Top 5 Year-Round Reasons to Spend Some Time in Blue Ridge

If you've ever been to Blue Ridge, we know we don't need to do any convincing to get you to come back. That's the easy part! But if you've never visited us here, you may wonder what makes us special enough to spend your time here instead of elsewhere.

1.) Incredible Dining
Now, when we say "incredible," you can believe it. Restaurants in Blue Ridge have been hailed by all

kinds of publications as world-class. We've got the number one barbecue restaurant in the South, and that alone says a lot! Whether you've got a hankering for upscale or down home, we've got just the restaurant for you.

2.) The Scenery
The scenery. The scenery. Sure, there are plenty of places with a pretty view. But pardon our bragging -- we think ours tops them all. No matter where you choose to stay, you've got the opportunity to look out your window and see the beautiful crystal water of Lake

Blue Ridge, mountain vistas with nary a blemish of the hand of man, or out quaint downtown with visitors and locals milling about the park, tree-lined sidewalks, and historic depot. You can't go just anywhere for views like these.

3.) Proximity to Atlanta
Blue Ridge is only 90 miles north of Atlanta via I-575 and highway 515, but it's a million miles away from the traffic, stress, and anxiety of the big city. A pleasant (and scenic!) drive will bring you right into town, where our cozy shops and galleries will make you feel like you've left that other world altogether and are vacationing in an old fashioned artists' community practically untouched by time.

4.) Unique Attractions
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is the attraction that revived the town of Blue Ridge, and it's still an

experience not to be missed. A family-friendly and affordable activity, a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway winds you through the countryside along the Toccoa River, to the sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, where there is a 2-hour layover for shopping and dining. With seasonal trips year-round, there's always a new adventure! After returning to Blue Ridge, visitors are invited to explore the town's many boutique shopping experiences, including Gawdy Bobbles jewelry and accessories (handmade in town, and featured on the models in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition for several years running), the Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company, showcasing a veritable gallery of flavor-infused and aged vinegars and olive oils, and the Bamboo Fly Rod Company, where craftsman Bill Oyster creates his custom bamboo fly rods with hand-engraved caps, universally known to be the best available. All this and more is right here.

5.) A Cabin With a View
Here in Blue Ridge, you don't just get a room with a view -- you can have a whole cabin (and for the same price as many of those fancy hotel rooms in other places)! You can feel like you're a million miles from civilization while remaining right around the corner from town. Our many rental partners frequently offer specials and discounts to returning customers and visitors booking multi-night rentals, and whether you're looking for something cozy and quaint, or big enough to host a family reunion, we've got you covered. Just check out the accommodations page on our website for a complete listing of all of our partners and the beautiful rentals they offer. If you prefer a bed and breakfast, a lodge, a campground, or a good ole familiar hotel suite, we've got you covered there too. With so many options for accommodations, we really do have something for everyone here!

Waterfalls and Winter Hiking

Have you ever been winter hiking? With all the scenery around Blue Ridge and Fannin County, the time of year when the leaves are down is the perfect time to explore the area.

If you’re a waterfall fan, we’ve got quite the collection! Fall Branch Falls is one of our most popular for visitors, featuring a beautiful double waterfall with mountain laurel and rhododendron growing along the trail and creek bank. A hike up and back down will take about 30 minutes. Amicalola Falls is another popular attraction for water lovers. At 729 feet, it’s the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River! The Toccoa River Swinging Bridge is popular with day hikers and photography buffs, as it’s surrounded with gorgeous old-growth hemlock trees above white water and shoals.

More experienced hikers may be interested in Turtletown Falls. Turtletown Creek Trail follows the

creek and loops back down to Shinbone Ridge, where beautiful views emerge of the Hiawassee River below and the overlooks of two major waterfalls: Turtletown Falls and Lower Turtletown Falls.

Very experienced outdoorsmen and women may feel up to tackling Jack’s River Falls: located in the Cohutta Wilderness Area on the Jack’s River, this beautiful waterfall is the most visited site in the Cohutta, and is reached by a 4.5 mile trail through rugged wilderness.

For more information on all the hiking and waterfall opportunities, check out this printable pamphlet, and visit our website at BlueRidgeMountains.com.