Get Away Completely in Blue Ridge

Reserve a luxury mountain cabin for a peaceful retreat, or choose to stay downtown, where everything is within walking distance. The area is peppered with cabins, B&Bs, campgrounds, treehouses, lodges, and hotels with mountain amenities that will make your getaway memorable, like cozy fireplaces, porches with stunning views, hot tubs under the stars, and close proximity to trails and fishing spots. Explore places to stay in and around Blue Ridge.

The town of Blue Ridge perfectly blends small-town charm with upscale boutiques, art galleries, and delightful places to discover. Blue Ridge itself has a vibrant arts scene, drawing creative folks to the area to capture its natural splendor. The Art Center’s studios, galleries, and artists-in-residence program make for two excellent annual Arts in the Park festivals, changing exhibits, and other events throughout the year. The Blue Ridge Community Theater, taking center stage in a beautiful new playhouse, presents local productions nearly every weekend and is beloved for its Live Music Is Better concert series. Live music and jam sessions in the park can also be found most weekends in locales around downtown. Shop in Blue Ridge boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops for fine art, uniquely crafted items, and much more.

Take a half-day excursion on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway to the mountain town of McCaysville. Blue Ridge was established as a railroad town in the late 1800s, with the depot at its heart. Visitors would ride the train to the mountains to escape the summer heat and take in the mineral waters. Today, you can do the same, riding the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway to McCaysville and crossing the Toccoa River bridge to Copperhill, Tennessee, on a four-hour journey through the colorful Appalachian foothills of North Georgia.

Two of the most incredible outdoor adventures in the world begin in Blue Ridge’s Fannin County: The Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail, both starting at the top of Springer Mountain. Beyond those, there are more than 300 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails within a short drive of town. In fact, 16 different waterfalls are nearby, including Amicalola Falls, the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River.

Speaking of water, Blue Ridge is the Trout Capital of Georgia, with more than 100 miles of excellent trout-fishing rivers, creeks, and streams. Several guide services can set you up with all the tackle you need and lead you to the best spots on the Toccoa River, Rock Creek, Copper Creek, and beyond. You can also tube, kayak or raft the Toccoa in Blue Ridge or McCaysville, rent a pontoon or paddleboard on Lake Blue Ridge or go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River.

There are many ways to taste all this lush region has to offer. Start with one of six breweries, including Grumpy Old Men and Buck Bald Brewing. Spend a laid-back afternoon at Bear Claw Vineyards or Kerith House. Or visit Mercier Orchards or the Folk Collaborative to pick apples right off the tree, a true farm-to-table experience.

Local restaurants also showcase home-grown fare: Eat mountain trout from Toccoa Riverside or The General Ledger; fried-apple pies and apple-cider doughnuts from Mercier, and a Georgia’s Pride burger with bourbon-poached apples and melted goat cheese at Fightingtown Tavern. Dine at casual-upscale restaurants like Ferraro’s Kitchen or Grace, or at fun eateries like Chester Brunnenmeyer’s Bar & Grill, the Boat Dock Bar & Grill on Lake Blue Ridge, or Burra Burra on the River in nearby McCaysville. Find more places to eat and drink in and around Blue Ridge.

Learn more about getting away completely in Georgia’s Blue Ridge.