Day Trips from Blue Ridge, GA: Exploring the Hidden Gems
Known for its boutique shops, variety of restaurants, and eclectic attractions, Blue Ridge, Georgia, is hailed by many travel magazines as a must-visit small town. If you are looking to expand your horizons and explore more of the surrounding area, there are plenty of day trips and neighboring towns to visit! From historic museums to botanical gardens, here are some ideas for day trips from Blue Ridge, GA! Ellijay, GALocated just 20 minutes from Blue Ridge, the town of Ellijay is an easily accessible location for a day trip. Known as the "Apple Capital of Georgia," Ellijay is home to numerous apple orchards—such as Hillcrest Orchards—and hosts an annual Apple Festival in the fall! You can also visit the charming downtown area, which is filled with local shops, restaurants, and galleries. A plethora of vineyards await you as well, such as Roo Mountain Vineyards, Engelheim Vineyards, and Cartecay Vineyards! On your way to explore Ellijay, stop by the Expedition: Bigfoot! Museum as well as the Georgia Pinball Museum.
Blairsville, GAJust 30 minutes from Blue Ridge, you'll find the town of Blairsville, which is home to the beautiful Vogel State Park. Full of hiking trails, this well-known park holds outdoor adventures for the whole family. To add another outdoor memory to your North Georgia bucket list, visit Brasstown Bald, the tallest mountain in Georgia! Put your head in the clouds and experience 360° of mountain ranges spanning four different states. You can also visit the historic downtown area, which is filled with local shops and restaurants. On weekends during the majority of the year, visit the Union County Farmers Market to support local vendors! If an adult beverage suits your fancy, make sure to visit Grandaddy Mimm's Distilling Co. This renowned distillery offers a variety of hand-crafted moonshine, vodka, and more! Enjoy their tasting room or a tour of their facilities during your trip.
Dahlonega, GAAnother nearby town definitely worth exploring is Dahlonega, which is located about an hour from Blue Ridge. The scenic drive alone is worth the visit! This historic town is known for its gold mining history and is home to the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site. You can take a tour of an underground gold mine or visit one of the many wineries in the area (Wolf Mountain Vineyards is our favorite)! Dahlonega also has a bustling downtown area with unique shops and restaurants; a few of our favorites are Picnic Cafe, Corner Kitchen, The Humble Abode, and Dahlonega Fudge Factory. Take a step back from the hustle and bustle and savor every moment with this North Georgia day trip.
Credit: Discover Dahlonega Dawsonville, GAFor a day trip filled with outdoor adventure, head to Amicalola Falls State Park, located about an hour from Blue Ridge in between Dahlonega and Ellijay. This park is home to the tallest waterfall in Georgia and is full of hiking opportunities amidst this beautiful park. Stand in awe of such natural beauty and add this experience to your North Georgia getaway! Also located in nearby Dawsonville is Burt's Pumpkin Farm! This beloved attraction boasts fields upon fields of pumpkins, making this the perfect fall activity for families. While there, take a hay ride through the gorgeous property and stop by their store for a souvenir.
Chattanooga, TNIf visiting this iconic city is in your sights, never fear! Chattanooga is just an hour and a half from Blue Ridge, and the drive there takes you through the stunning Ocoee River Gorge. A variety of outdoor activities and scenic overlooks invite you to explore this corner of the Southeast. At Lookout Mountain, a variety of special attractions await you and your family! From the top of the mountain, take in the panoramic mountain views while you see seven states. Located inside this cliff lies Ruby Falls, a must-see underground, cascading waterfall that will leave you breathless. While in this area, check out Rock City Gardens and experience a magical stroll through caves, manicured gardens, and more! If you did not think that your visit to Chattanooga could not get any more exciting, reserve a ticket on the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway! Climb the mountainside with this attraction, which just celebrated its 127th anniversary. Learn about Chattanooga's role in the Civil War, the grand hotels that used to pervade the area, and more! If exploring historic trains pique your interest, make sure to check out the Tennessee Valley Railroad! Offering a variety of train rides all over the area, this historic establishment promises a memorable experience for all ages.
Credit: Visit Chattanooga Helen, GALocated about an hour and a half from Blue Ridge, the town of Helen is a unique day trip destination. This Bavarian-inspired town is known for its charming architecture, local festivals, and outdoor activities. Go tubing on the Chattahoochee River, ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster, or explore the numerous shops and restaurants in the downtown area. Family-friendly activities in Helen include Alpine Mini Golf, Nacoochee Adventures, and more! Step into a different world in Helen and experience a unique side to Georgia you did not know existed.
Credit: Helen, GA Ball Ground, GAComprising of 16 gardens and 220 acres, Gibbs Gardens is located an hour from Blue Ridge, GA in nearby Ball Ground. Stroll through these stunning grounds and experience a variety of blooms no matter the season.
Cleveland, GAJust an hour and a half from Blue Ridge, Cleveland offers several unique attractions that will add a new dimension to your North Georgia getaway. Experience North Georgia Wildlife Park and visit a variety of exotic animals! This activity allows all ages to reconnect with nature and have a little wild side. For a more eclectic activity, visit Babyland General Hospital, the birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids! Explore this renovated clinic and learn more about the history of the dolls. Offering free admission year round, this interesting attraction will add a pinch of quirkiness to your North Georgia vacation.
Closing ThoughtsBy exploring Blue Ridge, GA and the surrounding areas, you can gain a wholistic understanding of the North Georgia Mountains and the culture that supports it. Since these day trips are all within 90 minutes of Blue Ridge, broadening your experience is easily accessible and well worth it! Start crafting your itinerary by first reserving your luxury cabin with Cabin Rentals of Georgia. We'll see you here! |  The Memories We all had such a great time! What a fantastic view of the mountains and the river!! Thank you for giving us such a memorable stay. Everything was just perfect. It was a home away from home. We just couldn't stop taking pictures. Thanks once again, we will... We all had such a great time! What a fantastic view of the mountains and the river!! Thank you for giving us such a memorable stay. Everything was just perfect. It was a home away from home. We just couldn't stop taking pictures. Thanks once again, we will recomend your place to all family and friends. What an awesome cabin and time we had here at Serendipity. This is the third year that we have come up here to Blue Ridge and I must say this cabin has been the best one as of yet!! Two Thumbs UP!! We will definitely keep this cabin at the top of our list.... What an awesome cabin and time we had here at Serendipity. This is the third year that we have come up here to Blue Ridge and I must say this cabin has been the best one as of yet!! Two Thumbs UP!! We will definitely keep this cabin at the top of our list. "The Cabin Crew", Orlando FL |
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