» stay For a complete mountain getaway, rent a cozy cabin and spend some quality time with family and friends. Choose a cabin with a view, beside Lake Blue Ridge or the Toccoa River , near town or in the woods. A downtown stay at a hotel, loft or B&B allows more time for exploring, shopping, eating and drinking like a local. » play Hike with the family to a local waterfall, skip some rocks in the Toccoa River rapids, or go tubing or rafting. Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway to the mining town of McCaysville , on the Georgia-Tennessee line. Take a tractor tour of Mercier Orchards . See a movie the old-fashioned way at the Swan Drive-In. Go gem mining, horseback riding and see Expedition Bigfoot ! Have some fun together and create lasting memories. » explore Hike to the beginning of the Appalachian and Benton MacKaye Trails at nearby Springer Mountain, or to the Swinging Bridge on the Toccoa River, Long Creek Falls or Falls Branch Falls . You can tube, kayak or raft the Toccoa River, rent a pontoon or paddle-board on Lake Blue Ridge, or go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River . Be sure to cast a fly in the Trout Capital of Georgia . » shop In the early 1900s, visitors took the train to Blue Ridge to escape the heat, enjoy the cool mountain air and rejuvenate in the mineral waters. Today, a stroll through town reveals an eclectic blend of old and new, with an array of upscale shops and galleries. Take home a locally made keepsake to remind you of your Blue Ridge Mountain getaway. » wine & dine Sip some local brews at one of six craft breweries, including Grumpy Old Men , Tipping Point and Angry Hops breweries in downtown Blue Ridge. Spend a relaxing afternoon at a local winery like Bear Claw Vineyards , Serenberry Vineyards , or Mercier’s Hard Cider and Winery . Local eateries range from laid-back, like Carroll’s Barbeque and Sue’s Burgers , to upscale, like Harvest on Main and Grace . Eat in a historic home at The Black Sheep , an old bank building at The General Ledger , or on the water at Toccoa Riverside or Burra Burra . A visit to Blue Ridge is like a step into a simpler time and place, but with all the creature comforts of a much larger destination. You’ll be planning your return trip before it’s time to go home.
Official State Travel Guide 2025 Georgia Official State Travel Guide: Page 75
