The Top Things To Do In Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge is a scenic small town in the North Georgia mountains known for its southern culture, outdoor recreation, and natural beauty. North Georgia is home to thousands of acres of state parks and national forests (rumored to be the home of Georgia’s very own Bigfoot), and Blue Ridge benefits greatly from that.

A charming community near the Georgia-Tennessee border, Blue Ridge is just 90 miles from Atlanta and about 215 miles from Nashville. The town is also only 135 miles from Asheville, North Carolina. With a quaint downtown area and family-friendly events all year long, Blue Ridge, Georgia is the ideal place for your next (and best) family vacation.

Are you planning a retreat to our timeless little mountain town? Here are a few suggestions in the Blue Ridge area that are sure to keep your crew busy, amused, inspired, and making memories throughout your stay.

Hit The Trails

Hiking takes on a whole new purpose in Blue Ridge, where it's as much about the journey as it is about the destination. There are thousands of acres of forested lands to discover, traversed by meandering trails that reveal peek-a-boo waterfalls and rock formations tucked away in lush green scenes.

Fannin County is home to some of the south's most pristine wilderness, including more than 100,000 acres of preserved lands in the Chattahoochee National Forest and a portion of the Cohutta Wilderness. The Chattahoochee National Forest offers thousands of miles of clear streams and rivers, plus hundreds of miles of hiking trails primed for picnics and outdoor adventures. The 37,000-acre Cohutta Wilderness hosts 90 miles of hiking trails, including the popular Jacks River Trail to Beech Bottom — a moderate 14.8-mile out-and-back trail near Epworth.


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Top sites for hikers in the National Forest include Morganton Point Recreation Area, the Aska Trail System, and Springer Mountain. Morganton Point offers year-round recreation opportunities including picnicking, boating, and swimming situated around Lake Blue Ridge at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Day-use hiking trails are ideal for short, relaxing strolls, including one that parallels the shoreline. The Aska Trail System provides almost 17 miles of diverse trails for use as biking trails and hiking trails ranging from less than one mile to five miles in length. Both the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail start at the top of Springer Mountain.

There are many opportunities for day hikes and loops from this point. Make sure to include treks to local waterfalls like Long Creek Falls and Fall Branch Falls! You can also enjoy horseback riding on many local trails with local expert guides.
 

Time On The Water

Waterways are in abundance in and around Blue Ridge, offering natural recreation and simple, boundless family fun. Local outfitters are ready to get you out on the water! Rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and pontoon boats on the scenic Lake Blue Ridge or the nearby Toccoa River.

The picturesque, crystal-clear waters of Lake Blue Ridge are so abundant in fish that the area holds claim to being the trout fishing capital of Georgia. The 3,290-acre lake offers several boat ramps and access points, a full-service marina, and picnic areas across 60 miles of shoreline.

Lake Blue Ridge Marina is a full-service marina offering dining and beverage options, a general store, and watersports rentals. For the anglers in your group, make sure to find some time for a visit to the Rock Creek National fish hatchery — a trophy trout stream and fly fishing site.


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From March through October, explore the Toccoa River by raft, canoe, or kayak for backwater discoveries! Flowing from Lake Blue Ridge, the Toccoa River streams into Tennessee, where it becomes the Ocoee River, giving rise to exhilarating waters ideal for whitewater rafting.

For those seeking a gentler, more relaxing experience, take a kid-friendly tubing trip on the Toccoa closer to your cabin rental in Blue Ridge or McCaysville. While adventuring the Toccoa River Canoe Trail, take some shore time to check out the famous Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, constructed in 1977. At 270 feet in length, this is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River.
 

Sippin' And Shoppin'

North Georgia breweries and wineries are some of the best in the nation, offering a unique way to experience Blue Ridge culture and a true sense of community. Enjoy locally crafted beverages, live music, and exceptional social atmospheres as you rub elbows with your mountain neighbors at locations like Bear Claw Vineyards, Fannin Brewing Company, and Grumpy Old Men Brewing.

Located right in Blue Ridge, these venues are home to tasting rooms, tours, and live entertainment from talented local musicians. Fannin Brewing and Grumpy Old Men are both located in Downtown Blue Ridge, making great stops along your Blue Ridge shopping trail.


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One of the best ways to immerse yourself in a destination is to visit its shops. As one of the top art centers in America, Blue Ridge, Georgia hosts an eclectic mix of specialty shops, gift shops, unique boutiques, and original art galleries.

Downtown Blue Ridge offers a selection of goods and merchandise as unique as the people bringing them to life. Stroll Main Street to find one-of-a-kind retail centers, galleries, and pet-friendly shopping. Blue Ridge City Park, at the heart of Downtown Blue Ridge, is a popular spot for picnics and community events throughout the year.
 

Take A Swing At Golf

What makes golfing great in Blue Ridge GA? Mountain views! If a golf getaway is in your future, look no further than Blue Ridge in North Georgia. Sun-washed valleys and majestic mountains coated in lush green landscapes and vibrant florals paint a masterpiece for the eyes while heralded architects of the game have carved out brilliant showpiece golf course layouts with inspired characteristics.


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Play golf at Old Toccoa Farm, Fannin County’s first golf course and a famed stop on the Georgia Golf Trail. Situated on 1.25 acres beside the Toccoa River, the course overlooks the Chattahoochee National Forest and clusters of mountain laurel and wildflower pastures.

The 9-hole course is a Par 70, measuring 6,850 yards with over 280 feet of elevation changes. Families will appreciate skill-building elements like the generous chipping area and putting green, which are perfect for beginners. For a touch of whimsy in your game, consider mini golf at The Lilly Pad Village, where gem mining and family-friendly fishing are also available.
 

Ride The Rails And See The Sights

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The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is a mountain tradition offering a sense of nostalgia amid breathtaking sights. From Downtown Blue Ridge, guests board a vintage coach or open-rail car, embarking on a four-hour roundtrip excursion along the Toccoa River to the sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee.

The Railway hosts special events throughout the year like the 4th of July firecracker special, the Blue Ridge Santa Express trip in November and December, or the adults-only New Year's Eve excursion. Spring and fall riders will be greeted with the best views as the mountain landscapes transition into their most colorful displays.

 

Embark On Aerial Adventures

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Smell that fresh forest air from above while soaring high over the canopy of trees on the mountainside below on an exciting zipline tour. Blue Ridge Aerial Adventure Park is an aerial obstacle course featuring three levels of suspended bridges and tight ropes offering 35 progressive challenges from 15 to 50 feet in the air.

Zipline Canopy Tours launch from 35 and 75-foot towers, crossing three sky bridges and over one mile of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. If this creates a craving for more thrill-seeking fun, there are more zipline adventures to check out nearby!
 

Tasty, Homegrown Fun

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Located in Blue Ridge, Georgia, Mercier Orchards offers a large selection of fresh, homegrown produce, including apples, blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries (based on season). There is an on-site cider mill and tasting room as well as a cafe and market — or purchase a bag from the orchard and fill it up with your own pickings to enjoy at home.

This is the only u-pick apple orchard in the state that grows, presses, ferments, and bottles its own product. Guests are encouraged to continue their farm fun with more orchard exploration in nearby Ellijay!

 

Family-Friendly Events In Blue Ridge

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Seasonal festivals and family-friendly community events keep culture and cuisine front and center in Blue Ridge. Enjoy traditional festivities for holidays like Easter, Christmas, 4th of July, and Halloween, or aim your stay for Blue Ridge-original events.

A few of the top seasonal events include:

• Blue Ridge Mountains Wine and Jazz Festival in the summer
• Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Music Festival in the fall
• Fire and Ice Chili Cook-Off in the winter
• Troutfest in the spring

Both the spring and fall seasons usher in creative and tasty fun with Arts in the Park, Farmers Market Craft Fairs, and Plein Aire Festivals, and Blue Ridge Community Theater has a year-round program of productions to enjoy. Of course, no matter the season, you can always find families enjoying hot new flicks nightly at the historic Swan Drive-In movie theater.
 

Explore the Best of Blue Ridge

The North Georgia mountain region is absolutely covered in opportunities to get out there and explore in every way imaginable. From your Blue Ridge vacation rental, you will have access to the best of Blue Ridge and the neighboring communities that help to complement our collective mountain lifestyle. You'll also be perfectly situated to embark on a range of day trips for extended adventures in North Georgia and beyond!