Got to Get Back to Blue Ridge!

Have you traveled to a place, whether on vacation or for business, and after you've been there a couple of days you say to yourself, "I want to come back here!" Well, that is exactly how I felt on my first visit to Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Located just 90 miles north of Atlanta, almost to the Tennessee border, Blue Ridge offers a lot more than you would expect. As a producer, this can be a double-edged sword because I need to create an experience that encompasses everything for the TV show to inspire the viewer to travel as they watch or venture out to explore the area. I sift through the many possibilities, like mining for gold, to uncover what will allow the viewer and traveler to get an intimate view of the destination. Word to the wise traveler -- Don't rush through things along the travel journey, slow down and savor your discoveries. You just might uncover a precious gem in all its glory.

The town of Blue Ridge sits within Fannin County which is comprised of over 100,000 acres of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Mother Nature has touched these beautiful northern Georgia mountains with hundreds of miles of hiking trails, world-class trout streams, challenging Class-4 whitewater rapids, and plenty of wildlife to spot.

But Blue Ridge also offers up a bit of comfortable sophistication too. Blue Ridge is recognized as one of the top arts towns in Georgia, and one of the Top Ten Craft Towns in the country. The natural beauty of Fannin County draws artists, potters, musicians, and travelers who appreciate the arts and the outdoors.

Blue Ridge was founded in 1886 as a railroad junction. Its historic depot remains a central focus downtown and sits across from a picture postcard Main Street. I’ve heard Blue Ridge described as having “the sweetness of a Southern town but as cosmopolitan as the coolest city suburb.” With a little over 1,400 residents, its Appalachian roots branch out in all sorts of interesting directions. No matter what the season, fans flock to Fannin County to not only explore its natural side but also its mix of old and new in-town hot spots, chef-driven restaurants, craft breweries, eclectic art galleries, one-of-kind shops, and year-round festivals. Blue Ridge is artsy, authentic, inventive, and real.

The north Georgia mountains satisfy the soul by wrapping nature all around you and the town of Blue Ridge extends Southern charm and hospitality to all. Chat with the locals and you’ll find that many of them are transplants who came to Blue Ridge, Georgia to visit, but then decided not to leave. This adventurous and free-spirited mountain region really does have a lot more than you would expect, and it has a way of casting its spell over you when you visit. One of the most surprising discoveries for me was how completely comfortable I was from the moment I arrived, it’s almost as if Blue Ridge introduced herself to me and immediately wrapped herself around my heart. Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll likely say, “I’ve got to get back to Blue Ridge.”

Travel Tips -

• Blue Ridge, Georgia was ranked in 2020 by Southern Living Magazine as one of the South's Best Mountain Towns. Ranked #4!

• My favorite time to visit Blue Ridge – Spring and Fall, but each season offers up its own list of great things to see and explore. For more information, check out https://www.blueridgemountains.com

• Rent an out-of-this-world mountain vacation home with all the amenities. Cabin Rentals of Georgia has every size and scenic view you can imagine! Check out https://www.cabin-rentals-of-georgia.com/

• Fannin County is the "Trout Capital of Georgia"! Stop by Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods in downtown Blue Ridge & meet Bill Oyster – he's a master at handcrafting the coolest bamboo fly rods you'll find anywhere. Check out https://oysterbamboo.com/

• Mercier Orchards. Get out into the fields and taste what’s in season. Don’t leave without trying a fried apple pie! Check out https://mercier-orchards.com/

• Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Get onboard early and pick a seat in the open-air cars. Check out https://brscenic.com/

• If you’re a thrill seeker, take on Tennessee’s Ocoee River and its Class III and IV rapids with Ocoee Rafting, a company that’s been guiding rafters through these white waters for over 44 years. June, July, and August are peak months for runs. Check out https://www.ocoeerafting.com/