Here are some suggestions for what to do, where to eat, and how to enjoy Blue Ridge April 19-21, 2024
This digital Field Guide will answer a lot of your questions and hopefully point you in the right direction
FRIDAY:
Getting here: if you are flying in to ATL, rent a car and drive North for 90 minutes. I’ll be waiting for you on the porch with a refreshing beverage.
Friday at 5pm: cocktails and snacks at the cabin & cottage. We’ll have a few signature drinks on the porch of my new place. I’ve only been in since the start of the year so it’s still very much a work in progress, but it’s a magical cabin in the woods a few minutes from downtown. Figured it was the perfect time to have a little housewarming with y’all.
Address: 219 Forest Cres, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Parking: try and carpool. There is lots of space in my driveway, so just pull on in. Also, along the street is cool but make sure there’s plenty of access for cars to get by. And my neighbor to the left (address is 177) said fine to park in her circular drive.
Friday dinner: We have some fantastic places all within walking distance of the inn. Make a reservation well ahead of time to be sure you get a table around 7pm. Fanciest/nicest place is Grace. A bit more moderate but still really good are Roe, General Ledger, Black Sheep, Ferraro, Harvest on Main and Whiskey & Water.
Make your reservation now; they will be fully booked soon.
Alternately, feel free to hang at my place around the firepit and enjoy the stars in the night sky. We’ll have plenty of appetizers, charcuterie, chips & dips and drinks, so if that’s all you need, then great. But I also don’t want you to miss out on a restaurant dinner since we have some nice places in town.
SATURDAY
So many fun adventures to choose from.
One great 4-5 hour sojourn is to drive down to Ellijay and hike Amicolola Falls. After you’ve burnt some calories stop at an apple orchard nearby (BJ Reece is a good one) and have some fresh baked pies or doughnuts. There are lots of good wineries near there, as well. I recommend: Ott, Chateau Meichtry and Buckley or on the other side Ellijay is the brand new Roo, which is in a league of its own (but we’ll be gathering there on Sunday, as well). Stop at Black Bear Antiques or Southern Flare (which backs onto the Cartecay River) to browse and shop.
Another fun few hours in Ellijay is the Cartecay River Loop Trail. It’s a beautiful, not too difficult walk through a forest, meadow, along the river and up through the pine forest. Really beautiful. Do this hike instead of Amicolola and follow it up with a trip to a winery.
If you want to go horseback riding, there are some great stables nearby. Check out our Local Recommendations page for links to Appalachian Trail Rides and Cowgirl Up Stables.
If fly-fishing is your thing, you’ve definitely come to the right place. We are the trout fishing capital of Georgia. Check out Fly Fishing North Georgia at this link.
The Ocoee River is a 20 minute drive north into Tennessee. In the summertime, the white water rafting is unequaled and one of the best ways you can spend a warm day. The rest of the year, it is still wildly beautiful with hiking trails and picnic spots along the river to enjoy the view.
If you just need to chill at a spa, I highly recommend Serenity Spa. Get a facial or a massage, enjoy the steam room and salt cave. I’ve heard tell that folks come from as far away as Atlanta, GA and Chattanooga, TN to enjoy their services. Or Teatree Spa is walkable from the inn and offers a discount for guests.
If you want to explore our quaint Main Street and downtown, you can spend a few hours strolling and browsing the stores just outside the inn. Always good to stop in at Vertigo Pinball to have a pint and play a few games. I also really like both Oar and Canoe for great gifts. Chocolate Express (great fudge and truffles) will give you 15% off if you show them your room key. Great outfitters, record store, home stuff, clothes, etc. Lots are listed here on our Local Recommendations page.
If you want to check out some really great wines in a stunning vineyard and have a great lunch, I highly recommend driving to Young Harris and checking out Crane Creek Vineyards. The award winning Hellbender is fantastic and the food at Paris & Co. is delicious. You can also snack there with your wine and the beautiful view and then drive a little further into North Carolina for lunch at Nocturnal Brewery. More info here.
You can also rent a pontoon boat and enjoy the lake with the views of the surrounding mountains. The Boat Dock Bar & Grill (a sunny spot for shady people) is one of my favorite places to sit with a beer and a quesadilla to soak in the views.
SATURDAY EVENING
We’re gathering at 6pm for cocktails and dinner at the Blue Ridge Inn’s new event garden. Dress is casual, but foxy. Dinner around 7pm.
Address: 477 W. First St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Park across the street from the inn in the city hall parking lot, or behind the inn in the big lot.
The garden is gravel, so make wise choices when selecting shoes.
SUNDAY MORNING
Join us at the inn for breakfast. Not necessarily our normal fancy-pants plated courses, but we’re making some of our greatest hits for you to try, buffet style. 9:30-11am.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
If your flight is a little later, if you’re staying till Monday or if you can spare a little time before you return home, we’ll be gathering at Roo Mountain Vineyards in Ellijay for some laughs.
Address: 1497 Old Flat Branch Rd, Ellijay, GA 30540
MONDAY
As an awesome added bonus, Dan Burton’s band Early Day Miners will be playing a gig at the Earl in Atlanta Monday night. If you want to join us, please do. Should be a good time.
Address: 488 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
I'm so dang happy that you're coming to Blue Ridge and can't wait to see you.
Here are the playlists I've been curating (for over a decade) for the weekend:
