Navigation
so much to do
Things to Do in Georgia's Blue Ridge
- Home
- Things to Do
Things to Do
Ride the train, explore mountain towns and countryside, hike, fish, go rafting – or simply relax. Find the best activities and attractions in Blue Ridge.
Renew your spirit on a day hiking to local waterfalls or horseback riding on forested trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Discover the thrill of an Ocoee River whitewater rafting adventure, ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway or treetop canopy adventure. Rent a pontoon boat, kayak or SUP on beautiful Lake Blue Ridge. Pick locally grown fruit at Mercier Orchards, a 65 year old family orchard. Play a round of golf at Old Toccoa Farm, Fannin County’s first and only golf course that fronts 4,000+ feet of the Toccoa River. Catch a trout on the tailwaters of the Toccoa River or a clear mountain stream; Blue Ridge is the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia.
Find Your Fun
Find fun ideas for special groups and gatherings. Whether you have one day or a week to spend in Georgia’s Blue Ridge, you’ll find yourself surrounded by water, forests, quaint small towns and beautiful scenery.
Here are some great ways to make the most of your visit from mountain views, to parks, to family adventure, and everything in between. Itineraries
Top 20 Things to Do in Blue Ridge
All Things to Do
More to Explore
Upcoming Events in the Area Find the latest events coming up in Blue Ridge, Georgia. We have festivals and events for all seasons, so there's always something fun happening here!
Surround yourself with beauty, relaxation, and natural fun. Georgia's Blue Ridge is only 90 miles north of Atlanta, but a million miles away from it all.
Local food is an essential part of the trip when you visit Georgia's Blue Ridge.
Planning a trip to the Georgia mountains? Check out our self guided tour maps of special places and experiences in the area. Events
Where to Stay
Food & Drink
Plan Your Trip
Cookies Policy
This website uses cookies to optimize your visitor experience. Learn More
Quick Search
Location Map
Here are some great ways to make the most of your visit from mountain views, to parks, to family adventure, and everything in between. Wake up to cool, crisp
mornings with a cup of coffee on the porch. After a day of fun and adventure, finish the day in the same spot enjoying a glorious mountain sunset with a glass of wine or sweet iced tea. You may never want to leave the porch, but don’t miss out on the fun of exploring the Georgia mountains. Winter, summer, spring and fall, Georgia’s Blue Ridge is simply beautiful. Winter is the quiet season, with occasional snow. Spring is best for trout fishing,
wildflowers, blooming dogwoods and native azaleas. Summer brings a profusion of mountain laurel and rhododendron blossoms, along with warmer water for tubing & rafting. Blue Ridge is the perfect place to experience the brilliant colors of fall, or to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. Download one of our Scenic Driving Tours here. Blue Ridge
was once considered an elite health resort because of its pure mineral waters. It was established as a railroad town, with the depot at its heart. Visitors would ride the train to town, eat dinner and take a leisurely walk to the mineral springs after dinner. Today, visitors still ride the train and take a walk along Main Street, enjoying the antique and specialty shops, galleries, restaurants, small town atmosphere and friendly people. First time visitors are amazed at the number and quality of
shops and restaurants in downtown Blue Ridge. Download the Blue Ridge Historic Walking Tour here. A river runs through the quaint town of McCaysville, twin city with Copperhill, Tennessee. Stand in both states at one time at the Blue Line, which marks the spot where Georgia ends and
Tennessee begins. Here the Toccoa River becomes the Ocoee River, flowing northward into Tennessee. Download the Copper Basin Historic Discovery Tour. Local food is an essential part of the trip when you visit Georgia’s Blue Ridge. Add five local breweries and two wineries to the mix and you’ve got a pretty eclectic dining experience in a small town
setting. Read our restaurant guide here. Blue Ridge has an artsy vibe, with a vibrant arts scene, galleries, live music and great community theater to sweeten your Blue Ridge experience. Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway along the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville. Board the train at the historic depot in Blue Ridge. The view changes
with the seasons. Special trips are planned throughout the year like the Firecracker Special and the Santa Express trips. Open mid March through December. Call 1-800-934-1898 or visit www.brscenic.com. Two of the greatest outdoor adventures in the world begin in Fannin County. Both the Appalachian and Benton MacKaye Trails start at the top of Springer Mountain.
There are over 300 miles of hiking trails in the area, including short trails suitable for beginning hikers and families. Download our hiking guide here. There are 16 waterfalls within a short drive of Blue Ridge on our self-guided waterfall map guide which you can download on blueridgemountains.com.
Download the waterfall map The most popular family pastime in the summer is probably tubing the clear, chilly Toccoa River either above the Lake Blue Ridge dam on Aska Road or below in McCaysville. But there are lots of ways to enjoy our rivers, streams and lakes, including rafting, canoeing, kayaking,
pontooning and paddle boarding. Click here for a list of rafting and tubing rental companies and guides.Top 20 Things to Do in Blue Ridge
1. Get away completely
2. Beautiful mountain scenery
3. The town of Blue Ridge
4. McCaysville & the Copper Basin
5. Fine dining & fun dining
6. Blue Ridge's artsy vibe
7. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
8. Hiking & outdoor adventures
9. Waterfalls
10. Playing in the water
11. Parks & recreation areas
The best waterparks are those created by nature, and there are plenty of options in the Blue Ridge Area, including:
- Lake Blue Ridge Dam Recreation Area is located beside the dam, with picnic tables and fishing platform.
- TVA Canoe/Kayak Put-in below the dam on the Toccoa River.
- Tammen Park on the Toccoa River in Blue Ridge has picnic pavilions, canoe/kayak launch and fishing platform.
- Lake Blue Ridge Dayuse Area on Aska Road is a passive park with lake access, a boat launch and hiking trail.
- Sandy Bottoms Canoe Launch Shallowford Bridge area on Old Dial Road.
- Fannin County Park on Hwy 5 has picnic areas, ball fields, bike and walking trails and a community center.
- Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville has picnic pavilions, playground and access to the Toccoa River for fishing and wading.
- McCaysville City Park is a river park in town with playground, picnic tables, boat launch and new fitness park.
Find a complete listing here.
12. Fish the Trout Capital of Georgia
Fannin County is the Trout Capital of Georgia. There are over 100 miles of great trout fishing rivers, creeks and streams in the area, including Jack's River, Conasauga River, Toccoa River, Rock Creek, Noontootla Creek and Cooper Creek.
Find out more about fishing in Blue Ridge here.
13. Mercier Orchards
Visit Mercier Orchards, largest orchard in the south, located on Highway 5 just outside Blue Ridge. Pick apples off the tree, buy fresh apple cider and the best fried apple pies – a true farm to table experience. Treat the family to a farm tractor tour and u-pick strawberries, blueberries and apples in season. The new tasting room features homemade hard cider from the freshest Mercier grown fruit. Also don't miss Cider House Orchards in McCaysville, an old fashioned apple orchard and fruit market with u-pick apples and more.
14. Wine & brew tours
The North Georgia Mountains are known for the beauty and quality of our farm wineries, not to mention the great taste of Georgia’s mountain wines. A more recent addition are Blue Ridge and the Copper Basin's five outstanding craft breweries, recognized among the best in Georgia. Taste our wines and brews right where they are made, or in tasting rooms, local pubs and restaurants.
Check out our wine and brew tour here.
15. Horseback riding
Our riding stables specialize in family trail rides for kids of almost all ages. Open year round with seasonal hayrides and evening wagon rides with campfire dinners. Call for reservations and to book special group events.
For a list of riding stables click here.
16. Golf at Old Toccoa Farms
Old Toccoa Farm, Blue Ridge's Bunker Hill-designed course is a par 72, links-feel course totaling 6,707 beautiful yards. The course winds through 125 acres of ridges and meadows, featuring over 280 feet of elevation change with spectacular views of the Chattahoochee and Cherokee National Forests and surrounding valleys. Find out more here.
17. Festivals
Georgia’s mountain towns are well known for the number and quality of festivals in the fall: the Marble Festival in Jasper, Bear on the Square in Dahlonega, Apple Festival in Ellijay and Sorghum Festival in Blairsville, just to name a few. But there are many more festivals and celebrations to enjoy in the mountains all year long.
Find out more about our annual festivals and events here.
18. Family fun & adventure
Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Hike on the Appalachian Trail. Go gem mining or geocaching for treasures. Enjoy an escape room adventure! Pick apples at Mercier Orchards. View Blue Ridge and The Copper Basin from the sky on a Blue Ridge Helicopter Tour. Go tubing or rafting. Check out our interesting little downtowns in Blue Ridge and McCaysville, jump into outdoor adventures in the National Forests, lakes and rivers that surround us... take the family on adventures they will never forget. Here are some downloads for family fun:
- 25 Fun Things to Do with Kids
- Family Fun Adventure Game
- Trout Art Trail name finder game
19. Scenic drives
Explore the Blue Ridge mountains and countryside with one of our Scenic Driving Tours by clicking here: Scenic Driving Tours. Drives range from ½ day to full day trips with lots of mountain scenery and attractions along the way.
20. Nearby attractions
Within a one hour drive of Georgia’s Blue Ridge there are so many things to discover … here are just a few:
- The Tennessee Overhill including the Ducktown Basin Museum, Ocoee Whitewater Center, Ocoee Scenic Byway, and Hiwassee Rail Adventures in Etowah.
- North Carolina - Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino in Murphy and John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.
- Fort Mountain State Park – near Ellijay, GA
- Amicalola State Park – near Dawsonville, GA
- Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site – Dahlonega
- North Georgia Wildlife Park & Zoo – Cleveland
- Helen Alpine Village
- Brasstown Bald
- Vogel State Park
- Blairsville Farmer’s Market