A Travelers Guide to Ellijay, GA
Ellijay is famously known as the “Apple Capital of Georgia,” but you can’t overlook this quaint mountain town’s ample other charms. Between the apple orchards, wineries, eateries, breathtaking outdoor scenery, and other fun sights, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy during your North Georgia Mountain getaway.
There are numerous spots in and around town just waiting for you to discover, with lots of local color along the way. To help you plan your vacation, we’ve put together a guide on everything you should see, do, and eat in Ellijay — laidback Appalachian vibes and Southern hospitality included, of course.
As you decide where to go on your trip to Ellijay, book your nights with Blue Sky Cabin Rentals. With locations all over North Georgia, there’s no better place to stay and experience everything this gem offers.
Ellijay’s History
Photo Credit: RodClementPhotography
People have lived in the Ellijay area for hundreds of years since the native Cherokee inhabited a small village at the conjunction of what we now call the Cartecay and Ellijay Rivers. Originally known as “Elatseyi,” thought to mean “new ground” or “many waters,” the first settlements served as an important trade center for the indigenous people who lived along the rivers.
White settlers arrived in the early 1800s, eventually establishing a town with log cabins, a courthouse, and a school. Ellijay began to increase in size and population as roads and stagecoach lines developed, but the 1884 completion of the Cartecay River railroad bridge led to much more significant growth and prosperity.
Over the following decades, Ellijay continued to thrive as a lumber and agriculture hub, renowned for its exports of local apples and chickens. Today, historic Downtown Ellijay is better known as a popular tourist town, but you can still see much of Ellijay’s colorful history preserved to this day. Meanwhile, the region’s agricultural traditions are alive and well in the form of farms, orchards, and vineyards around Gilmer County.
Getting There
By Airport
Photo Credit: Lawrence G. Miller via Flickr CC2.0
While Ellijay itself doesn’t have an airport, visitors will find several airports less than a two-hour drive away. The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is closest to Ellijay, but you may want to consider booking your flight into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, about 90 miles south of town.
While this will slightly increase your drive time, flights into Atlanta are often much cheaper and more frequent than flights to regional airports like Chattanooga. The Hartsfield-Jackson airport will also be the only option available to international travelers.
Getting Around
Photo Credit: 4 PM production
No matter where you choose to fly, you’ll need to book a car rental ahead of time. Rural North Georgia has extremely limited public transportation, so driving a vehicle of your own is a must.
The route to Ellijay will take you down winding country roads that afford beautiful views throughout the year but can turn treacherous in icy or snowy weather. Keep an eye on the forecast ahead of time, and be prepared to purchase or rent tire chains if necessary.
Ride Sharing
Photo Credit: Tero Vesalainen
Once you arrive in Ellijay, you’ll still need that rental car to get around. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft do operate here, but you won’t find many drivers (less than 2,000 people live in town, after all).
Expect to spend some time on the road if you want to make the most of your visit, and arrange your ride home well in advance if your plans involve sampling craft beer or boutique wines.
What to Do Around Ellijay
Shop for antiques
Photo Credit: ALPA PROD
Spend any amount of time in the Appalachians, and you’re bound to hear an old-timer say, “They just don’t make them like they used to.” To find out exactly what that means, shop your way around Ellijay’s unique antique shops, where you can peruse the aisles for fascinating souvenirs and one-of-a-kind gifts. Take a short walk downtown to visit stores like Misty Hollow Antiques, Mountain Town Antiques, Rustic and Evergreen, Main Street Antiques, and more.
Hike local trails
Photo Credit: Ralph C Ertel Jr
Given its prime location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Ellijay is surrounded by miles of hiking trails. In fact, right down the road, you’ll find one of the most famous hikes in the country: the Appalachian Trail, which runs more than 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine. If you’re not quite up to a six-month trek, don’t fret — you have countless choices for day hikes. Here are a few of our favorites:
Cohutta Overlook (Easy)
Less than 20 minutes from Ellijay, this short but steep trail affords gorgeous views throughout the year. We recommend stopping by during fall when the changing leaves put on a vibrant show.
Fall Branch Falls (Easy)
Hike less than a mile round-trip to see some of the best-known waterfalls near Ellijay. If that’s not quite enough cascade action for you, set aside a whole day to embark on other waterfall hikes.
Appalachian Approach Trail to Springer Mountain (Difficult)
Hikers seeking a challenge can tackle this iconic 16-mile route that starts at stunning Amicalola Falls State Park and ends atop the peak of Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Tour the historical Tabor House
Photo Credit: Jean Pond
- Address: 138 Spring St, Ellijay GA
- Website: gilmercountyhistoricalsociety.org
- Admission price: Free tours, but donations appreciated.
Within a family home dating back to the 1870s, this downtown museum boasts exhibits of historical artifacts and one of the biggest Civil War libraries in the Southeast. During special events, reenactors clad in period gear demonstrate how 19th-century Georgians lived and worked.
Fly fish the mountain streams
Photo Credit: DitchGyrl via Flickr CC2.0
Anglers visiting Ellijay will have the pick of the litter when it comes to trout fishing spots, which include the Cartecay River, Mountaintown Creek, and Clear Creek. You can book a guided fishing expedition with Georgia Wild Trout or Lake & Stream Guide Service, but you’re also more than welcome to cast a line on your own.
You’ll have your best chance at hooking a trout during spring and summer, but some delayed-harvest streams will allow latecomers to fish far into the winter. Bass, bream, and other fish swim in these inviting waters all year round. Just don’t forget to research local fishing regulations ahead of time.
Pick and eat farm-fresh apples
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Ellijay isn’t called Georgia’s apple capital for nothing. The town has hosted the annual family friendly Georgia Apple Festival for more than 50 years, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to participate in demonstrations, drink apple cider, listen to live music, shop for local crafts, and, of course, munch on a variety of crisp apples.
The festival takes place over the course of two weekends in October, so if your trip dates don’t line up, plan to do some apple picking at one of Ellijay’s many orchards instead.
Among others, there’s B.J. Reece Orchards, Red Apple Barn, Hillcrest Orchards, and nearby Mercier Orchards, the largest orchard in the southeastern U.S. If you’re planning a spring trip, mark your calendar for Georgia’s Apple Blossom Festival, counterpart to the fall apple fest.
Where to Eat and Drink
Engelheim Vineyards
Photo Credit: Becky
- Address: 120 Lakeview Rd, Ellijay, GA
- Website: engelheim.com
At the 15-acre family owned Engelheim Vineyards, you can drink your fill of award-winning wines and spectacular mountain views alike. For wine tastings, head to the well-appointed tasting room, where you’ll sip your way through an extensive wine menu while munching on small bites and charcuterie. Check the vineyard’s events calendar ahead of time; you just might be able to catch a live music performance.
Cartecay River Brewing Company
Photo Credit: Craig Lindsay
- Address: 26 River Terrace #1A, East Ellijay, GA
- Website: cartecayriverbrewing.com
The Appalachian region is well known for its craft beer scene, so you can knock back a pint at dozens of breweries in and near Ellijay. But you should start with a visit to the Cartecay River Brewing Company, ideally during one of the brewery’s generous weekday happy hours so you can try a few of the brews on tap. Although there’s no food served on site, you’re just a short distance away from some of the best restaurants in town.
Cantaberry Restaurant
Photo Credit: Linda Rodrigues
- Address: 5 S Side Square, Ellijay, GA
- Website: cantaberry.com
- Price point: $
Located in Ellijay and the neighboring town of Blue Ridge, Cantaberry has spent more than a decade proving that good food doesn’t have to be fancy. Lunch consists of delicious soups, sandwiches, and salads, while the expanded dinner menu features Southern staples like country fried steak and pulled pork sammies. Save some room for a slice of red velvet or applesauce cake for dessert.
River Street Tavern
Photo Credit: Bob Keating
- Address: 40 River St, Ellijay, GA
- Website: riverstreettavern.com
- Price point: $$
Ellijay is full of great restaurants, and the River Street Tavern is most definitely one of them. The exposed brick walls channel historic speakeasy charm and create a warm, comfortable environment to enjoy smoked trout dip, fried green tomatoes, and an array of hefty hamburgers. After a pint of local beer or two, you might be encouraged to try your hand at the tavern’s dollar-sticking challenge.
The Roof Ellijay
Photo Credit: John Harding
- Address: 16 River St, Ellijay, GA
- Website: theroofellijay.com
- Price point: $$
As its name implies, reaching the Roof requires you to go all the way to the top of a downtown brick building. But those who climb upstairs will be rewarded with a hearty menu of southeastern fare like shrimp cakes, bologna sliders, and apple butter meatloaf, which you can pair with a Mountain Thyme Margarita while looking out over Ellijay and the surrounding mountains.
A Little Baked Bakery
Photo Credit: A Little Baked Bakery
- Address: 128 N Main St Suite A, Ellijay, GA
- Website: alittlebakedbakery.com
This adorable bakery sells melt-in-your-mouth baked goods like sugar cookies, slices of pecan pie, and orange cranberry bread. Try to time your visit on a Monday or Tuesday afternoon, when you can partake in a traditional afternoon tea. Large groups can even book a private party in the Tea Room, a great space for showers and other events.
Staying in Ellijay
Blue Sky Cabin Rentals has cabins available for rent all over Ellijay for a variety of different needs and group sizes. You can even stay right on the river — bring your bathing suit. At certain rentals, you can take in mountain views from the comfort of your own private, on-deck Jacuzzi or gather around an outdoor firepit.
No matter where you decide to stay, though, you can expect excellent views and a prime location to soak up everything Ellijay. With so many things to see and do, you’ll want to be as close to all the excitement as possible.
Come Stay and Play in Ellijay
By now, we hope you have a better picture of Ellijay — but to fully experience the town, you’ll have to come on down for a visit. Go ahead and reserve those plane tickets, and don’t forget to book your stay with Blue Sky Cabin Rentals. Our cabins provide the perfect setting for any kind of stay!