welcome one. New exhibits of paintings, drawings, sculpture, and fine crafts arrive about every six weeks, so call for new showings and changing displays.

An hour north of the city in the rolling hills of North Georgia, you'll find this aptly-named gallery on the lazy Main Street of Clayton. A far stretch from the image-conscious attitude of cosmopolitan galleries, this spot is in easy harmony with the natural beauty that surrounds it, and the featured art reflects that spirit. Representing well-known and emerging self-taught artists from the Southeast, this is a perfect spot for those who believe in art for the sake of art, and not for the sake of image.

When form meets function, art ascends to a whole new plane. Such is the philosophy behind the abstract offerings at the Artisan Resource Center. The art here consists not of your normal gallery fare, but of pieces that challenge traditional boundaries. Just north of the city in suburban Marietta, this fascinating gallery features works that will brighten your home while enlivening conversation. The work of many creative local minds is yours for the asking, all within easy reach at the Artisan Resource Center.

About ten minutes east of downtown via Ponce de Leon Avenue, you'll find the historic charm and old courthouse of Decatur's Court Square. Amid this quaint environment, you'll also find the Vinson Gallery, a stunning modern showroom that brings the best of original contemporary artwork by emerging and established European and American artists to Georgia. Located in the Lenz Building just across from the courthouse. The gallery closes for summer holiday in mid-late July.

Although they bill themselves as an art gallery, the folks at Timpson Creek sure don't act like it... and that's a good thing. This elemental showroom in the North Georgia mountains hosts a great collection of folk art by some of the area's most talented artists, but also caters well to the antiquing crowd. Yard sculptures, painted art, and rustic furniture, antiques, and appointments for the home are all featured in this happy rural setting.