Looking for a relaxing getaway to a quaint mountain town? In this post, I’m covering everything you need to know about Blue Ridge, Georgia, including fun things to do, the best restaurants to try, where to stay, and so much more!
Table of Contents
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Ultimate Travel Guide for Blue Ridge GA
Tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains is the charming town of Blue Ridge, GA, a tranquil retreat for those seeking an escape from reality.
Not only are the views stunning everywhere you look, but there are tons of great hiking trails, lots of breweries & wineries, endless restaurants and shopping, AND their luxury mountain cabins are GOALS! It’s no surprise why this hidden gem has captured the hearts of travelers and locals alike.
I’ve been to Blue Ridge a handful of times, and although I’ve probably done everything there is to offer there (the town is pretty small), I keep going back because we always have so much fun. It’s also so nice to escape the craziness of Palm Beach every now and then and enjoy the peaceful scenery and fresh mountain air!
We recently visited Blue Ridge Georgia, with our best friends over Memorial Day weekend and had such a great time eating & drinking our way around downtown, taking the pups on hikes, cooking lots of yummy meals in our cozy cabin, and doing ALL the Netflix and chill. Sounds pretty nice, right?!
Sharing all the details from our trip below, including things to know before you go, our cabin rental in Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge things to do, and our favorite restaurants in Blue Ridge Georgia.
Planning in a hurry? Check out these quick links!
Travel resources:
- Skyscanner (find the best rates on airplane tickets)
- Discover Cars (compare rental car prices and save $$$)
Best Blue Ridge cabin rentals:
- Two-bedroom condo (located in downtown Blue Ridge)
- Magnolia cottage (perfect for a romantic getaway)
- Skyline Lodge (perfect for families or friends)
Know before you go
How to get to Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge is easy to get to via car if you live in the Southeast. Otherwise, your closest airport would be Chattanooga. We live in Palm Beach (about a 10-hour drive), and although we hit a little traffic along the way, we made it in a day’s drive with no problem. It’s only about 90 miles North of Atlanta, and you’ll spend most of your drive on I-75, which is a pretty straight shot from Florida.
How to get around Blue Ridge
I always assume that Uber is available everywhere I go, but that definitely isn’t the case in Blue Ridge (at least not from our experience). I HIGHLY recommend renting a car so you can fully immerse yourself in all of the fun activities and attractions Blue Ridge has to offer. You can compare the best rental car prices through Discover Cars, my personal favorite when traveling!
Best time to visit Blue Ridge
The best time to visit really depends on your preferences and what you plan to do during your visit. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting in May! The weather in Blue Ridge this time of year is perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and exploring. Summer is a popular time to visit for water activities like kayaking, tubing, and boating. However, it is pretty hot and humid.
Fall is a spectacular time to visit, as the surrounding mountains transform into a leaf peepers paradise! The Blue Ridge weather is also favorable this time of year, making it ideal for hiking, scenic drives, and visiting apple orchards or pumpkin patches (all my favorite activities, hehe). Winter in Blue Ridge brings colder temps. However, it’s a quieter time with fewer crowds and the perfect weather for cozying up in a cabin.
Alcohol laws in Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge is located in Fannin County (which is technically considered a “dry” county), so if you’re looking to party, THINK AGAIN! Ok, joking (kind of), but you should know that liquor is hard to come by in Blue Ridge, and you’re only going to find it in select places. The nearest liquor store is also pretty far away, so I recommend bringing your own if possible.
Best places to stay in Blue Ridge GA
Blue Ridge cabins
We LOVED the tri-level Blue Ridge cabin rental that we stayed at! There were three bedrooms/bathrooms (each on its own floor), and two were master suites with jacuzzi tubs, which is perfect if you want to vacation with family or friends.
There’s also a game room downstairs with a pool table and a hot tub outside, a massive deck with a fireplace that wraps around the back of the cabin, a fully equipped kitchen, and a super cozy living room with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge mountains. It’s also pet friendly and only about 15 minutes from Downtown Blue Ridge!
The only downfall of this cabin is that it was not directly on the Toccoa River as described in the listing. The river is probably a mile or so walk (which I know is not that far), but definitely not manageable by foot if you are bringing a bunch of stuff down to the river. Otherwise, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and highly recommend it!
Additional cabins Blue Ridge GA
- Skyline Lodge, located in the gated community of Black Ankle Mountain, offers a private and peaceful escape for families, friends, or a romantic getaway. This cabin is equipped with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a game room, a hot tub, a fire pit, a huge wraparound deck, and so much more! Additionally, it’s right in the heart of Blue Ridge near top attractions, like the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and Chattahoochee National Forest. Click here to check it out!
- If you’re interested in staying in Downtown Blue Ridge, this brand new condo equipped with two bedrooms and two bathrooms is the perfect place to stay! This condo offers stunning views of downtown Blue Ridge and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway from its balcony and is within walking distance of many shops, restaurants, and bars. Click here to check it out!
- If you’re looking for a place that’s the best of both worlds (private and close-ish to all the action), you’re definitely going to want to check out Magnolia Cottage. This two-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage offers a spacious kitchen, cozy living area, brand-new hot tub and outdoor fireplace, a projector screen, and so much more, making it the perfect place for a romantic getaway. Click here to check it out!
Looking for additional cabin rentals in Blue Ridge? Click here to check them out!
Hotels Blue Ridge GA
Prefer to stay in a hotel? There are a couple of different hotels in Blue Ridge Georgia, as well as nearby resorts to choose from. See below for some of my recs!
- The Hampton Inn is a great option if you’re interested in staying right in the heart of Downtown Blue Ridge, close to all the action. This hotel is within walking distance of all of the Blue Ridge restaurants & bars, AND it has a rooftop bar with spectacular views of Downtown.
- Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, located in nearby Young Harris, Georgia, offers upscale accommodations, a championship golf course, a full-service spa, horseback riding, and various dining options. The resort is set amidst the beautiful North Georgia mountains and provides a tranquil retreat.
- Paradise Hills Winery Resort & Spa, situated in Blairsville, Georgia, offers secluded cabins and a variety of amenities, including a winery, spa services, a sauna, and hiking trails. Guests can relax in the peaceful mountain setting and enjoy the resort’s on-site activities.
Things to do in Blue Ridge GA
Stroll Downtown Blue Ridge
It’s no surprise why Southern Living Magazine ranked Blue Ridge as 2020 South’s best mountain towns! Downtown Blue Ridge is filled with tons of eclectic restaurants, shops, breweries, wineries, and so much more. See below for some of my restaurants recs!
Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
If you’re looking for one of the best things to do in Blue Ridge Georgia, this is it! Sadly we couldn’t go because tickets were already sold out (HINT: Book tickets in advance here). Still, the Blue Ridge Railway is the perfect opportunity to see the North Georgia countryside and enjoy some charming towns along the way.
Go apple picking at Mercier Orchards
If you’re looking for the perfect family-friendly activity in Blue Ridge, this is definitely it! Mercier Orchards is a family-owned and operated apple orchard with an AMAZING market filled with fresh produce, baked goods, home decor, and so much more! They also offer apple picking and tractor tours and have a tasting room for cider and wine tastings!
Check out my Blue Ridge post on Instagram here, and make sure to follow me! Instagram: @travelmeetsstyle | TikTok: @travelmeetsstylefl
Hop around to all the Blue Ridge breweries & wineries
Blue Ridge is home to quite a few breweries (some within walking distance from each other) which makes for a fun day of beer drinking! Some of my favorites include Grumpy Old Men Brewing and Fannin Brewing Company. However, you can check out the complete list here.
If you’re looking for a good glass of wine, you’re probably not going to find it in Blue Ridge (haha), but it’s still always fun to partake in a relaxing day of wine tastings (even if it’s sweet fruit wine). I promise that the views alone will make it worth it! You can check out some of the Blue Ridge wineries here!
Take a hike
Blue Ridge is known as a “hiker’s paradise” and offers many different trails for all skill levels, including the iconic Appalachian Trail. If you’re looking for a trail more suitable for beginners, Three Forks to Long Creek Falls is the perfect option and has the most beautiful views of cascading waterfalls. There are also a couple of different Blue Ridge waterfall hiking tours available here and here.
Planning on going hiking? Check out all of my favorite hiking essentials on my Amazon storefront here!
Soak up the sun at Lake Blue Ridge
Looking for a place fun to cool off? Lake Blue Ridge is one of Georgia’s most picturesque mountain lakes and has boat rentals available (you can book in advance here), a full-service marina, and public swimming & picnic areas. Make sure to also stop by Boat Dock Bar & Grill for a drink, located right next door to the marina!
Blue Ridge tubing on the Toccoa River
If you’re looking for another fun, family-friendly activity, this is a good one! Even though the water is FREEZING (I promise, you get used to it), the views along the Toccoa River are beautiful, and it truly is so relaxing (until you hit a rapid or get stuck, haha). You can book tickets in advance here.
Take a day trip to McCaysville
Since we missed out on the Blue Ridge train ride (McCaysville is one of the stops), we decided to pop over for the afternoon and had a great time strolling downtown! We started with coffee at Yellowbird Coffee Shop (located right by the GA/TN line), followed with lunch at Burra Burra on the River (the food was just ok and not worth the $$), popped into some of the local shops, and then ended at Copperhill Brewery.
Pin this for later!
Best restaurants in Blue Ridge Ga
Note: Would highly recommend making a reservation for most restaurants that you are interested in dining at in Blue Ridge! Blue Ridge closes down early, so the chances of you sitting down to eat without one are slim!
Black Sheep Blue Ridge for brunch
If you want to grab brunch in Downtown Blue Ridge, Black Sheep is your place! They have a large patio in the front, many yummy menu options (make sure to order the cinnamon rolls), and pretty decent drink specials, including mimosas. Note: Under state law, Blue Ridge cannot start serving alcohol until noon on Sundays, so plan your Sunday Funday accordingly. 🙂
Run Cake Lady Cuban Cafe for lunch
I feel like Rum Cake Lady is such a random place to have in Blue Ridge, but I’m glad we decided to give it a try because it was SO good. All of their Cubans are delicious, but (in my opinion) the empanadas stole the show! You also can’t leave without getting one of their rum cakes to go. You won’t regret it!
The Pink Pig for BBQ
If you’re looking for the best Blue Ridge BBQ, The Pink Pig is an absolute MUST. My go-to is always the Sam’s special with a side of mac n cheese, and you HAVE to try the garlic salad! It’s pretty much the most basic salad you can get, but the dressing is absolutely TDF.
Southern Charm for dinner
We didn’t have the opportunity to dine at Southern Charm, but it came highly recommended as one of the best Blue Ridge GA restaurants. They offer a lot of great traditional Southern dishes like fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, chicken pot pie, and more. Note: It is first come, first serve, and they do not accept reservations.
The Blue Coyote for late night eats
I can’t say that The Blue Coyote was my favorite place, but the food is decent, and open later than most of the restaurants in Blue Ridge. They also have live entertainment and lots of beer, so if you’re looking for something fun to do one night, this is your spot.
The Pasta Market for wine
I think The Pasta Market might have been my favorite place that we went to in ALL of Blue Ridge. Not only is it a market filled with lots of yummy treats & gifts, but it’s also a cafe with a menu filled with delicious charcuterie, Blue Ridge pizza, and pasta options. They also offer wine tastings (that are actually good, haha) and have quite a selection of bottles you can have there or take to go.
Grumpy Old Men Brewing for a beer
Grumpy Old Men has always been my favorite brewery in Blue Ridge, and it’s even better now that it has been renovated! It’s changed a lot since I first visited back in 2018. They have a great front patio with games and lots of yummy beer and seltzer options too. The acoustic blonde is my favorite!
Travel light, Dress right: How to create the ultimate fall travel capsule wardrobe 2023
P-Town unplugged: Best things to do in Provincetown MA 2023
Leave a Reply