Blue Ridge Georgia Fanatic

Fannin County, Georgia refers to itself as the gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Located in Fannin County is a small town that takes its name from those mountains, Blue Ridge, Georgia.  Although it is home to less than 2000 people, Blue Ridge is huge when it comes to scenic beauty, relaxation, and natural fun.

In the late 1800s, Blue Ridge, Georgia was actually a center of transportation and business.  It was also known as an elite health resort that was prized for its pure mineral waters.  Today, Blue Ridge might not be considered by anyone to be a thriving city center, but it is still prized by many as a center for relaxation.

You can enjoy a full range of outdoor activities in and around Blue Ridge.  Day hiking through southern Appalachian forests, horseback riding along quiet trails, or white water rafting through exhilarating rapids are all possible at this Georgia vacation destination.  A wide array of water sports and fishing activities are possible at Lake Blue Ridge and along with the Taccoa River.

If you are a history buff and like to reminisce about the golden age of the railroad, you want to plan some time for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.  You can enjoy a scenic rail ride along the Taccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville, Georgia and back again.  The whole adventure takes about five hours, and you'll be spending about 3 1/2 hours on the train.

If you're interested in mountain art and culture, then Blue Ridge is an outstanding destination for you.  You can shop for antiques along the quiet, picturesque city streets.  And you should mark your calendar for Blue Ridge's annual mountain arts and crafts festival, Arts in the Park.  Blue Ridge is also a great destination if you enjoy touring old, historic buildings.  Spend time at the Blue Ridge Depot, which was built in 1906.  And don't forget to visit the historic Fannin County Courthouse.

Blue Ridge is also a fantastic place to load up on traditional southern Appalachian food.  Very few experiences in life are better than eating fresh trout cooked anyway you like on the banks of the Taccoa River.

If your interests run to more strenuous outdoor activities, then you might want to enter the Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race, held every year in April.  Participants in the race work in teams of three.  They hike, mountain bike, ride and kayak their way from a secret location in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the finish line at Blue Ridge City Park.

The best accommodations available at Blue Ridge are mountain cabin rentals.  These fully equipped cabins provide all the amenities with plenty of room for your entire family and your friends.  They'll allow you to enjoy the natural scenery of the Blue Ridge area and are economical to boot.

If you're looking for a fast-paced party atmosphere, then Blue Ridge is probably not the place for you.  But if it's time for a relaxing getaway in a scenic location reminiscent of America's roots, then Blue Ridge is a perfect place.

America is spanned by several large and well-known mountain ranges. In the West lie the Cascades and the mighty Rocky Mountains. In the East lie the Appalachians and the Great Smokey Mountains. And further east lies the Blue Ridge Mountains. Among the many tourists who visit the Blue Ridge Mountains each year, many decide on Blue Ridge, Georgia as their destination.

Blue Ridge, Georgia, is a historic town with a long history connected to those mountains. The original inhabitants were the Native Americans, who farmed the land. The pioneers eventually discovered the beauty of these mountains, and settled several areas around the mountains. But the area of Blue Ridge, Georgia, had something that the other mountain towns didn’t- pure mineral springs.

The town grew largely because of the reputation of these waters. Health resorts catering to the elites of society sprang up to meet the tourist demand. Blue Ridge, Georgia, became a tourist mecca, with hotels and boarding houses available for those seeking health and a view of the stately mountains. Tourist shops and restaurants soon followed. For awhile the mountain land led to the wealth of the area, as it was harvested for timber. Today about 100,000 acres of pristine forest land are federally protected.

In the early days, trains brought visitors from all over the country directly into town, where they could dine and take in the sights, as well as partake of the famed mineral water. The train is still running today, and it still brings tourists into town. Blue Ridge, Georgia, remains popular in the Southeast as a place to visit in the fall as the leaves change and create breathtaking vistas of changing colors. The town now has even more accommodations for tourists, including art galleries, and unique specialty shops. Accommodations include both hotel rooms and rustic mountain cabins.

The area also boasts some of the nicest weather in the region. The scorching heat of the summertime in the South is tempered by the elevation of the mountains and the abundance of protected forest land. The Blue Ridge Mountains are topped with a snow cap a few times a year, affording tourists from the surrounding areas a sight rare in the rest of Georgia. The Georgia Mountain Parkway can take visitors staying in Blue Ridge, Georgia, through the scenic, winding roads of the mountains and back to their comfortable accommodations in time for a relaxing dinner.