Top 20 Things to Do in Blue Ridge

1. Get away completely

Wake up to cool, crisp mornings with a cup of coffee on the porch. After a day of fun and adventure, finish the day in the same spot enjoying a glorious mountain sunset with a glass of wine or sweet iced tea. You may never want to leave the porch, but don’t miss out on the fun of exploring the Georgia mountains.

2. Beautiful mountain scenery

Winter, summer, spring and fall, Georgia’s Blue Ridge is simply beautiful. Winter is the quiet season, with occasional snow. Spring is best for trout fishing, wildflowers, blooming dogwoods and native azaleas. Summer brings a profusion of mountain laurel and rhododendron blossoms, along with warmer water for tubing & rafting. Blue Ridge is the perfect place to experience the brilliant colors of fall, or to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. Download one of our Scenic Driving Tours here.

3. The town of Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge was once considered an elite health resort because of its pure mineral waters. It was established as a railroad town, with the depot at its heart. Visitors would ride the train to town, eat dinner and take a leisurely walk to the mineral springs after dinner. Today, visitors still ride the train and take a walk along Main Street, enjoying the antique and specialty shops, galleries, restaurants, small town atmosphere and friendly people. First time visitors are amazed at the number and quality of shops and restaurants in downtown Blue Ridge. Download the Blue Ridge Historic Walking Tour here.

4. McCaysville & the Copper Basin

A river runs through the quaint town of McCaysville, twin city with Copperhill, Tennessee. Stand in both states at one time at the Blue Line, which marks the spot where Georgia ends and Tennessee begins. Here the Toccoa River becomes the Ocoee River, flowing northward into Tennessee. Download the Copper Basin Historic Discovery Tour.

5. Fine dining & fun dining

Local food is an essential part of the trip when you visit Georgia’s Blue Ridge. Add five local breweries and two wineries to the mix and you’ve got a pretty eclectic dining experience in a small town setting. Read our restaurant guide here.

11. Parks & recreation areas

The best waterparks are those created by nature, and there are plenty of options in the Blue Ridge Area, including:

• Lake Blue Ridge Dam Recreation Area is located beside the dam, with picnic tables and fishing platform.
• TVA Canoe/Kayak Put-in below the dam on the Toccoa River.
• Tammen Park on the Toccoa River in Blue Ridge has picnic pavilions, canoe/kayak launch and fishing platform.
• Lake Blue Ridge Dayuse Area on Aska Road is a passive park with lake access, a boat launch and hiking trail.
• Sandy Bottoms Canoe Launch Shallowford Bridge area on Old Dial Road.
• Fannin County Park on Hwy 5 has picnic areas, ball fields, bike and walking trails and a community center.
• Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville has picnic pavilions, playground and access to the Toccoa River for fishing and wading.
• McCaysville City Park is a river park in town with playground, picnic tables, boat launch and new fitness park.

Find a complete listing here.

12. Fish the Trout Capital of Georgia

Fannin County is the Trout Capital of Georgia. There are over 100 miles of great trout fishing rivers, creeks and streams in the area, including Jack's River, Conasauga River, Toccoa River, Rock Creek, Noontootla Creek and Cooper Creek.

Find out more about fishing in Blue Ridge here.

13. Mercier Orchards

Visit Mercier Orchards, largest orchard in the south, located on Highway 5 just outside Blue Ridge. Pick apples off the tree, buy fresh apple cider and the best fried apple pies – a true farm to table experience. Treat the family to a farm tractor tour and u-pick strawberries, blueberries and apples in season. The new tasting room features homemade hard cider from the freshest Mercier grown fruit. Also don't miss Cider House Orchards in McCaysville, an old fashioned apple orchard and fruit market with u-pick apples and more.

14. Wine & brew tours

The North Georgia Mountains are known for the beauty and quality of our farm wineries, not to mention the great taste of Georgia’s mountain wines. A more recent addition are Blue Ridge and the Copper Basin's five outstanding craft breweries, recognized among the best in Georgia. Taste our wines and brews right where they are made, or in tasting rooms, local pubs and restaurants.

Check out our wine and brew tour here.

15. Horseback riding

Our riding stables specialize in family trail rides for kids of almost all ages. Open year round with seasonal hayrides and evening wagon rides with campfire dinners. Call for reservations and to book special group events.

For a list of riding stables click here.