Blue Ridge Fun Each Month



There is so much fun to be had in Blue Ridge all year long! Because there is always something happening in town it can be hard to narrow down when it’s the best time to Escape to Blue Ridge. We’re here to help! We’ve comprised a list of 12 seasonal activities and events for you and your family to partake in, one for each month of the year! 

January: Discover Bigfoot

Photo Courtesy of @iamianjones

Head inside & stay warm during the cold month of January by paying a visit to Bigfoot himself at the Expedition: Bigfoot Museum! There you will learn all about the mysterious creature that is said to wander the forests of North Georgia. Expedition:Bigfoot holds the country’s largest display of genuine Bigfoot artifacts like photos and sketches, sighting maps, life-sized exhibits, and the World’s only Bigfoot Research and Tech Vehicle. There’s so much to see at this family-fun, quirky gem of a museum! 

February: Fire & Ice Chili Cookoff & Craft Beer Festival

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Irvin

Embrace the cold at Blue Ridge’s 11th Annual Fire & Ice Chili Cookoff & Craft Beer Festival! This year’s event takes place February 19th from 12pm-4pm and will have all kinds of winter fun! There will be ice sculptures and live music, as well as chili and craft beer to keep you warm & toasty from the cold mountain air. Help determine the winner of “The Peoples Choice Award” chili by purchasing taster tickets for $10. Sample the competition and pick your favorite to win! And be sure to take some time to admire the beautiful display of award-winning ice sculptures from the National Ice Carving Champion Rock On Ice. You’ll even get a chance to see how the process works by watching ice sculpting demonstrations. You won’t want to miss out on this great winter event, so bundle up and join us for the fun!

March: Shop & Eat Local

Photo Courtesy of @Chanel Josephson

March is a great time to hit the downtown area because it’s not too busy! You’ll easily be able to visit all of your favorite shops & get in for dinner at some of the best spots in town like Chester’s, The Black Sheep, or Harvest on Main. Discover unique finds at the shops downtown and stock up on souvenirs from your Blue Ridge adventure. Check out Pezrok for cool rock formations and handcrafted furniture to bring back or pay a visit to Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company to bring some Blue Ridge flavor home with you! After a busy day of shopping and dining be sure to end your day with dessert from Mona Lisa’s Dessert House, The Sweet Shoppe, or with a Rum Cake from The Rum Cake Lady

April: Take a Scenic Drive

Photo Courtesy of Bob Reel

As the weather warms up and spring finally arrives in the mountains there’s no better time to take a scenic drive! Bring the whole family and drive through winding mountain roads where you’ll admire the beauty all around you. Flowers will begin to pop up, the Blue Ridge Mountains will be in their full blue color, and the drive will be alive with nature. There’s no better way to celebrate the end of winter than by taking in the beautiful views. Follow our scenic drive blog for the perfect routes: https://www.escapetoblueridge.com/blog/5-scenic-north-georgia-overlooks/ 

May: Spring Arts in the Park

Photo Courtesy of the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association

Come celebrate the beautiful weather and local artists at the annual Spring Arts in the Park event! This year the popular event, hosted by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, takes place May 28th & 29th, for the holiday weekend. Typically the family-friendly event draws almost 20,000 people to the Downtown City Park of Blue Ridge! And with over 170+ vendor booths for various artists, exhibitors, and food vendors there’s so much fun for everyone! And this 46th year of the Spring Arts in the Park will be no different! Admission is $5 and children 12 & under are free! 

June: Explore the Trails

Photo Courtesy of Hike the Ridge

With summer arriving there’s no better time to hit the trails! Explore miles and miles worth of hiking trails that will take you through some of the most naturally beautiful places in the state! Discover stunning waterfalls standing at a few hundred feet tall, be brave and walk across the swinging bridge, push yourself and climb to mountain peaks, and go for peaceful hikes along rivers and lakes. There’s so much waiting for you on the trails in Blue Ridge! Learn about a few of our favorite hikes here: https://www.escapetoblueridge.com/blog/8-blue-ridge-hiking-trails/ 

July: Hit the Lake

Beat the summer heat and take to the waters of Lake Blue Ridge! Whether you’re cruising on a boat, splashing in the water, or sunbathing on the sands of Morganton Point; Lake Blue Ridge is the place to be for the summer! Lake Blue Ridge Marina is a great starting point to prep for your lake day adventures. They have boat rentals and all the supplies you need to get out on the water. And after a long day on the lake be sure to drop by the marina again at The Boat Dock Bar & Grill for great food, drinks, live music, and a beautiful view of Lake Blue Ridge. It’s a perfect way to unwind after a busy summer day. The fun on Lake Blue Ridge goes on all summer long but one of our favorite times to be out on the water is the 4th of July! See fireworks light up the night sky and reflect off the lake for the annual “Fire in the Sky” fireworks display. The fireworks are shot off over the Lake Blue Ridge dam and can be viewed by boat or along the shore. It’s become many visitors and locals alike favorite annual tradition! 

August: Go for a White Water Rafting Adventure

Photo Courtesy of Ocoee Rafting

The end of summer is the height of white water rafting season! Gear up for an adventure of a lifetime as you paddle your way through the rapids of the Ocoee River. The Ocoee River is located just over the border in Tennessee and is THE place to go for whitewater rafting. The upper part of the river was even used during the 1996 Olympics for their whitewater events! Check out Ocoee Rafting, the oldest outfitter on the Ocoee, Rolling Thunder River Company, or the Wildwater to start your adventure. Talented and trained staff will help guide you safely through the rapids. If you’re brave enough to give it a go, it will be an experience that you won’t soon forget! 

September: Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival

Photo Courtesy of the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival

Every year Downtown Blue Ridge prepares for the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival! As the weather starts to get cooler and the leaves begin to change it’s the perfect time to come together to enjoy some great music and delicious food! The day is always filled with a great lineup of talented artists and great local food vendors. The event typically takes place mid September so stay tuned for the date! 

October: Pick Apples at Mercier’s

Photo Courtesy of Mercier Orchards

There’s nothing quite like fall in Blue Ridge! The weather is perfect and the mountains are aglow with the beautiful fall leaves that cover the trees. And what says fall more than apple picking? Mercier Orchards has quickly become a favorite spot in town for not only the apples but other great aspects as well, like their winery & hard cidery, the marketplace, farm tours, and of course their amazing fried pies of every flavor imaginable! At Mercier’s come for their U-Pick events where you can pick your apples straight from the tree. Pick the best ones and then bring them home with you for a delicious and healthy snack or bake them into a scrumptious pie! Join in the fall fun at Mercier’s all season long! 

November: Light Up Blue Ridge & McCaysville

Photo Courtesy of @hiddencreekcabinblueridgega

Ring in the holiday season with these two great Christmas events! On Friday after Thanksgiving Downtown Blue Ridge holds a special Blue Friday event with store discounts, food vendors, strolling entertainment, the opening of The Gingerbread Village, and lots of Christmas cheer! Then the following day Santa comes to town! There will be more vendors, a Christmas Parade, photos with Santa, and beautiful lights around town. And more holiday fun awaits you in McCaysville! They have shopping, dining, pictures with Santa, Christmas lights all along the river, and their famous tree lighting. There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than attending one (or both) of these great festive events! 

December: Ride the Holiday Express

Photo Courtesy of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is a treat all year long but especially during the holiday season when it transforms into the Holiday Express! On this special, hour-long train ride you’ll sing along to holiday music, listen to the story of The Night Before Christmas, drink hot chocolate, munch on delicious goodies, and get the chance to meet Santa. Kids will also get a candy cane, jingle bell, and activity packet. This is a great family-friendly activity perfect for the holidays, but be sure to get your tickets in advance because they sell out quickly! 

No matter the season there’s fun for everyone in Blue Ridge! We hope you’ll choose us for your next mountain adventure & Escape to Blue Ridge!

Hike these 8 Blue Ridge Mountain Trails



Why do people escape to the mountains? For peace, quiet, and some time away from the hustle and bustle of daily life; of course. But if you’re an outdoor lover you probably also escape to the mountains to explore some wonderful hiking trails. In Blue Ridge, we have no shortage of great hiking options. Choose from mountain trails, riverside trails, lakeside trails, wooded trails, and even trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls. Wherever your heart leads you to explore, we’ve got it!

We’ve comprised a list of our top 8 favorite hiking trails to guide you on your next adventure. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a total newbie just wanting to get outdoors, there are trails for everyone. So grab your friends, family, and dogs along too for an adventure of a lifetime and fall in love with some of the best trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Benton McKaye Trail

Photo Courtesy of @littlebitty87

Located in the heart of the Aska Adventure Area, we love the Benton McKaye Trail because it’s close to so many great activities like Lily Pad Village, Toccoa Valley Campground, and more. Plus it connects to so many other trails that will take you all around Blue Ridge! Benton McKaye crosses the Appalachian Trail about 15 miles south of Blue Ridge. Along the trail you may come across the famous Toccoa Swinging Bridge, Fall Branch Falls, Long Creek Falls, and Springer Mountain; all great spots to stop for a photo-op!

The Benton MacKaye Trail is a great option for day hikers and explorers looking to do some sightseeing. Or if you’re up for an adventure, you can warm up for a thru-hike by doing the entire 300 miles ending in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. There’s always something new to find on the Benton McKaye Trail! 

Lake Blue Ridge Loop

Take in the beauty of Lake Blue Ridge for yourself and hike the trails around the lake. The Lake Blue Ridge Loop is a quick 0.8 miles and is well maintained, making it a great hike for all ages. Admire the trees reflecting off the water as you wander along the trail. Once you finish, head on over to the Morganton Point Recreation Area for a quick dip or a much-needed lunch in the picnic area. 

Aska Adventure Area trails

The Aska Adventure Area hiking trails are made up of 5 smaller trails: Stanley Gap Trail, Green Mountain Trail, Flat Creek Loop, Stanley Gap/Flat Creek Connector, and Long Branch Loop; which all together form 17.0 miles of beautiful trails to explore.

Open year-round, these winding trails will take you through the Chattahoochee National Forest and across mountain streams & creeks. You might even run into a waterfall or two! These trails also eventually connect to the Benton McKaye Trail and Lake Blue Ridge Loop. Most all of the trails in Fannin County are connected and ready to take you throughout the most beautiful parts of Blue Ridge.

Jack’s River Trail

Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Trails

Jacks River Trail is a 14.8-mile trail located within the Cohutta Wilderness Area. Be aware that this trail is slightly more advanced and parts of it cross moving water; so make sure you’re up for the challenge! The hike will be a rocky, water-filled adventure that crosses Jacks River and its tributaries over 40 times, but the views will be so worth it.

One of the highlights of the hike is the beautiful, 80-foot Jacks River Falls. The falls are easily one of the South’s most beautiful waterfalls and one of Georgia’s top hiking destinations. You’ll also find wildflowers, mossy river banks, and rocky paths just waiting to be explored! If you’re looking for a rewarding and fun adventure this hike is for you!

Emery Creek Falls Trail

Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Trails

Looking for more water adventures? Hike on Emery Creek Falls Trail for a fun challenge!  This intermediate trail takes hikers through 20 creeks and past several waterfalls throughout the 6.2-mile round trip hike. You’ll wander and explore the lush, forested trail and feel like you’re hundreds of miles away from the rest of the world. Along the way, you’ll run into a pair of stunning, beautiful, remote waterfalls. Relax, listen to the sounds of the rushing waterfall, and feel at peace in your own beautiful oasis. 

The Hemp Top Trail

Photo Courtesy of hikingtheappalachians.com

Climb some of the highest peaks in Georgia as you make your way along The Hemp Top Trail. Only 10 minutes outside of Blue Ridge, this 6.2-mile strenuous hike is well worth it for the views at the top. You’ll be able to see the Tennessee Valley and surrounding mountains from one of the highest points in the Cohutta Wilderness. This quiet hike will submerge you right into the beauty of the North Georgia wilderness but is recommended for more experienced hikers. 

Ocoee Whitewater Center Trails

Photo Courtesy of Alltrails

While the Ocoee Whitewater Center, just across the border in Tennessee, is known for its whitewater rafting, but they also have over 30 miles of trails to explore! The Ocoee Whitewater Center is the site of the 1996 Summer Olympic white water events and has much to see like the Olympic bridges, gardens, historic and forested trails, and a 330-foot suspension bridge. Athletes and Olympic fans will especially love the trails but any outdoor lover can enjoy them! And when you finish your long or short adventure, picnic by the river and imagine the dozens of rafts that floated down that very same river in the Olympic games over 25 years ago! 

Amicalola Falls 

The hike to Amicalola Falls is a 2.1-mile loop but much of it is uphill. You’ll cross rocky terrain, as you weave through the narrow trail. On your way up to the falls, you’ll hear the sounds of rushing water in the distance and will catch a glimpse of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Once you reach the top of the falls you’ll begin the steep walk down along bridges and stairs. You’ll be blown away by the 730-foot waterfall that cascades down a towering cliff into a pool of water far below.

Soak in the incredible views of the tallest waterfall in Georgia, as you make your way down the stairs; you’ll have plenty of chances for photos of course! Looking for a more challenging hike to the falls? Take the 10-mile hike, past the stone archway at the visitor center onto the Amicalola Falls East Ridge Trail and Appalachian Approach Trail Loop. You’ll still make it to the falls you’ll just have a longer, more challenging hike ahead of you. Whichever route you choose Amicalola Falls is a must-see!