The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains draw tens of thousands of visitors to the city of Blue Ridge, GA annually. Originally the home to the Cherokee Indians, white settlers came following the Ocoee-Toccoa River into its fertile valley. When the railroad was built through the valley, the town was born. Today tourism is Blue Ridge's main industry and there is much to enjoy when relaxing in your North GA cabin rental during your getaway vacation.
Because some of the best vacations involve those with the kids, we’ve found 20 fun things to do with your children while in the North GA mountains.
Downtown Blue Ridge
- Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad: Take a scenic trip along the Toccoa River to McCaysville, GA on the GA/TN state line. Be sure to take a family selfie on the Blue Line marking the state line. In December, it becomes the Santa train.
- Downtown Blue Ridge Park: This pretty playground has a gazebo and picnic tables. Watch for the wandering free-range chickens.
- Sweet Treats: Sweets are found everywhere in Downtown Blue Ridge. For starters, try the L & L Beanery, Chocolate Express, Three Sisters Fudge, the Sweet Shoppe and Dogs and Cats Too (for pets).
- Huck's General Store: is a fun treat with "penny candy", root beer and sodas, games and books for youngsters.
- Walking Ghost Tours of Blue Ridge: This tour takes you on a kid-safe tour of the town's spectral past. Call 706-258-2665 to make reservations.
- Swan Drive-In: Shows first-run movies on the weekends. It is one of only three in Georgia.
- Lake Blue Ridge: Rent a pontoon boat at Lake Blue Ridge Marina and spend the day fishing, swimming and boating.
- Mercier Orchards: Shop their farm store and eat fabulous fried apple pies. Pick your own apples in the fall.
- Go Bowling: at Fannin Lanes Bowling Center, which is open seven days a week and on holidays.
- Mini-Golf: Play 18 holes of fun golf at Cohutta Cove Mini Golf on Highway 515.
Near Blue Ridge
- The Lily Pad Village: on Aska Road has family-friendly fun with mini-golf, gem mining, guided nature hikes and fishing.
- Toccoa Valley Campground and Toccoa Wilderness Tubing: on Aska Road provide tubing fun on the Toccoa River. Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking rents kayaks.
- Hiking: The many trails in the county are easy to find with maps provided by the Fannin County Welcome Center. Hike the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trails here.
- Zipline in the Forest Canopies: with one of the Zipline Tour companies that can be found in town. Ask your receptionist in the front office of Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals for discounts and more. Reservations are highly recommended.
- Horseshoe Bend Park: Between Blue Ridge and Mineral Bluff, this park has covered picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, fishing and Pickin' in the Park every Thursday evening from May to September.
- Chattahoochee Fish Hatchery: The Visitor Center has exhibits on raising trout plus insect displays and you can fish in Fish Rock Creek.
- Brasstown Bald: is Georgia's highest peak. Near Blairsville, the Visitor Center on top offers a video presentation and interpretive programs.
- Ocoee Whitewater Center: was the site of the 1996 Olympics Whitewater sporting events. Wading pools, walking paths, regular and mountain bike trails, and Class Three and Four whitewater rafting for age 12 and up are all available here.
- Burra Burra Mine: This real Copper Mine in Ducktown, TN includes a mining museum about the Copper Basin.
- Waterfall Tour: with maps available from the front office at Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals, take a driving tour of the mountains' spectacular waterfalls.
At the end of each fun-filled day, you will enjoy your vacation all the more if you are returning to a convenient Blue Ridge cabin rental. The amazing luxury cabins available through Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals are ideal and most of them are only a short drive from all these listed attractions!