Janice Shay

It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that for a relaxing weekend in the country you should head to Atlanta, but trust me on this one. Located just 32 miles south of Atlanta off I-85, the community of Serenbe is a truly fun and inspiring place to spend a weekend. The 900-acre hamlet is best known these days as the site of the 2012 HGTV Green Home—perhaps the first clue that Serenbe is neither a gated community nor the expected plantation home developments we see along the coast. Serenbe was founded as an ecologically sound and sustainable community where people—from families, businesses, singles, and retirees to artists, writers, and farmers—are welcome to visit and thrive.

It is the bucolic brainchild of Steve and Marie Nygren, who in the early 1990s bought a circa-1905 farmstead set amidst 60 acres of undeveloped rolling hills. Steve was the former owner of the The Peasant Restaurants chain, and Marie’s mother was Margaret Lupo, longtime owner of Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta, who raised Marie in the restaurant business to know and love good food. In 1994 the Nygrens left their busy and successful lives in Atlanta to settle on the farm and run a bed-and-breakfast. Six years later, Nygren joined with partners to buy 40,000 acres of surrounding undeveloped land, and set aside 70 percent of the acreage to be environmentally protected.

The village of Serenbe has grown to embrace an eclectic mix of architectural styles and neighborhoods around a small commercial center. As you drive into town head for the city center, which boasts antique shops, art galleries, restaurants and a photography center. Stop in for a cup of coffee or a baked specialty at the Blue Eyed Daisy. Ask what’s going on that day, and you’ll no doubt get the lowdown on special events, what’s fresh this week at the farmers’ market, or even hear about the new menu items at the local restaurants. It’s that kind of small town.

Plan Your Trip to Serenbe
By Anthony Guza
South’s has collected the key contact points of the Serenbe community for you to maximize your relaxation before you even arrive. Use these quick trip-planning sites to prepare for your serene getaway soon!

Stay

The Inn at Serenbe: Beautiful countryside accommodations can be found at The Inn at Serenbe. www.serenbeinn.com. Rooms start at $130 per night. Call 770.463.2610 to make reservations. Afternoon southern tea, sweets at bedtime and a full country breakfast are included in the price of guest rooms. Traveler’s tip: The inn fills up quickly in the fall, so book ahead of time. **Did you verify this? Can we include tips in any of the other trip planning aspects?
Guest House Rentals: The Guest House is a restored horse barn from the 1930s. www.serenbeinn.com/guesthouse. This three-bedroom house now contains a large living room with stone fireplace, as well as a pool and hot tub. Rooms range from $190 to $210 per night. Call 770.463.2610 to make a reservation.

Eat

Farmhouse restaurant: The Farmhouse at Serenbe features seasonal ingredients grown locally on the Serenbe Organic Farm. www.serenbefarmhouse.com. Open from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Call 770.463.2622 to make a reservation today.

2013 Southern Chef Lineup: The Southern Chef Series brings together some of the best culinary talent the South has to offer, featuring the talents of chef xyz. www.serenbeinn.com/southernchefs. Call 770.463.2610 to register.

Play

Serenbe Farms: Serenbe Farms is an organic farm offering more than 350 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs and mushrooms. www.serenbefarms.com. Everything is distributed within 40 miles of the farm, keeping it fresh and local. Call 678.764.8273 to find out more.

Serenbe Farmers Market: The Serenbe Farmers and Artists Market runs from May until November from 9 a.m. until noon. www.serenbefarms.com/food/market. Located in a beautiful outdoor market in Serenbe, this collection of sustainable food supporters provides a great way to support local artists and farmers.

Les Dames d’Escoffier “Afternoon in the Country”: Held every year in Serenbe, this celebration features over 80 regional chefs, wines, micro brews, and live music. www.Ideiatlanta.org. Hosted by Les Dames d’Escoffier, this year’s event will take place on November 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Inn at Serenbe. Tickets are $95. Call Sue Ann Morgan at 404.329.8426 for further event details.

Bike rentals: Peachtree Bikes has everything you need for a two-wheeled adventure through Serenbe. www.peachtreebikes.com. See their website for a road map through the countryside. Call 404.262.9854 to find out about all they have to offer.

Trail maps: The Serenbe community contains over a hundred miles of nature paths for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. www.serenbecommunity.com/maps. Visit this website for detailed maps of Serenbe.

Horseback Riding: Created by the PATH Foundation, Serenbe is home to a network of wooded paths that are perfect for horseback riding. www.serenbetrailriding.com. Welcoming beginners and experienced riders, Serenbe Trailriding is located just down the road from The Inn at Serenbe. Call 770.463.2610 to find out more.

Plan your wedding at Serenbe: The Inn at Serenbe features in-house event designers to help plan your wedding. www.serenbeinn.com/weddings. Call Kimberly Lee and Amy Hansen at 770.463.2610 to start planning.

Read more in the October/November issue of South!