Blue Ridge is a town nestled in the North Georgia mountains near the Toccoa River. At about an hour and a half from Atlanta and close to the Tennessee border, it’s accessible for a mountain town. Blue Ridge is known for its artistic community, restaurants, and breweries, all set against the rolling hills of the southern Appalachian Mountain Range. During the warmer months, outdoor activities abound in this area, while when the weather cools, there are plenty of festive activities to enjoy for the whole family. Here’s how to spend a few days in Blue Ridge, Georgia with kids.
Where to Stay
If you’re coming from Atlanta, you could visit Blue Ridge for the day. However, if you plan to stay a couple nights, opt for the Blue Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast. The home was originally built in 1890 and later turned into an inn.
The beautiful space has a handful of rooms – but keep in mind that if you are traveling with children younger than 12 years old, there is only one room suitable for your group: The Lodge. The Lodge has its own entrance and breakfast is brought right into your room.
The staff are kind and hospitable, the inn’s design is lovely, and it’s all steps away from downtown, all making it a great place to stay.
What to Do
Take a Ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is a refurbished historical train that makes a leisurely journey from the heart of Blue Ridge to McCaysville, GA/Copperhill, TN and back. The ride takes you through the forest and along the Toccoa River, where you can see sights like a historic Native American fish trap and the smallest church in Georgia.
The trip to the Georgia/Tennessee border towns is about one hour, where you have a layover for two hours, and then another hour back to Blue Ridge. During the two hour pit stop, grab some lunch (we enjoyed Twisted Tomato McCaysville), browse some shops, and don’t forget to stop by the state line to stand in Georgia and Tennessee at the same time!
Visit Mercier Orchards
Mercier Orchards is located a few minutes’ drive outside downtown Blue Ridge. This beautiful working farm also features a large store with locally made and specialty products. After checking out the store, hop on the tractor to the apple orchard and do some apple picking. Mercier Orchards is a great family spot in the mountains – just make sure to get there early, because it gets busy in the fall.
Peruse (Some of) the Shops
Downtown Blue Ridge is home to plenty of cute local shops. A couple favorites are Huck’s General Store for toys and local products and Moonbeams and Mudpies for children’s clothes. There are also several shops selling ice cream and other sweet treats to enjoy. Just pass on the stores with breakables when the kids are along for the ride.
Get Some Energy out at Downtown Blue Ridge Play Park
When your kids need to get their wiggles out, head to Downtown Blue Ridge Play Park. This park in the downtown area has nice equipment for kids of all ages and is located close to all the downtown shops and restaurants.
Where to Eat
If you’re staying at the Blue Ridge Inn, you’ll be all set for breakfast. The menu changes, so just chat with the staff about the options and let them know about any dietary preferences or restrictions.
For lunch, stop by Cantaberry. They have a variety of sandwiches, salads, and lunchtime fare to keep you going on your trip.
Book a table at Harvest on Main for a delicious dinner. The rustic space serves southern-inspired dishes created with seasonal, local ingredients.
Fightingtown Tavern offers a fun bar atmosphere that’s also kid-friendly. With arcade games, outdoor porches, beers on tap, and great food, it’s a fun spot to grab a bite.
(There are plenty of other delightful spots to eat and drink around town, but these are a good start!)
And Finally, a Few Travel Tips…
- Be ready for crowds
If you’re visiting in the fall, particularly in October or during a school break, prepare yourself for a busy town. Plan activities early, make sure to have things on hand to entertain the kids, and pack your patience.
- Make reservations
On a related note, make accommodation, dining, and activity reservations. Without them, there will often be waiting times from half an hour to a few hours for good restaurants and the train can be sold out. (Just to give an idea, one of our dinner reservations was at 4:15 PM on a Monday because that was all they had available.)
- Research kid-friendliness
Of course all parents are used to anticipating whether or not places are kid-friendly, but it still bears repeating here. While some things in town are kid-focused, it seemed many restaurants or shops weren’t really appropriate for children; and while the train is expressly family-friendly, the ride had lots of quiet adults. Just check your plans ahead of time for kid-friendliness. (To be clear: I do not think all places must be kid-friendly. Private businesses have a right to be focused on adults/not allow children. However, this was simply a bit surprising to me, given the town is famous for its train, which seems kid-focused. I just wanted other parents to be aware of this!)
Happy fall travels, y’all. Cheers!
