3 Days in Blue Ridge, Georgia
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Northern Georgia is home to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains (part of the scenic Appalachian Mountain range). Blue Ridge is a quaint, picturesque town which is home to a lively, charming downtown. It also has the advantage of being driving distance from many wonderful adventure filled activities and natural attractions, from river rafting through the mountains, to a relaxing train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. The beautiful Chattahoochee National Forest offers endless opportunities for hiking, biking, and photography are endless.
Mike and I planned a nice relaxing birthday weekend here, far away from the suburban congestion of Tampa. It’s quite a long stretch (about 8 hours), but really one of the only easily accessible mountain areas where you can escape the heat of Florida for a long weekend. We enjoyed the beautiful quaint setting of the town, as well as the easy access to many natural wonders.
The early fall weather was gorgeous for hiking, although it was a bit too soon for fall color. If you can time your visit just right, this is an amazing destination for leaf peeping. I recommend renting a cabin in either season, so you can enjoy soaking in the hot tub as you take in the wonderful mountain scenery.
My 3 day guide will focus on a few fun, relaxing, and scenic activities to enjoy during your vacation.
Day 1
4:00pm – The best part of vacationing in this area is choosing a wonderful cabin rental. We went with Mount Laurel Cabin Rentals. A variety of rustic luxury cabins with wonderful wooded and mountain views are available. I found this cabin company to be a great value for the area. Rentals are available for as low as 100 bucks and they often offer special promotions where you get a night free (we lucked out and booked this deal).
Appalachian Promise is a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath option with fantastic amenities (3 decks, a hot tub, pool table, and a secluded, wooded setting). After checking in, drive over to your cabin and relax for a bit after your long drive or flight. Take in the gorgeous views from the decks or enjoy a soak in the hot tub. After a bit of R&R, I recommend heading over to Blue Ridge’s historic downtown (about a 20 minute drive) for an easy night of dining and shopping.
6:00pm – Take a walk around beautiful historic Main Street. This is such a cute little town and I loved browsing through all the little local shops. There are lots of cozy local restaurants to choose amongst. We dined at Harvest on Main. The setting is charming and rustic, with a cozy outdoor patio to relax and unwind. The lodge style design is fitting for the area, complimenting your cabin vacation perfectly. Servers are friendly and professional, which is always a great start to any vacation.
After dinner, I recommend checking out the shops. There are lots of great choices, including The Bear Store (check out their selection of rustic cabin themed decor and festive Blue Ridge souvenirs). Pet lovers should also check out Love Dogs and Cats Too, a specialty pet retailer with plenty of treat options to bring home to your canine and feline companions. As most towns are overflooded with chains today, it’s nice to stroll around these old time Main Streets and support a few local businesses.
Day 2
7:00am – Get up early and enjoy a cup of coffee on the lovely deck of your cabin. Late summertime/early fall temps are usually quite enjoyable during the early AM hours. Plus, the deck is shaded. I recommend an early morning hike. This region is loaded with wonderful hikes and waterfalls given the easy access to the Appalachian trail.
Get dressed for your hike. Do wear proper workout apparel and hiking shoes. Our cabin rental included hiking sticks which was a nice perk so we didn’t have to bring our own. A hiking stick has many benefits including giving you better traction & balance, extra protection in the case of a wildlife encounter, and putting less pressure on your joints.
9:00am – Take the scenic drive over to hike Long Creek Falls, a small section of the famous Appalachian Trail. This gorgeous hike is the perfect option for your trip because it is short enough (2 miles round-trip) to not take up your whole day and easy enough for the whole family (a bit steep, but nothing too strenuous). Bring plenty of water and wear good quality hiking shoes.
Plan at least 4 hours total for the hike (more so due to the driving time to actually get to the hike). It’s only a 20 minute drive, however, about 5 miles of that consists of driving 20mph up a gravel road through the forest (a slow drive, although the views of the creek are wonderful!).
1:00pm – Enjoy a casual lunch at Toccoa Riverside Restaurant. It’s not the best food in town, however, the dining room offers the best views and it is conveniently located on your return route from the hike. The river setting is absolutely beautiful, so be sure to enjoy your meal on the scenic outdoor covered patio if weather permits. Take a break, relax, refuel and enjoy the views. I really loved dining windowside looking out at the creek.
3:00pm– Head back to the cabin and take a relaxing break (perhaps a game of pool or a recovery soak in the hot tub) before heading back out again.
4:00pm – Hop in your car and drive over to nearby Blairsville. Enjoy a relaxing shuttle ride up to beautiful Brasstown Bald, the highest mountain in Georgia. The views are absolutely incredible! Here you are treated to panoramic views of 4 different states: Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
If you feel up to it, you can hike the short, yet steep half mile trail up to the summit. It’s a challenge, but totally worth it for the great workout and sense of accomplishment. Plan at least 3 hours due to the 2 hour total driving time. It’s definitely worth the drive in my opinion.
7:00pm – Enjoy a fine dining experience at The Black Sheep, my favorite restaurant on Main Street. This wonderful fine dining establishment features an eclectic, accommodating menu sure to please everyone. The staff was nice enough to make us a delicious veggie pasta plate which wasn’t on the menu. Classy service and an elegant setting made this the perfect birthday dinner choice for our trip. Note: The Black Sheep is open until 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturdays, however, weekday hours end at 9pm.
Day 3
9:00am – Enjoy a delicious home cooked breakfast at Serenity Garden Cafe in downtown Blue Ridge. The quaint garden like setting, friendly service, and tasty omelets are sure to put you in a good mood for the rest of the morning. I loved the unique design and the water garden. The omelets were decent enough and the potatoes perfectly cooked.
11:00am – While you are in the area, you really need to plan a whitewater rafting trip if you are up for some adventure. Get ready a day of excitement, adventure, and fabulous views of the southern Appalachians! Just a half hour away on the Tennessee border, you will find Wildwater Ocoee, one of the top places in the country for whitewater rafting and also home to the 1996 Olympic Whitewater competitions.
The Class III and IV rapids provide an exhilarating setting for rafters of all levels (no experience required, however, you must be at least 12). Be prepared to get soaked, learn the ins and outs of maneuvering the raft, and most of all, have a once in a lifetime adventure! (Bring a change of clothes, you will be completely soaked after 3 hour adventure). This was my first rafting experience and I loved it. A bit scary as I fell out of the boat, but yes, I would do it again!
2:00pm – Head back into the downtown area for a casual lunch at Fightingtown Tavern, a great local sports/bar pub featuring an excellent menu and a beautiful outdoor patio. I love that they use no microwaves or freezers here and offer plenty of gluten-free choices. The servers are super friendly and I love the casual sports vibe. We chose to sit on the outdoor deck as the weather was perfect.
3:00pm – After lunch head right downstairs to the Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company. Here you can sample dozens of locally made Olive Oils in a wide ranging assortment of flavors. This is a unique experience for anyone who loves Olive Oil. The Baklouti Green Chile Pepper and Herbes de Provence are my favorites.
4:00pm – Head back to the cabin for a few hours of rest and relaxation. You will need it after your rafting adventure, which is a fantastic all over body workout. We were really sore, so this hot tub came in handy. There is nothing better than stepping into a hot tub on a cool day and unwinding while enjoying the picturesque wooded views. I would imagine the scenery is even more spectacular during the peak of fall.
6:00pm – Visit the lovely downtown area one last time. You will never get enough of this quaint setting. Pick one last restaurant for dinner. Christie’s Courtyard Grill, Southern Charm, and The Vine Wine Bar and Bistro Restaurant are all great options which provide a casual, yet classy setting.
All provide nice outdoor seating to enjoy the nice fall weather, while taking in some of the action on Main Street. If you are craving a sweet, head over to The Sweet Shoppe, a local cupcake shop and winner of Season 6 of Cupcake Wars. After dinner pick up any last minute souvenirs. I always pick up my souvenirs last after I have had time to look through all options.
9:00pm – Head back to your cabin and get ready for check out the next day. Pack up all your suitcases so everything is ready. Leave out only what you will need in the morning. You will want time in the morning to complete all check out procedures and enjoy the views one last time. After packing up, have a nice relaxing glass of wine on the deck. Enjoy one last quiet night in the mountains!
Address & Pricing Info for Attractions
Mount Laurel Cabin Rentals. Cabin check in is located at: 1844 Old Highway 76. After reserving your cabin, you will receive address, terms and conditions, and check in information for your rental.
Downtown Blue Ridge. Main St.
Harvest on Main. 576 E Main St, Ste A
L & L Beanery Coffee Cafe. 260 W Main St.
Long Creek Falls hike. Refer to the step by step instructions on the Fannin County Welcome Center website.
Toccoa Riverside Restaurant. 8055 Aska Rd.
Brasstown Bald. There is no physical address. Enter the following coordinates into your GPS: N34.847894, W83.798567
The Black Sheep. 480 W Main St.
Serenity Garden Cafe. 657 E Main St.
Wildwater Ocoee. 4596 U.S. 64, Ducktown, TN. To make reservations, check pricing and schedules, and choose your rafting adventure (Middle Ocoee, Upper Ocoee, or a combo trip) visit the Wildwater website. Rafting prices range from $35-90 per person, based on day of the week and length of trip. Pricing is subject to change.
Fightingtown Tavern & Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company. 511 E Main St.
