1. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway - board in Downtown Blue Ridge. All aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a 3 hour ride along the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville. Call 1-800-934-1898 or visit www.brscenic.com.

2. Holiday Shopping on Main Street - all over Downtown Blue Ridge. The central shopping street in Blue Ridge is Main Street. It's jammed with art galleries, antique shops, collectibles, unique furniture and really unusual gift items. Plus there are lots of places to stop for a treat and rest a bit. Don't limit yourself to Main Street, though. If you wander a block or two away from the main density of shops, you can find treasures of all kinds. Best bet is to stop by the Fannin Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center and pick up a free shopping map put out by the Blue Ridge Business Association.

3. Horseback Riding in Cashes Valley - A scenic mountain valley near the Cohutta Wilderness is one of Blue Ridge's best kept secrets. Adventure Trail Rides offers a range of horseback riding experiences through Cashes Valley (ages 7 and up). You must make reservations to be able to ride, especially on the weekends! From Blue Ridge, at McDonald's, turn onto Hwy 5 north. Go 3.8 miles to a LARGE red and white sign that says "ADVENTURE TRAIL RIDES". Take a left at this sign. Go another 3.8 miles and take a left at a LARGE wooden sign that says "HORSEBACK RIDING" Go 1 mile down that road and take a left and follow signs to Barn. Call them at (706) 258-BARN. Or on the web at www.adventuretrailrides.com.

4. Mercier Orchards - Blue Ridge. Southern Living Magazine’s favorite roadside apple market and more – best fried pies and apple cider anywhere. Recently expanded shopping holds all kinds of goods, from gourmet meats and specialties to birdhouses, to maps and books, to art, to all kinds of delectible take home foods. And apples and fruits galore. (706) 632-3411 or www.mercier-orchards.com.

5. Cohutta Overlook - an awe inspiring view across the Cohutta Wilderness that you can drive right up to. From McDonalds in Blue Ridge, drive south on Highway 515 toward Ellijay 13.2 miles and take a right at the Ellijay bypass (sign says "Historic Downtown Ellijay). Drive 2.2 miles to the square in Ellijay. Bear right around the roundabout to Highway 52/2 West. Go about 11.8 miles on a paved, twisty mountain 2-lane road. The Cohutta Overlook pulloff is on the right, before Fort Mountain State Park. There's a short hillclimb path to the overlook which is not suitable for wheelchairs. This is a great place for a picnic, and nearby Fort Mountain State Park is a nice stop as well.

6. Girls Weekend Away - If you need to get out of town and want a great weekend itinerary full of fun or just relaxation... or both, Georgia's Blue Ridge is the answer. Round up the girls and get out of town for an unforgettable weekend! Close by but a world away from the city, Blue Ridge is filled with interesting shopping, unbelievable scenery, all kinds of outdoor adventure possibilities and clean mountain air and waters. Making it special is the availability of over 800 rental cabins from luxury to rustic in all price ranges.

Sample Itinerary: Friday afternoon - arrive at your luxury rental cabin. Hang out on the deck and take in the sweeping views across the mountains. Friday night - Dinner at your cabin, hottub, and relaxing by the fire. Saturday morning - head into Blue Ridge for breakfast at the Iron Skillet. Stop at the Visitors Center for a Shopping Map, then over to Main Street to do a little shopping. Explore the side street shops. At noon, lunch at the Victorian Tea Room. After lunch go for a mountain drive through the Ocoee River Gorge and stop at the Ocoee Whitewater Center. On the way back, stop at Mercier Orchards to shop for gifts, buy orchard apples and homemade pies plus have a snack. Then it's back to your cabin for a nap or more relaxing. You can have dinner there, or if it's early enough, venture out to The Cabin in Blue Ridge or Toccoa Riverside Restaurant for dinner. The stars should be out above your cabin by now, so bundle up on the deck and do some star watching and then warm up around the fire. Sunday is adventure day, so go for a hike or horseback ride! See #3 above or #7 below. Then it's back home to tell stories, but it will feel like you've been gone a week.

Call the Fannin County Visitors Center or stop by in person for advice on hundreds of fun Fall things to do. 1-800-899-MTNS. Or you can research your trip at www.blueridgemountains.com

7. Rich Mountain Wilderness - A beautiful wilderness area full of huge trees and tumbling waters. For hikers, try the Stanley Creek Trail, a short hike at .9 miles one-way. This trail connects a parking area on Stanley Creek Road to nearby Brownlow Gap at the Rich Mountain Wilderness boundary. There is a gradual ascent (200 feet) from the creek to the gap. Directions: From Blue Ridge, travel east 1.5 miles on East First Street (Old U.S. 76) to Aska Road (Harmony Church is on your left). Turn right and go south 8 miles. Turn right on a gravel road and go 3.5 miles to trail parking area. Directions to other access points are available through the Toccoa Ranger District office of the US Forest Service. A map of the Chattahoochee National Forest including the Rich Mountain Wilderness, available from the US Forest Service, or REI is strongly recommended, as well as good wilderness skills, proper equipment including the 10 Essentials, and understanding of the Leave No Trace Ethic.

8. Highway 64 Scenic Drive - Huge mountains loom ahead of this winding mountain highway and sweeping views keep appearing as you head east from Tennessee into North Carolina. 3 states are packed close together here and the borders of each join at a point just north of McCaysville, GA. From Blue Ridge, drive north 10 miles on Hwy. 5 to McCaysville. You'll cross over the river and be in Tennessee. At the 4-way stop turn left and go through Copperhill, TN. About 3.2 miles ahead you'll see the merge onto Hwy. 64 East. The North Carolina border is 3.7 miles from here, and you can drive toward Murphy for a shorter drive, or do a very long twisty mountain 2-lane drive all the way to Highlands, NC.

9. Jacks River Falls - Located in the Cohutta Wilderness Area on the Jacks River, this beautiful waterfall is the most visited site in the Cohuttas. For the shortest hike in, approach from the northwest access point. From Blue Ridge go south on Hwy. 515 to Ellijay 13.2 miles and take a right at the Ellijay bypass (sign says "Historic Downtown Ellijay). Drive 2.2 miles to the square in Ellijay. Bear right around the roundabout to Highway 52/2 West. Take 52 West all the way to Chatswoth. From Chatsworth, go north on US 411 13 miles to Cisco. Turn right on Old Hwy 2. Continue on this road 10 miles to FS 62 on the right. Turn right on FS 62 and go 4.4 miles to the Jacks River Trailhead. Trail to the falls is 3.5 miles following an abandoned rail bed. A map of the Cohutta Wilderness, available from the US Forest Service, or REI, is strongly recommended, as well as good wilderness skills, proper equipment including the 10 Essentials, and understanding of the Leave No Trace Ethic. For More Info Click: http://www.blueridgemountains.com/cohuttas.html