Blue Ridge, from the cabin

North Georgia wine country runs along the ridges south of Blue Ridge. Bear Claw is the easy afternoon: ten minutes away, live music most Saturdays, and a patio that catches the late light. Roo Mountain is quieter and higher up. Chateau Meichtry is the longer drive toward Talking Rock, worth it for the grounds and weekend events.

Most tasting rooms close by early evening, so go after lunch and be back at the cabin for the fire pit.

Grumpy Old Men Brewing is the neighborhood brewery, five minutes from the cabin with a taproom that leans toward conversation and weekend music. Downtown has a couple more taprooms and a growing restaurant scene along East Main.

Mercier Orchards is the biggest apple orchard in the region, with a bakery, a cider tasting room and u-pick in season. Weekend lines for fried pies start early; a weekday morning is the move.

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway leaves from the depot downtown and follows the Toccoa River to McCaysville, with time to walk across the Georgia–Tennessee line for lunch before the ride back. Holiday trains run late in the year and sell out, so book ahead.

In summer the Toccoa River is for tubing and kayaking; several outfitters will shuttle you upstream and let you float back. Spring and fall are for trout. The Chattahoochee National Forest surrounds Blue Ridge with trails for every pace, from short waterfall walks to a stretch of the Benton MacKaye Trail.

Ask us for current trail conditions and the drive time to the trailhead you want.

Downtown Blue Ridge is a few blocks of shops, galleries and restaurants around the depot. Dinner reservations help on weekends in leaf season. The Swan Drive-In has been showing movies under the stars since 1955 and still runs double features on weekends; bring blankets and cash for concessions.