What to do with Weekend Visitors at the Lake

One of the best things about having a house on Lake Oconee is the fun of having guests come to stay… but now that you’ve got your cousins, in-laws, or best childhood friends coming over for the weekend, what should you do to entertain them?

Read on for a sample itinerary that will get you excited to plan!

Friday

5:00pm Welcome and Dinner

After everyone has hugged hello, and the suitcases are carried off to the guest room, start with some refreshments, whether it’s a bottle of wine or a pitcher of sweet iced tea. If they’ve been on the road for a while, they might prefer to stay in, rather than go out. That doesn’t mean you have to cook, though. Hand them a couple of take-out menus with their glass, so you can order something great and eat at home.

Lamai Ban Thai Kitchen in Greensboro is a fantastic option, whether you choose to eat in or take out this meal will prove to any city slicker that authentic Asian cuisine isn’t just for urban dining. All the dishes start off mild but can be customized to be medium, hot, or Thai hot, which as most Thai food lovers know, is a whole different category of heat!

Saturday

7:00am Entertain the Early Risers

It’s best to be prepared with pastries and a pot full of coffee if your guests are early risers—and if you live on the lake, having a tackle box, rods and reels prepped and ready to go is a good idea too. Mornings are cooler on the lake and are usually a good time to at least get a nibble on the line without even leaving the dock.

9:00am Hit the Lake

On their first day at Lake Oconee, your guests will no doubt want to spend lots of time on the water. If you don’t have your own boat, rent one from Young Harris Water Sports. From one of the five different locations on the lake, you can rent pontoon boats for leisurely cruising, ski boats or jet skis for water sport speed, and even a double-decker boat with a built-in water slide! They will provide you with a captain if you’d rather not handle the boat yourself, they can also help arrange a kayak excursion for your whole group. Just call in advance to plan and make reservations.

Whatever you choose to do, pack a picnic lunch, a cooler full of water, and some sunscreen, and your guests will be happy for hours.

2:00pm Golf at the Harbor Club

Shower, dress, then head off to your reserved tee time at the Harbor Club’s semi-private golf course. This 18-hole, Weiskopf-Morrish-designed course will engage both newbie and professional golfers alike, with its undulating landscape and the big water views.

7:00pm Dinner at Lake Oconee Bistro

Considering it’s a Lake Oconee neighborhood favorite, there’s going to be a crowd at Lake Oconee Bistro on a Saturday night, but there’s a fantastic wine list to tide you over at the bar, and the food is well worth the wait. This is one restaurant at Lake Oconee that allows reservations.

Sunday

10:00am Tour of Local History

After all the activity yesterday, your early birds are likely to sleep in a little later on Sunday, but by midmorning, everyone will likely be up for a little local history in beautiful, historic Madison. You can hit the Visitor’s Center to prep for a self-guided tour or schedule a walking tour with Melissa Piche, owner of North Georgia Tours.

Call in advance to discuss the size of your group and their various interests, and Melissa will arrange the perfect outing for you and your guests. With a passion for Southern history and a vast knowledge of fascinating local tales, architecture, and folklore, she can customize your tour to your group’s interests. North Georgia Tours can also be customized to any activity level, from leisurely driving tours to long-distance cycling tours.

1:00pm Lunch at Madison Chophouse Grill

With salads, sandwiches, and protein straight off an open-flame grill, your guests will all find something to love at this local eatery.

2:00pm Shopping

Before your guests hit the road, let them pick up some charming souvenirs at one of the many gift shops and boutiques around historic downtown Madison, each one within walking distance of the restaurant and each other.

3:30 pm-Until Saying Goodbye to Lake Oconee

There is no doubt everyone will want to squeeze in one last cast or dip into the lake before packing up. Then, when it’s time to go and you tell everyone to come back soon, you’d better mean it, because your happy guests will surely return sooner than you think!

Wow! We hope that this will be the perfect weekend for you and your guests. There is something for everyone on this itinerary. Please share this super simple weekend plan with your friends that have company coming for the weekend...they'll love you for it.  

Have fun,

The Lake Oconee Life Team