Southern Serenity Cabin

Fine dining, pizza, BBQ, Mexican, breakfast spots and more, including The Black Sheep, Harvest on Main, Fightingtown Tavern and Chester Brunnenmeyer's.

Downtown and East Ellijay spots from The Roof and Cantaberry to wood-fired pizza, BBQ and family diners.

Riverside restaurants in McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN, including Burra Burra on the River and Twisted Tomato.

Mountain Mama's is the anchor coffee stop in downtown Blue Ridge — an award-winning cafe that local guides consistently call the best in Georgia. Organic fair-trade coffee is roasted in-state, and the menu stretches from mushroom lattes and herbal teas to fresh pastries from folk Collaborative bakers in McCaysville. The in-house chef rotates seasonal scratch food with GF and vegan options. Open early every day, it fills fast on weekends, so plan accordingly.

Owned by a Bavarian native, Das Kaffee Haus brings authentic European coffee culture to East Main Street in Blue Ridge, and it has a second location in downtown Ellijay. Batdorf & Bronson beans from Marietta power espresso drinks ranging from classic cappuccinos to cold frappes, all paired with German-style muffins, cookies, and cakes baked off-site daily. The dog-friendly back deck overlooks the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway tracks, making it a perfect mid-morning stop with kids or a four-legged travel companion. Dairy alternatives — soy, coconut, almond — are always on hand.

One of downtown Blue Ridge's most distinctive spots, Copper Fox combines a curated independent bookstore with an upstairs co-working loft and a satellite Mountain Mama's coffee bar on the ground floor. Lattes, cold brews, teas, and locally sourced treats are served amid floor-to-ceiling shelves — a setup that draws remote workers, families browsing books, and locals hosting small events alike. Hours lean longer Thursday through Monday (open until 7 p.m.), making it a solid late-afternoon option when other cafes have closed.

The Yellowphant has built a loyal following for its community-driven vibe and menu that runs breakfast, brunch, and dinner with creative cocktails and a full espresso bar. The bright, casual interior and rotating specials make it a go-to for groups that want more than just coffee — acai-style bowls, specialty lattes, and small plates round out the experience. Hours are typically 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with Sunday brunch from 11 a.m., so it's a great morning-anchor for the day.

Mountain Town Coffee sits inside Hemlock Bazaar at 131 N Main St in downtown Ellijay, a shop that also sells books and records. It brews GA Mountain Coffee, the same coffee Ellijay knew from Ellijay Coffeehouse. Hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week, though coffee service may stop around 4 PM while the bookstore stays open.

The Sharp Sickle Ellijay is a coffee shop in downtown Ellijay whose sign reads "Jesus & Coffee." It is a short walk from Mountain Town Coffee and shares its name with Sharp Sickle shops in Rome, GA. The shop's website does not post hours or a menu, so check its page or Google listing before you drive over.

Two Walmart Supercenter locations serve the Blue Ridge area. The Ellijay location sits right on GA-515 — a natural stop on the drive up from Atlanta so you can arrive at the cabin already stocked. The Blue Ridge location is closer to the cabin if you'd rather check in first and make a quick run after settling in. Both carry a full selection of groceries, household supplies, and anything else you may have forgotten to pack.

Ingles is the go-to full-service grocery store for most Blue Ridge cabin guests. Open daily 6 AM–11 PM, it stocks everything from fresh produce and custom-cut meats to a full deli, bakery, floral department, and pharmacy. The in-store Starbucks makes it a one-stop morning run, and the butcher counter will cut steaks to order — a nice perk when you're planning a big cabin dinner.

Food Lion is the most convenient traditional supermarket for guests staying on the east or south end of the Blue Ridge area. Open daily 7 AM–11 PM, it covers all the basics: fresh produce, meats, deli counter, bakery, paper goods, and cleaning supplies. Pickup and delivery options are available if you want groceries waiting at the cabin before you arrive — just order a day ahead via the Food Lion app.

This small country store on Appalachian Highway specializes in Amish and Mennonite pantry staples you won't find at a chain grocery. Expect fresh-churned butter, heirloom jams, bread-and-butter pickles, aged cheeses, homemade peanut butter, and dried herbs and spices — plus health remedies, soaps, and baking supplies. Seasonal produce sourced from Mennonite farms in Benton rounds out the selection. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–3 PM.

Walk from the cabin: this trailhead is 0.6 miles from Southern Serenity, about a 15-minute walk. This point-to-point segment of the Benton MacKaye Trail (8a to 8d, 6.6 miles, intermediate) climbs a ridgeline from Bushy Head Gap to Fowler Mountain, passing Bear Den Mountain, which crosses a previously burned area, and then Hudson, McKenny, and Hatley Gaps. The views are wide, especially in winter. The trail gains 1,939 feet overall with a high point of 3,386 feet, and camping is available at several of the gaps. There is no vehicle access at Fowler Mountain, so plan an out-and-back day hike unless you arrange a pickup.

This 1.9-mile out-and-back trail follows the Appalachian and Benton MacKaye Trails through the lush Three Forks valley along Long Creek, a clear trout stream hemmed in by rhododendron and towering hemlocks. The payoff is Long Creek Falls, a two-tiered 50-foot cascade that drops into a calm blue pool — one of the most scenic waterfall destinations on the southern AT. Difficulty is moderate with a gentle elevation gain. Access is via a 5.3-mile drive on gravel Forest Road 58 to the Three Forks trailhead; high-clearance vehicles recommended.

A short 0.5-mile round-trip on the Benton MacKaye Trail leads to a gorgeous double-cascade waterfall framed by gnarly rhododendron branches and moss-covered boulders. The trail climbs steadily beside Fall Branch Creek, catching glimpses of smaller cascades before reaching a wooden observation deck with a face-on view of the 30-foot falls. Rated easy to moderate, it's one of the most family-friendly waterfall hikes near Blue Ridge. The free USFS trailhead sits off gravel Stanley Creek Road near Cherry Log.

A flat, 0.8-mile out-and-back on the Benton MacKaye Trail delivers you to the longest swinging suspension bridge east of the Mississippi — a 270-foot span that bounces with every step over the wide-flowing Toccoa River. Built in 1977 by the USDA Forest Service and the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, it's a must for families and kids. Cross the bridge and explore a small waterfall tucked in a hemlock grove on the opposite bank. An optional 2-mile extension climbs a forested ridge for solitude.

This 5.9-mile out-and-back (or 9.7-mile point-to-point with a shuttle) climbs through the Chattahoochee National Forest off Aska Road, ascending Davenport Mountain and briefly joining the Benton MacKaye Trail before summiting Rocky Mountain. The views from the ridgeline are among the best long-range panoramas in the Blue Ridge area — rolling forest in every direction. Rated moderate to challenging with 2,290 feet of elevation gain. Trailheads at Stanley Gap Road off Aska Road; a second car at Deep Gap allows the full point-to-point.

This easy 1-mile loop circles Lake Trahlyta in Vogel State Park, crossing a 1935 earthen dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A short spur leads to an observation deck below the spillway, and the view from the bridge looks toward Blood and Slaughter Mountains. The path is part natural surface and part paved, takes about an hour, and suits kids and a relaxed pace.

Long Branch Loop starts at the Shady Falls trailhead in the Aska Trail System, about 6 miles south of Blue Ridge on Aska Road. The loop runs roughly 2.1 miles through national forest on lime-green-blazed trails and connects to the Benton MacKaye Trail. The Forest Service lists the trails as free and open year-round, which makes this an easy add-on for a free afternoon.

Toccoa River Outfitters is the go-to local fly shop and guide service on the Toccoa River, operating out of downtown Blue Ridge and the twin-cities of McCaysville/Copperhill. Guides are on the water nearly every day chasing wild brown and rainbow trout in crystal-clear tailwater conditions below Lake Blue Ridge Dam. They offer full-day float trips, half-day wade trips on public water, and exclusive trophy wade trips on private stretches known for holding the largest fish in the region. All gear — rods, reels, waders, and flies — is provided.

Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Adventures is a family-friendly guided charter service run by owner-operator Andrew Bruce, focused exclusively on Lake Blue Ridge. The 3,300-acre TVA reservoir offers spotted bass, largemouth bass, walleye, striper, catfish, and panfish year-round in deep, clear mountain water. Andrew personally guides every trip — half-day, three-quarter day, or full day — providing all rods, tackle, and bait. Night fishing charters run spring through fall for anglers who want to chase bass after the summer heat breaks.

The Shallowford Bridge area on the Toccoa River is the most accessible free wade-fishing stretch near Blue Ridge, sitting inside the Chattahoochee National Forest. This tailwater section below Lake Blue Ridge Dam runs cold and clear year-round, sustaining healthy populations of wild rainbow and brown trout. Multiple pull-off parking areas line Aska Road, giving anglers easy entry to wadeable runs and deep pools. No guide required — just a Georgia fishing license and a willingness to read the water.

Fightingtown Creek is a freestone mountain stream flowing through McCaysville just 22 minutes north of the cabin, offering a completely different fishing experience from the Toccoa tailwater. The creek holds wild rainbow trout and is stocked by Georgia DNR during spring and fall, making it accessible to beginners and veterans alike. Roadside access points along GA-60 make it easy to hop in and out without a guide. The tighter, shaded canopy means smaller rods and precise presentations — rewarding for anyone looking to improve their accuracy.

Noontootla Creek is a small, remote mountain stream inside the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, beginning near Springer Mountain and running northwest 11 miles to the Toccoa River. It is managed as a wild trout stream with no stocking — fish here are native and earned. The creek is designated under Georgia's trophy trout regulations on portions of its length, drawing serious fly anglers from across the Southeast willing to hike in for uncrowded water and wild fish. Expect tight casting, gin-clear water, and small dry flies.

Bear Claw, Mercier Orchards, Roo Mountain and Cartecay Vineyards, plus guided wine tours with Grape Escape, A Grape View Tours and North Georgia Wine Tours.

Grumpy Old Men, Tipping Point and Angry Hops in downtown Blue Ridge, Cartecay River Brewing in Ellijay, and Buck Bald and Copperhill Brewery in Copperhill, TN.

Wineries and wine tours, three spas, trail rides, group dinners, boutique shopping, a zipline and more, sorted by the kind of day you want.

Step back in time aboard a vintage train that winds 26 miles round-trip from downtown Blue Ridge along the Toccoa River to the twin border towns of McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN. The open-air cars and covered coaches work for all ages, and kids love counting trestles and spotting wildlife along the way. The 4-hour excursion includes a 2-hour layover in McCaysville for shopping and lunch. A true mountain memory that kids will talk about for years.

A fourth-generation family farm operating since 1943, Mercier Orchards is the Southeast's largest apple orchard and a full-day family destination. Kids can pick their own strawberries, blueberries, peaches, or apples depending on the season, ride tractor-drawn wagon tours, and cast a line at the catch-and-release fishing pond. The on-site bakery turns out fresh fried apple pies and cider donuts daily, and there's a full market and hard cider tasting room for the grown-ups.

An 18-hole outdoor mini golf course paired with a 50-foot covered gem mining sluice makes this one of Blue Ridge's best rainy-day or any-day family stops. Kids (and adults) sift through bags of rough material to find gems, fossils, and shark teeth from over 40 varieties — everything goes home as a souvenir. The course itself is creatively designed with mountain views, a sound system, and a Plinko-style ball return on hole 18 where a lucky shot earns a free round. Pets welcome.

Set on 165 acres of North Georgia mountain forest, this ACCT-certified zipline operation offers a two-hour tour with 13 zip lines (up to 1,100 feet long) and a one-hour option with 7 lines for younger or first-time zippers. Heights range from 25 to 75 feet, and sky bridges and towers add to the adventure. All tours are fully guided with no experience required, and the minimum age is generally 7 years old. The scenery through the Blue Ridge Mountains canopy makes this one of the region's most memorable outdoor activities.

Open since 1955, the Swan is one of only four drive-in theaters left in Georgia and holds the distinction of being the highest-rated drive-in in the country. You pull in, tune your FM radio to the movie channel, and watch a double feature under the stars — new releases paired with classics. The carhop service delivers loaded pub burgers, funnel cakes, and fried Oreos directly to your car, and there's also a picnic lawn for blankets and lawn chairs. Pet-friendly and pure Americana, this is a Blue Ridge tradition the whole family will want to repeat every trip.

Huck's Lost Mine is a family-run gem mine on Appalachian Highway, open since 2009. Kids buy a bag of gem rough and crack open geodes hunting for rubies, sapphires, amethyst, and topaz. The gift shop sells mining helmets and polishing stones, and the activity works for kids from about age 3 up.

Blue Ridge Adventure Park is an aerial ropes and challenge course set in the trees, with zip line combinations. The park's website says its self-guided course is for ages ten and older. Summer (June, July, and August) runs on a regular schedule, and the rest of the year the park operates by reservation with a minimum purchase, mostly on Saturdays.

Cowgirl Up Stables offers guided horseback trail rides in the mountains, just minutes from the cabin. Easy walking rides for ages 6 and up are listed at $30 for 35 minutes or $40 for an hour, and longer rides with trotting are available for riders who want more. Rides are by reservation.

Expedition: Bigfoot! is a quirky museum devoted to the legend of Sasquatch, a fun stop for curious kids and adults. It is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with the last admission at 4:30 PM. Admission is $9 for adults and teens, $6 for ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5 and active military.

2nd Story Entertainment is an indoor family fun center in downtown Blue Ridge with an 18-hole mini golf course that winds through eight themed rooms of a 112-year-old hotel. The course includes giant Connect 4, giant checkers, and magnetic dart boards, and the arcade has Air Hockey, Ms. Pac-Man, and Big Buck Hunter. Water, sodas, and ice cream are sold, and there is an outside deck.

The Lilly Pad Village is a family spot in the Aska Adventure Area with mini golf, covered gem mining, a stocked fishing pond, a koi pond, and a gift shop selling snacks, ice cream, and drinks. Picnic tables, shaded decks, and free Wi-Fi make it easy to stay a while, and it is kid and pet friendly. Its site lists fall hours of 11 AM to 4 PM daily.

Lake Blue Ridge Marina rents pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, and has a fuel and gas dock and a watercraft showroom. It is a good way to get the family out on the water at Lake Blue Ridge. Its website lists the office and fuel dock open 9 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Friday, and closed Saturday through Monday.

Lake Blue Ridge Recreation Area is a free U.S. Forest Service site on the west side of the 3,290-acre lake, with lake views for picnics, fishing, boating, and day hiking. The Forest Service lists it as open year-round with no fee.

Follow Highway 60 south from Morganton through the Chattahoochee National Forest to Suches, the highest community in Georgia at nearly 3,000 feet elevation, earning its nickname "The Valley Above the Clouds." The 76-mile loop winds through the Toccoa River valley, Woody Gap, Vogel State Park, and Lake Winfield Scott before returning to Blue Ridge. Highlights include the 270-foot Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, Sosebee Cove old-growth forest, and views from the Appalachian Trail at Woody Gap.

This 40.6-mile National Scenic Byway loops through the highest elevations of North Georgia's Chattahoochee National Forest, connecting Brasstown Bald (Georgia's highest peak at 4,784 ft) to a series of spectacular waterfalls and Appalachian Trail crossings. The route covers GA-348, GA-180, GA-17/75, and GA-75 Alt, taking drivers from Helen up to Hogpen Gap and Brasstown Bald with 360-degree views reaching four states on clear days. Side trails lead to Dukes Creek Falls, Raven Cliffs Falls, and High Shoals Falls.

US-19/129 south from Blairsville to Turner's Corner and on toward Dahlonega is one of North Georgia's most exhilarating mountain roads, threading 9 miles of tight switchbacks up and over Neel Gap (3,125 ft) at the base of Blood Mountain, the Appalachian Trail's highest summit in Georgia. Along the way you pass Helton Creek Falls, Lake Winfield Scott, Vogel State Park, and Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi — the only point where the Appalachian Trail passes through a building. The drive is popular with motorcyclists and cyclists year-round.

This 102-mile loop, originally mapped by the U.S. Forest Service, departs Blue Ridge and winds south through the Chattahoochee National Forest toward Dahlonega, then returns via GA-52's "Apple Alley" past Ellijay. Along the way the drive takes in the Toccoa River rapids on Aska Road, Old Skeenah Mill (1848), Dahlonega's historic gold-rush square, and fruit stands and orchards outside Ellijay — the self-proclaimed Apple Capital of Georgia. The route covers 3–4 hours of driving without stops and works well as a full-day loop.