The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is impossible to miss, as it is located right in the heart of town. This must-ride historic railway, which opened in 1998 and goes over a 26-mile length of the former Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, attracts about 80,000 riders each year.

The hour-long outbound voyage begins at the historic Blue Ridge Depot and travels through Georgia and Tennessee, following the Toccoa River to McCaysville and Copperhill. Consider reserving one of the exciting seasonal rail offers for an even more memorable journey. A breathtaking fall foliage excursion, a joyful "Holiday Express" Christmas getaway, and Thanksgiving travels are among them. You may also upgrade your ticket to "Premier Class," which includes limitless soft drinks, sweet treats, and snacks, as well as comfortable reclining chairs. A recent addition to the attraction is a 5.5-mile section of the rail line where groups of up to four people can practically ride a railbike. To avoid disappointment, book this and other rail experiences in advance online during high season and special events.

Address: 241 Depot Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia

Website: https://brscenic.com/

Downtown Blue Ridge has a lot of exciting things to do for a town of only 1,200 people. Even though the city gets hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, the downtown area has avoided the typical tourist trap of souvenir stores and fast food. Instead, both West and East Main Streets have kept their beauty, with their elegant boutiques and home décor stores, restaurants and cafés, as well as craft and antique shops.

The well-preserved architecture consists primarily of red-brick structures from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with the perfect mix of old and new in beautifully. The town's old courthouse, which currently houses the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, is located on the south end of West Main Street and provides excellent photo opportunities. Just a few yards beyond there is the wonderful Black Sheep Restaurant, which has a large patio with fantastic city views.

Website: https://www.blueridgemountains.com/things-to-do/mountain-town/downtown-blue-ridge/

Morganton Point Recreation Area, located just 15 minutes from downtown Blue Ridge and open all year, provides a variety of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.

This 3,290-acre location on the north bank of Blue Ridge Lake has lots of parking and easy access to the lake for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, which may also be rented. Motorized boats may be launched from the paved boat launch, or a fun pontoon boat can be rented from Lake Blue Ridge Marina and used to explore the park's beaches and tree-lined shoreline. It's also a good way to grab sunfish, bass, and trout. Morganton Point's location within the Chattahoochee National Forest makes it an ideal starting point for hikers exploring the area. Swimming, picnicking, and barbecuing are among the other activities available, and a convenience store provides food, souvenirs, and basic camping supplies. With only 43 tent and RV campsites available, reserve soon to ensure a place, especially if you want a site with power and water.

Address: 475 Lake Drive, Morganton, Georgia

Website: https://gofindoutdoors.org/morganton-point/

The journey to Blue Ridge Dam, which is only five minutes away by automobile from Downtown Blue Ridge, is a must-do. It's a short but beautiful route that rises up into the hills around Lake Blue Ridge, with a section that bridges the dam itself. The location is open all year. There is no entry cost, and there is lots of parking.

The construction of this massive hydroelectric dam on the Toccoa River, which opened in 1931, resulted in the development of Lake Blue Ridge, a 3,300-acre stretch of water with about 60 miles of shoreline. It's a sight to behold, stretching 1,553 feet in length and standing 175 feet high. There is a large parking area with excellent views of the dam and lake from a variety of designated overlooks. Those interested in getting out on the water can rent kayaks and canoes at Morganton Point Recreation Area across the lake, or hire a range of motorized and non-powered boats at Lake Blue Ridge Marina. A number of boat ramps are also accessible if you're bringing your own boat.

Location: Off Old US Hwy 76, Blue Ridge, Georgia

Mercier Orchards is a great place to go if you want to enjoy the Blue Ridge area's abundant yearly fruit crop. This 300-acre orchard, which was founded in 1943 and is still owned and run by the same family, has become a tourist and local favorite.

Mercier Orchards, located in the rolling countryside about three miles from the city center, not only sells its home-grown produce in its large retail location, but also offers pick-your-own blueberries, strawberries, peaches, and apples. A tractor ride through the orchards and instruction on the best picking techniques are included in these family-friendly activities. If you merely want to go for a stroll around the orchards, the farm opens them up on weekends and other special occasions for a pleasant orchard stroll. On the property's ponds, catch-and-release fishing is also available. On-site, there's also a bakery and café that sells a range of sweet treats, including their famous fried pies. Other food items, such as locally produced jams and honey, as well as souvenirs, are available at their on-site store.

Address: 8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, Georgia

Website: https://mercier-orchards.com/

A visit to the Blue Ridge Arts Center on West Main Street, which is located in the former Fannin County Courthouse, an outstanding facility originating from the late 1930s, is time well spent. Admission is free, and the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association's friendly, helpful volunteers and staff are ready to provide information about upcoming exhibits and activities.

The facility offers an incredible assortment of learning opportunities, including seminars, talks, and events, in addition to rotating exhibits highlighting the work of local artists. Everything from watercolors to photography, quilting to sculpture is included, in fact, pretty much any endeavor that stimulates creativity. There are also studios and rehearsal spaces available. Before visiting Blue Ridge, check the group's website to see whether one of the art group's famous outdoor events is scheduled. A music series and the renowned "Arts in the Park" events, which include vendors and craftsmen from all around the region, are among them.

Address: 420 W Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia
Website: https://www.blueridgearts.net/

The Fannin County Heritage Foundation, located in a historic 19th-century home just a few streets from downtown, has a range of interesting exhibits connected to the region's rich history.

Exhibits and displays, which have been on display since 1986, highlight major local events and the people who influenced them, giving a fascinating look into the city's growth as a railroad town and beyond. Antique textiles and clothes, as well as memorabilia from the pre-railroad era, when the area could only be accessible by stagecoach, are among the things in the museum's holdings. A genealogical library and a research library are accessible for those interested in tracing their ancestors' connections to the region, as well as a research library for those interested in learning more about its history. Baugh House Museum, an elegant red-brick homemade from clay excavated from the foundation's own property, is also run by the foundation.

Address: 411 W. 1st Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia

Anyone with even a passing curiosity about the famous beast should pay a visit to the EXPEDITION: BIGFOOT! Sasquatch Museum. Look for the life-size metal embodiment of Bigfoot himself outside the attraction, and you won't miss it. This interesting 4,000-square-foot museum, billed as the United States' greatest collection of authentic Bigfoot artifacts, also includes several images and drawings related to reports of the elusive ape-like monster.

Your mountain experience begins here, at North Georgia's newest family destination, where fun and learning collide. In a 4,000 square foot complex, see the country's biggest permanent collection of actual bigfoot artifacts, life-sized displays, pictures, drawings, massive up-to-date sighting maps, and the world's only Bigfoot Research and Technology Vehicle. The "Sasquatch Theater," the Gift Shop, and the Bigfoot Reference Library are all available for your enjoyment.

Address: 1934 GA-515, Blue Ridge, Georgia
Website: https://www.expeditionbigfoot.com/

Historic Mineral Bluff Depot, 15 minutes northeast of Blue Ridge, is another railroad-related sight worth seeing. Built-in 1887, the Mineral Bluff Depot has been beautifully restored, and it now houses the Tri-State Model Railroaders. This well-maintained red-brick structure, which was built in 1887 and served as a depot for the now-defunct Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places in the United States.

The structure also holds an amazing scale replica of the historic railway lines that once ran across North Georgia. The same nonprofit that spearheaded the historic depot's preservation now organizes train excursions, such as a five-mile journey in a railroad motorcar. From time to time, a railroad handcar is also used.

Address: 150 Railroad Ave., Mineral Bluff, Georgia
Website: https://tsmri.org/

The city of Blairsville, located halfway between Blue Ridge and the very renowned tourist town of Helen, provides for an ideal North Georgia excursion. The route is beautiful, and it includes a stretch of the Georgia Scenic Byway. It's so stunning that you could be tempted to take it all the way from Blue Ridge to Helen. Make a point of stopping at Blairsville to have a look around. With the attractive red-brick Union County Historical Courthouse adorning the city square, this small community of around 700 residents may have the most gorgeous city square in the state.

Union County Historical Courthouse, which was built in 1899 and has been meticulously restored to its old glory, houses exhibitions and artifacts related to the city's history. There is also a concert series held here. The Union County Historical Society also looks after a number of other historic buildings, including the Grapelle Butt Mock House from 1906 and the 1861 John Payne Cabin. You might want to make a day of it and visit a few other local sites while you're in Blairsville. Brasstown Bald, a recreation area with an extensive 80-mile trail network, Vogel State Park, with its gorgeous waterfalls, and 4,180-acre Lake Nottely, a popular spot for boating, fishing, and hiking, are at the top of the list.

Address: 1 Town Square, Blairsville, Georgia

Website: https://www.unioncountyhistory.org/