Posted: 3/31/2026 12:38:14 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Glck1911][Edited]
|
We are planning our annual Vacation. We normally just drive to Montana, but My Wife mentioned possibly wanting to do something different this year. Georgia has always intrigued me, so we started looking at spots there. I'm looking for tips or advice. Here are the parameters.
I have looked into what seem to be the usual suspects as far as areas/towns go. Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Clayton, Dahlonega, Hiawassee. Any particular reasons to pick one over the other? Are there other places I should consider? Would our time be best spent picking one and spending the entire time there? Or are these the type of places where you can see everything in a couple of days and move on to the next? I'm also not against other areas of Georgia as well if there are some hidden gems. We like Mountains, but that isn't a requirement. As I said, I've always been intrigued by Georgia so not against checking out some lesser known spots. Edited to add: We really prefer places that still maintain some of their local culture compared to places that seem to strictly exist as a tourist hub. I know there is going to be an element of that in any of these places, but the less the better. Thanks! |
|
Blue Ridge is tourist central now, there are a lot of shops and some good places to eat though. Ellijay still has more of a small town feel and it isn't far from Blue Ridge if you wanted to go spend a day there and maybe take your kids on the train. Amicalola Falls is not too far from Ellijay, Springer Mountain at the top of the falls is where the Appalachian Trail starts, or ends depending on your point of view. Plenty of feeder trails and loops in the area, not sure about taking small kids on those though. Hiawassee is still about like it was many years ago, there are a few newer places but nothing like Blue Ridge. Not as much to do or see right in town though. It makse for a good jumping off point to see some attractions in the area like Brasstown Bald, Lake Chatuge, the GA Mountain fairgrounds has a lot of events throughout the year aside from the fair. Several good hikes in the area too, High Shoals Falls and Bell Mountain are worth seeing. |
Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man. In the end, the one who wins is the one who thinks he can! - SCI, NRA
Team Ranstad
Team Ranstad
|
Originally Posted By TinSpinner: Blue Ridge is tourist central now, there are a lot of shops and some good places to eat though. Ellijay still has more of a small town feel and it isn't far from Blue Ridge if you wanted to go spend a day there and maybe take your kids on the train. Amicalola Falls is not too far from Ellijay, Springer Mountain at the top of the falls is where the Appalachian Trail starts, or ends depending on your point of view. Plenty of feeder trails and loops in the area, not sure about taking small kids on those though. Hiawassee is still about like it was many years ago, there are a few newer places but nothing like Blue Ridge. Not as much to do or see right in town though. It makse for a good jumping off point to see some attractions in the area like Brasstown Bald, Lake Chatuge, the GA Mountain fairgrounds has a lot of events throughout the year aside from the fair. Several good hikes in the area too, High Shoals Falls and Bell Mountain are worth seeing. These are all solid places and advice. I'd throw in easy access for day hiking a leg of the AT, or the swinging bridge on the Benton Mackaye Trail. There are some kid friendly trout fishing opportunities around Ellijay as well as access to public water just outside of Blue Ridge. Not sure how you'd be coming in but if you're going near Columbus, maybe stop at Providence Canyon State Park for a day before heading up to the mountains. |
|
Originally Posted By TinSpinner: Blue Ridge is tourist central now, there are a lot of shops and some good places to eat though. Ellijay still has more of a small town feel and it isn't far from Blue Ridge if you wanted to go spend a day there and maybe take your kids on the train. Amicalola Falls is not too far from Ellijay, Springer Mountain at the top of the falls is where the Appalachian Trail starts, or ends depending on your point of view. Plenty of feeder trails and loops in the area, not sure about taking small kids on those though. Originally Posted By TinSpinner: Blue Ridge is tourist central now, there are a lot of shops and some good places to eat though. Ellijay still has more of a small town feel and it isn't far from Blue Ridge if you wanted to go spend a day there and maybe take your kids on the train. Amicalola Falls is not too far from Ellijay, Springer Mountain at the top of the falls is where the Appalachian Trail starts, or ends depending on your point of view. Plenty of feeder trails and loops in the area, not sure about taking small kids on those though. Springer is about 8 miles up the approach trail from the falls. If you want to hike to the top of Springer where the AT Southern Terminus is, park at the trailhead lot on Forest Service Road 42. Then it's only about a mile hike up to the top. Originally Posted By New4John: These are all solid places and advice. I'd throw in easy access for day hiking a leg of the AT, or the swinging bridge on the Benton Mackaye Trail. That's a solid pick for a hike. Woody Gap to Preacher Rock is a nice hike on the AT with a great view. (crowded on weekends though) |
Extorris, because he's a heartless cunt. The purity of his apathy is laboratory grade, and I sleep well knowing that he's out there somewhere,
not giving a shit about anyone or anything.
not giving a shit about anyone or anything.
|
I know you said mountains, but figured I'd throw out a different idea. If you want to hit S. Ga, there's Savannah with lots of museums, shops, parks and Tybee Island for the beach. Jekyll Island has nice beaches including Driftwood Beach, where there are tons of dead live oaks on the beach that ocean has reclaimed. There's a turtle rescue place and museum that the kids will probably like. There are multiple entrances to tour the Okefenokee Swamp an hour or so off of I-95. Pretty much guaranteed to see a bunch of gators. Cumberland Island, requires a ferry ride. There are wild horses and it is by far the most natural large barrier island along the East Coast. Make sure you make reservations now if there are openings for a day pass and ferry (try to take the early one). If you're a veteran, the pass is free for you +3, the boat ride is not. Cumberland might be a challenge with a 2 and 4 year old, but you could make it from the boat landing down to Dungeness and most likely see some horses. Went back in February with an AHG troop. One of the moms carried her 8 month old in one of those front/back carrier things for about an 8 mile loop we did. If you're interested in S. Ga, there are plenty of people here in the HTF who live there and have much better details than I do if you decide to explore that as an option. |
|
Originally Posted By birdbarian: I know you said mountains, but figured I'd throw out a different idea. If you want to hit S. Ga, there's Savannah with lots of museums, shops, parks and Tybee Island for the beach. Jekyll Island has nice beaches including Driftwood Beach, where there are tons of dead live oaks on the beach that ocean has reclaimed. There's a turtle rescue place and museum that the kids will probably like. There are multiple entrances to tour the Okefenokee Swamp an hour or so off of I-95. Pretty much guaranteed to see a bunch of gators. Cumberland Island, requires a ferry ride. There are wild horses and it is by far the most natural large barrier island along the East Coast. Make sure you make reservations now if there are openings for a day pass and ferry (try to take the early one). If you're a veteran, the pass is free for you +3, the boat ride is not. Cumberland might be a challenge with a 2 and 4 year old, but you could make it from the boat landing down to Dungeness and most likely see some horses. Went back in February with an AHG troop. One of the moms carried her 8 month old in one of those front/back carrier things for about an 8 mile loop we did. If you're interested in S. Ga, there are plenty of people here in the HTF who live there and have much better details than I do if you decide to explore that as an option. Thanks for the suggestions. I've actually looked at places like Tybee and Jekyll. This is going to sound dumb, but I've always wanted to go to the beaches in the Southeast simply because there are trees  . Trees close to the beach is not a phenomenon I am familiar with. I haven't really considered it for this go round because I live close to the coast and spend plenty of time doing those types of things. That being said, it's still not out of the question. Savannah is on the list to visit one day, but I think that would be more of a long weekend for the Wife and I type of thing. I'm just not big on visiting cities. |
|
Originally Posted By Glck1911: Thanks for the suggestions. I've actually looked at places like Tybee and Jekyll. This is going to sound dumb, but I've always wanted to go to the beaches in the Southeast simply because there are trees . Trees close to the beach is not a phenomenon I am familiar with. I haven't really considered it for this go round because I live close to the coast and spend plenty of time doing those types of things. That being said, it's still not out of the question. Savannah is on the list to visit one day, but I think that would be more of a long weekend for the Wife and I type of thing. I'm just not big on visiting cities. Originally Posted By Glck1911: Originally Posted By birdbarian: I know you said mountains, but figured I'd throw out a different idea. If you want to hit S. Ga, there's Savannah with lots of museums, shops, parks and Tybee Island for the beach. Jekyll Island has nice beaches including Driftwood Beach, where there are tons of dead live oaks on the beach that ocean has reclaimed. There's a turtle rescue place and museum that the kids will probably like. There are multiple entrances to tour the Okefenokee Swamp an hour or so off of I-95. Pretty much guaranteed to see a bunch of gators. Cumberland Island, requires a ferry ride. There are wild horses and it is by far the most natural large barrier island along the East Coast. Make sure you make reservations now if there are openings for a day pass and ferry (try to take the early one). If you're a veteran, the pass is free for you +3, the boat ride is not. Cumberland might be a challenge with a 2 and 4 year old, but you could make it from the boat landing down to Dungeness and most likely see some horses. Went back in February with an AHG troop. One of the moms carried her 8 month old in one of those front/back carrier things for about an 8 mile loop we did. If you're interested in S. Ga, there are plenty of people here in the HTF who live there and have much better details than I do if you decide to explore that as an option. Thanks for the suggestions. I've actually looked at places like Tybee and Jekyll. This is going to sound dumb, but I've always wanted to go to the beaches in the Southeast simply because there are trees . Trees close to the beach is not a phenomenon I am familiar with. I haven't really considered it for this go round because I live close to the coast and spend plenty of time doing those types of things. That being said, it's still not out of the question. Savannah is on the list to visit one day, but I think that would be more of a long weekend for the Wife and I type of thing. I'm just not big on visiting cities. The Live Oaks on Cumberland Island are fantastic to see if you ever get the chance. |
