Blue Ridge, Georgia
Blue Ridge, GA is a charming mountain town located at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It’s an hour and a half north of Atlanta, just shy of the Tennessee and North Carolina borders. If you like quaint and cozy towns that are nestled in the mountains, this is a town you should visit! You can find hiking, wineries, apple orchards, locally owned restaurants and shops, vintage bed & breakfasts, and the Blue Ridge Scenic Trailway in and around this beautiful town. It is seriously so lovely, and I already cannot wait to return!
Blue Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast
Blue Ridge Inn is the bed and breakfast we stayed in that I cannot say enough good things about! It’s a beautiful Victorian home in downtown Blue Ridge that was built in 1890! It has been well preserved by its different owners over the years. The latest owner has done a wonderful job renovating and decorating the home to reflect its rich history with vintage collectables and charming touches all throughout! A three-course meal is served daily for breakfast in the common dining room, which was one of the highlights of our stay! The food was delicious, and the ladies that cooked and served our meal each morning were so hospitable! You might see Blue, the inn cat, roaming around the porch and if you’re lucky, Blue will jump up and sit with you! Blue Ridge Inn is located steps from the railway and everything else in downtown Blue Ridge! If you decide to stay here, I recommend booking through Stash, where you can get a room at a discounted price and start building points towards a free stay!
Mountain Mama’s Coffee
The coziest coffee shop that used to be connected to Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast is now located a short walk away on Main Street. They serve top-notch coffee and teas, delicious homemade baked goods, and savory breakfast food, all with locally sourced ingredients. Try one of their seasonal lattes with homemade syrups, like brown sugar apple or snickerdoodle pumpkin! The environment radiates community, love, and like the name, mountain mama vibes! :) There are multiple coffee shops in and outside of Blue Ridge that I recommend too (find those below), but this one was my personal favorite in Blue Ridge.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
The train depot is in the center of downtown Blue Ridge. This railway’s tracks were first laid in Marietta, Georgia and eventually reached Blue Ridge in the late 1800s. Historically, it was used to transport coal, lumber, and other goods in and out of Blue Ridge and the surrounding cities. Today, it is being used for leisure rides from Blue Ridge to two neighboring towns, McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN. While visiting these sister towns, you will have the opportunity to stand in Georgia and Tennessee at the same time. The 26-mile scenic route takes you along the Toccoa River and through the Appalachian foothills, providing beautiful views you cannot get from anywhere else! During the Fall season, they offer train rides that allow you to see the Fall leaves at their peak colors! If you visit during December, they offer a family-friendly Christmas themed train ride. Be sure to purchase your tickets for these special rides in advance as they sell out quickly!
Beauty Barn
One of the shops downtown that I fell in love with was Beauty Barn. It’s a beauty and wellness store that is owned by a local woman that I got to meet while shopping there. She was so friendly, and I could tell she was passionate about personal care products with safer ingredients, as I am too! Her store is beautiful, and she sells everything a girl could dream of for self-care, from skincare to beautiful, cozy pajamas! Give her a follow on Instagram to keep up with sales that she frequently offers and upcoming in-person events at the store that I always wish I could attend! Instagram handle: Blueridgebeautybarn
The Sweet Shoppe
The two ladies that are whipping up delicious baked goods in the back of The Sweet Shoppe won season 6 of Cupcake Wars on Food Network in 2012! The winning flavors were lemon raspberry, PB&J, s’mores, and carrot cake. We split the lemon raspberry cupcake, and it was the perfect balance of sweet and tart! I wish we had tried all the winning flavors! Read their story here and be sure to stop by for a delicious cupcake (or multiple)!
Mercier Orchards
Mercier (pronounced “mer-sear”) Orchards is a popular spot to visit while visiting this area of north Georgia. This is your one-stop-shop for all the yummy apple food and drinks we love and look forward to during the fall season each year! The market is open year-round though, so you can get your apple cider donut fix even during the off season. You can pick your own strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or apples when in season, and if you’re lucky, there might be peaches available too! Check the website to find out which fruit will be growing when you plan to visit.
The Folk Collaborative
The Folk Collaborative is a unique family-owned apple orchard in McCaysville, GA, about 20 minutes from Blue Ridge. This orchard is different from the apple orchards you’re probably familiar with. It’s not only a beautiful orchard but also an apothecary and bakery!
Luke and Amanda, husband and wife owners, inherited the orchard and incorporated their apothecary business and a bakery! At the apothecary, you can find all-natural, homemade products, including soaps, spices, herbs, cleaning products, and more! The bakery serves homemade family recipes using fresh and local ingredients, and they serve local coffee and loose-leaf teas. Their drink menu includes coffee and tea lattes and homemade lemonade drinks made with homemade, all-natural syrups!
When Luke and Amanda took over the family business, they wanted to keep the simple living traditions alive. They believe in focusing on the present and enjoying the simple things in life, like enjoying a fresh cup of coffee and spending quality time with loved ones. This is exactly where you can do that and hopefully carry that lifestyle back home with you! The orchard/apothecary/bakery is located in McCaysville, and a stand-alone bakery and cafe is located in Copperhill. They also serve lunch using seasonal produce that looks incredibly delicious! The Copperhill location is connected to Daffodillys Plant Co. Coffee and a plant store?! Say no more! Check it all out here. You can ride the train from Blue Ridge to Copperhill via the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
The Folk Collaborative offers many different experiences at the orchard throughout the Fall season, including apple picking, picnics, tractor rides, and farm tours. They also offer a more intimate experience for groups of any size called Fire on the Mountain, which includes a bonfire and everything you’d need for roasting s’mores and hotdogs! You can add mountain music and homemade soup to your experience, too! Check out more details on that here.
Paris and Company
This is the cutest, most delicious restaurant that is worth the 40-minute drive from Blue Ridge! It is on the same property as Crane Creek Vineyards in Young Harris, GA. Reservations are highly recommended as the restaurant is small and quaint. They are open for lunch Thursday-Saturday, dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, and brunch on Sundays! Dinner was delicious, especially the honey whipped feta dip appetizer, and I have heard brunch is amazing! The chef is originally from a small island in the Indian Ocean and did some culinary training in Paris, France before him and his family eventually moved to North GA. We could tell the food was thoughtfully and carefully prepared from appearance to taste! After dinner, we took the short drive over to the winery. There was a local artist playing live music and a nice outdoor patio that overlooked the vineyard. They offered wine tastings, full pours, hors d’oeuvres, and bottles of wine to purchase.
Swan Drive-In Movie Theatre
Drive-in movie theaters are few and far between these days, but there is a drive-in movie theater that has been around since 1955 still operating today in downtown Blue Ridge! They only show movies on weekend nights, Friday-Sunday. The admission cost for adults is $10 and children ages 3-11 is $5. Kids under 2 get in free and well-mannered dogs are even welcome! The movies shown are usually current ones out in theaters, family-friendly movies, or seasonal ones. Find out what movies are currently showing here. They have a diner on-site that sells popcorn, funnel cakes, steakburgers, corndogs, candy, ice cream floats, and more! You can even order your food online and they will deliver it to your car! Swan Drive-In Diner Menu
The Dogwood Hangout
The Dogwood is Blue Ridge’s newest hangout spot with live music, food, and drinks. It is the newest restaurant venture from restauranteur, Brandon Lofton, who owns one of Blue Ridge’s most well-known restaurants, Black Sheep (located just two doors down). The owner’s vision for The Dogwood is to be a fun, inviting environment for the people of the community and visitors alike. It was designed in a way that is supposed to foster connections between people and limit the distractions of everyday life. There are no TVs, and cell phones can be put away in lock boxes if you wish. The menu includes large portioned meals meant to be shared, and they have numerous drink options, including a beer garage that has over 70 beer options! They also serve craft cocktails and specialty wines. If you’re looking for a laid-back environment for a night out, The Dogwood is your place!
Breweries and Bars:
Grumpy Old Men Brewing
Fannin Brewing Company
Tipping Point Brewing Co.
Angry Hops Brewing
Black Bear Bier Garten
Sake Jon’s Sake Lounge- unique bar with attractive cocktails
The Dogwood- wine, cocktails, & beer garage
Whiskey & Water - Seafood & Bourbon Bar
The Blue Coyote - American restaurant and bar (one of the only restaurants downtown that stays open past 10pm)
Chester Brunnenmeyer’s Bar & Grill
Fightingtown Tavern
Restaurants:
The Dogwood- great atmosphere with outdoor seating for lunch and dinner Dogwood Menu
Bigfoot Biscuit (inside The Dogwood) - amazing scratch-made biscuits open 7am-12pm Bigfoot Menu
The Yellowphant Café- local brunch spot with organic coffee and tea open 7am-2:30pm Yellowphant Facebook
Cantaberry- lunch spot for sandwiches, salads, soups, and burgers open 11am-4pm Cantaberry Menu
Carroll’s Barbeque - family-owned BBQ restaurant where the food has been well known in the community for over 20 years! They are open Wed-Sat 11am-8pm. Carroll's Menu
The General Ledger - ideal for a nice dinner but serves lunch too! The menu looks fantastic! Open for lunch and dinner Wed-Sun General Ledger Menu
Ferraro’s Kitchen - I have heard excellent reviews of this Italian restaurant that serves fine dishes in a casual environment. Open for dinner Mon, Tues, and Thurs. Open for lunch and dinner on Fri, Sat, & Sun. Ferraro's Menu
ROE. Raw Oyster Bar & Steak- casual fine dining with an extensive wine menu. Open for dinner only Tues-Sat ROE. Menu
Whiskey & Water - seafood and bourbon bar set in a historic 1937 post office that now serves high quality coastal food. Open for dinner Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. Open for lunch and dinner on Sat & Sun. Whiskey and Water Menu
Black Sheep - American dishes served in a historic home from 1914 that has been renovated so nicely with an outdoor garden patio. Open for dinner Tues-Fri. Open for lunch and dinner Sat & Sun. Black Sheep Menu
Harvest on Main - Farm to table dining restaurant on Main Street. Open for dinner Tues & Wed. Serves lunch and dinner Thurs-Mon. Harvest on Main Menu
Cucinella’s Pizzeria - family-owned pizzeria that has been in the business since 1932! Open for lunch and dinner Tues-Sat. Cucinella's Menu
Masseria Kitchen and Bar- Italian/Mediterranean dishes. Open for lunch and dinner Fri-Tues. Masseria Menu
Chester Brunnenmeyer’s- seasonal American dishes and regional beers. Open for dinner Mon-Thurs. Serves lunch and dinner Fri-Sun. Chester's Menu
Rum Cake Lady Cuban Café - authentic Cuban food and famous rum cakes and coffee! Open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm. Rum Cake Lady Menu
Paris and Company (in Young Harris, GA - 40 minutes away but well worth the experience!)- serves lunch on Thurs, lunch and dinner Fri & Sat, and brunch on Sundays Paris and Company Menu
Coffee, Tea, and Sweets:
Mountain Mama’s Coffee Lounge
Trout Mountain coffee shop
Das Kaffee Haus
Yellowbird Coffee Shop
Tupelo Tea
The Sweet Shoppe (won Cupcake Wars on Food Network!)
The Folk Collaborative - 20 mins from Blue Ridge
The Fix Chiropractic & Coffee - about 30 mins from Blue Ridge, in Young Harris, GA
Apple Orchards:
Mercier Orchards - very close to downtown Blue Ridge
The Folk Collaborative - in McCaysville, GA, 23 minutes from Blue Ridge
R&A Orchards - in Ellijay, 22 minutes from Blue Ridge
BJ Reece Orchards - in Ellijay, 27 minutes from Blue Ridge
Mack Aaron’s Apple House - in Ellijay, 27 minutes from Blue Ridge
Hillcrest Orchards - in Ellijay, 28 minutes from Blue Ridge
Hiking & Mountain Biking:
Long Creek Falls- easy, 2 miles round trip, waterfalls, dogs welcome, 1 hour drive from BR
Benton Falls Trail- easy, 3 miles round trip, waterfall, dogs welcome, 1 hour drive from BR (stop by The Folk Collaborative for a treat on your way there or back)
Fall Branch Falls Trail- moderate, 1 mile round trip, dogs welcome, double waterfalls, 20-minute drive from BR
Sea Creek Trail- easy, 0.5 mile round trip, waterfalls, 45-minute drive from BR
Amicalola Falls State Park- popular tourist destination known for Georgia’s tallest waterfall, about 45 minutes from BR
Amicalola Falls via East Ridge Loop Trail- moderate, 2 miles round trip, waterfalls, dogs welcome
Raven Cliff Falls Trail- moderate, 5 miles round trip, waterfalls, dogs welcome, 1 hour drive from BR
Brasstown Bald- the highest point in Georgia with stunning views! moderate, 0.6 mile STEEP incline but sooo worth it (1.2 miles round trip), dogs welcome, 50-minute drive from BR
Helton Creek Falls Trail- easy, 0.3 miles round trip, two waterfalls, dogs welcome, 50-minute drive from BR
Vogel State Park- second oldest state park in Georgia at the base of Blood Mountain, the highest summit on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia; 40-minute drive from BR
Blood Mountain via Appalachian Trail- moderate, 4.7 miles round trip, rocky trail, mountain views, parking at Byron Reece Trailhead, 45-minute drive from BR
Dockery Lake Loop (within Vogel State Park)- easy, 0.6 mile loop, dogs welcome, trailhead is 1 hour drive from BR
Trahlyta Lake Trail (within Vogel State Park)- easy, 1 mile round trip, waterfall, dogs welcome
Bear Hair Gap Trail (within Vogel State Park)- moderate, 4 miles round trip, beautiful views, dogs welcome, trailhead 40-minute drive from BR
Duke’s Creek Trail- easy, 2.3 miles round trip, beautiful mountain views, dogs welcome, 1 hour drive from BR
Preacher’s Rock from Woody Gap- moderate, 2 miles round trip, mountain views, trailhead 1 hour drive from BR
Miller Gap to Preacher’s Rock Loop- moderate, 4 mile loop, mountain views, dogs welcome, 1 hour drive from BR
Aska Trail System- 16.5 miles of recreational trails for mountain biking and hiking in the Chattahoochee National Forest; about a 10-minute drive from BR; find more info here
Toccoa Swinging Bridge Trail- easy, 0.8 miles round trip, 1 hour drive from BR
Kid-Friendly Activities:
Short hikes: Toccoa Swinging Bridge Trail, Sea Creek Trail, Helton Creek Falls Trail, Fall Branch Falls Trail
Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, GA- 45 minute drive from Blue Ridge; info here
Vogel State Park in Blairsville, GA- camping, picnicking, swimming, paddling, hiking, biking, mini golfing; more info here
Hillcrest Orchards in Ellijay, GA (petting farm, pig races, tractor rides, apple picking)- view info here
Burt’s Pumpkin Farm in Dawsonville, GA (seasonal)- view info here
Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze in Dawsonville, GA (seasonal)- view info here
Fausett Farms Sunflowers in Dawsonville, GA (seasonal)- view info here
Where to Stay:
The Blue Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast - book your stay directly or use Stash for a discount and points towards a future free stay
Blue Ridge Treehouse Rentals (for a family or group)
Copper Ridge Cabin (for a family or group)
S’mores Cabin (large family or group)
If you want to camp out or bring your RV, Mulberry Gap in Ellijay, GA, about 40 minutes from Blue Ridge, would be the perfect place for you to stay!
Annual Events in/around Blue Ridge:
Blue Ridge Trout and Outdoor Adventures Festival (April 27, 2024)
Spring Arts in the Park in Downtown Blue Ridge (May 25-26th, 2024)
Fall Arts in the Park in Downtown Blue Ridge (second weekend in October)
Oktoberfest in Helen, GA, which is about one hour from Blue Ridge (every weekend in September and the entire month of October)
Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay, GA, which is just 20 minutes from Blue Ridge (October)
Light up Downtown Blue Ridge includes lighting of the Christmas tree and Santa (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
Hometown Christmas in downtown McCaysville includes parade, Santa, and other entertainment (first Saturday of December)
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Christmas Express, which is a Christmas themed train ride to McCaysville, GA/Copperhill, TN (begins Thanksgiving weekend - December)
Wineries (within one hour from Blue Ridge):
Blue Ridge, GA:
Cartecay Wine & Craft Bar on Main Street
Bear Claw Vineyards
Morganton, GA:
Serenberry Vineyards & Winery
Blairsville, GA:
Odom Springs Vineyard
Paradise Hills Winery Resort & Spa
Living Water Winery & Vineyard
Young Harris, GA:
Crane Creek Vineyards
Hiawassee, GA:
Hightower Creek Vineyards
Ellijay, GA:
Buckley Vineyards
Roo Mountain Vineyards
Ott Farms and Vineyard
Engelheim Vineyards
Cartecay Vineyards
Grapes and Ladders Vineyards & Winery
Talking Rock, GA:
Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard and Winery
Jasper, GA:
Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery
Cairn View Winery
Dahlonega, GA:
Kaya Vineyard & Winery
Montaluce Winery & Restaurant
Three Sisters Vineyards
Cavender Creek Vineyard & Winery
Wolf Mountain Vineyards