6 Ways to Escape With The Guys in Blue Ridge

Looking for a way to escape with the guys for a weekend or an afternoon? Maybe you're trying to decide what to request for Father’s Day or your next birthday? Blue Ridge is the ideal place to get away, no matter the type of pastime you prefer. From shotguns to irons to an Arturo Fuentes, these six escapes are made just for you.

From shotguns to irons to an Arturo Fuentes, these six escapes are made just for you.

Shoot Clays at Noontootla Creek Farm

Spend an afternoon at the sporting clay course with fantastic views of the Chattahoochee National Forest visible from all 12 stations. Golf carts make the trek from stand to stand effortless.

Planning a large group? Consider the 5 stand or wobble trap in order to keep your group together (or fend off any unexpected showers.)

Bring your own shotgun or rent one on site, with no reservations necessary. If you or someone in your group is new to the sport, instructors are on-hand to assist.

Finally, if you’re ready to make a weekend of it by taking advantage of the fly fishing and quail hunting also available onsite, then ‘Grandad’s House’ is where you want to be. The 4-bedroom farmhouse is the perfect place for your base camp in the Blue Ridge area.

Yes, there's a fully-equipped kitchen, but after a long day of shooting we recommend a trip to Grace, A Prime Steakhouse for dinner. 45+ day aged steaks, chosen and cut by their award-winning chef Daniel Barron, are the best way to wrap up a day of hard play.

Golf at Old Toccoa Farm

Old Toccoa Farm was named one of the “Best New Courses” by Golf Digest upon its debut. This year, Links Magazine agreed, naming it one of the 10 Must-Visit Public Golf Destinations for 2022.

The Bunker Hill-designed course is a par 72, links-style course totaling 6,707 yards through mountain laurel, rock outcroppings and wildflower meadows. It follows Blue Ridge’s beloved Toccoa River, with long-range views of the Chattahoochee and Cherokee National Forests.

The semi-private course is available to the public by reservation Wednesday - Monday. Nine- or 18-hole rates include greens fee, cart fee, range balls and tax, plus access to the driving range, and chipping and putting greens. Club rentals are also available for your friends from out of town.

Indulge at a Cigar Lounge

Blue Ridge is home to not one, but two distinctly different cigar lounges, allowing you to select the atmosphere and lounge environment that best suits the crowd you're with.

Havana Day Dreaming Cigars is just outside Downtown in a new location. The lounge here includes oversized comfy leather chairs and sofas, a large TV and football decor. You can even bring your "man's best friend" companion.

Enjoy a large premium selection, plus specialty blends you won’t find anywhere else.

Smokey Bear Cigars & Café sits in the heart of Downtown, just recently opened but already making an impression.

Like their established counterpart, you’ll find jumbo leather seating, Fido-friendly digs, custom blends, and a large humidor. There are also cozy tables, a fireplace, and a community guitar whose strings are constantly strumming.

Unlike than other cigar lounges in the mountains, you can grab an espresso with your hand-rolled cigar, and you’re likely to see more women and couples lighting up together at Smokey Bear.

Fly Fish with a Guide

Yes, you can pull on your waders, tie your knots, and bring the guys to any spot of public land along the Toccoa. But if you really want to catch enough trout for a hearty dinner (and I mean the big ones, boys!) then you’re going to need a fly fishing guide.

Newbies will appreciate the access to specialized gear and unmatched guidance. Advanced anglers gain access to trophy fishing waters, usually on private property, as well as optimization techniques that only the locals can share.

Have questions about deciding on a guide? Check out the Blue Ridge Trout Guide FAQ.

Sample the Small Batch Bourbon at Whiskey + Water

Bring your appetite to Blue Ridge’s newest restaurant, Whiskey + Water, just off main street in a renovated, historic 1937 Post Office. The vibe is casual, but the food and drink will knock your socks off.

Start your evening with a flight of bourbon, with selections ranging from small batch to tried-and-true options from around the globe. If you have a favorite bourbon, though, you can settle right into a Manhattan.

Start your coastal experience with oysters from the raw bar. For the main course, popular options include scallops or Alaskan halibut. More of a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy? No worries. Pick from a half-chicken, pork shank, or bone-in ribeye.

Relax with a Gentleman’s Spa Treatment

A spa treatment is not just for the ladies. If your career has been piling on the stress or you pushed yourself just a little too hard during your last workout, a gentlemans’ service with Serenity Spa is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Schedule the Relaxation Massage designed to alleviate tight muscles, or try a Deep Healing Massage to target and relieve issues with soft tissue.

Ready to go all-out? The Hot Stone Massage is the most relaxing and soothing of all Serenity’s treatments. Basalt Stones are heated and placed on key body points to help rejuvenate muscles and connective tissue.

No matter the treatment you select, you’ll have access to the men’s locker room as well as the steam and sauna relaxation area.