Visit orchards, farmer's markets, farms and vineyards in the area.

Mercier Orchards
8660 Blue Ridge Drive (Highway 5), Blue Ridge
Mercier Orchards, the largest apple orchard in the southeast, is known as Southern Living Magazine's "favorite roadside apple market," but it is much, much more. For 65 years, the Mercier family has been welcoming visitors to taste the fruits of the mountains, and the yummy fried pies and fritters that come from the fruit!

Pick your own strawberries, blueberries and apples in season, and take the kids on a tractor tour of the orchard during your visit. The orchard, largest in the southeast, grows 20 varieties of apples, along with strawberries, peaches, blueberries and blackberries. Mercier's also processes almost all of the apple cider in the Georgia mountains; new this year is a tasting room for the delicious new hard cider. Mercier's bakery makes the most famous fried apple pies in the mountains -- also peach, blueberry, chocolate and coconut, among others. Have a country breakfast or sandwich in the deli.

Visit Mountainview Orchards
Mountainview Orchards, 2984 Mobile Road in McCaysville, is a old fashioned apple orchard and fruit market you won't want to miss. Pick your own apples all season, and take your group on a hayride and fireside dinner in the fall. While you're there, eat delicious Southern food at the Cider House Café.

Don't Miss the Blue Ridge Farmer's Market
Don't miss our local farmer's market each Saturday in Downtown Blue Ridge City Park beginning in early June. Take home some heirloom tomatoes, fresh eggs, bread, flowers, handmade pottery, crafts and lots more. Also check out the Blue Ridge Market at the old Farmer's Market on Old Highway 76 near the Swan Drive-in.

The Cook's Farm
Downtown Blue Ridge, in conjunction with Harvest on Main
The Cook's Farm features an organic garden, honey production, smokehouse, classroom, professional kitchen, chicken coop, and outdoor cooking facility. The Farm holds summer farm to table camps for kids, cooking lessons from well-known culinary artists, farm to table dinners and special events.

During your exploration of the Apple Alley (Hwy 52) area in Ellijay, visit Cartecay Vineyards and Hillcrest Orchards. Also for fall fun, hayrides and live Christmas trees, be sure to explore the Southern Tree Plantation in Blairsville.