North Georgia Mountains is a Vacation Destination for the Entire Family

Whatever you’re looking for in a vacation, you can find it in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. Leave your cell phone and laptop at home and enjoy the splendor and exhilaration of a day hiking to nearby waterfalls, horseback riding on forested trails, or whitewater rafting on the beautiful Toccoa River.

Looking for a quiet romantic getaway? … or just a place to kick back and relax? We’re waiting to delight and pamper you in one of our cozy mountain cabins overlooking the Toccoa, or pristine valleys and ridge tops.

If you’re looking for a little excitement, discover the sheer joy of a whitewater rafting adventure, or a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Spend a day exploring our mountain art in the many galleries across the region, or browse for antiques in the shops that line our mountain towns. And after a day spent outdoors or relaxing, choose from a variety of dining experiences to cap off your night.

Blue Ridge has something to offer everyone, regardless of age or interests. It’s a perfect place for family vacations or reunions, where you can find luxurious cabins that will accommodate groups comfortably … where you can all be together, yet have plenty of room to “do your own thing,” if you’d like.

Whether you stay for a day, a weekend, or a month … the memories and the magic of your Georgia Blue Ridge vacation will last you a lifetime.

1. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

A ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is more than a sightseeing trip through one of the most beautiful places in the South. It’s like going back in time … but mostly, it’s just a whole lot of fun.

It all starts at the historic 100-year-old depot in downtown Blue Ridge, and the train heads north from there. As it winds through the mountains alongside the beautiful Toccoa River, the views are spectacular from both the vintage air-conditioned coaches and from the open-air coaches.

After a leisurely one-hour trip, the train stops in the unique twin-border towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. You’ll have an hour and a half to grab a bite to eat, do a bit of shopping and antiquing, or have a picnic at the pavilion. Then it’s back to Blue Ridge on the train.

My family and I rode the train on July 4th, 2007, and were delighted to be entertained by a group of very talented local musicians who rode in our car, and also performed at the pavilion in McCaysville before the fireworks display that evening. It was truly a memorable occasion and is one of our fondest memories of our stay in Blue Ridge.

Call 1-800-934-1898 or visit http://www.brscenic.com/ for more information.

  2. Mercier Orchards
Mercier Orchards is the largest apple orchard in Georgia (200 acres!), and it’s also Southern Living magazine’s favorite “roadside apple market,” according to a 2002 article.

Your trip to Blue Ridge just isn’t complete without a visit to Mercier’s for one of their scrumptious fried apple pies. They open at 8:00 a.m., and there’s just no better way to start your day than with one (or two!) of their pies and fresh apple cider.

Mercier also lets you pick your own apples on weekends in September, complete with a wagon ride to and from the orchards -- a fun activity for the whole family. For more information, call (706) 632-3411, or visit http://www.mercier-orchards.com/.

3. Swan Drive-In
One of three remaining drive-in theaters in Georgia, the Swan Drive-In Theater offers a unique taste of the past with current first-run movies.
You can enjoy a movie outside under the stars or in the privacy of your car. To see what’s playing, call (706) 632-5235, and visit The Swan for more information.

4. Ducktown Basin Museum
Tour the grounds of the historic Burra Burra Copper Mine in Ducktown, Tennessee, and see exhibits on the mining heritage of the Copper Basin. Call (423) 496-5778, or visit Ducktown Museum for more information.

5. Ocoee Whitewater Center (Ducktown, Tennessee)

Built for the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Slalom Races, the center includes the Olympic race course, native gardens, paved walkways, hiking and biking trails, pools of water for wading or feeding fish, and more.

Visit the Whitewater Center, or call (423) 496-5197 for more information.

6. Apple Orchard Alley (Ellijay)

Eleven of Gilmer County’s apple orchards are spread across this picturesque valley along Georgia Hwy. 52.

7. Southern Tree Plantation (Blairsville, Georgia)

Blairsville's Southern Tree Plantation has lots more than Christmas trees.

Visit during October for Fun on the Farm, with pumpkins, hayrides, a petting farm, marshmallow roasting, kid's train and pony rides and much more. For more information, call (706) 745-0601, or visit http://www.southerntreeplantation.com/