Settled beneath, the beautiful town of Blue Ridge, Georgia, awaits. Once known as the “Switzerland of the South,” this stunning Georgia town has, for the last century, hosted visitors seeking rest, relaxation, and adventure. This charming mountain town boasts a vibrant cultural and arts scene, fantastic dining in Downtown Blue Ridge, and abundant outdoor activities. Discover the best attractions and activities Blue Ridge, Georgia, has to offer!
Explore Blue Ridge on the Historic Walking Tour
Downtown Blue Ridge offers some of the best dining and attractions in town. Not sure where to start? The Blue Ridge Historic Walking Tour takes you on a stroll through the historic architecture of Downtown Blue Ridge while offering unique historical information on each site.
During your self-guided tour, you’ll stop by local landmarks like the Victorian-era Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast and the Historic Fannin County Bank Building – which still houses the original vault. And you’ll have plenty of time to explore art galleries, restaurants, and shops of the Downtown district along the way.
Discover Appalachian Art in Downtown Blue Ridge
Speaking of art galleries, Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, is home to several! The city’s many art galleries have earned the title of one of Georgia’s Top 5 Art Towns by the Georgia Council for the Arts.
You won’t want to miss a visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association Art Center, which features rotating exhibits from local and national artists, and hosts several annual events for the town, including the Blue Ridge Film Festival and the Arts in the Park showcase.
You’ll find just about every artwork medium represented in the downtown galleries. If ceramics are your cup of tea, don’t miss out on Fishbone Gallery. Or, dive into local maps, photography, and reproductions at High Country Framing, Inc.
Also dotting the Downtown landscape are the glittering glass displays at Multudes Gallery, the many mediums of High Country Art, and the unique gemstones and minerals featured at Pezrok.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Once upon a time, the historic Blue Ridge Depot brought tourists seeking healing from the mountain mineral springs to town. Nowadays, the Depot serves as the starting point for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
Hop aboard the train and discover the majestic beauty of the forests and mountains surrounding Blue Ridge. The four-hour train ride takes you to nearby McCaysville, Georgia, where you can cross a line to be in two states simultaneously! The famed “Blue Line” in McCaysville straddles Georgia and Tennesee. After crossing state lines, you’ll have time to visit McCaysville before returning to Downtown Blue Ridge.
Get a Taste of Downtown Blue Ridge on a Foodie Tour
Bring onto your appetites – Downtown Blue Ridge has some of the best dining in the state. Tantalize your tastebuds by taking a guided Blue Ridge Mountain Foodie Tour of the delicious downtown restaurants. You’ll sample several restaurants along the tour and hear from chefs and managers at each location. Looking for a sweeter tour? There’s also a Sugar High Tour featuring desserts!
Hike the Appalachian Trail
Thousands of hikers pass through Blue Ridge each year as they begin their journey along the historic Appalachian Trail. The trail passes from Georgia to Maine, starting at Springer Mountain in southern Fannin County.
Join in on the hiking adventure with a backpacking excursion into the woods. Hikers of all ages and levels will enjoy a trek to Long Creek Falls, which winds through sweeping hemlock trees along flowered trails until you reach the thundering waterfalls. Or, for a shorter hike, give the Springer Mountain trail a go – you’ll want to bring a camera for the breathtaking views!
Visit the Lilly Pad Village
Lilly Pad Village is just 15 min drive from the city and offers hours of family-friendly fun! The village has mini-golf, gem mining, and fishing activities – plus plenty of space for the kids to run around for fun in the Georgia sun.
Pick Berries and Apples at Mercier Orchards
Blue Ridge is in prime berry and apple-picking country! Get a taste of Mother Nature at Georgia’s largest apple orchard, Mercier Orchards.
The orchards offer seasonal fruit picking and tours of the idyllic scenery of its 300 acres of lush land. After a day of fruit picking, you can shop and snack at the market, grab an apple pie at the bakery, or try homemade sweets at the Candy Kitchen.
Brews and Tunes at Downtown Blue Ridge Georgia’s Breweries
The vibrant music and nightlife of Downtown Blue Ridge are calling! Head to the city’s breweries and distilleries for a night of delicious beverages and lively tunes.
The area around the town is home to several breweries and taverns, many of which are located Downtown. Give yourself a self-guided brewery tour and stroll between the Downtown bars to sample brews at Fannin Brewing Company or Grumpy Old Men Brewing. Or, after your time picking fruit at Mercier, swing by their tasting room for a refreshing glass of beer or hard cider.
If you feel like a quick trip to Tennessee, the delicious beers at Copperhill Brewery and Buck Bald Brewing are calling your name. Copperhill is a short, twenty-minute drive from Blueridge, and locals don’t mind hopping the border for a cold one on occasion!
Sip ‘n Sample Local Wineries
Out for a night of romance or fine dining? Visit one of Blue Ridge’s nearby wineries.
Looking for traditional grape wines? Spend the day amidst the flourishing vines at Bear Claw Vineyards, where the tasting room features wine flights, delicious truffles, and cheeseboards.
For a historically situated wine tasting, head over to Serenberry Vineyards, where you’ll enjoy excellent wine varieties in the charming setting of the 1920s Tasting Barn. Or, end a day of fruit picking and strolling through Mercier Orchards by sampling their fruity farm wine.
Shop Local at the Blue Ridge Farmer’s Market
June marks the beginning of the market season in Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia. From summer to November, the Market sets up shop in the downtown city park on Saturdays. So enjoy the warm sunshine and Shop Local! You’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, locally made crafts, baked goods, and more lining the stalls at the Blue Ridge Farmer’s Market.
Visit the Award-Winning The Sweet Shoppe of the South
Have you ever wondered what Food Network-worthy cake tastes like? At The Sweet Shoppe of the South, you can find out. The bakers at Sweet Shoppe went all the way on Food Network’s ‘Cupcake Wars,’ and now their winning treats can be tasted by visitors to Downtown! They have everything from muffins and cupcakes to gluten-free treats, so be sure to come hungry!
Check Out the Blue Ridge Adventure Park
Last but certainly not least, spend an afternoon enjoying thrilling heights and confidence-boosting challenges at the Blue Ridge Adventure Park. The park features a rope course that rises from 15 ft to 50 ft. in the air, complete with swinging rope bridges, tight ropes, and other obstacles! The Adventure Park welcomes climbers ages ten and up.
Raft and Tube Blue Ridge’s Rivers
The glittering waterways of the Toccoa River and Ocoee Rivers provide plenty of splashing adventures for their visitors. The Ocoee River is a popular destination for rafting and kayaking, and along its winding route are plenty of quiet swimming and fishing spots. For a relaxing trip downriver, hop on a tube and let the waters of the Toccoa River take you on a gentle ride. Along each river, you’ll find several picnic areas, hiking trails, and scenic stops to take in the area’s scenic beauty.
Ready to start your Blue Ridge adventure? Find the perfect vacation rental for your trip here!
