Rainy Day Fun in the Mountains



We love the great outdoors as much as the next person but the weather can’t always be perfect in the Blue Ridge mountains. When you come to town you want to get out and experience all that the area has to offer. You don’t want to miss out on all the fun just because of the weather, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve put together a list of 12 indoor activities to keep you entertained on a rainy or cold day!

Get a Hole in One  

Photo Courtesy of 2nd Floor Entertainment

2nd Story Entertainment is all about indoor family fun! Play an 18 hole game of Putt-Putt where you’ll weave in and out of 8 individually themed rooms in a 112-year-old hotel! The fun doesn’t stop there,  they also have giant board games like giant Connect Four and Checkers, as well as magnetic dartboards and a wall maze.

And if putt-putt isn’t your thing 2nd Story Entertainment has its very own arcade, with games like Air Hockey, Ms. Packman, Big Buck Hunter, and so much more! You can stay there all day and have a blast with your family playing all kinds of great games! 

See a Show

Photo Courtesy of Blue Ridge Community Theater

Looking for a little entertainment? Enjoy a show at Blue Ridge Community Theater! You’ll love seeing the local community up on stage singing, dancing, and acting their way through some of your favorite shows. Kick back, relax, and enjoy the show! Here’s their 2022 Season Line-up: 

  • Trouble at the Tropicabana: March 3rd-20th
  • Women Playing Hamlet: March 24th-27th 
  • The Play that Goes Wrong: April 7th-24th 
  • Blithe Spirit: May 12th-29th 
  • The Game’s Afoot: July 7th-24th
  • An Average British Evening: July 28th-31st 
  • Death Trap: August 11th-28th 
  • The Glass Menagerie: September 1st-4th 
  • Same Time Next Week: September 15th-October 2nd
  • Elf the Musical: November 25th-December 18th 

Read Something

Photo Courtesy of Mountain Man Comics

There’s nothing more relaxing than curling up with a good book on a rainy day in the cabin. Head to the Fannin County Public Library and find yourself a great story to keep you entertained. And it’s right next to some amazing restaurants like The Black Sheep, Harvest on Main, and Southern Charm; so if you can bring yourself to put the book down, take a quick lunch break at one of these delicious local spots.

If you’re a superhero lover then you’ll love Mountain Man Comics! You could wander the aisles for hours finding cool figurines and special edition comics of some of your favorite heroes. Then show off all your cool finds when you get back home. 

Go Antiquing 

Photo Courtesy of Blue Ridge Antique Mall

Find all kinds of unique gifts and treasures when you go antiquing in Blue Ridge. Some of our favorite spots include Blue Ridge Antique Mall & Consignment and Blue Ridge Mountain Mall. What will you bring back from your day of antiquing? Unique and stylish jewelry, a beautiful vanity,  or an item from your youth that makes you feel all kinds of nostalgic! You’ll find so many great goodies from your day out! 

Have a Spa Day

Photo Courtesy of Serenity in the Mountains

Treat yourself to a day of pampering at Serenity in the Mountains Spa. Feel glam by getting a new hairdo and a mani-pedi. Get to relaxing with massages and facials, and then try out the Himalayan Salt Cave which will help your entire immune system! It’s a vacation, right? You deserve the time to relax so when you get back to the real world you’ll be ready to tackle anything! 

Admire some Art

Photo Courtesy of High Country Art

Did you know that Blue Ridge is listed as one of the Top 5 Art Towns in Georgia? Art lovers can take in some beautiful art at one of the many lovely art galleries downtown. We especially love High Country Art, Multitudes Gallery, Fishbone Studios, and the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association. You’ll love seeing such gorgeous pieces of art created by local artists. Even bring home a piece and make it the centerpiece of your home as a reminder of your great trip to Blue Ridge! 

Listen to Live Music

Photo Courtesy of the Blue Coyote

Jam out to live music all over town from great local artists! You can stay warm and cozy inside at venues like Tooney’s, Blue Coyote, and Misty Mountain Hops. While you listen you can enjoy a delicious meal and drinks with your friends and family. 

Bowl a Strike

Photo Courtesy of Fannin Lanes

Hit the lanes at Fannin Lanes Bowling in Blue Ridge! Who doesn’t love a night of bowling with friends? Make it a competition and see who can bowl the most strikes. Snack on goodies from the cafe and snack bar like pizza, burgers, chicken, and more! 

Discover Bigfoot in North Georgia  

Photo Courtesy of @iamianjones

Bigfoot is a North American legend and he has been known to wander the forests of North Georgia. Learn all about him and discover new secrets at Expedition: Bigfoot! The Sasquatch Musuem! This fun, quirky museum is a great way to spend your rainy day. The whole family will love exploring the museum and learning all about Bigfoot through genuine bigfoot artifacts, life-sized exhibits, photos, sketches, large up-to-date sighting maps, and the World’s only Bigfoot Research and Tech Vehicle on display. You can find all this and more at Expedition: Bigfoot! The Sasquatch Musuem, the largest Bigfoot display in the U.S! After your journey be sure to stop by the gift shop and bring home your own Bigfoot souvenir!

Pair Grilled Cheese and Pinball

Photo Courtesy of Vertigo Pinball

 Become the ‘Pinball Wizard’ you’ve always dreamed of being at Vertigo Pinball! Play this classic game on dozens of vintage and themed pinball machines like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Marvel, ACDC, and more! All you need is a handy dandy wristband to play for a few hours or all day if you want to. No coins or tokens needed! Enjoy your game while you munch on delicious comfort foods like Fripper’s hot dogs, paninis, and grown-up grilled cheeses! And pair your meal with your choice of a regional craft beer, cider or a glass of wine. You’ll feel young again at Vertigo Pinball! 

Night in the Cabin

Photo Courtesy of Hermosa Brown

The weather got you down? You don’t even need to leave your cabin for a day of fun! With so many great amenities included right at your home away from home like a firepit, hot tub, and so much more why would you even want to leave!?

One of our favorite things to do on a cold rainy day is to curl up and watch a good movie. Cozy up by the fire, sink into the leather couch, and watch your favorite movie on your cabin’s large flatscreen TV! Nothing will have you feeling more relaxed than a cozy movie night by the fire.

Or you can gather the whole family together for family game night! Head to your cabin’s game room to play pool, air hockey, and as many board games as you want! And take a quick game break to prepare a delicious homecooked meal for the whole family in your cabin’s luxurious kitchen. Then get right back to a night of fun and games!

At Escape to Blue Ridge we want you to have all the comforts of home and then some; that way you don’t even need to leave the cabin to have a good time with the ones you love! 

Adventure Awaits in Aska



Nestled only a few miles outside of downtown Blue Ridge, the Aska Adventure Area is packed with plenty of activities for visitors. Whether you are hoping to explore the serene North Georgia Mountains or grab a bite to eat at a mom-and-pop restaurant, you’ll have a blast in the Aska region of Blue Ridge. The Toccoa River, Appalachian Trail, and the Benton Mackaye Trail all intersect through the Aska Trail System. When you are ready to make your Escape to Blue Ridge, don’t forget to pack your hiking boots, load up the bicycle and get ready to have some great outdoor fun!

Eat Off Aska

Photo Courtesy of Toccoa Riverside Restaurant

If you’re looking for a tasty meal without breaking the bank, Van Zandt’s Riverwalk Grill & Grocery is a country diner serving breakfast and lunch. Their shelves are stocked with basic groceries and a gift shop with goods crafted by local artisans.

The Toccoa Riverside Restaurant is a true ‘taste-and-see’ spot, as this eatery sits alongside rushing river waters. Here you can feast upon fresh local trout prepared several different ways or choose from the finest and freshest steaks, seafood, ribs, and signature pasta dishes. Pets are welcome and Fido can even enjoy some canine cuisine from the Pooch Porch Goodies menu!

Play

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Williams

Channel your inner child and get ready for a day full of fun and adventure at the Lilly Pad Village. Explore the two acres of picturesque land and choose to go gem mining, fishing, and mini-golfing! You are sure to get lots of smiles out of your little ones, and who knows, you might end up having more fun playing along with them!

Roll up your sleeves and get ready for an entertaining and educational gem mining experience. Once you’ve discovered some shiny treasure, head over to the fishing pond for some peaceful relaxation. The fishing hole, sitting on one-third of an acre, is stocked with catfish, bream, and bass. Fishing tickets and rental equipment are offered on-site. End your trip at Lilly Pad Village with a competitive game of mountainside mini-golf. The nine-hole mini-golf course takes players through tall trees with sounds from a variety of birds and frogs at the lily pond. The best part about Lilly Pad Village is that your activity ticket lasts all day so you can stay as long as you would like!

Additional Gem Mining experiences can be found at Aska Mining Company & Cohutta Cove Mini Golf and Gem Mining.

Explore Trails

Map Courtesy of the Blue Ridge Ranger District Office of the US Forest Service

Because of its mountainous terrain, hiking is one of the main reasons that travelers add Aska to their must-visit list. The Aska Trails Area consists of a 17-mile trail system where hikers and mountain bikers of all skill levels can explore. This trail system highlights the landscapes of North Georgia by revealing mountain peaks, shorelines of Lake Blue Ridge, and a series of hardwood trees among thickets of Mountain Laurel and Rhododendrons.

A few of our favorite hiking and mountain biking trails include:

  1. Long Branch Loop (2.3 miles round trip)
  2. Green Mountain Trail (2.8 miles round trip)
  3. Flat Creek Loop (6 miles round trip)
  4. Stanley Gap Trail (9.5 miles round trip)

A River Runs Through It

Photo Courtesy of Dell Neighbors

The Toccoa River flows parallel to Aska Road and is at the heart of outdoor activities in this idyllic mountain region. The 93-mile-long river journeys through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Ocoee River Basin and is one of the South’s few north-flowing rivers. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Toccoa by their choice of tubing, kayaking, rafting, or fishing.

Photo Courtesy of the Toccoa Valley Campground

A tubing trip down the Toccoa River is a popular activity that allows visitors a simple way to capture the river’s beauty. Depending on the drop-off site, you can float on your river tube for an hour or close to four hours. The Toccoa Valley Campground, Shallowford Bridge Tubing, and Van Zandt’s each offer tube rentals, life vests, and a shuttle trip.

Rafting and kayaking allow you to embark along the Toccoa River at your own pace. If you’re looking for a route alone or with a guide, both options are available in Aska. Pack a lunch and enjoy cruising along the mountain waters. Kayaks and rafts can be rented at the Jon Ron Toccoa Outfitters.

Photo Courtesy of Cohutta Fishing Company

Fishing in the surrounding Aska areas provides peace and relaxation for all outdoor enthusiasts. Sandy Bottoms is an excellent spot to splash in the swimming hole or catch fish on a hot summer day. Another great fishing location is at the Shallowford Bridge. Underneath the steel one-lane bridge, fishermen (and women) can set up their line and patiently wait for a bite. Private guided trout fishing tours are also available through companies like Cohutta Fishing Company.

The breathtaking scenery and endless adventures are waiting to be explored off Aska. This adventure area is rich in history and wildlife, and it will be a trip that you won’t forget. Hop in the car and Escape to Blue Ridge to explore the Aska Adventure Area!