Blue Ridge Spring & Summer Bucket List
Book your Getaway! Check out this bucket list of top picks for spring outings with the family.

WHERE TO STAY
Rent a cabin or luxury vacation home for the whole family. There will be lots of opportunities for family fun -- cookouts, fire pits with s'mores, and more. Click here to check out the options.
WHAT TO DO
1. Ride the Blue Ridge Railway and travel down the 13-miles of rails comprising the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. The excursion is a generation-bonding adventure that starts at the historic 1905 depot in Downtown. Vintage climate-controlled rail cars or open air rail cars host more than 100,000 passengers each year for a ride that winds alongside the Toccoa River, with a stop in the twin border towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. Copperhill/McCaysville is one town with two names because it is split by the GA/TN state line, where visitors have a two hour layover with plenty of time to eat lunch, shop for unique crafts and antiques, snack on ice cream or walk around. Get your picture taken with one foot in each state!
2. Take a scenic drive on Aska Road for beautiful views of the Toccoa River Rapids. Cross the historic Shallowford Bridge over the Toccoa to Sandy Bottoms Canoe Launch, for an up close view of the river. The perfect place for a family picnic. Here's a link to our driving tours.
3. Hike to Falls Branch Falls, where the upper portion is a series of cascades that lead to a single major drop of some 30 feet, with the water plunging into a deep pool at the base of the falls. Find out more about our local waterfalls here. Check out these tips about Hiking with Kids. Remember to Recreate Responsibly.
4. Go horseback riding at Blue Ridge Mountain Trail Rides (319 Hell's Hollow Road). Also onsite, kids will love fishing in the pond, riding ponies, gem mining and wandering the nature trail. Appalachian Trail Rides, in addition to horseback riding, offers up pony rides for your Little Buckeroo's 5 and under. You can also arrange a picnic ride from some of them. Check out other horseback riding companies in the area such as Blanche Manor and Cowgirl Up Stables.
5. Get hearts pounding with two feet off the ground at Blue Ridge Adventure Park, featuring an obstacle challenge course in the air with suspended bridges, tight ropes, climbing walls, ziplines and other fun obstacles for every age and ability. Reservations required.
6. Catch a movie the old-fashioned way at The Swan Drive-In, one of Georgia's four remaining drive-ins. Established in 1955, the Swan Drive-in features a full concession stand, including funnel cakes and fried Oreos.
7. Go gem mining, fishing, take a hike or play a round of mini-golf, all at Blue Ridge's destination for family fun--The Lilly Pad Village, has a fishing pond (poles provided) mini-golf and gem mining. For indoor fun visit 2nd Story Entertainment with their unique 18 hole mini-golf course, they also have arcade games, drinks and ice cream.
8. Take a farm tour of Mercier Orchards (8660 Blue Ridge Drive) and stock up the cabin with fried pies, fresh veggies and fruits. Merciers is a family-owned and -operated, primarily apple, orchard. The must-see Blue Ridge attraction will reward your senses with bushels of apples, strawberries and other produce, fresh pressed cider, warm fried pies--but, most importantly, memories. Started back in 1943 by Bill & Adele Mercier. Mercier Orchards is now celebrating more than 70 years of fruitful harvests. Beyond apples, their onsite store serves up a variety of farm toys, pet items, kitchen paraphernalia, home decor and is host to a meat and cheese shop. Visit the tasting room, offering hard ciders and wines, including locally-produced varieties.
9. 30 Fun Things to Do with Kids! Hiking, Catch a Fish, Explore the Ocoee Whitewater Center and many more ideas. Download the Kids Adventure Game its a fun activity the whole family can participate in. Find all of our trout statues scattered around town while you play the Trout Art Trail Kids Game.
10. Take the kids to Huck's General Store. Step back in time with an authentic general store experience in downtown Blue Ridge, complete with barrels of candy from yesteryear. 500 E Main Street.
Where to Eat
1. Whether the family is taking the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway or driving to McCaysville, Burra Burra on the River is not to be missed. Enjoy dining on the deck by the Toccoa River for lunch or dinner with classic American food, beer and wine.
2. Carroll’s Barbeque serves everything a family loves, from smoked chicken, pork and beef to soups and salads, with Southern desserts like cobbler and banana pudding.
3. Rin Tin’s Barks & Brews Cantina: Bring your pet for the indoor dognasium and dog-friendly patios. Bring your appetite for the salads, soups and sizeable sandwiches. The market offers fresh meat, breads, dairy items, pastas and more to take home and prepare. Your dog is welcome for the hour or for the day.
4. Iron Bridge Cafe: Great spot to stop for breakfast or lunch if you are out exploring the Aska Adventure Area. Breakfast including a variety of sandwiches, burrito's, pancakes and more. For lunch, burgers, wraps, sandwiches and salads. Eat there or take with you for a picnic at the rapids or Falls Branch Falls.
5. Cucinella’s Pizzeria: A family tradition since 1932 serving brick oven pizzas with a wide variety of toppings along with specialty pizzas like Calzone, Margherita, Veggie Lovers, Spinach and more. Gluten-free cauliflower crust is also available.
Related Stories & Events
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway241 Depot St.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
241 Depot St. Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (877) 413-8724 Website
Mercier Orchards8660 Blue Ridge Dr.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Mercier Orchards
8660 Blue Ridge Dr. Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 632-3411 Website
Rin Tin's Barks & Brews Cantina322 West Main Street
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Rin Tin’s Barks & Brews Cantina
322 West Main Street Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 946-4449 Website
Burra Burra on the River100 Blue Ridge Dr.
McCaysville, GA 30555
Burra Burra on the River
100 Blue Ridge Dr. McCaysville, GA 30555 (706) 400-6660 Website
Iron Bridge General Store & Cafe8436 Aska Rd.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Iron Bridge General Store & Café
8436 Aska Rd. Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 632-4700 Website
Cucinella's Pizzeria322 West Main St., Unit 1C
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Cucinella’s Pizzeria
322 West Main St., Unit 1C Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 946-5022
2nd Story Entertainment733 East Main St., Ste. C
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
2nd Story Entertainment
733 East Main St., Ste. C Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 633-0466 Website
The Lilly Pad Cottage24 Adelaide Dr.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
The Lilly Pad Cottage
24 Adelaide Dr. Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 534-1317 Website
Aska Mining Company8436 Aska Rd.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Aska Mining Company
8436 Aska Rd. Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 258-4854 Website
Huck's General Store500 East Main St. #201
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Huck’s General Store
500 East Main St. #201 Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 946-4825 Website
Blue Ridge Mountain Trail Rides at Hells Hollow319 Hells Hollow Rd.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Blue Ridge Mountain Trail Rides at Hells Hollow
319 Hells Hollow Rd. Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 408-7433 Website
Appalachian Trail Rides4130 Cutcane Rd.
Mineral Bluff, GA 30559
Appalachian Trail Rides
4130 Cutcane Rd. Mineral Bluff, GA 30559 (706) 374-0362 Website
Cowgirl Up Stables327 Cashes Valley Rd.
Cherry Log, GA 30522
Cowgirl Up Stables
327 Cashes Valley Rd. Cherry Log, GA 30522 (706) 258-2276 Website
Blanche Manor Horseback Riding160 Blanche Manor Lane
Copperhill, TN 37317
Blanche Manor Horseback Riding
160 Blanche Manor Lane Copperhill, TN 37317 (706) 455-7433 Website