Beat the Winter Blues in Blue Ridge
Shop, dine and wine with a three-day weekend that screams, “Girls just want to have fun!”
BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA--JANUARY —Gather the gals for a three-day getaway with this easy-to-follow itinerary to guide explorations of Blue Ridge, Georgia, about 90 minutes north of Atlanta via Interstate 575:
![A secluded log cabin with warm glowing light coming through the windows at night in Blue Ridge, GA](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/cabin-at-night.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=3e5de035a1aaa5d91a8e1dab267014f3 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/cabin-at-night.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=6cbc40b93370700cbeefc2e160eba669 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/cabin-at-night.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=fdf3344534a4b21fe325fd8a00247a4b 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/cabin-at-night.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=0da83a4ce7e73c484ace6bdcc66f6676 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/cabin-at-night.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=e007a0bec1101a9faa8ecaba9560c70f 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/cabin-at-night.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=9d7a2b8365187cb986466d35684a0967 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/cabin-at-night.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=e990fc78a1c2e68312b19469ffed8595 1920w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/cabin-at-night.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=6ba942fd4f2264dd59a485f1069bbadf 2560w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/cabin-at-night.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=07996f0409acd8cd1a000fd810427adb 3840w)
Day 1:
Rent a luxury mountain home with lots of room, a beautiful view and a hot tub—the ideal home base for the ultimate girls’ weekend. Then, head downtown to discover the area’s Appalachian heritage and historic areas. The town of Blue Ridge was founded in 1886, when the Marietta and Northern Railroad came to Fannin County. The rail line at Blue Ridge, with an altitude of 1,751 feet, was reported to be the highest in Georgia at that time; Fannin County was called “the Switzerland of the South” in promotional brochures. Learn about historic buildings in Downtown Blue Ridge by following the Historic Blue Ridge Walking Tour guide. When you return to your cabin, savor the sunset with a glass of wine on the deck of your cabin. And, don’t forget to stargaze while roasting s’mores by the fire pit.
Day 2:
Get moving! Spend the day exploring Blue Ridge's major trail systems, including access to the Appalachian Trail which extends for more than 2,000 miles to Maine through many of the states on the Eastern Seaboard. The most popular of the waterfalls in Fannin County is Long Creek Falls, which can be seen by hiking down a short side trail from the combined Appalachian/Benton MacKaye Trail.
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Serenity-in-the-Mountains-Quiet-Room.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f5f3eaeaf9898578058dd4d3aac9cd9e 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Serenity-in-the-Mountains-Quiet-Room.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=19511f5c53a3fdf50826b4956fc97f56 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Serenity-in-the-Mountains-Quiet-Room.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=aefd16e8b2dd726a8bc3d9352898afa9 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Serenity-in-the-Mountains-Quiet-Room.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a48d80798d54596567750331a7bd5528 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Serenity-in-the-Mountains-Quiet-Room.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=03b6c5e1d61ad6001404d7eb6b172d0d 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Serenity-in-the-Mountains-Quiet-Room.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8a1fcbb885d8aaee76fb0d83741734a1 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Serenity-in-the-Mountains-Quiet-Room.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=1863b64f6cca752300747e38b8f0a51e 1920w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Serenity-in-the-Mountains-Quiet-Room.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=46904856138f0a9b5372d56760c1acde 2560w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Serenity-in-the-Mountains-Quiet-Room.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=5da2e31549cc091b4aec0fecff35e06b 3840w)
Then, rejuvenate with a trip to the spa. A full service spa located in the heart of Blue Ridge, Serenity in the Mountains promises the R&R every woman craves and draws guests from both around the corner and around the country. Choose from restorative options like the Neuromuscular Massage, Body Scrub or the Refresher Facial. Whether in search of a hot stone facial, a relaxing massage, a haircut or just a manicure, this is the go-to destination to get away from it all with special packages for girlfriend getaways. For in-town pampering, try TeaTree Spa. Indulge in a Vanilla Lavender Sugar Scrub or a French Rose Body Wrap. Check out their specials.
In the evening, visit Hook & Eye, the rooftop bar on top of the Hampton Inn. Great atmosphere, great places to sit inside as well as out on the patio enjoying the view. Check out their lite bites, great drink selection and live music on Friday & Saturdays.
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Canoe-Shopping.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=29b1cd093c8bc555ef1c65cc26fa806f 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Canoe-Shopping.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=a251414b8da60d3bdc3be49ada9678a2 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Canoe-Shopping.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=0b7eb9cbdfae87972ae0d248f38e92ad 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Canoe-Shopping.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f18564253aed75149430b57eee1ef498 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Canoe-Shopping.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=2fa218b904acbbbc33c7d44c7f6b0cac 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Canoe-Shopping.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6796f76411c5dc495448611f61dcd9d4 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Canoe-Shopping.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=da1c5f46b93d27a1f6131b7ef111ca62 1920w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Canoe-Shopping.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=79bc750ef00a19fd4c558c2a522239dc 2560w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Canoe-Shopping.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=5aadffdebddb746084cf60de476af268 3840w)
Day 3:
Round out your Blue Ridge adventure with a shopping excursion visiting our many specialty shops, boutiques and galleries for fine furnishings, art, antiques and unique crafted items. Here are just a few suggestions: Stop into the Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company and treat yourself to a gourmet selection of more than 65 varieties of olive oil and balsamic vinegars. Find some great souvenirs at The Cotton Company selling Blue Ridge inspired apparel and gifts. Check out Blue Ridge Adventure Wear and Blue Ridge Mountain Outfitters for the latest trends in winter apparel. High Country Art, offers an selection of fine art, folk art, photography, ceramics, jewelry and more. To find a shop full of "fanciful finds and whimsical whatnots" then visit Lily and Coco! Some beautiful and unique selections of jewelry can be found at The Owl's Nest of Blue Ridge, Canoe and Mustang Sally's. Stop at Multitudes Gallery featuring high-end glass work, art and jewelry. Inside, also find Fishbone Studios- showcasing platters, mosaics, customized jugheads, flowerpots and vessels each in a unique style. Whatever your tastes and style, one of our shops is sure to have something for you.
Top off a visit to Blue Ridge with a side trip to McCaysville and Copperhill, The Riverwalk Shops offers riverfront restaurants and boutique shopping at places like River Laurel Gifts & Boutique, The Pasta Market and more. Use our walking map to help you discover these quaint mountain towns.
If you go
Savor bites: Chester Brunnemeyer's Bar & Grill is a rustic American bar and grill in downtown Blue Ridge, featuring high quality food, an impressive wine list, signature cocktails and regionally crafted beer. Harvest on Main with a nationally recognized chef at the helm, specializes in fresh ingredients to create fun, inviting cuisine in a relaxing beautiful lodge setting. Black Sheep Restaurant Bar and Patio, "sitting under the 200-year-old Oak tree, in the shadows of the old house, you Sip A Manhattan as the Appalachian mountains bring in the cool winds. at 1800’ feet altitude in the historic downtown everything seems simpler, a reminder of times past. The chatter of patrons, cocktails being shaken at the sleek bar & trumpets of classic New Orleans jazz transforms your mood into something cool, something smooth." End a perfect Saturday by satisfying a sweet tooth with confectionaries from The Sweet Shoppe where owners Nikki Gribble and Susan Catron can boast of their win on the Food Network's "Cupcake Wars." TIP: Book a guided three hour Blue Ridge Mountain Food Tour and take a Fabulous Foodie Tour, Raise Your Glass Tour or a Sugar High Tour, each tour will make five to six stops to various eateries offering a wide variety of food and beverage tastings from artful appetizers, decadent desserts, to local craft beer and wine. Get an insider's view from a local tour guide who will provide you with fun facts and tidbits of history about the quaint mountain town.
There is a perfect cabin, luxury vacation home, hotel or bed and breakfast waiting for you here.