Where To Find Cool in Blue Ridge, Georgia
Jump into a cool wilderness water spot. Hear some live music with drinks and great food in town. Do some shopping at all kinds of unique shops and art galleries. Blue Ridge GA has many layers of cool!
Blue Ridge GA is cool in so many ways... from wild and scenic spots in the surrounding mountains that are perfect little pockets of peace away from the heat of summer, to the bustling scene in our towns. Lots of unique shopping spots, plus charming little restaurants and shady outdoor places to get a cool drink. And our wineries, breweries and music clubs have a whole summer of entertainment planned in shady outdoor venues bustling with fun, friendly people of all kinds. So whether you’re into relaxation, adventure or fun times in town… Blue Ridge GA has got you covered with cool!
Cool Outdoor Restaurants
Blue Ridge is just filled with cool little restaurants and taverns. From places with shady outdoor patios like The Black Sheep, pictured above, (tip: Sunday Brunch is great and features live music). All new ROE Blue Ridge is right in the middle of downtown off the courtyard. Fightingtown Tavern, The Vine & Eatery and The Dogwood all have outdoor spaces for relaxation and libations. Toccoa Riverside Restaurant on Aska Road and Twisted Tomato in McCaysville and Blue Ridge both have outdoor decks, McCaysville's location is over the river along with Burra Burra Riverside Dining, and The Boat Dock Bar & Grill is outdoors at Lake Blue Ridge Marina. For a rooftop experience and outdoor dining, check out The Hook & Eye. Get our listing of restaurants on the web here and our free printable map guide here.
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/Toccoa-final.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b7f8684deaeb473e172f59d397b30638 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/Toccoa-final.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f2882acd9826d0f68c409588a55844db 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/Toccoa-final.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d8338092d852b6947195be992122dd96 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/Toccoa-final.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a18a0592dacd8f13d739875dec1ce073 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/Toccoa-final.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7c9b0c417c9746fe99428c6893f04393 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/Toccoa-final.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=35330664a0bdb109b66f0f15f8f83b83 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/Toccoa-final.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9e809707d11cce72cb15cffe68b6ea42 1920w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/Toccoa-final.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=e480bf2a4faa819087d3658d3e470848 2100w)
Cool water spots for paddling, swimming and picnics
Nothing beats the heat like getting out into the cool mountain waters surrounding Blue Ridge. The Toccoa River (and Ocoee River to the north) are perfect mountain rivers with places to go tubing, picnic, paddle or even go whitewater rafting. Lake Blue Ridge has a wide variety of water experiences, from renting watercraft and paddle boards, to beaches, camping and more. Here are free map guides for the Toccoa River & Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River north. Plus here’s a free guide for Area Outfitters who can help you get to the cool!
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/retail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2a8396c389e2dfe5277084f84883b1d2 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/retail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9b702b06e882210460bd93bbc91c3415 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/retail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ae2ab5e183768d738327a8223d28e8b7 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/retail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=76727de30742baddd1ddb3f3cbbfd2a6 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/retail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=9397546404739433c9ed9d4e900e6a7c 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/retail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=364665af31e0edd0cfbb9a85c474b66a 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/retail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c920e209848f21228ff1fa56739f7fbf 1920w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/retail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=92845204c4087d1240cfbc84ae1fafcb 2560w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/retail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=af815798744a82900fd745aa44df5470 3840w)
Cool shopping on Main Street & Thrift Shops
Shopping here is so unique, not just at the arty little shops in town, but also in the dozens of area thrift shops where you can make it a day of discovering treasures. Get our shopping info on the web here, and get our free shopping guide and thrift store guide.
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/serenberry-vineyards.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d87f35751c99a5c400f3a20b40f37d7f 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/serenberry-vineyards.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=33cb00178e65c921325528ad717eda81 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/serenberry-vineyards.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=edb6099990c5e4c0aed2b3763f531583 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/serenberry-vineyards.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b7500089c4deab466f195fd612b20496 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/serenberry-vineyards.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=25d45229163487992f537bfcf484fd72 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/serenberry-vineyards.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8a879ac5ab3e65e62b965564e1aa5a2d 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/serenberry-vineyards.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=ff6ac3d62fafdf5ab8cc7f00f526130d 1920w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/serenberry-vineyards.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=8111de8e3c9253139a9aa35cb0c43e12 2048w)
Cool wineries with outdoor seating & music
Getting out into the country to one or more of our area wineries can be an adventure for the day or even a whole weekend of discovery and cool fun. Some have entertainment schedules and all of them have incredible scenic locations with vineyards and sweeping mountains views. One even has a treehouse that you can stay in! Check out Bear Claw Vineyards, Serenberry Vineyards, Ott Farms, Chateau Meichtry, Roo Mountain Vineyards, Cartecay Vineyard and even more, get a complete guide along with transportation options on our free winery and brewery self guided tour.
![Brewery Grumpy Hero](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/BreweryGrumpyHero.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4ad3ea501f97eabb058506ccb4ac8bfd 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/BreweryGrumpyHero.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=887c90a92802924442ddb3e02ae58944 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/BreweryGrumpyHero.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=15a407c957302579a7161d0091ef4aaf 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/BreweryGrumpyHero.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=507a1077e1f9e02a1ce106dd7f80a4ab 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/BreweryGrumpyHero.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d44feb31f84edc1b876ed450a23af9d0 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/BreweryGrumpyHero.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=44c29b5c0d22de0f13b056ef3288c830 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/blog-images/BreweryGrumpyHero.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=ba7148203ad1864b1091d4abaa9c3bac 1920w)
Cool breweries with outdoor seating & music
Blue Ridge’s brew scene is the essence of cool, with locals and visitors mixing it up at Grumpy Old Men Brewery, Angry Hops Brewery, Copperhill Brewery, Tipping Point Brewery and Buck Bald Brewing. Check out their entertainment schedule and stop by for a cold brew and a chill time. Get more info here on our free Brews, Wineries & Tastings self-guided tour.
Cool and Unique to Blue Ridge
When it comes to cool that you can’t find anywhere else, Blue Ridge has some unique attractions like The Swan Drive-in, Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Tank Town USA, Mercier Orchards and cool little shops including Deaf Man Vinyl, Blue Ridge Knife Company, Pezrok Fossils and Furniture, and much more that you can discover on our Blue Ridge website or our free self-guided tours.
Cool music venues - Pickin in the Park, Tooney’s Music Venue and more…
Music floats through the cool nights in Georgia’s Blue Ridge with everything from outdoor concerts and festivals to intimate indoor venues around town. Check out Pickin’ in the Park every Thursday evening in Horseshoe Bend Park on the Toccoa River, Tooney’s Music Venue in McCaysville, Misty Mountain Hops (don’t miss their rock concert poster collection), The Dogwood and The Blue Coyote… plus check out our event calendar for lots more music throughout the summer at local restaurants and watering holes.
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Fall-Branch-FallsJode.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0a86a5ae93c57b732ccb5a0220e24aee 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Fall-Branch-FallsJode.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=914eff320b41d33cb1c0bf7291183e38 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Fall-Branch-FallsJode.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b1f9c9fd2b849fbcf9b396a0991154c0 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Fall-Branch-FallsJode.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=89423cc9ae3c0a5339151ffcfbcb6d41 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Fall-Branch-FallsJode.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=b080341a0cf3b1a7ddb6548ec43f5464 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Fall-Branch-FallsJode.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=a9f941d8dee5ca09f7a84db5f62e6b3d 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Fall-Branch-FallsJode.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=20e50bed0947a582f75145c970cb2d7d 1920w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Fall-Branch-FallsJode.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=22f0efa16541da42f1fe4ba1d3199913 1936w)
Cool waterfalls & shady river pools
Not only does Georgia’s Blue Ridge have some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the south, but also some little known river cool spots you can enjoy for picnics and swimming. Check out our waterfalls video and our free self-guided tour of waterfalls.
Also discover little known river and lake spots like Deep Hole Recreation Area, Lake Blue Ridge Recreation Area, Tammen Park on the Toccoa River, Toccoa River Rapids on Aska Road and Sandy Bottoms on the Toccoa River. Plus check out the incredible Ocoee Whitewater Center. Get all the free self-guided tours here.
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