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.

Blue Ridge: A Real Winter Wonderland

We know the holidays are stressful. All that planning, cooking, cleaning, decorating, un-decorating takes its toll! With the remaining winter season, gather your loved ones (or perhaps just your sweetheart) and make plans to visit beautiful Blue Ridge to unwind and reconnect.

This time of year is truly a winter wonderland in the mountains of Fannin County. You won't be able to believe you're only 90 minutes outside of Atlanta when you experience our forests, mountains, and crystal lake frosted with glittering snow and icicles. Our partners are sharing specials on cabins and other accommodations to help your wallet recover from all of the gift-giving and traveling. And if you're burnt out on cooking, our restaurants have been listed as some of the best and most notable in Georgia. We even have chefs who will prepare your meal inside the comfort of your own cabin! So prop your feet by the fire, warm your hands with a mug of hot coffee, and enjoy the view, because relaxation this winter is all about the convenience and luxury abundant in Georgia's Blue Ridge.

If you'd like even more assurance that Blue Ridge is the best place to warm up your winter, check out this piece by travel journalist and radio show host Becky Beall: http://thetravelvoicebybecky.com/2014/12/03/find-winter-romance-in-blue-ridge-georgia/

All Aboard The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

If you had visited Blue Ridge, Georgia thirty years ago, things sure would have looked different.

Between the areas earliest European settlement in 1790, the founding of the town in 1886, and the boom in domestic tourism in the 1950s, Blue Ridge and surrounding Fannin County had been a sleepy mountain locale, a village subsisting on agriculture, lumber, and mining. The arrival of the railroad around the time of the town's founding had livened up the place a bit, but by the middle of the 20th century, passenger travel had all but petered out, taking the tourists by and large with it.

In 1986, the Georgia Mountain Parkway started bringing cars packed with vacationers looking to escape the heat of the city back into the picturesque hills and valleys of Fannin County, but it was the vision of a group of investors who purchased the old Marietta & North Georgia line and formulated a plan to continue the rail service in the North Georgia mountains. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway has been running excursion trips between Blue Ridge and McCaysville/Copper Hill, Tennessee, since 1998, and has infused new life into the tiny village of Blue Ridge, drawing artists, craftsmen, epicureans, and other creatives who in turn attract visitors and new residents alike.

The rail adventure is a two hour, 26-mile round trip, with a two hour layover for exploring. The train runs from March through December, on weekends until June 13th, and then daily through July. In the peak month of October, trips are daily beginning on October 3rd.

In the winter, the Railway has two unique rides: The Santa Express, and The Night Train to Santa's Pavilion. The Santa Express is a daytime excursion with Christmas carols, holiday characters (including, of course, Santa Claus), and souvenirs for each child. On The Night Train to Santa's Pavilion, Santa visits with the children in each car, and presents them with a BRSR memento and a candy cane. A two-hour layover at Santa's Pavilion in McCaysville provides ample time for photos, shopping, and exploring town.

This year, The Santa Express runs December 5-7, December 12-14, and December 18-24. Tickets are $40 for adults and seniors, $24 for children ages 2-12.

The Night Train to Santa's Pavilion will take place on December 5 and 6, December 13, and December 19 and 20. Tickets are $48 for adults and seniors, $27 for children ages 2-12.

Check our calendar of events to verify dates and times. These train trips regularly sell out, so be sure to buy tickets in advance of your trip! All aboard!

Plan A Cozy Getaway On a Budget

Autumn is definitely our favorite time of year, and autumn is more beautiful in the mountains than anywhere else. Now that the weather has turned crisp, we'll be looking forward to welcoming lots of guests looking for a cozy mountain retreat, and we've got all kinds of options for the most

comfortable cabin rentals on our specials page.

Blue Ridge Luxury Cabin is offering a free seventh night in the Solitude cabin with a six-night rental. Solitude is surrounded by woods and long mountain views, and will make visitors feel like they're alone in the world. 

Above The Rest Luxury Cabins is offering 10% off a stay of three nights or longer if you mention the phrase "chamber10" when making your reservation. Check out the pet-friendly Whispering Winds, and the incredible views from Misty Pines! 

Cuddle up to the one you love in a comfy cabin by Cuddle Up Cabin Rentals -- when you rent a cabin for 5 or more nights, you get an additional night for free. Spend it in front of a roaring fire with a cup of cider and your sweetie!

If you've ever rented in the past from Mountain Top Cabin Rentals, you'll get 10% when you come back as a repeat customer. Check out their website for galleries of all their available rentals. 

We can't wait to see you and your loved ones when you come to visit us! Don't forget to check out specials page for the complete listing of all the available specials on rentals and room rates. 

Fall for Autumn Splendor in Georgia's Blue Ridge

It technically isn't quite Autumn yet, but you can already see the beginnings of gorgeous color and even more magnificent vistas all over Blue Ridge! Fall is one of our favorite times to be in Blue Ridge, when jeans and boots and sweaters are extra-appropriate, and mugs of hot cider or coffee keep hands warm on porches.

The end of summer and early fall are also when apples come into season! Mercier Orchards' famous

U-Pick events open the orchards to hayrides and family fun, picking all different varieties of apples as they come into season, while surrounded by the incredible views all around. Can you imagine getting to see a view like that from your workplace every day? Stock up on apples, as well as fried pies and homemade cider at the orchard that produces more than any other.

Feel like you're traveling through an autumn fairyland, when you embark on one of our Fall Leaf Drives! We have three pre-mapped driving tours throughout the countryside and forest nearby, which you can view, download, and print by clicking below:

• Mountains and Countryside
• Nature in the Cohutta Wilderness
• Day Trip to Dahlonega and Apple Alley

Finally, get the best view possible of the changing scenery and get

an amazing deal when you check our Specials and Promotions page for cabin rentals. There's nothing like opening your eyes to a crisp, crimson and gold morning through your bedroom window or having your coffee by a cozy outdoor fireplace with the view to calm you. You can find deals on individual cabin rates, discounts on multi-night stays, and even nights for free with a minimum stay. Whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find the cabin to fit your needs. 

For more autumn inspiration, check out the video below!

Soak Up the Last Few Weeks of Summer in Georgia's Blue Ridge

Summer is winding down, and soon the kids will be back in school and the weather will be crisp. Take these last couple weeks of the season and spend it doing all the summertime things you and your family love best!

The Blue Ridge Brewery offers some of the
best burgers and beers around!

When we think of the summertime, we think of hot burgers, smoky barbecue, starry nights at the drive-in and camping under the moon. You can do all those things and more in Blue Ridge, home of numerous award-winning restaurants, like C-Bolts Restaurant, The Blue Ridge Brewery, and Sue’s Cafeteria and Ice Cream Parlor, all named by Garden & Gun Magazine as some of the best burger spots in the South (not many other places had more than one restaurant on the list, we’re proud to say!).

If down home barbecue is more your style, we can fix you up with that, too. Trip Advisor users recently named Georgia the best state for barbecue, and can you guess where the number one restaurant is? Right here in beautiful Blue Ridge, Georgia, of course! We’re proud to say that our own Joe’s BBQ is Trip Advisor’s top barbecue restaurant, and we know why.

If you prefer not to get your hands messy, visit Harvest on Main for a culinary experience to knock

Harvest on Main's welcoming front porch

your socks off. They make awesome burgers, but they’re known for their upscale versions of down-home comfort food like the “hot brown,” an open-faced turkey sandwich with gravy, that will knock your socks off. It sure knocked the socks off of the Thrillist editors who listed Harvest on Main among the 11 best Georgia restaurants outside of Atlanta.

After you eat, take the family to enjoy a first-run flick under the stars at the Swan Drive-In, one of the 10 best drive-in theaters in the country! A movie under the night sky in the warm summer air is fun enough, but the concession stand is renowned for its funnel cakes, deep fried Oreo cookies, and other scrumptious goodies! What a way to watch a movie!

We cherish our memories of childhood camping under the stars, and if you do too, or just want to make some of your own, Blue Ridge has several campground options to choose from. Visit our Campgrounds page on our website to select the one that’s right for your family. One thing’s for sure – whatever your favorite end-of-summer activity, you can find it going on in Georgia’s Blue Ridge!