Sweets and Treats
While you’re in downtown Blue Ridge, enjoy a smoothie at L & L Beanery, buy your pet a present at Dogs & Cats Too! Treat yourself and the kids to some homemade fudge at the Chocolate Express, an ice cream cone at Three Sisters Fudge or, a cupcake at The Sweet Shoppe.
Take a Family Picture
Create lasting memories with a fun family photo shoot at River Junction Olde Tyme Portraits and Family Photos, 662 East Main Street in downtown Blue Ridge.
Visit Apple Orchards
Mercier Orchards is only 1 mile from Blue Ridge on Georgia Highway 5. Tractor tours and u-pick strawberries, blueberries and apples in season. Yummy fried pies, apple cider, apples, peaches, jams and preserves. Grab a boxed lunch for your picnic. Visit the new fishing pond for the kids. There are also several apple orchards in Ellijay’s famed Apple Alley off Hwy 52 West between Ellijay and Dahlonega.
Find the Georgia / Tennessee Line
Downtown McCaysville. Look for the Blue Line and stand in two states at one time!
Picnic at Horseshoe Bend Park on the River
McCaysville on Hwy 60. Pretty park located in the bend of the Toccoa River on River Road. Fishing, playground, covered picnic tables, restrooms. Pickin’ in the Park on Thursday evenings, May through September.
Go Whitewater Rafting
Ages 12 and older. Raft the wild Ocoee River just 30 minutes from Blue Ridge. Class 3 – 5 rapids and non-stop action.
The Lilly Pad Village
Located 7.5 miles from Blue Ridge on Aska Road. Gem Mining, fishing (poles and bait provided) and a round of mini golf in the woods! Lots of maily fun to be had here.
Rent a Pontoon Boat
Rent a pontoon boat at the Lake Blue Ridge Marina and spend the day on beautiful Lake Blue Ridge.
Swim at Morganton
Point Recreation Area on Lake Blue Ridge with fishing, swimming, picnicking, boating and camping. Pebble beach – wear water shoes. Paved boat ramp. Take Hwy. 515 north from Blue Ridge to Hwy. 60/Morganton. In Morganton, turn right on Lake Drive, go one mile.
Tube or Kayak the Toccoa River
Fun for all ages. Toccoa Valley Campground on Aska Road; Rolling Thunder River Company, Toccoa River Adventures and Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking in McCaysville
Tube or Kayak the Cartecay River in Ellijay
Cartecay Adventures 706-531-GRIN
Go Horseback Riding
Lots of choices of stables in Ellijay, Blue Ridge and McCaysville. Riding for all ages, plus hayrides and overnight trips. Ask the Welcome Center for a list of riding stables or just google horseback riding in your city of choice.
Catch a Fish
Fish for trout at Tammen Park or Horseshoe Bend on the Toccoa River or bass or brim in Lake Blue Ridge at Morganton Point or, along the Cartecay River in Ellijay.
Visit the Chattahoochee Fish Hatchery
Visitor center and exhibits on raising trout, as well as a large insect display. Fish Rock Creek while you’re there. Open all year, Monday – Friday. Off Highway 60 between Morganton and Dahlonega.
Explore the Ocoee Whitewater Center
Site of the 1996 Kayak competition in the Olympics. Hiking trails, swimming holes, nature exhibits, legacy bridge. Highway 64 between Ducktown TN and Cleveland TN.
Go to a Drive-In Movie
Enjoy a drive-in movie at the Swan Drive-in, one of Georgia’s four remaining drive in theaters. 706-632-5235. Get there early – it fills up fast when the weather warms up!
Go Hiking
Hike Bear Creek Recreation Area in Ellijay, Aska Trails on Aska Road in Blue Ridge or visit the swinging bridge over the Toccoa River on Hwy 60 south of Morganton. Take a guided hike by Blue Ridge Mountain Outfitters, Benton MacKaye Trail Assn. or The Lilly Pad.
Visit the Burra Burra Mine
See a real copper mine at the Ducktown Museum off Highway 64 in Ducktown TN.
Go Ziplining
Have a blast a Firewire Zip Lines and the Blue Ridge Canopy Tour. Also, Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge. Or try out the canopy tour and Wildwater Rafting on the Ocoee.
Go Mountain Biking
Bear Creek Recreation Area and the Pinhoti Trail and two favorites in the area. Folks travel for miles to ride these gems!
Visit Georgia’s Highest Waterfall
Amicalola Falls, Hwy. 52 near Ellijay is Georgia’s highest waterfall and tallest in the southeast. Hike or drive to the falls. This is also the beginning of the approach to Springer Mountain…the start of the infamous Appalachian Trail!
Atlanta Metro Area
Atlanta Braves, Falcons and Hawks games, Atlanta Aquarium, Fernbank Museum, Stone Mountain Park, Six Flags Over Georgia, White Water Waterpark, World of Coca Cola, Zoo Atlanta and more!
Chattanooga, TN Area
Southern Bell Riverboat, Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Rock City, Incline Railway, Lake Winnepesaukah. Beautiful downtown area with local restaurants.
Swim at Morganton
Point Recreation Area on Lake Blue Ridge with fishing, swimming, picnicking, boating and camping. Pebble beach – wear water shoes. Paved boat ramp. Take Hwy. 515 north from Blue Ridge to Hwy. 60/Morganton. In Morganton, turn right on Lake Drive, go one mile.