Some 90 miles (144 kilometers) north of Atlanta sits Blue Ridge, Georgia. If you haven’t heard of it, you might assume it’s, well, unassuming. Instead, it’s Georgia’s most remarkable mountain town—and the beginning of the world-famous Appalachian Trail. Here, long-distance adventurers mix with small-town mountaineers and nature cravers, and a surprising spread of shops, restaurants, and things to do keep the whole family entertained. Practically on the Georgia–Tennessee–North Carolina border, if you’re anywhere in the Southeast, a trip to Blue Ridge beckons.
Blue Ridge’s high season is summer, roughly June through August. Other seasons offer serious appeal: The shoulder seasons of April–May and September–October offer still-warm temps and smaller crowds, and a January–March visit will save you a bundle. In winter, temperatures rarely fall below freezing, the crowds are minimal, and the one-on-one time with Mother Nature is hard to beat.
Considering Blue Ridge, Georgia, is about 10 blocks long and five blocks wide, the town itself is highly walkable. But you probably came here to climb mountains, chase waterfalls, or hole up in a forested cabin outside town—in that case, you’ll want your own set of wheels to travel from adventure to adventure. If you need a ride, local taxi services are far more reliable than rideshares.
Don’t let the fact that this is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail intimidate you—Blue Ridge is a playground for all types of nature lovers. Plenty of under-five-mile trails crisscross the Chattahoochee National Forest, and waterfalls like Fall Branch Falls or Long Creek Falls are just a 30-minute hike away. For those who don’t want to hoof it in nature, there are countless riverside retreats to wile away the hours with a cup of coffee and a view.
