Travel Guide to Blue Ridge, Georgia

Located an hour-and-thirty-minutes north of Atlanta is the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Named after the Blue Ridge Mountains, this beautiful town resides on a section of the Appalachian Mountain range. With many attractions, these mountains are the perfect escape for your next vacation.

If your goals are for a peaceful weekend surrounded by trees with a good book or an active vacation packed full of hiking, lake days, and shopping, Blue Ridge Georgia offers a variety of entertainment.

Hiking Trails

Long Creek Falls 

Long Creek Falls is an easy two-mile trail close to Three Forks valley — a section of the Appalachian Trail. This hike is perfect for children, dogs, or anyone who enjoys a leisurely walk that leads you to a  beautiful waterfall at the end. There are many rocks near the falls that are perfect for picnics and resting. While on the trail, you will be able to immerse yourself in the sounds of nature by listening to the chirping birds or the sounds of roaring water ahead.

Be advised that the drive up to Long Creek Falls gets narrow and steep. It is recommended to use a car with 4-wheel-drive and to use caution when riding up the mountain. It is also important to wear safety orange during deer hunting season (Oct.-Jan.) as a precaution for any hunters in the woods. Safety orange bandanas or vests will work great — if you have a dog, you should also put an orange leash or bandana on them.

Amicalola Falls 

Amicalola Falls, located in Dawson County, is a forty-minute drive outside of Blue Ridge, Georgia. If you have the time to go, the views are worth it. Amicalola falls is a three-mile hike with 604 stairs to lead you up to the tallest waterfall in Georgia. If you would prefer not to take the stairs, you can shorten the hike to two miles by reaching the falls from an alternative route. It is recommended to go to the visitors center for a map before you hike to prevent the chances of getting lost or taking the wrong path up the falls.

It is not advised to bring dogs to Amicalola Falls. If you are planning to take the path with stairs, these stairs are metal with waffle-like openings so there is a chance it could frighten a dog. There are also a few steep sections of the path with loose rocks that would be difficult for a dog to climb. If you would like to bring your pets, there is a way to drive up to the top of the falls so you can see the view without having to hike the trails. For more information, visit their website. 

Lake Adventures

White-Water Rafting 

During the summer months, white-water rafting is a popular tourist attraction. Fifteen minutes outside of Blue Ridge you will find rafting companies like Rolling Thunder River Company. On this adventure, you and your group will slide down rapids in a raft on the Ocoee River. The Ocoee River became famous for rafting after it was chosen as the location of the whitewater events in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

White-water-rafting is a great bonding experience with friends or family. However, there is an age limit for rafting of 12 and over due to the strong rapids. If you have younger children, tubing is a great alternative. Numerous companies offer tubing near Blue Ridge. Many tubing companies are located on the Toccoa River, a ten-mile distance from Blue Ridge.

Lake Blue Ridge Loop

Lake Blue Ridge is a kid-friendly area for many different recreational activities. Surrounding the lake is a loop-shaped road you can walk around with many open sections to walk up to the water. In one of these open sections, you will find a public rope tied to a tree that you can use to swing into the water. On the lake, you can also go boating, paddleboarding, and jet-skiing.

Swan Drive Inn

Take yourself back in time by visiting the Swan Drive-In movie theater. The Swan Drive-In was established in 1955 and is one of only 4 drive-ins located in Georgia. Here, you will pull into a parking spot, turn on your radio, and open up your trunk for a memorable movie night. It is recommended to bring lots of pillows and blankets to keep yourself comfortable. If you get hungry, there is a concession stand serving funnel cakes and many other sweets to enjoy during your movie. This is the perfect place to bring your family, friends, or a significant other.

Mercier Orchards 

Mercier Orchards is a family-owned 300-acre apple orchard in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Starting in 1943 with only 30-acres, the orchard gained popularity and size due to the local activities they offered. Events like  “U-Pick” apple, blackberry, strawberry, and blueberry picking helped them become a well-known orchard in Blue Ridge, as well as in many other parts of the country. Through the years, the orchard expanded into selling its own bakery items and hard cider. If you want to learn about how apples are grown or are craving a homemade pie, take a visit to Mercier Orchards.

Downtown

Blue Ridge, Georgia has a flourishing downtown life full of great restaurants to eat at, a train you can ride on, and many stores you can shop in. If you are hungry, dine at some of the local favorites like Fightingtown Tavern or Misty Mountain Hops. For a treat, stop by The Sweet Shoppe — the season 6 winner of Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars”. To enjoy the views of North Georgia, take a ride on Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. There are many activities to do downtown to fit anyone’s interest.

With all the events and entertainment, Blue Ridge is the perfect place to take a day trip or stay the week. There are fun things that both adults and children can do to ensure a memorable vacation.