Serving as a gateway to the Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest, Blue Ridge is a picturesque mountain town near Georgia’s border with Tennessee. It was once inhabited by the Cherokee people before the arrival of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad in the 1880s. Today, Blue Ridge is known for its vibrant arts community and craft breweries.
Things to do in Blue Ridge
Occupying the historic Fannin County Courthouse is the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, which showcases artwork from regionally based creatives. It also hosts workshops in everything from ceramics to painting and photography, as well as two art-focused festivals each year. Directly across the railway tracks is Blue Ridge Park with its grassy lawns and children’s playground.
Travelling with kids? They’ll love spending a day at the Blue Ridge Adventure Park, which encompasses swinging rope bridges, thrilling zip lines and challenging climbing walls on the southern edge of town. Alternatively, head to Huck's Lost Mine and strike it lucky while finding rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Pirates and the Prohibition era serve as a backdrop to the problem-solving rooms at Escape Blue Ridge.
No visit to Blue Ridge is complete without riding its heritage railway, which follows the former route of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad. The two-hour journey takes you through scenic mountain villages along the banks of the Toccoa River en route to the town of McCaysville. Here, you’ll have a couple of hours to enjoy lunch and straddle the “Blue Line” that marks the border between Georgia and Tennessee.
Getting around Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Blue Ridge and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.