Quiet Pleasures of Spring in Blue Ridge
As winter turns to spring in the North Georgia mountains, warmer temperatures move in and Spring Break gives way to a quieter time in Blue Ridge. May’s the time for a couples’ retreat, friends’ getaway, or a solo trip to recharge the senses and soothe the soul.
Wildflower Wonders
April to May is the perfect time to see wildflowers like Lady’s Slipper, Trout Lily and Dwarf Crested Iris that are secluded near trails and waterfalls.
May-June is Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron season, when walls of colorful blooms can be seen almost everywhere you look. Read “When Do the Wildflowers Bloom?” to know what to watch for.
![Picture of 4 lady slippers, 3 pink and one white surrounded by green leaves and trees](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Lady-slippers_spring_hiking.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4019a9d071ea078e396356340bfc5ce6 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Lady-slippers_spring_hiking.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8d933f196733ee0172fe559c6e563553 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Lady-slippers_spring_hiking.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=4ec755ed8f8f3924b05ddd9c39311bac 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Lady-slippers_spring_hiking.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9befb650b0f9b02ae1f3a38d72377379 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Lady-slippers_spring_hiking.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=587ef0bf6df73d1360392271d5a60083 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Lady-slippers_spring_hiking.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=39423b28fb0339b8a2cdf83405952285 1280w)
Photogenic Hikes
Photo-ops are all around. Trek across the 270-foot-long Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, the longest east of the Mississippi. Hikes to five refreshing waterfalls range from just .1 mile to 9.5 miles. Two bucket-list hiking adventures, the Appalachian Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail begin in southern Fannin County at Springer Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/waterfall_amicalola_@lksa_adventures.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=40a721442c040b3f6c3dbb5d80f7fd8d 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/waterfall_amicalola_@lksa_adventures.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5d3967b7cb4453ac418fb4a29a6cca4a 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/waterfall_amicalola_@lksa_adventures.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=79094e91befd44710369732af667911c 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/waterfall_amicalola_@lksa_adventures.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=4c1cd77ee97e4dbd0ca1b61502c9e402 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/waterfall_amicalola_@lksa_adventures.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4c9f90639a4b3f8a9eadadfd43142174 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/waterfall_amicalola_@lksa_adventures.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=396e3de7e16cb4086a8c65ba0bafdc90 1440w)
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Climb aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, where vintage climate-controlled and open-air rail cars take passengers on a winding ride alongside the Toccoa River, with a stop in the intriguing twin border towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. Depending on the schedule, visitors have a layover with plenty of time to have lunch, shop for unique crafts and antiques or snack on ice cream and other treats. The Riverwalk Shops offers riverfront restaurants and boutique shopping. Stand in both states at one time at the Blue Line, which marks the spot where Georgia ends, and Tennessee begins. Use our walking map to help you discover these quaint mountain towns.
The newest way to see the Blue Ridge countryside is aboard a custom-built, four-person electric Railbike. It’s a leisurely, motor-assisted pedal from the depot in historic downtown Blue Ridge on an 11-mile round-trip adventure meandering alongside streams and vineyards.
Sips, Suds and Tunes
Blue Ridge is also known for its appealing wineries, breweries, brewpubs, and taverns. Create your own wine trail or pub crawl using the route on their digital Blue Ridge Brews and Wineries map. Many have live music, as do restaurants serving local brews and vintages along with cocktails.
![Couple enjoying a glass of wine at a vineyard in the spring.](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Couple-at-Serenberry.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5f0145ec43b99900c450a02a7437caef 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Couple-at-Serenberry.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7689acdc98a9b18f3941b6c216f0d913 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Couple-at-Serenberry.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f9623b4f95a33427c417f424fe2e200f 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Couple-at-Serenberry.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=656dd0aede6441488099521102819177 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Couple-at-Serenberry.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=288956da66b4fca705abb17394d4f66f 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Couple-at-Serenberry.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=0c91adf8678b7c3cac7614208a156af2 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/Couple-at-Serenberry.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=7fb56192e81996350f51fb797f29a7b1 1600w)
Soothe the Senses
Decrease stress, relieve anxiety, increase flexibility, and build strength with classes and treatments carried out in beautiful settings amid lush green spaces and a peaceful lake with the Blue Ridge mountains as a backdrop. In town, find more spa options for treatments like a Vanilla Lavender Sugar Scrub or a French Rose Body Wrap. Explore more about the Best Spa, Wellness & Yoga Spots in Blue Ridge and then discover all of the centers for beauty, fitness and wellness, including day spas, salons, CrossFit, yoga, herbal therapy and more on our Things to Do, Spas & Wellness page.
Where to Sleep
Intown, stay in an 1890s B&B or a new, stylish hotel featuring balcony rooms and the city’s only rooftop bar/restaurant. Secluded overnight options include chic lofts with hidden balconies, fireplaces and sheltered outside lounge areas overlooking the town. Choices include lodging with stunning mountain views, creekside retreats, riverfront lodges, cabins on Lake Blue Ridge and much more. Peruse them all! For those with furry companions, there are 8 Reasons to Book a Pet-Friendsy Cabin in Blue Ridge GA, and Pet-Friendly Blue Ridge gives you lots of ideas on how to spend your time here with your dog.
Plan Around Spring Events
Arts in the Park Festival, Southeastern Tourism Society Top 20 event, takes place May 25-26, 2024, and marks the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association’s 45th year of the Arts in the Park festival in the Downtown City Park. Be sure to check out our Calendar of Events for more things to do during your visit to Blue Ridge.
Related Stories & Events
May 24, 2025 — May 25, 2025
Annual Spring Arts in the Park420 W Main Street
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Annual Spring Arts in the Park
420 W Main Street Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 632-2144
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Train241 Depot St.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Train
241 Depot St. Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (877) 413-8724 Website