10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA

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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 title

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.

10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA explore downtown
10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA – explore the historic downtown

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.

10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA scenic rail
10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA – scenic railway

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.

10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA art vibes
Check out the art vibes in Blue Ridge! Pictured, 4 Elements Fine Art & Custom Framing

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.

10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA haunts
10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA – ghost 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.

2nd Story Entertainment
2nd Story Entertainment in downtown Blue Ridge

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.

10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA cabin
10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA – stay in a Southern Comfort Cabin

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.

Blue Ridge Lake
Blue Ridge Lake

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.

10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA hike
10 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA – hike to the Fall Creek Falls

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.

Mercier Orchards
Mercier Orchards

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?

Posing with Bigfoots...Bigfeet??
Posing with Bigfoots….Bigfeet??

 

Pack along an excellent pair of hiking boots, like these! Click on image to order.

 

 

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Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin

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American essayist Philip Conners wrote,

“The greatest gift of life on the mountain is time. Time to think or not think, read or not read, scribble or not scribble—to sleep and cook and walk in the woods, to sit and stare at the shapes of the hills.”

While I don’t live in the mountains, I recently got to enjoy the gift of time that Connors refers to. During my hosted stay, I appreciated the time to think…or not…to read or not…to sleep and cook my own food and take a walk in the deep forests surrounding Blue Ridge, Georgia.

My home for those days spent in the mountains provided the perfect space to fully savor my stay. Learn more about Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals HERE. And then discover my favorite things about Breakaway Ridge Cabin. Spoiler alert…staring at the shapes of the hills makes the list.

Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin

Greg and I stayed in the Breakaway Ridge Cabin, high atop a mountain just two miles from the charming town of Blue Ridge. We immediately fell in love with the area, the mountains AND the gorgeous cabin.

Following are my favorite things about Breakaway Ridge Cabin…the unexpected touches, the thoughtful inclusions, the great use of space.

Spacious Cabin

With five bedrooms, three bathrooms and two living areas, not including the incredible outdoor room, this cabin offers plenty of space to sprawl. Although it was just Greg and me on this trip, we appreciated the ability to choose different spaces to use, find a nook for solitude or enjoy the views from various vantage points.

With two  bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs plus a full kitchen, dining area and great room AND three bedrooms/sleeping areas downstairs with a bathroom, mini kitchen and second living area, this setup is ideal for a family or a group of friends.

We could easily envision our entire family joining us in this wonderful cabin.

Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin spacious
Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin – spacious

 

Spectacular Views

The view from Breakaway Ridge Cabin is incredibly beautiful. The back of the cabin faces a deep valley and tree shrouded mountains beyond. The outdoor room, the covered patio below, all the living areas and the bedrooms offer amazing views of those mountains.

And those views continually drew me, whether from the windows in my bedroom at sunrise or the rocking chairs on the back deck or the dual porch swings below. I never tired of watching the mountains and the play of light and shadow on them.

Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin view
Beautiful view

Full Kitchen for Meal Prep

I love accommodations with kitchens. Seven years ago I embraced a plant based lifestyle. Having a full kitchen to cook in allows me to create healthy meals and it saves money.

It’s also fun to try new restaurants when traveling so a good practice for me is to prepare my own meals for breakfast and supper and eat out for lunch, choosing places with vegan options.

The kitchen in Breakaway Ridge contained cookware, cutlery, glasses, mugs (for my hot tea!), plates, bakeware…everything needed to prepare meals. I shopped at home for groceries and toted them, since we drove to Blue Ridge. However, we visited nearby grocery stores TWICE for items we either forgot…or decided we needed.

Gas cooking stove
Gas cooking stove in full kitchen

Outdoor Room

When we arrived at Breakaway Ridge Cabin the first night, darkness was creeping up the mountain. We walked straight through the cabin and out onto the back deck to admire the view.

The outdoor room features comfy seating, a wood burning fireplace, a table and chairs for outdoor dining and two wooden rocking chairs tucked in their own alcove.

I LOVED this beautiful space and spent the most time out here, breathing in mountain air and relaxing or working remotely on my laptop. We built a small fire in the fireplace on our last night at the cabin and ate dinner watching the flames.

Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin outdoor room
Outdoor room was a favorite space for hanging out

Desk for Laptop

Although I didn’t sit at the desk in the great room, I did appreciate its existence. The desk made an ideal location for my laptop when not in use. With a handy outlet strip on the floor I could keep my laptop charged and ready for use. Also appreciated, wifi at the cabin. That wifi served the outdoor room as well making it easy to get work done quickly.

Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin desk
Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin – desk for laptop

Rocking Chairs

I’ve enjoyed the soothing, meditative experience of rocking in a rocking chair since my toddler days. With great delight, I frequently gravitated toward the two wooden rocking chairs on the cabin’s back deck, cup of hot tea in one hand, a book in the other.

Greg often started his day there, sitting quietly in one of the rocking chairs. reading or simply appreciating the view.

Greg enjoying one of the rocking chairs
Greg enjoying one of the rocking chairs.

Storage Space

When I travel, I like to unpack my carryon and put everything away. At home, I’m a “place for everything and everything in its place” person.

The cabin features an abundance of drawers, shelves and closet space for unpacking and put clothing and toiletries away. I like a neat, tidy space because for me, clutter brings with it chaotic energy.

In Breakaway Ridge, the HUGE closets upstairs offer plenty of hangers and shelving for clothes, jackets and shoes and for stashing luggage. The bathrooms not only have drawers for belongings but adequate shelving behind cabinet doors.

I found out of sight storage in the kitchen for all of the groceries I brought or purchased and although we didn’t need to use any of the downstairs space, there’s lots of storage available there too.

Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin storage
Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin – lots of storage

Washer and Dryer

One of the bedroom closets upstairs holds a full size washer and dryer. An ironing board and iron hang on the inside of the door.

It’s so convenient to wash clothes after a day exploring in the woods or to do up all the dirty laundry BEFORE heading home. (Don’t you dislike having to do laundry as soon as you arrive home?)

Washer and dryer
Convenient washer, dryer, ironing board and iron.

Porch Swings

I feel about swings, the way that I do about rocking chairs. It’s a peaceful way to relax, giving the body something to do while the mind dreams big dreams.

Breakaway Ridge not only offers a swing, it offers two! These porch style swings hang beneath the deck, at the edge of the covered patio, and provide stunning views across the valley.

Porch swings with a view
Porch swings with a view! Looking through the windows at the end of the second living area downstairs.

Play Cornhole

Downstairs, Breakaway Ridge keeps the fun going with a shuffleboard table, a poker/game table and shelves of jigsaw puzzles and an assortment of board games.

Outdoors, we found cornhole boards and happily challenged each other to a game. How incredible, with the trees stirring in the breeze and the sun chasing shadows across the mountains, to compete in a friendly game of cornhole.

Greg carried out snacks and tall glasses of water and after he beat me at cornhole, we sat in one of the swings as the sun set. It made the perfect finish to a fun, full day.

Cornhole game
Double the fun…cornhole game in the mountains.

Bonus Favorites

Truthfully, this list of favorites could go on and on. The hot tub on the patio, the Adirondack chairs grouped around a fire pit, the big screen tvs in each room (although we rarely turned them on, had it rained we could have watched a movie), the comfy beds…it was ALL perfect.

One other thing that I must mention was the ease of checking in and out. For this particular cabin, I received a code for the keypad on the door. When we checked out, I keyed in a special code that notified the staff of our departure. So simple. And I was so grateful for the convenience since we arrived late on our first night. We didn’t have to make arrangements to pick up a key.

Experience this place yourself by visiting the Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals website. Book the Breakaway Ridge Cabin or select another from their many options.

Plus, there’s still time to take advantage of the book three nights get a fourth night free Memorial Day Weekend special with this link.

So tell me…which of the above favorites appeals the most to you?

Favorite things about breakaway ridge cabin remote work
Favorite Things About Breakaway Ridge Cabin – an outdoor office with a view.

 

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Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

What a joy, recently, to take a road trip to northern Georgia.

Greg and I loved our destination, the beautiful mountain town of Blue Ridge. And we loved and appreciated our luxurious cabin.

As guests of Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals we got to explore all that the area has to offer AND experience several days of downtime and restoration in the gorgeous Breakaway Ridge Cabin.

I’m excited to introduce you to Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals and their premiere guest services.

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Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals Story

The company founders, the Stam Family, spent years vacationing in the North Georgia Mountains. They enjoyed their experiences there so much that in 1999 the Stams purchased two luxurious cabins in the Mountain Tops community, in Blue Ridge.

After transforming those cabins into vacation rentals, the family felt inspired to connect others to vacation cabin owners in the area. They wanted friends and family to experience the joy of a cabin vacation in the mountains.

Today, more than 20 years later, the company’s ongoing mission is to welcome guests to Blue Ridge, offer exceptional vacations and provide the highest value accommodations possible.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals outdoor room
This view from a Southern Comfort Cabin outdoor room is indeed inspiring!

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals – Breakaway Ridge Cabin

After driving 700+ miles through five states, we arrived at Breakaway Ridge Cabin just as darkness settled over the Blue Ridge area. From out vantage point high on a mountain, we caught the last of the sun’s rays as we unloaded the car and entered the cabin.

Even in the gathering shadows, we could appreciate the beauty of our accommodations. And stepping out onto the back deck, with views across a deep, dark valley to the tree studded mountains beyond, was magical.

I live in the Midwest, with rolling hills and flat, expansive land that was formerly prairie. The mountains inspire awe with their magnificence and at the same time, bring a centered sense of tranquility.

Take a tour with me, of Breakaway Ridge Cabin.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals first peek
First peek at the mountains from the cabin’s back deck.

Tour of the Cabin

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals offers almost 200 vacation properties in the Blue Ridge area. There’s a perfect accommodation for every need and budget, including mountain views, lake views, creek and river views, luxury cabins, forest homes, wheelchair accessible accommodations, downtown Blue Ridge locations, pet friendly, accommodations for large groups and private pool homes.

Given a list of possibilities for our stay, I selected a mountain view cabin. With its mountain top location, just minutes from Blue Ridge’s shops and restaurants, this accommodation combined the best of nature and small town fun.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals breakaway ridge cabin
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals – Breakaway Ridge Cabin exterior

Main Living Area – Entry Level

Breakaway Ridge Cabin features five sleeping areas, three full bathrooms and two living areas, over two floors, with a full kitchen upstairs and a mini kitchen in the basement.  There’s room here for up to 10 guests.

On the entry level, you walk into a gorgeous kitchen with stainless steel appliances. A kitchen is important to me. It allows me to create my own healthy meals.

In this space there is an eat at bar with bar stools plus a large wooden dining table with chairs and a bench.

Adjoining the spacious kitchen is the upstairs living area, with vaulted ceilings and a wood burning fireplace. A large screen tv rests above the fireplace. With so many things to do in Blue Ridge and the surrounding area, plus those incredible views from the cabin, we barely turned the television on.

The far end of the living room is all glass, with doors leading out onto the deck. There you can enjoy the outdoor living room with the fireplace, dine at the table and chairs set or rock in one of the two rocking chairs and simply enjoy the mountain air.

Full kitchen with all you need to prepare meals.
Full kitchen with all the cookware, dinnerware and utensils you need to prepare meals.
Upstairs living area
Upstairs living area with wood burning fireplace.
Nothing to obstruct the view
Just look at the view from the living room!

Bedrooms and Bathrooms – Entry Level

On either side of the living area are the entry level bedrooms, each with a king size bed and a full bath.

Bedroom one has a private en suite bathroom with a huge walk in shower complete with a waterfall shower head. The walk in closet is massive with plenty of hangers for clothes and shelves to stash luggage.

There’s a large screen tv here AND views of the mountains from the windows in the room. One of my favorite things was to get up early each morning, open the blinds and lie back in bed, watching the sky lighten with the rising of the sun.

Bedroom two’s large bathroom has a door into the living room as well, for guest use. And the walk in closet in that room contains a full size washer and dryer plus an ironing board and iron. This bedroom also offers a large screen tv and the attention grabbing views from the windows.

All bathrooms contain complimentary toiletries and have a blow dryer available. Towels and washcloths are provided too.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals primary bedroom
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals – primary bedroom Breakaway Ridge Cabin
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals primary bathroom
Primary bedroom bath with huge walk in shower
Bedroom two
Bedroom two

Living Area – Lower Level

Through a doorway off of the dining area, stairs lead to the lower level.

The second living area features a gas log fireplace, a large screen tv, comfy sofas and chairs and a game table. There’s a shuffle board table set up and a variety of games and jigsaw puzzles stored on open shelving. Large windows not only let in ample light, they provide views of the mountains.

A mini kitchen makes it easy to keep cold drinks handy or fix a cup of coffee.

A door leads out to the covered patio. There one can soak in a hot tub, swing on porch swings, have a casual meal at the picnic table or build a fire in the fire pit. You can also play a competitive game of Corn Hole.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals lower level living area
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals – lower level living area
Picnic table for outdoor dining
Picnic table for outdoor dining.

Bedrooms and Bathroom – Lower Level

At the foot of the stairs is a small room with a set of bunk beds. Although not a full sized bedroom, this space works well for a couple of children or teens.

On either side of the living area/game room are bedrooms.

One contains a queen size bed and shares the attached downstairs bath with others on the lower level.

The other bedroom is perfect for children or teens with a bunk bed containing a full size mattress below and a twin size mattress above.

Both bedrooms have windows looking out toward the mountains.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals bunk beds
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals – bunk beds on lower level
Third bedroom
Third bedroom on lower level.

Plan Your Vacation to the Mountains

Are you ready for a mountain getaway?

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals is offering TWO specials.

Plan a Mother’s Day weekend and get 25% off of your booking. Or book a three night stay before May 31 and receive a fourth night for free! Click this link for the specials.

And enjoy browsing through all the vacation rental options at the Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals website. If you’d appreciate the Breakaway Ridge Cabin as much as I did, you can book it HERE. (I highly recommend that you do!)

My introduction to the Blue Ridge, Georgia area was so beautiful, relaxing and fun. I look forward to a return visit.

If you’d like to know more, watch for my next post with the special things about Breakaway Ridge Cabin that I especially enjoyed, followed by a post about all the fun things to experience in the Blue Ridge area.

If you need any help planning a trip to the mountains, send me a message!

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals back view

 

Pick up this backpack. It’s perfect for a hike in the Georgia forests.

 

 

Cindy Goes Beyond is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.