Bret and Mary 
When we started the Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide in 2019, we had two major goals in mind. The first was to explore the countless Blue Ridge Mountain towns in-depth, and share all our favorite things we experienced while rediscovering the simple pleasures of small town Americana. The second was to find our future home in the … Read more
Choosing the best restaurants in Cherokee NC is an interesting challenge. Most major tourist towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains– such as Asheville NC, Blue Ridge GA, and Roanoke VA– offer a wide array of upscale, chef-driven restaurants with their own signature culinary flair. But the majority of the restaurants in Cherokee and the Qualla … Read more
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains less than 4 miles from the border with North Carolina, Hiawassee GA is a relatively small town (2.07 square miles) on the shores of Lake Chatuge. Known as “Georgia’s Lake and Mountain Paradise,” the town was named after the Cherokee word Ayuhwasi, which means meadow. It was settled circa 1820, … Read more
Located west of the Chattahoochee National Forest, about 15 miles southwest of Blue Ridge, Ellijay is widely considered one of the best places to live in the Georgia mountains. The moderate elevation and temperate climate make it a perfect place for apple orchards, farms, and wineries. And of course, wherever there are fresh fruits and … Read more
A guide to the 15 Best Blue Ridge Parkway hotels, cabin rentals, and B&Bs in NC & VA, spanning nearly the entire length of the BRP.
[Updated June 14, 2022] Known as the “Crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” Blowing Rock NC is widely regarded as one of the most charming North Carolina villages. Located in the NC High Country 10 miles south of Boone and 24 miles east of Banner Elk, the town of Blowing Rock was established in 1889. … Read more
Things to Do at Wintergreen Resort in Summer, including all the best hiking trails, waterfalls, family activities and Wintergreen restaurants.
As a longtime member of a few Blairsville-related Facebook groups, I’d read numerous complaints about the lack of diversity of non-chain restaurants in the tiny North Georgia mountain town. With a population of just over 600 and an economy that isn’t nearly as tourism-based as nearby hotspots such as Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Helen, we … Read more
In terms of outdoor recreation, my native state of Georgia is home to 50+ state parks and historic sites and more than a dozen national parks and forests. Our plethora of options to explore includes majestic mountains, ancient geological formations, canyons carved out over the course of time, wild and scenic rivers, and a seemingly endless array of … Read more
Everyone has their favorite North Georgia State Parks, whether it’s the massive gorge and waterfalls of Cloudland Canyon or the far-ranging Blue Ridge Mountain vistas of Black Rock Mountain. But if you’re interested in state parks primarily for camping, hiking, or history, Fort Mountain State Park deserves to be right up there at the top … Read more
