1. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Downtown Blue Ridge
All aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a 3 ½ hour ride along the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville. Call 1-800-934-1898 or visit www.brscenic.com.

2. Mercier Orchards

Blue Ridge
Southern Living Magazine’s favorite roadside apple market and more – best fried pies and apple cider anywhere. (706) 632-3411 or www.mercier-orchards.com.

3. Swan Drive-In

Blue Ridge
One of three remaining drive-in theaters in Georgia, the Swan offers first run movies year round. To see what’s playing, call (706) 632-5235.

4. Ducktown Basin Museum

Ducktown, Tenn.
Tour the grounds of the historic Burra Burra Copper Mine and see exhibits on the mining heritage of the Copper Basin. (423) 496-5778.

5. Ocoee Whitewater Center

Ducktown, Tenn.
Built for the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Slalom Races, the center includes the Olympic race course, native gardens, paved walkways, hiking and biking trails, pools of water for wading or feeding fish and more.
(423) 496-5197

6. Apple Orchard Alley

Ellijay
Eleven of Gilmer County’s apple orchards are spread across this picturesque valley along Georgia Hwy. 52.

7. Southern Tree Plantation

Blairsville
Blairsville's Southern Tree Plantation has lots more than Christmas trees. Visit during October for Fun on the Farm, with pumpkins, hayrides, a petting farm, marshmallow roasting, kid's train and pony rides and much more. (706) 745-0601, www.southerntreeplantation.com

8. Misty Mountain Train Museum

Blairsville
The largest privately owned O-gauge model train collection in America depicts scenes in Georgia. Open May through December. (706) 745-9818

9. Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site

Dahlonega
Located in the old county courthouse, this museum tells the story of America’s first gold rush. Also in Dahlonega, pan for gold at the Consolidated or Crisson Gold Mine. (706) 864-2257

10. Northeast Georgia Wine Trail

Crane Creek Vineyard, Young Harris; Frogtown, Three Sisters & Wolf Mountain Vineyards, Dahlonega; Habersham Winery, Helen
Explore the wines of North Georgia from Young Harris to Helen.

11. John C. Campbell Folk School

Brasstown, N.C.
A national resource for traditional mountain music, dance, art, crafts, nature, gardening and folk lore. John C. Campbell is “A School to Bring Folks Together,” with classes, concerts, contra dances and an annual Fall Festival. (828) 837-2775, www.folkschool.org.

12. Fields of the Woods

Murphy, N.C.
A Bible park 18 miles west of Murphy, Fields of the Woods features Prayer Mountain, a gigantic Ten Commandments and more. (704) 494-7855.

13. Nantahala Outdoor Center

Nantahala, N.C.
Observe kayaking, rafting and canoeing on the Nantahala River at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Also a stop for the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (Bryson City, N.C.)

14. Georgia Mountain Fair

Hiawassee, GA
Home of the Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden, annual Bluegrass Festival, Georgia Mountain Fair and many other concerts throughout the year. The fairgrounds and campground are located on beautiful Lake Chatuge in Towns County Georgia in the north Georgia mountains.
(706) 896-4191, www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/.

15. Crystal River Ranch

Llama Treks, Hiawassee
Lunch with Llamas in the Chattahoochee National Forest. (706) 896-5005, www.southerncomfortcabinrentals.com/.

16. Helen Alpine Village

Helen
Re-creation of an alpine village, nestled in the Northeast Georgia Mountains, Helen features over 200 specialty shops. Visit during Oktoberfest in September-October. (800) 858-8027, www.helenga.org.

17. Burt’s Farm

Dawsonville
Pick a pumpkin and take a hayride from September to November each year. (800) 600-BURT, www.burtsfarm.com.

18. Kangaroo Conservation Center

Dawsonville
Wildlife conservation and exotic-animals breeding facility with the largest kangaroo collection outside of Australia. Guided tours Tues – Sat. by reservation only. Call (706) 265-6100, www.northgeorgiazoo.com.