A Travelers Guide to Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge, Georgia, is an artist’s paradise set within the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. This little town has grown in scope as a tourist destination over the years, but still maintains its reputation for quietude and calm.
Gorgeous scenery and abundant natural resources surround the town, inviting visitors to explore acres of the Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta Mountains. City slickers, meanwhile, don’t even need to leave Blue Ridge to have an adventure. Whether you choose to heed the call of the mountains or spend your nights out on the town, you’ll need to set aside some time to refuel at Blue Ridge’s restaurants.
If that all sounds a bit overwhelming, that’s why we’re here — to share where to go, what to do, and the best things to eat in Blue Ridge. But before you plan your trip, book your stay at Blue Sky Cabin Rentals. With locations all over North Georgia, including in and around Blue Ridge, you can find the perfect place to stay and take in the town.
This is your travel guide to the ultimate Blue Ridge getaway, one of the best mountain towns in America!
Blue Ridge’s History
Photo Credit: gcendries
The area now known as Fannin County had been inhabited by native Cherokee people for centuries. But as far as Blue Ridge itself goes, the town got its start during the expansion of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad in the late 1800s.
Though known initially for farming, mining, and lumber, Blue Ridge quickly earned cachet as a vacation-worthy destination thanks to 19th-century promotional brochures that described Fannin County as the “Switzerland of the South.” Tourism would ebb and flow over the next century but really took off during the 1950s when visitors began flocking from far and wide to experience this quaint little mountain village.
Today, it’s hard to imagine the small town of Blue Ridge as anything other than a huge draw for outdoor adventures that bring visitors from all over the country - in large part for its vast network of hiking trails that make up the Appalachian Trail system. But it’s also full of history, and you don’t need to go far — simply head downtown!
Getting There
By Air
Photo Credit: Lawrence G. Miller via Flickr CC2.0
To reach Blue Ridge from elsewhere in the country, you can book a flight to Chattanooga, Atlanta, Asheville, or Knoxville. The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport will be the closest, only about an hour-and-a-half drive northwest of Blue Ridge, but Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will have more flight times and car rental options.
Getting Around
Photo Credit: Tero Vesalainen
Speaking of, you’ll need to rent a car for your visit. Rideshare options in the area can be limited, and public transportation is virtually nonexistent. You’ll need to drive down some winding country roads to reach Blue Ridge, but almost all highways are well-maintained. Generally, no off-roading or rough driving will be required — unless you want to, that is.
Though you probably won’t need to worry about any blizzards during your visit to Blue Ridge, the roads here can get slick and icy during winter. Plan accordingly and factor in extra travel time if needed.
What to Do in Blue Ridge
Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Photo Credit: Lucy Kowalski
- Address: 241 Depot St, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: brscenic.com
- Ticket price: From $40 for adults, $31 for children (prices vary by season)
Operating year-round, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway winds through 13 miles of North Georgia countryside en route to the sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copper Hill, Tennessee. Itineraries run either two or four hours, and seating options include open-air cars, closed cars, and premier cars, all of which come with excellent views. For a shorter trip through the North Georgia Mountains, hop on an electric railbike for a 5.7-mile guided ride through the forest.
Catch a Play at the Blue Ridge Community Theater
Photo Credit: Jane Bongo
- Address: 2591 E 1st St, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: blueridgecommunitytheater.com
- Ticket price: Varies by show
Blue Ridge Community Theater in downtown Blue Ridge has put on live stage performances since 2000, drawing locals and visitors alike to the audience. The repertory includes abridged versions of William Shakespeare’s works, music concerts, and seasonal shows guaranteed to delight anyone in the audience. Before you take your seat, grab a glass of wine or local beer from the concession stand.
Watch a Double Feature at the Swan Drive-in Theater
Photo Credit: Corby Lindsay
- Address: 651 Summit St, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: swan-drive-in.com
- Ticket price: $10 for adults, $5 for children
One of only five drive-in theaters still operating in the state of Georgia, the Swan Drive-in Theater welcomes moviegoers with several rows of roomy parking and a diner serving treats like funnel cakes, old-fashioned soda pops, and deep-fried Oreos. Order from the comfort of your parking spot, and car hops will bring your snacks right to your door.
Take a Horseback Tour at Hell’s Hollow
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Photo Credit: Virginia Corbett
- Address: 319 Hells Hollow Rd, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: blueridgemountaintrailrides.com
- Ticket price: From $39
Guided horseback riding tours with Blue Ridge Mountain Trail Rides invite visitors to slow down and fully take in the natural beauty of the rolling Appalachian Mountains. On your trail ride, experienced guides will take you through a variety of wooded terrain, covering streams, creeks, and lush forests.
Shop the Art Galleries of Blue Ridge
Photo Credit: Josh Lundmark
Shopping in Blue Ridge means artisanal crafts, local gifts, and bespoke art. Blue Ridge is renowned for its vibrant arts culture, and multiple galleries around town showcase and sell the works of local artists. Take a walking tour of the downtown galleries, browsing Fishbone Studio, Multitudes Gallery, High Country Art, and more within just a few blocks.
Cap off your art walk with a visit to Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, the town’s largest collection of art exhibits, galleries, and open studios under one roof. The building’s iconic facade alone is worth a photo.
Explore the Toccoa River
Photo Credit: M Vilaret
The peaceful Toccoa River meanders through Fannin County, eventually culminating in the waters of Lake Blue Ridge (more on that later). A short hike to the picturesque swinging bridge is a must, but you’ll have countless other options for recreating in and around the Toccoa.
You can cast a line for trout, float along the water in a kayak or rented inner tube, or simply eat a picnic lunch on the riverbank and admire your surroundings.
Where to Eat and Drink
The Black Sheep
Photo Credit: Janelle Hamilton
- Address: 480 W Main St, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: blacksheepblueridge.com
- Price point: $$
The Black Sheep, located within the historic Butt House, specializes in seared-to-perfection steaks and mouthwatering seafood. But the menu also covers lamb chops, classed-up Southern fried chicken, and much more. Try to snag a table for the Black Sheep’s popular weekend brunch, but make sure to replace your traditional mimosa with a boozy Black Sheep Manhattan.
Grumpy Old Men Brewing
Photo Credit: Jonathan Geiger via Flickr CC2.0
- Address: 1315 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: grumpyoldmenbrewing.com
Amid a surfeit of craft breweries in Blue Ridge and surrounding environs, Grumpy Old Men Brewing serves an inspired menu of unusual brews and hard seltzers. Food trucks on site dish up diverse dining options (check the schedule ahead of time), and you can also enjoy live music and participate in karaoke on select evenings. Keep an eye out for the brewery’s founding grumpy old men, who can often be found at the bar.
Harvest on Main
Photo Credit: Bob McMillan
- Address: 576 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: harvestonmain.com
- Price point: $$
While Harvest on Main bills its dishes as “Southern-inspired,” the chefs at this downtown restaurant take traditional comfort foods like shrimp and grits, rainbow trout, and crawfish stew up a notch. All dishes are crafted with as many seasonal, local ingredients as possible, including some sourced from the owners’ farm, so you can’t beat the menu for freshness and innovation.
Bear Claw Vineyards and Winery
Photo Credit: Dan Lipcsey
- Address: 2281 Tennis Court Rd, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: bearclawvineyards.com
This pet- and family-friendly winery is located on the outskirts of Blue Ridge, nearly 2,000 feet above sea level. Sip your way through a multi-glass wine tasting, play some corn hole on the lawn, or take a guided tour of the vineyards to learn what sets Bear Claw (and North Georgia’s burgeoning wine scene) apart.
Cucina Rustica
- Address: 76 Forge Mill Rd, Morganton, GA
- Website: cucinarustica-ga.com
- Price point: $$$
You might not expect to find elegant Italian dining in rural north Georgia, but that’s not the only surprise you’re in for at Cucina Rustica. Freshly made pasta and traditional Italian dishes like veal parmigiana consistently draw patrons. You’ll want to reserve your table well ahead of time — the small, intimate dining room fills up very quickly.
The Sweet Shoppe of the South
- Address: 721 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: thesweetsouth.com
- Price point: $$
Attention, anyone with a sweet tooth: beeline it straight to Main Street where you’ll find the Sweet Shoppe of the South, a cupcakery you might recognize from the sixth season of Food Network’s reality competition show “Cupcake Wars.”
Owners Nikki and Susan continue to win over hearts and mouths in this mountain town with their unusual cupcakes (the peanut butter and jelly landed the “Cupcake Wars” trophy), cake pops, truffles, and other confections.
Where to Stay in Blue Ridge, Georgia
When you stay with Blue Sky Cabin Rentals, you can choose from a number of locations around Blue Ridge, depending on what will best suit your vacation plans.
Lake Blue Ridge
If you’re seeking a lakeside retreat, book a cabin right on the shores of Lake Blue Ridge. This stunning lake stretches 11 miles and encompasses a full-service marina and several boat ramps, as well as multiple sandy beaches for swimmers.
Some Blue Sky Cabin Rentals are located just a few feet from the water, with sweeping mountain views, as well as convenient access to Fall Branch Falls, the Toccoa River, Swinging Bridge, the Aska Adventure Area, and the Benton MacKaye Trail.
Aska Adventure Area
For those who prefer to keep their feet dry, check out our rentals near Aska Adventure Area, a popular spot for hiking and biking. Or, head into the mountains to sleep in serenity amongst the trees.
All of Blue Sky’s rentals provide excellent starting points for your adventures around Blue Ridge. So, whether you choose to relax down by the lake or up high on a hilltop, you’ll be just a short drive from everything Blue Ridge has to offer.
Get Ready to Visit Blue Ridge, Georgia
Now that you know what to do, where to go, and where to eat in Blue Ridge, get started on planning your visit. No matter what kind of vacation you have in mind, there’s an exciting experience here waiting for every visitor. Book your stay with Blue Sky Cabin Rentals and get to work on your trip itinerary. With so much to see and do, you’ll have to spend your time here wisely.