By Nikki Perry
Small towns are the heart and soul of the South, and there is no better way to explore the town of Braselton than by a trolley. The Braselton Trolley picks up guests at Chateau Elan Winery every Friday and Saturday and is available for group tour rentals all week long. Riders can check www.braseltontrolley.com for the trolley’s availability and track its location in real time.
The first stop on the trolley’s regular route is the Braselton Brothers Department Store, which has been the center of historic Braselton since 1904, when people from all over Northeast Georgia visited to shop and socialize. Sections of the store have been renovated over the past decade and are now home to fine dining, boutique shopping, salons, and the town welcome center.
The historic mercantile section of the store, which was most recently the Braselton Antique Mall, reopens in summer 2021 as a multi-tenant space aptly called The 1904: Original Braselton Mercantile. As it was in 1904, the mercantile will again be a place where visitors can find anything they need, whether it is something to wear, something to eat, or someplace to meet.
From the first trolley stop, a delightful self-guided walking tour introduces some of historic Braselton’s notable landmarks. Copies of the walking tour brochure are located in the Braselton Welcome and Heritage Center inside Braselton Brothers Department Store and at www.downtownbraselton.com. The website also has information about special historical guided tours that are offered periodically.
The self-guided walking tour includes a visit to the site of a historic cotton gin, where tourists can try an IPA at Braselton Brewing Company which now occupies the restored building. Other tour landmarks include a historic elementary school turned antique shop; an old service station given new life as a restaurant with patio seating; and a home economics building that now houses handmade pottery. Several handsome, well-maintained Colonial Revival homes of the Braselton family located along the tour’s path add photographic backdrops for beautiful memories of a walk through the historic town. All locations on the downtown walking tour can be accessed from the trolley’s first or second stop, the Braselton Library.
The Braselton Town Green is a spacious lawn that hosts festivals, rock concerts, symphonic band performances, and family-friendly movies for the community. The famed Braselton Antique and Artisan Festival and Art-tiques Vintage Markets are held throughout the year in Braselton Park. Upcoming events at these outdoor venues are announced at www.visitbraselton.com.
After exploring the walkable historic district, the trolley makes a third stop at the clubhouse of the Falls of Braselton, a residential neighborhood. Having a designated trolley stop is a unique point of pride for Braselton residents who enjoy riding it to Chateau Elan Winery or historic Braselton for an evening out.
If a nature walk by the river beckons, riders can ask the trolley driver to drop them off just before the third stop at the Mulberry RiverWalk on Liberty Church Road. This natural trail by the Mulberry River leads to the Four Corners monument, where four counties meet, and winds down to a small waterfall surrounded by ancient trees. It’s a serene setting that feels miles away and is worth the walk.
The trolley’s next stop is Mulberry Walk, home to restaurants, bars, ice cream and shopping. In the roundabout of Mulberry Walk stands one of the oldest and largest pecan trees in Georgia. Handmade artisan fencing encircles Pecan Tree Park, where benches and walkways offer opportunities to appreciate the tree’s awe-inspiring size. This is another great photo spot to remember the visit.
The last stop in the trolley’s regular route is Reunion Country Club, a neighborhood surrounding an 18-hole championship golf course to enjoy after swinging through Chateau Elan’s 45 holes. The trolley then completes its loop by traveling back to Chateau Elan Winery.
In addition to its regular schedule, the Braselton Trolley is also available for group tour rentals, whether it is a customized group outing or one of the town’s new pre-arranged tours. These tours include cigars and cocktails, ladies’ day or night out, international cuisine samplers, and more. By providing pickup and transportation to and from the destination, Braselton Trolley ensures that couples, families, and groups can enjoy their time together safely and in style without worrying about who will drive or where to park. Groups can learn more about trolley rentals at www.braseltontrolley.com.
