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The mountain town of Blue Ridge, in northern Georgia, boasts a population of 1,244 residents. However, this beautiful town lives BIG and offers visitors many fun opportunities and activities.
With more than 100,000 acres of Chattahoochee National Forest, 300 miles of hiking trails, 100 miles of streams and those gorgeous mountains, Blue Ridge is the perfect location for a long getaway weekend or a family vacation.
Check out 10 things to do in Blue Ridge GA, recognized by Southern Living Magazine as one of the South’s Best Mountain Towns, in 2022.
10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA
Whether you spend time outdoors, explore downtown Blue Ridge or get cozy at a local cabin, check out these fun ways to make the most of your visit.
Explore Downtown Blue Ridge
This charming small town was established in 1886 as a railroad stop. Visitors rode the train into Blue Ridge, ate a meal and then walked to the mineral springs. Because of those pure mineral springs, Blue Ridge became known as a health resort town.
Today visitors can walk along Main Street browsing through boutique shops, dining in cafes and watching the town’s resident roosters strut about.
The small town atmosphere inspires chats with friendly shop owners and local residents. Download the Blue Ridge Historic Walking Tour HERE.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
In the heart of downtown Blue Ridge sits the train depot. Enjoy a four hour rail excursion along Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville. You can choose to ride in an authentic indoor rail car, an open air car or go premier class.
After arriving in McCaysville, travelers have two hours to explore the town and grab lunch before the return trek to Blue Ridge.
Check out the train schedule and purchase online tickets with this LINK.
Enjoy a Thriving Art Community
Blue Ridge has a vibrant art community with galleries to visit, live music to listen to and a local theater.
The mission of the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association is to provide ample opportunities in the art realm. They are devoted to bringing quality exhibits and events to the community.
Purchase theater tickers HERE. And for a fun summer experience, visit Swan Drive In for an outdoor movie.
Haunted Blue Ridge Ghost Tour
Take a night time stroll through downtown Blue Ridge and learn the spooky tales associated with the area. Hear local legends and see haunted spots with a knowledgeable guide.
The tour last about 90 minutes and covers a mile, with frequent stops. Tickets must be purchased online prior to tour.
Indoor Mini Golf Downtown
Located on Main Street in downtown Blue Ridge, 2nd Story Entertainment offers indoor family fun.
Play a full 18 hole mini golf course that weaves in and out of eight themed rooms in the 112 year old building that once housed a hotel. Included on the mini golf course are other games such as giant connect 4s, giant checkers and magnetic darts.
The venue also provides arcade games such as Air Hockey and Ms Pacman and snacks along with water and sodas.
Stay in a Local Cabin
While in Blue Ridge, you simply must stay in a Southern Comfort Cabin! Although there are many activities to enjoy in the area, having a comfy cabin to return to at the end of the day provides a place to gather, share the fun from the day and relax.
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals offers so many accommodation choices from forest views to lake views to mountain views. There’s a cabin for every budget and spaces for two people….or 10. One could never leave the cabin and feel content!
I stayed in the Breakaway Ridge Cabin with mountain views. You can learn more about this beautiful place HERE.
Blue Ridge Lake
Blue Ridge Lake is a reservoir in Fannin County, nestled along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It encompasses 3,300 acres of water, rests approximately 1,686 feet above sea level, and has 65 miles of shoreline. The lake is fed by Toccoa River and is managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The aquamarine waters make this lake one of the most picturesque in Georgia. Blue Ridge Lake offers campsites, swimming, boating, picnic areas, a full service marina and rentals for all kinds of water activities. Explore the lake in a pontoon boat or rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard.
The Morganton Point Recreation Area is the perfect spot for swimming. There are restroom facilities here and concessions.
Hiking Trails
Nature enthusiasts will love the many hiking trails in the Blue Ridge area. Choose from trails around the lake, trails through the forest or trails to waterfalls.
Hike to the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge or sit near the Fall Creeks Falls after a fairly short trek through the forest. Or walk part of the Appalachian Trail.
Check out the top ten hiking trails HERE.
Visit Mercier Orchards
Located just outside of Blue Ridge, Mercier Orchards is a 4th generation owned and operated apple orchard. The orchards offer pick your own fruit times, tractor tours and scheduled activities.
Their huge on site building contains a cafe, a market with fresh seasonal fruits and veggies, a bakery and a huge assortment of apple products, kitchen ware and other goodies.
Discover all that this place offers, including the BEST fried pies, HERE.
Expedition Bigfoot Museum
We initially giggled about wanting to visit this museum and data collection site. However, we discovered the museum is a fascinating place to explore. We left firm believers in the existence of Bigfoot!
You can tour this museum in about an hour. Those with an interest in Bigfoot could easily spend more time there. The site is also a research facility and reporting center. The exhibits are science based and contain a great deal of evidence collected over the years from those who have had encounters. Truly, it was an eye opening experience for me.
It turns out that northern Georgia is a Bigfoot hotspot. Many have reported sightings and encounters in the area. With the thick forests and mountains, I can believe these elusive creatures exist.
Watch for a future feature post about this museum. You can check out hours of operation and get more info with this LINK.
Which Blue Ridge Activities Will You Experience?
As you can see, there are so many fun activities in the Blue Ridge area. And I didn’t list horseback riding, ziplining or visiting breweries and wineries.
I must go back, for the ghost tour. Fall is the perfect time for a train ride, to appreciate the colorful leaves on the trees. And how fun to see the town decorated for Christmas.
Which of the activities will you try first, when you visit Blue Ridge?
Pack along an excellent pair of hiking boots, like these! Click on image to order.
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