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
[Updated January 9, 2023] Located just a couple of hours north of downtown Asheville, the town of Boone NC is the county seat for Watauga County. This hub of North Carolina’s High Country is a slice of the Blue Ridge Mountains that’s choc-a-block with outdoor activities and other attractions. Boone was named for American pioneer/explorer … Read more
For many metro Atlanta residents, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains can often mean a full-day commitment once you factor in driving times. But hiking at the Sawnee Mountain Preserve in Cumming GA offers numerous opportunities for hiking near Atlanta, all within 40 miles of Downtown. The other benefit of Sawnee Mountain hiking is that … Read more
Bryson City is a charming little mountain town that’s packed full of outdoor adventure. To the north, you’ll find Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with ever-popular attractions such as Mingus Mill, Deep Creek waterfalls, the Road to Nowhere, Newfound Gap, and Clingman’s Dome. To the west is Fontana Lake, to the east is Cherokee NC, and the … Read more
Located in the mountain town of Dahlonega, the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site chronicles the discovery of gold in Georgia and the pivotal role it played in the history of Georgia. Gold was first discovered in Lumpkin County in 1828, and it triggered the first major gold rush in the country by 1829. (There … Read more
An important aspect of North Carolina’s state history, NC moonshine is filled with legends, folklore, and lots of liquor. In short, NC distilleries are something of a cultural institution. North Carolina auto racing heroes like Junior Johnson are reputed to have developed their formidable driving skills while running bootleg liquor. This morphed into stock car … Read more
Located in Southeast Tennessee, the Ocoee River is a 93-mile river that flows northwest through the southern Appalachian Mountains. It’s known as the Toccoa River in the state of Georgia, where it passes through the towns of Blue Ridge and McCaysville. The river is world-renowned for its Class III-V rapids, which served as the dramatic … Read more
Although many people wait for the fall colors to reach their peak, summer is truly prime time for visiting the North Georgia mountains. The Chattahoochee National Forest is lush and green, the temperatures are 5º to 10º cooler than they are in metro Atlanta, and the myriad lakes and waterfalls offer excellent options for cooling … Read more
The state of Georgia was home to some of the most famous Civil War battles, and subsequently has many fascinating historic sites for visitors to explore. The Civil War battlefields in Georgia span from Lookout Mountain in the west to Savannah in the east, along the route the Union Army took to defeat the Confederacy between … Read more