The best nearby resorts for a fun-filled weekend escape or a longer, family trip.
By Cory Sekine-Pettite
ALTA members: It’s time to plan your next summer getaway, your respite from the day-to-day grind. The following resorts are just a short drive from metro Atlanta and are the perfect vacation spots for tennis and pickleball enthusiasts. Additionally, they all provide a wealth of fun, family activities away from the court. So, check out the following destinations and make travel plans now!
Sea Island
Sea Island, Georgia
seaisland.com
855.572.4975
Sea Island’s Five-Star accommodations are just the beginning. Guests can stroll along five miles of private beach, lounge at their pick of our six pools, tee up on three championship golf courses, and of course, work on their tennis game. The resort features eight Har-Tru tennis courts, six additional tennis courts and eight pickleball courts at the Retreat Pickleball and Tennis Center, and three squash courts.
Everywhere you look, Sea Island is brimming with activities. Tour the island with expert naturalists on horseback, set sail into the marsh, or visit the Sea Island Shooting School for adventures in skeet shooting. “Indoorsmen” also have the world at their fingertips with activities like touring the wine cellars, taking golf lessons, or enjoying the Five-Star Spa and Fitness Center.
Big Canoe Racquet Club
Jasper, Georgia
bigcanoepoa.org
706.268.3322
Nestled in the North Georgia mountains just an hour north of Atlanta, Big Canoe offers a peaceful escape surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Guests enjoy a unique combination of championship racquet sports facilities, scenic hiking trails, lakes, golf, wellness amenities, and stunning mountain views. Whether you’re looking for an active weekend or a relaxing retreat, Big Canoe provides the perfect balance of recreation and relaxation.
The Racquet Club features four outdoor Har-Tru clay tennis courts, two outdoor DecoTurf hard tennis courts (currently under construction), two indoor tennis courts for year-round play, and 10 dedicated pickleball courts.
Big Canoe frequently offers tennis and pickleball clinics, special events, and stay-and-play opportunities through local rental partners. Customized group packages may also be available for teams and racquet sport enthusiasts. Contact the Racquet Club for current offerings.
Palmetto Dunes
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
PalmettoDunes.com/tennispickleball
866.287.2679
Tennis and pickleball lovers near and far are able to book their perfect weekend escape at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island and enjoy daily tennis and pickleball court time, lessons, clinics and more at the award-winning resort. Along with its easy-to-access proximity, Hilton Head Island remains evergreen year-round, making Palmetto Dunes’ 2,000-acre resort an ideal destination for tennis players.
Palmetto Dunes offers 17 Har-Tru tennis courts (four lighted), 24 pickleball courts (eight lighted) as well as a well-stocked, 1,800-square-foot pro shop — Hilton Head Island’s largest. Eight of the 24 pickleball courts have been resurfaced with a Nova Sports USA all-weather surface system. Lessons and clinics are available for all ages and ability levels. Away from the court, check out three award-winning, championship golf courses, bike along the beach and miles of paved paths, kayak the 11-mile inland lagoon system, and more.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Miramar Beach, Florida
Sandestin.com
850.267.8000
Whether you’re seeking a romantic escape or planning an active weekend retreat, Sandestin delivers an unforgettable Gulf Coast experience. Nestled between the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the serene Choctawhatchee Bay, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort offers the ideal blend of relaxation, recreation, and coastal charm. Spanning 2,400 acres, the resort invites guests to enjoy sugar-white beaches, championship golf, world-class tennis and pickleball, waterfront dining, and vibrant entertainment — all within one destination.
Sandestin Tennis & Pickleball Center is one of Northwest Florida’s premier racquet sports destinations, featuring 12 HydroGrid clay courts, three hard tennis courts, and six dedicated pickleball courts. Guests can enjoy private instruction from certified professionals, group clinics, round robins, tennis matching services, junior programs, and equipment rentals. Away from the court, spend your days paddleboarding, biking, kayaking, shopping, dining, or simply soaking in spectacular waterfront views.
Van Der Meer Shipyard Tennis
Hilton Head, South Carolina
vandermeertennis.com
800.845.6138
Van Der Meer Shipyard Tennis is the premier destination adjacent to the Sonesta Ocean Resort. The facility features both clay and hardcourt surfaces (indoors and covered) with weeklong and weekend clinics available, including two upcoming clinics for ALTA members: Aug. 21-23, 2026, and Feb. 5-7. 2027. Learn winning doubles strategies, get video analysis of your game, and gain real insights into improving your performance.
Off the court, take in the beauty of the area with walking and biking tours, shopping, local dining, and evening strolls along the beach.
Barnsley Resort
Adairsville, Georgia
barnsleyresort.com
877.773.2447
Although located just an hour’s drive north of metro Atlanta, Barnsley Resort feels worlds away, allowing guests to truly disconnect and enjoy a restorative escape in the foothills of North Georgia. Set amid 3,000 acres of wooded landscape, the low-density resort footprint provides a sense of immersion and exploration, encouraging guests to discover Barnsley at their own pace.
With a multi-million-dollar renovation investment over the last two years, Barnsley Resort welcomes guests with 85 newly transformed cottage guest rooms and suites. New guest amenities include six pickleball courts, a family-friendly lazy river pool, and new dining concepts. In addition to pickleball, guests can enjoy golf, hiking, horseback riding, and a thoughtfully curated spa.
This year, from August 7-9, Barnsley will also host a Pickleball Open in partnership with ALTA for a lively weekend of friendly competition, open to all levels of play. The weekend will include men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and a social doubles competition.
Camp Creek Inn
Inlet Beach, Florida
campcreekinn.com
866.987.2942
Camp Creek Inn offers an elevated coastal escape where luxury feels relaxed rather than formal. Nestled along Scenic Highway 30A in Northwest Florida, the boutique inn combines beautifully designed accommodations with exclusive access to the private Watersound Club lifestyle. Guests enjoy a “Member for a Stay” experience with access to championship golf, a private beach club, resort-style pools, wellness amenities, tennis and pickleball, dining venues, and curated outdoor adventures, all within a setting that feels both secluded and connected to the best of the Gulf Coast.
Choose from eight lighted Har-Tru clay tennis courts and eight lighted pickleball courts, as well as private lessons or group instruction for all skill levels. Beyond the courts, guests enjoy access to three private championship-caliber golf courses, as well as the private Watersound Beach Club which features over a mile of sugar-white sand beach, two expansive zero-entry pools, cabanas, waterfront dining, and more.
The Beach Club Resort & Spa
Gulf Shores, Alabama
thebeachclub.spectrumresorts.com
844.348.9112
The Beach Club Resort & Spa offers the ideal blend of relaxation, recreation, and coastal beauty on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Situated on 86 acres of pristine beachfront, the resort provides a peaceful escape from crowded tourist areas while offering upscale accommodations, exceptional dining, family-friendly activities, and premier tennis and pickleball facilities. Whether guests are seeking an active weekend on the courts or a relaxing retreat by the beach, The Beach Club delivers a memorable Gulf Coast experience.
There are eight professionally maintained clay tennis courts, dedicated pickleball courts, available lessons and equipment rentals, as well as tournaments, clinics, and social play opportunities. Off the court, take advantage of the six swimming pools, the white-sand beach, the fitness center, onsite dining, walking and bike paths, and so much more. Check The Beach Club’s website for period offers and promotional rates that can be paired with tennis and pickleball activities.
Cedars East Tennis Resort
Longboat Key, Florida
rvafl.com/cedars-east
877.230.9838
Cedars East Tennis Resort offers a premier tennis getaway featuring nine Har-Tru clay tennis courts, three Har-Tru clay pickleball courts, an onsite Pro Shop, seasonal clinics, and professional instruction. Guests enjoy resort amenities including a heated junior Olympic-sized pool, modern fitness center, complimentary bicycles, and spacious townhome-style accommodations. The clubhouse also offers onsite dining and lounge spaces, making it an ideal retreat for players seeking both performance and relaxation.
