1. Mercier Orchards - Blue Ridge. Southern Living Magazine’s favorite roadside apple market and more – best fried pies and hot apple cider anywhere. Recently expanded shopping holds all kinds of goods, from gourmet foods and specialties to birdhouses, to maps and books, to art, to all kinds of delectible take home foods and gift items. The restaurant/deli serves up great country breakfasts, home made soups and sandwiches for lunch and all manner of delectible goodies from the bakery. And depending on the season, apples and fruits galore. (706) 632-3411 or www.mercier-orchards.com.

2. Dinner and a Show with Blue Ridge Community Theater - For a night out combine a great dinner in town and a show at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. There are lots of great restaurants in Blue Ridge, get our Restaurant Guide here and see more info on the Food Scene here. Blue Ridge Community Theater, a community theater group located in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia enriches the cultural life of residents and visitors through performances, productions and education of all aspects of contemporary and classic theater. Blue RIdge Community Theater starts off it's season with "Caught in the Net" by Ray Cooney. Even if you've never seen Caught in the Net's predecessor, Cooney's smash hit "Run for Your Wife", you'll have no trouble following the action. High schoolers Vicki and Gavin hit it off when they meet online. The flirtatious teens can't wait to meet in person, but have no idea that Gavin is, as the expression goes, "a brother of another mother." Cab driver John Leonard Smith is father to both of them, having maintained two separate families in two separate towns, for nearly two decades. Friday and Saturday's at 7:30 p.m. Sunday's at 2:00 p.m. Rated PG (mature subject matter and language). Ticket prices are $18.00. Located at 2591 East 1st Street across from The Swan Drive-In. You can contact them at (706) 632-9223, or on the web at www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com/

3. Luxury Mountain Cabins (& Gracious B&B's) - Georgia's Blue Ridge has the most unique lodging in the south. Over a thousnad unique lodging spots, from quaint B&B's to fully equipped luxury mountain cabins. Want the perfect Warm Winter experience? How about a toasty fire in your cabin with hot apple cider, and gorgeous mountain views from your bubbly hottub. Georgia's Blue RIdge has literally hundreds of luxury mountain cabins you can rent by the day or week and they come in all price ranges. And how about the absolutely perfect Valentines present... go shopping for a Getaway Cabin of your own! Our professional real estate agents can show you listings all over gorgeous Fannin County. For rentals, click: rental cabin link and for Real Estate Agents click: real estate agent link

4. Fall Branch Falls - a double waterfall with mountain laurel and rhododendron growing along the trail and creek bank. The hike to the falls is about 30 minutes round trip. In Blue Ridge, follow Aska Road south for eight miles. Turn right on a paved road (Toccoa Riverside Restaurant is on the left). The trailhead is about three miles on the right (.2 miles from where pavement ends). The US Forest Service has a great website full of useful information at: USDA Forest Service Chattahoochee NF and our self-guided hiking maps are available here: Hiking Trails Access or Waterfalls plus you want to be sure to Leave No Trace, so please check out : www.LNT.org

5. Highway 60 Scenic Drive Loop - This driving tour, produced by the U.S. Forest Service, is beautiful any time of year. There are many attractions along the way and you'll be tempted to visit many so leave plenty of time for the drive. The drive begins and ends at the intersection of Georgia Highway 5 and 515 in Blue Ridge. Round trip mileage is 102.4 miles and approximate driving time without stops is three to four hours. The drive offers some great opportunities for stops and side trips and can easily become a day trip. The Chattahoochee National Forest covers 749,550 acres in North Georgia. You can get a free map at the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center or download one right here.

6. Toccoa River Trout Fishing below the dam - these waters are renowned statewide. Named in 2010 by the Georgia House of Representatives "The Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia" good fishing waters abound. Fish the Toccoa River just below the dam at Hwy. 515 in Tammen Park. Call in advance for water-release information 800-238-2264. Another good place is Horseshoe Bend Park, a beautiful spot with good trout fishing on the Toccoa River. From Blue Ridge take Highway 5 into McCaysville. Turn right onto Highway 60 then drive a short distance and turn right on River Road. The park has a playground, picnic pavilions and restrooms. All of the Water Spots and many of the great fishing spots are listed on our Water Maps, available free, by clicking right here for the southern, wild portion of the Toccoa River (above the dam) and here for the northern portion of the Toccoa River (below the dam). Blue Ridge also has great fishing guides if you want a local expert to show you the best fishing spots. For info on experienced fishing guides be sure to see our web listings here. And for even more information on trout fishing waters in the Blue Ridge area check out our website information by clicking here.

7. Horseback Riding in the Blue Ridge Mountains - From beautiful backdrops of the Cohutta Mountains to a scenic mountain valley in Cashes Valley, horseback riding in Georgia's Blue Ridge is an awesome adventure. Blanch Manor Horseback Riding and Adventure Trail Rides both offer a range of horseback riding experiences. You must make reservations to be able to ride, especially on the weekends! Call Blanche Manor at 423) 496-1060 or (706) 455-7433 or on the web at www.blanchemanor.com. Call Adventure Trail Rides or Cashes Valley at (706) 258-BARN. Or on the web at www.adventuretrailrides.com.

8. Cappuccino at L & L Beanery - The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is not the only reason customers love L & L Beanery. Located in a 1920s bank building at 260-A W. Main Street, the original vault houses wonderful gifts and gourmet foods, and the cozy fireplace and piano create a comfortable setting to linger over a cup of coffee. Fabulous breakfasts and lunches. Be sure to bring a laptop to take advantage of the free wireless internet service offered in the store.(706) 632-3242 or on the web at www.llbeanery.com

9. Shopping for Handmade art, Unique gifts and one-of-a-kind Antiques - One of the most fun shopping trips you will ever make is to Georgia's Blue Ridge. The area is filled with one-of-a-kind shopping finds. From that perfect antique sideboard you've been looking for to unique mountain crafts that are the perfect decorating touch and even better Valentine presents, you'll be amazed at what you will find in local artist studios, antique shops and art galleries. You can get a free map at the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center or download one by clicking here: Self-Guided Tours and also for a shopping map of Blue Ridge click here; and for McCaysville and Copperhill click here.

10. Brasstown Bald - Georgia’s highest mountain offers a visitor panoramic view of four states. For the best sunset in the south, the huge parking lot near the top has a picnic table and grassy area in the southwest corner that you can drive right to. If you get there early enough before sunset, you can also hike up to the top on a paved path (strenuous). Take warm winter clothes and a thermos of hot drinks. Drive Highway 515 east from Blue Ridge to Blairsville. From Blairsville, take U.S. 19/129 south for 8 miles. Turn left onto Georgia 180. Go 9 miles to Georgia 180 Spur and turn left. Go 3 more miles to the Brasstown Bald parking lot. Make sure the road to the parking area is open (can be closed because of weather). For information, call 706-745-6928.

Please do not exceed your level of experience and fitness when
undertaking any activity, especially in wilderness areas.

A Word to the Wise … Many mountain roads are unmaintained and randomly effected by sudden weather and may not be suitable for your vehicle. Roads are closed by the USFS without prior warning and may be impassable. The law of the forest is “leave no trace.” Please pack in all you will need and pack out all your trash. If you build a fire, never leave it unattended. Use good judgment when hiking, particularly around waterfalls where rocks are often wet, moss covered and slippery. If hiking during hunting season, wear a brightly colored vest. Unexpected encounters with animals can be pleasurable or problematic. A hawk or owl soaring silently above is a pleasure. Watch for woodpeckers, turkeys and mountain grouse near the forest edges. The flash of a white-tail deer is an every day occurrence. More rare is sighting a black bear or bobcat. Most animals will flee the presence of humans, but be on the lookout for copperheads, wasps, yellow jackets and other biting, stinging critters. For more info on proper behavior in the wild, please go to www.LNT.org (Leave No Trace). And as a suggestion, if you are going out for a scenic drive, try to do it in a high mileage/per person vehicle. Fannin County Chamber & Welcome Center, 152 Orvin Lance Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 1-800-899-mtns www.blueridgemountains.com