Summary- Fun Things to do in Blue Ridge
If you’re looking for a getaway with laid-back mountain vibes and plenty of things to do, then welcome to Blue Ridge.
It is a charming town located in the heart of the North Georgia mountains. It’s filled with cute boutique shops, delicious restaurants, and beautiful hikes. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, foodie, or simply needing an exciting weekend trip from Atlanta, Blue Ridge has something special in store for you.
Let’s dive into 22 things you can do on your next Blue Ridge, Georgia visit.
Map of Things to Do in Blue Ridge
22 Things to Do in Blue Ridge, GA
1) Delight your taste buds on a food tour
I knew Blue Ridge had some excellent food, but I didn’t know how good it was until I did this tour! On the Blue Ridge Mountain tour, we went to 5 different restaurants, and our cuisine ranged from pizza, southern, and desserts. So we got to try a little bit of everything!
Afterward, my friends and I picked our favorite and went to eat there for dinner because the tour left such a good impression. This is such a fun thing to do in Blue Ridge if you have time in your schedule!
2) Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
If you’re looking for a unique way to experience Blue Ridge, then you have to book a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway! Passengers load at the station in the heart of the Blue Ridge, take a 4-hour ride up to McCaysville, GA, and Copperhill, TN, and have a couple of hours to explore before heading back.
The train has indoor and outdoor cabins for seating, and sometimes, live music is played in one of the open cabins. I highly recommend booking during the fall when the leaves change colors for the most memorable experience!
If this is your plan, you definitely want to book as early as possible because the tickets sell out quickly! But regardless of when you decide to go, this is always high on the list of best things to do in Blue Ridge.
SEE ALSO: 10 Best Places to See Fall Colors in Georgia
3) Go horseback riding
For a full-on outdoorsy experience in Blue Ridge, you have to saddle up and ride the trails by horse at Blue Ridge Mountain Trail Rides. The trails offer some amazing views of the Cohutta Mountains, and it’s a perfect way to get the family together for some time outside.
They offer multiple ride options, starting at $39 for an hour! You can also choose longer options or even book a sunset ride when they are offered. Please note that they DO NOT allow dogs at their Outpost for safety reasons, so consider this when planning your visit!
4) Relax at the beach
I love going to the beach at Morganton Point Recreation Area during the summer months. The beach spans over 200 yards along one side of Blue Ridge Lake and has an amazing view of the mountains.
It is the perfect place to bring your blankets and chairs and relax by the water. They also have picnic tables available if you prefer to sit off the ground.
Kayaks and paddle boards are available for rent on the beach. The rates are $20 / Person for a one-hour Rental, $40 / Person for a two-hour Rental, and $97 / Person for a 24-hour Rental.
If you’re looking for an outdoorsy thing to do in Blue Ridge, this is an absolute must.
Pro Tip: If you want to rent a motorized boat, I recommend checking out Lake Blue Ridge Marina.
5) Try a wine flight at Serenberry Vineyards
Wine tasting, anyone? It’s one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon in the mountains! The views are beautiful, the wine is delicious, and they have occasional events with live music and food. I mean what more can one ask for?
At Serenberry Vineyards, they offer tastings ranging from $14.95 to $19.95. You can do a flight for $14.95. It’s a great way to test out what you like and see if you’d like to take a bottle home.
6) Watch a movie outside at a Swan Drive-In theater
If you don’t have watching a movie at a Drive-In Theater on your bucketlist, let me convince you to do so. Talk about old school, this is one of the best ways to relive the past and have a good time at the same time.
They have great movie offerings, so you won’t be watching something super old, and they have a diner that delivers food right to your car that you order online. Also, on their website, you can see the movies that are now showing and the upcoming movies, and you can even send them a request to play a particular movie, and they may choose it!
I would 100% add this to your list of things you want to do in Blue Ridge
7) Go apple picking at Mercier Orchards
I did this for the first time in 2023 and had a ball! Mercier Orchards sits on 300 acres, and not only do they offer apple picking, but they also have a huge store where you can buy homemade goods like candles, jams, pastries, and so much more. They also sell ciders and wines inside.
Apple picking is from August 27 to October 31 (as weather allows)and is $12 per person. Your ticket will get you a hay ride up to the apple-picking spot (be sure to bring your camera to capture the mountains!) and a bag to fill up with apples. The workers will tell you what kind of apples you’ll pick that day and let you have them.
8) See who can get out first at Escape Blue Ridge
Put your problem-solving skills to the test and see if you can find your way out of the escape room. This is an exciting activity for the whole family.
At Escape Blue Ridge they offer rooms called Wizard School of Magic, Big Foot Escape, Prohibition and many more! The rate is $28 per person.
9) Take the family gem mining at Huck’s Lost Mine
Looking for something to do with the kids? Huck’s Lost Mine is a great way to occupy their minds with something fun and interactive!
You can see a variety of gems, such as emeralds, sapphires, topaz, rubies, and more! Plus, the staff there is super knowledgeable about the gems, and of course, they have a souvenir shop to remember your experience by.
10) Hike to Fall Branch Falls
Fall Branch Falls is a great hike to squeeze into your itinerary because it’s short and perfect for beginners- making it an adventure the whole family can enjoy.
The trail is 0.9 miles round trip and gradually ascends to the falls; about 0.4 miles into the hike, you will reach a set of stairs, and from there, you can see and hear it cascading down.
The waterfall has a viewing platform, but you are welcome to walk down to the bottom if you want to get a closer look or touch the falls.
Good to Know: A glamping resort is located directly across from the falls, so you will see a cluster of seven domes once you arrive at the falls. This can be off-putting to some people, so I wanted to ensure you knew what to expect before you go!
Related: 8 Must-know Tips for Beginner Hikers
11) Spend the afternoon at The Lilly Pad Village
Make a point to stop by the Lilly Pad Village for its unique blend of outdoor fun and tranquility in a stunning mountain setting. Activities like gem mining, fishing, and mini-golf, combined with friendly staff and free amenities, offer a perfect escape from everyday stress.
The beautiful views, relaxing atmosphere, and kid- and pet-friendly environment make it an ideal destination for a memorable day with family and friends. Find ticket prices here.
12) Play in the water at Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park
Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville, Georgia, offers a free, scenic spot on the Toccoa River for a variety of outdoor activities, including trout fishing, playground fun, and picnicking. The park features amenities like volleyball courts, hiking trails, and pavilions available for rent at $10 per hour, with a charming gazebo available at the same rate.
For picnics, you can purchase prepared picnic packs from local shops or order picnic baskets from Asheville Picnic Company. Options include the Traditional Picnic for 2 at $159 or the Mountaineer Picnic for 1 at $59.
13) Shop Downtown
Did I mention that downtown Blue Ridge is so cute!? There are so many beautiful boutiques and shops that scream “Instagrammable pictures!”
From seasoning and tea shops to antique stores with timeless pieces, you won’t have a hard time finding a store that piques your interest. And let me tell you, there’s an olive oil and vinegar shop that is an absolute must because of their super unique experience of trying different mixes of olive oil, vinegar, and…. vanilla ice cream.
I know, I know you’re probably looking at this like I’m crazy right now, but don’t knock it til you try it! It’s a mind-blowing experience for sure!
14) Relax and unwind at Serenity in the Mountains
For all my people who love a nice, peaceful experience (yes, I’m talking spas, massages, all the things!) then this thing to do in Blue Ridge has to be the next thing you do! The Serenity in the Mountains Spa is the perfect place to go relax and treat yourself.
They offer many different spa services and even have a Salt Cave, which has natural salt rocks that create a calming and therapeutic environment. And now, they have a cafe on-site where you can buy food and drinks, so you can spend the entire day here!
15) Go on an adrenaline-fueled adventure with Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge
I don’t know about you, but I love zipping through the trees at high speeds (calling all my adrenaline junkies) just for fun. If that sounds up your alley, you don’t want to miss a tour with Zipline Canopy.
They offer one- and two-hour zip-line tours, whitewater rafting, a combination of both (talk about best of both worlds, haha), and an aerial adventure course. If you’re looking for something super fun and exciting to do in Blue Ridge, this is probably the best option for you!
16) Hike to Long Creek Falls
Long Creek Falls is a 1.9-mile round-trip hike rated as moderate and leads to a beautiful waterfall! The trail runs beside the creek for most of the hike, offering peaceful water sounds as you hike through the forest.
If you plan on doing this, I recommend a vehicle with a little bit higher clearance than your average car, as the road leading to the trailhead can be bumpy and rough in some places.
Insider tip: Once you arrive at the falls, look closely at the rock, and you’ll see some engravings from back in the day.
Related: 10 North Georgia Waterfalls Worth the Hike
17) Enjoy a day on the water with Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking
A kayaking tour is the perfect thing to do in Blue Ridge if you want to spend time in nature. Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking offers a 6-mile trip with shuttles included, single-seaters for $45, or double kayaks for $85. They also offer lessons for $25 per person.
For all the anglers out there, they also have on-site fishing areas where you can get in and out at the same location and skip the bus ride. For more of an adventure, you can take the 6-mile fishing trip, where you will paddle downstream while fishing and find more fishing spots along the river.
Please note: A Georgia fishing license with a trout stamp is required to fish on the river.
18) Compete with your friends at Blue Ridge Paintball
I love a good competition, no matter what it is, and paintball is a great way to compete with your friends. This place is perfect for a group of friends, you can bring the whole family, or you can pull up on the weekend between 10am and 5pm and join other games!
The paintball games are for ages 10+, and for the younger ones, they offer gellyball and nerf battles. The price for paintball is $55 per player for all day play, equipment rental, and 500 paintballs. For gellyball, it’s $30 for all the same and 1000 gellyballs.
They have group discounts available as well, so you can definitely save time and money if you book online prior to showing up!
19) Tour the city from above in a helicopter
Ever wanted to see the montains from the sky, or see the city from a different perspective? Then you have to book a helicopter tour with Blue Ridge Helicopter Tours.
If you are looking on the website, they don’t have a specific tour for Blue Ridge, however you can call and have a custom tour made to do so! Other tours they offer are Chateau Elan, Lake Lanier (I felt that side eye, lol), Dahlonega, and Helen!
20) Do an obstacle course in the trees at Blue Ridge Adventure Park
If you’re looking for an exciting thing to do in Blue Ridge, while being active at the same time, this is a great option. The Blue Ridge Adventure Park courses have three levels of suspended bridges and tight ropes anywhere from 15 to 50 feet in the air. As you go through the course, it also gets more diffcult!
The course is self-guided, fit for people ages ten and older. Once you start, you have an hour and a half to get through the course, enough time to not feel rushed and take breaks when needed lol.
21) Go on a Ghost Tour
Take a scary walk through the city with Haunted Blue Ridge. They only do tours on Friday nights, and only one tour for the night, so if this is your jam make sure you plan accordingly!
During the tour, you’ll walk around downtown Blue Ridge and the guide will tell stories of the area and share some of the paranormal activity that they’ve either experienced, or heard of in the town. The best way to stay updated with them is through their Facebook page.
22) Play your heart out at Vertigo Pinball arcade
Beer + arcade= the ultimate adult playground. Whether you grew up playing pinball, just love playing, or have never tried it, this is a fun thing to do in Blue Ridge regardless!
It’s located on the strip of downtown Blue Ridge; they are next to a pizza spot and a popcorn shop, so you can grab a snack or a quick bite before going or bring it with you! The arcade is always adding pinball machine, so you can keep up with all the updates on their Facebook Page.