The 20 Best Things to do in Blue Ridge, GA for First Timers

If you're planning to take a trip to Blue Ridge Georgia, there are some amazing things to do in the area. If this is your first time visiting Blue Ridge, it's good to start planning your itinerary early to maximize your enjoyment of the city and everything that it has to offer. It's located in the Northern part of the state with breathtaking views and plenty of recreational opportunities. To help you plan your trip, here are the 20 best things to do in Blue Ridge.

20. Go for a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

The train depot at Blue Ridge is a historic place in the city. Here you can arrange for a special trip aboard from March throughout December to get an excellent view of the breathtaking scenery. The trees and their leaves change throughout the four seasons so there isn't a bad time to go. The trip will take you along the Toccoa River with spectacular views of the mountains, natural surroundings, and wildlife. The trip starts at Blue Ridge and concludes in McCaysville.

19. Browse through an art exhibit

The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association puts on a variety of art exhibits and shows throughout the summer months. This is a place where local artists are invited to gather together and show off their handiwork. There are always lots of fun things to do at these invents. Some artists perform live demonstrations so you can watch their masterpieces come to life. There is also fun and games and cool things for the kids to do and vendors are there with delicious food offerings to make the day complete. Blue Ridge has a reputation for being one of the top 5 towns in the state for its impressive array of art exhibitions.

18. Hike to a waterfall

There are several spectacular waterfalls in Blue Ridge. If you're a fan of nature and you enjoy hiking this would be the perfect afternoon. There are three popular waterfalls to choose from including the Amicalola Falls, Long Creek Falls, and Falls Branch Falls. This is fun and enjoyable for the entire family. You can pack a lunch and be sure that you bring your camera along because you'll also see some amazing views and you might even catch sight of some of the local wildlife.

17. Get in on the Amazing trout fishing

If you enjoy fishing for trout, you must know when in Blue Ridge, you're in the State's trout capital. Fannin County is known for the best trout sighing in the state and the area provides over 100 miles of superb streams, creeks, and rivers that are teeming with trout. The Toccoa River is nearby and you're also near Jack's River, the Conasauga River, Coper Creek, Noontootla Creek, and Rock Creek which are also excellent locations.

16. Schedule a mountain trail ride on horseback

Blue Ridge offers some great riding trails. Even if you've never ridden horseback before some top-rated outfitters are happy to take you on guided riding tours through the terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the surrounding area of Blue Ridge. Just a few of the options include evening wagon rides with campfire dinners or seasonal hayrides. You'll be able to see some truly amazing places with knowledgeable guides. you need to call ahead for reservations, but this could be the excursion of a lifetime.

15. Go rafting on the Toccoa River

The Toccoa River is a popular destination for float tubers and river rafters. Several companies offer guided floats of the river, or you can rent the equipment if you prefer to go it on your own. Blue Ridge is filled with numerous rivers, lakes, and streams that are ideal for pontooning, paddle boarding, canoeing, float tubing, and rafting. If you and your family are into water sports this is just one more fun thing that you can do when you're in Blue Ridge.

14. Take a family hike on the Appalachian Trail

One of the most popular activities for visitors and locals is hiking in the Appalachian Trail. There are tons of maps available so you can plot your hikes in the more than 100,000 acres of maintained hiking trails, or you can hire a guide to take you to some breathtakingly scenic locations. We recommend taking your camera along because there are so many beautiful views at the lookout points.

13. Take a mountain scenic drive tour

Drivers are standing by to book you for an exploration driving tour of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. This is a popular tourist activity in the region and there are plenty of guides standing by to take you on a trip that features some of the best mountain scenery in the area and they also point out the most notable attractions on the journey. You can book a half-day trip or a full day where you stop to grab a bit to eat and some of the best eateries in the area.

12. Catch a seasonal festival

Blue Ridge and the surrounding communities take care of their visitors in style. There are a lot of different seasonal festivals planned throughout the year. Tourists and locals enjoy the variety of things to do at the various events that take place throughout the year. Look at the schedule of events to find out what's happening in the area around the time of your stay there so you don't miss out on all of the fun and entertainment while you're there.

11. Take a wine tour

Another fun and entertaining thing to do, for adults, of course, is to tour the local wineries. There are a lot of them. You can book a wine tour in advance of your departure to sample the amazing wines that the region has to offer. You can plan a variety of tours that last from a few hours to a few days. You can also pick up a few mementos of your trip and take home a couple of bottles of your favorites. Some of the wine tours also offer free entertainment for guests and there are also tasting events that come with cheese and other tasty tidbits.

10. Go on a tour of the local breweries

If you're into craft beer then Blue Ridge, Georgia is the place to be. There are some great breweries in town and in the surrounding smaller towns that make their brand of craft beer. Blue Ridge has three of them available locally. These are highly esteemed establishments and you can also find the brews in some of the local restaurants and pubs. You never know. You may just find your new favorite brew while you're in town.

9. Eat at AngelFire7 BBQ

While you're in Blue Ride you'll want to check out some of the best places to eat. We recommend giving AngleFire7 BBQ a try. This traveling caravan of delight is on wheels but don't let that put you off. It's a catering truck that you're likely to see parked at some of the town's most attended events. If you're a fan of southern BBQ then this is one that you won't want to pass up. We must issue a word of warning though. Some of the sauces can be extremely hot, so you need to ask in advance just how hot it is. You can order up some milder versions, but if you're into eating hot spicy barbecue then you'll be in heaven at this BBQ truck.

8.Tour the Blue Ridge Dam

The Blue Ridge Dam is located in a scenic part of Blue Ridge. The best time to visit is during the time of day when the engineers are releasing water into the river below. This reduces the level of the reservoir. Tours of the dam are available that take you through the inner workings of the dam with explanations of how the locks operate and how the dam is used to generate electricity for the entire area. This is a fascinating tour for budding engineers who take an interest in hydrology.

7. Shop at the Blue Ridge Antique Mall and Consignment Inc.

If you're an avid enthusiast of all things old and antiques then you must visit the Blue Ridge Antique Mall and Consignment Inc. This is a unique locale that offers a variety of different antiques to choose from. You never know what they're going to have available. They also sell quality antique items on consignment.

6. Tour the Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company

The Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company is a great place to shop if you're looking for flavored olive oils and other cooking ingredients. Here you'll find a variety of different kinds of olive oils as well as flavored salts, dark and white balsamic kinds of vinegar, and more. They also sell herb mixes and bread dips that are out of this world with flavor.

5. Go to the Lake Blue Ridge Marina

Lake Blue Ridge Marina is the place to go when you want to get away from it all. The Marina offers pontoon boat rentals, petrol services, and a mercantile where you can buy all the supplies that you need for a wonderful day on the water. This is a full-service marina that also offers a variety of different gear for rent to make your getaway perfect. If you have your boat with you, there is a lunch for you to use as well.

4. Experience the Zip Line Tour

Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge is one of the most highly rated zipline companies in the country. The company owns 165 acres which are dedicated to the 6,000 feet of cable lines so you can zip around form more than a mile to get a full aerial view of Blue Ridge and the surrounding landscape.

3. Take a Pedego Blue Ridge Tour

This is a tour that gives you a range of fun and exciting ways to tour the area. Pedego offers both guided tours and rentals. You can choose from Segway Personal Transporters and Ninebot Scooters, Hoverboards, Pedego Electric Bikes, Cricket E-Golf Carts that start at $30 per hour. They also rent trail bikes and cruising bikes for your convenience. This is one of the best ways to become familiar with Blue Ridge and the surrounding area. A tour guide can point out all of the best attractions or you can rent a vehicle and go it on your own. The choice is yours!

2. Catch a Flick at Swan Drive-In

The old fashioned drive-in movie theaters are still in style in Blue Ridge, Georgia. You can drive your vehicle in and take the entire family for a low price. Bring your food and lawn chairs and catch a double feature. This is a modern drive-in theater that brings back the nostalgic feeling of a drive-in. They're getting hard to find these days.

1. Spend a day at the Lily Pad Village

The Lily Pad Village in Blue Ridge is the place to be for all kinds of family fun and recreation. They offer a variety of different arcade games and more. You can also play a few rounds of miniature golf, then enjoy a snack and beverage when you're done.