The 30 Best Day Trips From Atlanta GA

Clayton GA seen from Black Rock Mountain State Park Visitor Center

[Updated May 16, 2023] As a lifelong metro Atlanta resident, I’ve always felt that the natural beauty of the state of Georgia is vastly underrated. In my experience, even locals tend to forget the amazing amount of green space we’re blessed with, which offers endless excellent opportunities for recreation and ecotourism adventures. But taking day … Read more

The 10 Best Hotels in Ellijay GA & Gilmer County

Hotels in Ellijay Georgia

Although it has a population of less than 2,000 residents, Ellijay GA is the seat of Gilmer County. It’s a town so nice that President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, had a second home there. Ellijay is located about 22 miles north of the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the confluence of … Read more

Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains? A State-by-State Guide

Blue Ridge Mountains North Carolina - Sunset at Jump Off Rock in Hendersonville NC

“Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains?” is a question we get fairly often, and it’s understandable why so many people are confused by the geographical definition of the region.  Stretching 550 miles from North Georgia to Southern Pennsylvania, the Blue Ridge Mountain range is part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range. So all Blue Ridge … Read more

The 25 Best Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA

[Updated April 24, 2023] My earliest memories of the Blue Ridge Mountains are of backpacking trips with our church youth group, which my parents led. I was no more than 6 years old the first time we made our way north to Blue Ridge, Georgia. We’d stock up on supplies in town before heading to … Read more

The 10 Best Pet Friendly Cabin Rentals in Helen GA

Helen Georgia pet friendly cabins

Of all the lovely places to visit in Georgia, the Bavarian-inspired town of Helen is probably the one we’ve visited the most.  From its charming Alpine architecture, quirky personality, and traditional German restaurants to an array of outdoor attractions (including the 3,166-foot Yonah Mountain and the Appalachian Trail), there’s a lot to love about Helen.  You could … Read more

The 25 Best Wineries in the North Georgia Mountains

Wineries in North Georgia

[Updated April 23, 2023] It’s common knowledge that the Georgia mountains are filled with stunning natural beauty, from rolling hills and mountain lakes covered in morning mist to dense forests and tranquil creeks. But it may surprise some visitors to learn that the unique climate and geography of these Blue Ridge Mountains also provides the perfect … Read more

6 Incredible Indian Mounds in Georgia to Visit

Mound A at Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site

Ancient Indigenous tribes once thrived across the region now known as Georgia, living here for thousands of years before the first European settlers arrived.  Many of them were forcibly removed after the Georgia gold rush brought an influx of prospectors to the state in the late 1820s, which led to the Georgia land lotteries. But … Read more