Situated in the northeast corner of Georgia, the City of Blue Ridge is named after the southern stretch of the Appalachian Mountains known as the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains. Home to two national parks — the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Shenandoah National Park — the region is absolutely perfect for trekking off the beaten path.
For those looking for an unforgettable getaway, Blue Ridge is one of the most delightful towns to visit in Georgia for a small-town vacation. And although the city only spans about 2.2 square miles, it's certainly not lacking in adventure or splendor. Featuring once-in-a-lifetime views, the city offers visitors much to explore, from its stunning mountain peaks and sprawling lake to its charming downtown district and wondrous hiking trails.
Top Things To Do In Blue Ridge, Georgia
Undeniably one of the most scenic towns to visit in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains, here are some of the most exciting things to do in this natural gem.
1 Explore The Downtown Area
Featuring art galleries, restaurants, breweries, and unique shops like Hucks General Store and Gather, there is a variety of things to do in Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia.
Spend an afternoon strolling down Main Street, and be sure to snap pictures at the Blue Ridge Mural (situated on the corner of Mountain and East First Street) or the Bear Statue (which is located at the entrance of the Blue Ridge Mountain Mall).
The downtown area also regularly holds festivals and other events, so be sure to check out the lineup for more fun activities.
2 Tour The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Located on West Main Street, this center hosts more than 35 exhibits and events each year all dedicated to the arts. Highlights from the 2023 exhibit schedule include Festival: Fall Arts in the Park, a Holiday Show, and much more.
- Address: 420 W Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Hours: Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm
3 Take A Ride On The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
While in the downtown area, be sure to stop by this historic train depot, which is one of the most scenic things to do in Blue Ridge. Hop aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway for a picturesque 26-mile trip through the breathtaking Appalachian foothills of North Georgia.
- Address: 241 Depot St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Availability: Visit the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway's website for ticket prices and train schedules
The train ride includes a two-hour layover in two nearby towns, McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, for a chance to explore more of the area.
4 Visit The Sasquatch Museum
Dubbed the "world's largest bigfoot museum," the Expedition: Bigfoot! The Sasquatch Museum offers life-size and interactive exhibits, including footprint casts, a theater, a research and tech vehicle, and much more.
- Address: 1934 GA-515, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry is at 4:30 pm)
- Cost: $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 5 to 12
5 Seek Thrills At Blue Ridge Adventure Park
For an afternoon of fun, tackle this amusement park's aerial challenge course for an adrenaline-pumping time maneuvering through the various obstacles, which features three different levels of suspended bridges and tight ropes varying in height from 15 to 50 feet in the air.
- Address: 2087 E 1st St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Hours: Visit Blue Ridge Adventure Park's website to book the course
- Cost: $54.99 for adults and $44.99 for children (for 1.5 hours)
The adventure park also offers zipline canopy tours in a separate location. Visit the website to learn more.
6 Go Whitewater Rafting On The Ocoee River
Another fantastic option made courtesy of the Ocoee Rafting company is to tackle the Ocoee River. Nestled in the Cherokee National Forest, go whitewater rafting down the rushing river, which runs through a gorge and features more than twenty exhilarating continuous rapids.
- Address: 891 Old Cashes Valley Road, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
7 See A Film At The Swan Drive In
Photo by Matt Benson on Unsplash
For an evening of entertainment, enjoy movie night at this drive-in theater. Founded in 1955, the theater is only one of four of its kind in the entire state that are still currently operating.
- Address: 651 Summit St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Hours: Visit the website for showtimes
The drive-in theater asks that no outside food or drinks be brought in; however, there is a concession stand available serving funnel cakes, popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, soft pretzels, candy, and more.
8 Embark On A Hike To Long Creek Falls
See a stunning Georgia waterfall with a hike to Long Creek Falls, an easy to moderate 1.9-mile out-and-back trail that can be accessed via a scenic five-mile gravel road.
Along the drive, see stunning views of nearby creeks like Chester Creek and the surrounding lush landscapes. And, check out this map for more waterfalls to explore in the area.
For a shorter trail, go hiking along the Mineral Springs Nature Trail, which features an easy 0.5-mile out-and-back trail that can be completed in about 10 minutes.
9 Explore Blue Ridge Lake
From boating and kayaking to canoeing and even swimming, Blue Ridge's 3,290-acre mountain lake is a picture-perfect bucket list destination. Offering incredible views of the surrounding mountains, the lake features a campground, picnic areas, nearby cabin rentals, and much more.
There are several boat and kayak rental services in the area, including Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking and Lake Blue Ridge Marina Rentals.
10 See The Views From The Toccoa Swinging Bridge
Take a walk on the wild side with a stroll across the 270-foot-long suspension bridge over the Toccoa River. Although the drive up to the trailhead is a bit steep, the 0.8-mile out-and-back hike to the Toccoa Swinging Bridge is relatively easy and will take visitors about 20 minutes to complete. And, for extra thrill, visitors can also go tubing along the rushing Toccoa River.
- Address: Swinging Bridge on the Toccoa River, Suches, GA 30572
11 Best Time To Visit
Blue Ridge, Georgia is absolutely stunning any time of year. For fewer crowds and more affordable accommodations, aim to visit the area in the winter. (Although, keep in mind that it does get incredibly cold in the mountain region.)
For more pleasing temperatures and to see the wondrous plant life in the area, visit in the spring when the tourism season picks up. The summer is also a great time, albeit warm and muggy.
However, for those keen on partaking in exciting water activities like kayaking, canoeing, and tubing, the cool waters should help offset the higher temperatures.
12 Best Ways To Get Around
Since the charming downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly, it's easy to explore the many shops and boutiques on foot.
However, with so much to see and explore outside of Blue Ridge, such as the Rich Mountain Wilderness, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, and even the lake, which is located about seven miles away, a car will definitely be needed.
13 Where To Eat
Breakfast
The Yellowphant Cafe
- Address: 3640 E 1st St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
BumbleBee's Cafe Blue Ridge
- Address: 5850 Appalachian Hwy, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Lunch Harvest On Main
- Address: 576 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Blue Jeans Pizza & Pasta
- Address: 140 Progress Cir #1, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Dinner
Black Sheep Restaurant
- Address: 480 W Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Southern Charm Restaurant
- Address: 224 W Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Drinks
Fightingtown Tavern
- Address: 511 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Chester Brunnenmeyer's Bar & Grill
- Address: 733 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
14 Where To Stay
Budget-Friendly Hotels
- Address: 30 Overview Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Amenities: Parking and complimentary breakfast
America's Best Value Inn Blue Ridge
- Address: 4970 Appalachian Highway, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Amenities: Outdoor pool and free parking
Mid-Tier Hotels
- Address: 83 Blue Ridge Overlook, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Amenities: Fitness center and free parking
Douglas Inn & Suites, Blue Ridge, Ga
- Address: 1192 Windy Ridge Road, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Amenities: Outdoor pool and complimentary breakfast
Upscale Hotels
Blue Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast
- Address: 477 W First St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Amenities: Breakfast, Mountain Mama’s Coffee Lounge, and Porch & Parlor Curiosity Shop
- Address: 50 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
- Amenities: Fitness center, bar/lounge, and restaurant
15 Tips To Know When Visiting
Blue Ridge is the perfect location for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the Georgia wilds. First-time visitors may want to make time to explore the surrounding natural wonders, such as the Rich Mountain Wilderness and the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.
Even more, nestled near both the Tennessee and South Carolina borders, Blue Ridge is also only located about 80 miles away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which offers free admission.
16 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Blue Ridge, Georgia
For the perfect 24 hours spent in Blue Ridge, start the morning off early by getting breakfast at a local eatery before exploring the quaint downtown district, and stop at the many shops and boutiques along the way. Depending on available train times, embark on a scenic ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which will take about four hours in total.
Once back in Blue Ridge, grab lunch at Harvest on Main before spending the rest of the day exploring the local wilderness: embark on a hike to Long Creek Falls, go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River, walk across the Toccoa Swinging Bridge, go kayaking on Blue Ridge Lake — the options are endless.
Round out the evening with dinner at the popular Black Sheep Restaurant for a thrilling day spent in this mountain town.