Break Routine with a Spring Getaway to Blue Ridge, Georgia

BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA—MARCH 2024—Have an unforgettable family getaway in Blue Ridge, Georgia, a charming North Georgia mountain town about 90 minutes north of Atlanta via I-575. From fresh air and scenic views to train rides, great dining and relaxing places to stay, this chic and casual vacation spot destination spring break for families looking to get away and get outside. It was named by Southern Living Magazine as one of the “South’s Best Mountain Towns, 2021 and 2022.” 

Check out this bucket list of top picks for spring break outings with the family:

1. Take a scenic drive on Aska Road for beautiful views of the Toccoa River Rapids. Cross the historic Shallowford Bridge over the Toccoa to Sandy Bottoms Canoe Launch, for an up-close view of the river. It’s the perfect place for a family picnic. Check out this link to driving tours.
2. Hike to Fall Branch Falls, where the upper portion is a series of cascades that lead to a single major drop of some 30 feet, with the water plunging into a deep pool at the base of the falls.
3. Go horseback riding at Blue Ridge Mountain Trail Rides (319 Hell’s Hollow Road). Also onsite, kids will love fishing in the pond, gem mining and wandering the nature trail.
4. Connect with nature in a wild way. Hike Project Chimps, the newest chimpanzee sanctuary in the United States, providing lifelong care to 200 former research chimpanzees living on more than 230 acres of forested land. There are several trails to choose from, including the kid-friendly Nature Trail with 24 interpretive educational signs. The organization also offers special events as well as private parties and group tours by request.
5. Catch a movie the old-fashioned way at the Swan Drive-In (651 Summit Street), one of Georgia’s four remaining drive-ins. Established in 1955, the Swan Drive-in features a full concession stand, including funnel cakes and fried Oreos.
6. Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (241 Depot Street) and chugga-chug down the 13-miles of rails comprising the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. The 45-minute (each way) excursion is a generation-bonding adventure that starts at the historic 1905 depot in Downtown. Vintage climate-controlled and open-air rail cars wind alongside the Toccoa River, with a stop in the twin border towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. Copperhill/McCaysville is one town with two names because it is split by the GA/TN state line. Here, visitors have a two-hour layover with plenty of time to eat lunch, shop for unique crafts and antiques, snack on ice cream or walk around.
7. Bike the trails.  That’s right—you can ride the rails via train or bike them via railbikes, March through November! Embark on a new and exciting journey through the Blue Ridge Countryside aboard a custom-built, four-person electric railbike. Sit back and explore as you leisurely pedal your motor-assisted railbike through the foothills of North Georgia. Leave the depot in historic downtown Blue Ridge and begin a 11-mile round-trip adventure as you meander alongside streams, vineyards and the tall, swaying Georgia pines. Halfway through your trip, your friendly guide will pause the tour to allow you to snap some photos of the local flora and fauna.
8. Mine for gems, go fishing, take a hike or play a round of mini-golf, all at Blue Ridge’s destination for family fun–The Lilly Pad Village. Pets are welcome, too.
9. Take a farm tour of Mercier Orchards (8660 Blue Ridge Drive), a family- and veteran-owned and operated apple orchard. Founded in 1943 by Bill and Adele Mercier, the business is now enjoying four generations and more than 80 years of fruitful harvest. In the spirit of celebration, Mercier Orchards holds special events throughout the year. Reward your senses with bushels of apples, strawberries and other produce, fresh pressed cider, warm fried pies and memories. The onsite store serves up a variety of farm toys, pet items, kitchen paraphernalia, home decor and is host to a meat and cheese shop. Visit the tasting room, offering hard ciders and wines, including locally produced varieties.
10. Track the Trout The Trout Art Trail Name Finder Game is a fun treasure hunt to discover the colorful trout statues placed around town. Visit each, fill in the fish names after printing the worksheet, and take it to the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center for a prize.  (152 Orvin Lance Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, right behind CVS Pharmacy across from Ingles on Highway 515. 706-632-5680 1-800-899-MTNS (6867) This adventure is also available as a challenge on the app – check in at each location, receive a badge upon completion, and claim your prize at the Welcome Center. Some of the hiking on the Fannin County Trout Adventure Trail is best for the fit and active. Visit this link the Blue Ridge Blog for tips on hiking with kids.
11. Take the kids to Huck’s General Store (500 E Main Street). Step back in time with an authentic general store experience in downtown Blue Ridge, complete with barrels of candy from yesteryear.
12. For indoor fun check out 2^nd Story Entertainment (733 East Main Street, Suite C) where 18 holes of mini-golf, giant checkers and connect four, dart boards, air hocky and more provide the ultimate family game day. Nearby, try Vertigo Pinball (500 East Main Street, Suite 206) where you can challenge the family to a nostalgic match while enjoying unique eats and craft beer.
13. For more fun things to do with kids, visit the Blue Ridge blog post:  https://www.blueridgemountains.com/blog/30-fun-things-to-do-with-kids/  

Where to Eat

1. Whether the family is taking the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway or driving to McCaysville, Burra Burra on the River is not to be missed.  Enjoy dining on the deck by the Toccoa River for lunch or dinner with classic American food, beer and wine. (100 Blue Ridge Drive, McCaysville, Georgia)
2. Carroll’s Barbeque serves everything a family loves, from smoked chicken, pork and beef to soups and salads, with Southern desserts like cobbler and banana pudding. (39 Lance Street, Suite 1 Blue Ridge)
3. Iron Bridge General Store and Café (8436 Aska Road) delights with a family-friendly breakfast, lunch and dinner, including favorites from pancakes to burgers and pizza, all alongside views of the sweeping Toccoa River and more than 100-year-old Shallowford Bridge.
4. Cucinella’s Pizzeria: A family tradition since 1932 serving brick oven pizzas with a wide variety of toppings along with specialty pizzas like Calzone, Margherita, Veggie Lovers, Spinach and more. Gluten-free cauliflower crust is also available. (322 West Main Street, Unit 1C)
5. For sweet treats, try Bob’s Eatery (511 East Main Street) known for their variety of shakes like Graham Me S’More and Banana Nutella, Three Sisters Fudge (662 East Main Street) with fine fudge made on-site, The Chocolate Express (634 East Main Street) tempting with hand-dipped chooclates, ice cream and sugar-free candies along with other sweet-tooth curing delights, or The Sweet Shoppe of the South (721 East Main Street), winner of Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars,” with their gourmet cupcakes, specialty caramel apples, truffles, cake pops, chocolate dipped bananas, grapes, strawberries, blueberries and cherries.

Don’t Miss!

Escape Blue Ridge (644 East Main St.): Bring video games to life with Blue Ridge’s exclusive physical adventure game, where groups come together to solve a puzzle in a limited amount of time.

If you go

Find links to rental companies for mountain cabins with lake-views and room for up to 20 (hot tub included!) at www.BlueRidgeMountains.com.