A Summer to Remember in Blue Ridge

Summer in Blue Ridge brings to mind Billie Holiday singing the lyrics from the famous song from the Broadway show Porgy and Bess: “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” That sums up summer in the North Georgia mountains for sure.

There’s so much to do in Blue Ridge and its surrounding areas, but Blue Ridge offers more than your standard summer vacation. You’ll enjoy unique activities that bring families closer together and, in the process, create lifetime memories. It will truly be a summer to remember.

creditSouthern Comfort Cabin Rental

1. Mountain time in Blue Ridge means enjoying the great outdoors. The mountains are teeming with cabin rentals which may make perfect vacation accommodations for families, girlfriend weekends getaways, or reunions. Enjoy coffee on the porch breathing fresh mountain air and nights cooking s’mores around the fire, stargazing and chasing fireflies. For those who want to camp, there’s several RV and camp sites. There's even a treehouse located at Bear Claw Vineyards!


2. Georgia in the summertime can raise your temperature, but escaping to mountain lakes and streams is a cool experience. Enjoy water sports, boat rentals, marina and a beach on Lake Blue Ridge, located just outside of town. The Toccoa River offers different trips for tubing, a two-hour float for little ones who might get restless and a four-hour float for those wanting more relaxation. Whitewater rafting is available on the Oconee and Toccoa, all the way to Lake Blue Ridge. For an easy walk to the Toccoa, hike to the 270-foot-long pedestrian bridge, the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River. The area also contains numerous waterfalls, many of which require only a short hike. Check out our hand list of water activities to get you started. We've also compiled a comprehensive list of outfitters located throughout the area.


3. For those who rather plant their feet in water and fish for trout, Blue Ridge is the ideal place with its more than 100 trout fishing rivers, creeks and streams. We’re getting hungry writing this! And it gets better. William “Bill” Oyster at Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods in downtown Blue Ridge creates beautiful handcrafted fly rods — he even teaches classes to those who wish to make their own. Cohutta Fishing Outfitters, Blue Ridge Fly Fishing School, Toccoa River Outfitters - Fly Shop and so many more outfit visitors for all their fishing needs and there are qualified fishing guides in the area to place you in just the right fishing spot.

Mercier Orchards

4. Take a trip back in time, load up the car and catch a movie at The Swan Drive-In, one of only four remaining drive-ins in Georgia. Hungry? You can order from your car and sample some of Swan’s delectable snacks and dinners, from the popular Pubsteakburger to fried Oreo’s and funnel cakes. And, of course, there’s always candy and popcorn.

5. Another long-standing tradition in Blue Ridge is Mercier Orchards. Bill and Adele Mercier started the orchards more than 80 years ago, selling dozens of varieties of apples, strawberries, fresh-pressed cider and the most delectable fried fruit pies, among so much more. During the summer, families may tour the farm and pick blueberries in season. Don’t miss the tasting room, gift shop and café.


Benton MacKaye Trail with Spring Foliage

6. Take a hike — and we mean that literally. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails established through the mountains in and around Blue Ridge, some along rivers, some with waterfalls and many easy treks that are perfect for families with young children. The 300-mile Benton MacKaye Trail.
stretches through Blue Ridge all the way to Tennessee and North Carolina. For the brave, the terminus of the Appalachian Trail, which stretches 2000-plus miles from Georgia to Maine, lies nearby on Springer Mountain.

7. With such gorgeous mountain views, rivers and woods, a picnic is a must. Visit a local winery for a tasty Georgia wine, then pick up picnic favorites such as specialty cheeses at Out of the Blue, delicious and unique snacks from Chester’s Provisions or a charcuterie board from the Pasta Market.

8. The mountain woods celebrate summer with a burst of wildflower color. In early summer, look for Flame Azaleas and Rhododendron that grow as large shrubs. The tall perennial—and quite unique—Jack-in-the-Pulpit can be found and kids will love discovering Fire Pink, a small plant that traps insects within its sticky hairs. Keep your eyes also peeled for butterflies, who are chasing after wildflowers for nectar.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

9. Ride the Rails on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway that leaves downtown Blue Ridge for a delightful journey through the mountains to the twin cities of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. Car hosts entertain visitors with tales and music on the 26-mile excursion that ranges from two-hour to four-hour summer trips (choose the longer ride if you wish to explore McCaysville and Copperhill on the train’s layover). There are different coach cars to choose from, including an open-air coach, premier coach and a handicapped accessible coach.

10. Cool your psyche with a day at the spa, whether enjoying a couples’ massage or a visit to the relaxing salt cave at Serenity in the Mountains. The full-service spa also rents luxurious cabin-styled guest rooms. It’s guaranteed you’ll return home refreshed. Serenity’s just one of the many wellness programs, spas and yoga sessions you’ll find in Blue Ridge.

There’s so much to do in Blue Ridge, it will truly be a summer to remember.
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Cheré Dastugue Coen

Author

Cheré Dastugue Coen

Food & Travel Writer, Author

Cheré Dastugue Coen is an award-winning journalist and author. She has written or edited for several newspapers, magazines and websites, including Variety magazine in Hollywood, the Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge, Gambit Weekly in New Orleans, the Gannett newspapers of Louisiana, The Californian, and many others. She currently writes freelance for a variety of publications, including AAA Southern Explorer; New Orleans magazine, Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile of the Renaissance magazine group of New Orleans; TravelAgeWest magazine; Louisiana Country; Florida Currents; South Carolina Currents; and many others. Cheré also writes nonfiction books, plus novels under the pen name of Cherie Claire
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