The Top 25 Free Things to Do in North Georgia

Even though there is plenty to do in Atlanta, North Georgia also has lots of amazing attractions. Best of all, many of the opportunities in the North Georgia mountains are totally free! There are lots of Georgia state parks to explore, you might want to check out a historic site or two from the Civil War, and there are even some fun things to do along the Appalachian Trail!

If you want to make the most of your trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains, what are a few of the top things to do?

1. Hike the Appalachian Trail

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If you are looking for something fun you can do for free, you will definitely want to check out the Appalachian Trail. No matter where in North Georgia you are located, there is a good chance you will not be far from the Appalachian Trail. The trail starts at Springer Mountain in Georgia. Then, it winds for more than 2,000 miles all the way up to Maine.

There are plenty of animals to see, such as deer, songbirds, turkeys, and even a few rabbits. You might also want to take a look at a few of the flowers that line the trail as well. You might want to check out the Long Creek Falls trail or the Three Forks trail.

There is also a relatively short trail around Springer Mountain. Regardless of how far you are hiking, make sure you bring some water to stay hydrated during your trip.

2. Enjoy the Sites in Town

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There are a lot of small towns scattered throughout North Georgia, including Elijay and Morganton. The easiest way to check out everything North Georgia has to offer is to hop on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, but a ticket is not free. You might want to start with one town before you decide to buy a ticket for the train.

Take a look at some of the antique shops. Take a stroll down Main Street and observe the locals. See if there are any free samples being handed out at a few of the cafes. That way, you can really enjoy the culture of North Georgia.

3. Enjoy the View

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Of course, you can always enjoy the beautiful view for free. No matter which hiking trail you’re on, there is a good chance you will have an amazing view of the area. You should bring a camera so that you don't forget what you see! Before you try to check out an amazing view along the trail, be sure to take a look at the weather report.

You don't want to get up to the top only to realize that it is too cloudy to see anything. You may even want to bring a pair of binoculars to see what you can spot on the floor of the forest. There are a lot of amazing attractions in the area, and this is not an opportunity you want to miss.

4. See if You Can Sample the Southern Cooking

North Georgia is known for its delicious southern cooking. There are plenty of amazing restaurants scattered throughout North Georgia, and even though you certainly can’t enjoy an entire meal for free, there are a lot of festivals that take place throughout the year where you can sample some great bites.

At a lot of these festivals, restaurants hand out samples, so you might be able to see what all the fuss is about if you time your visit correctly. Many of the festivals take place during the summer and fall, so be sure to check the calendar before you start your next getaway.

5. Check Out the Orchards and Farms

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Even though this part of the country is known for its wineries, there are plenty of orchards and farms as well. Even though not all of them have free beverages or food, you might be able to wander through them for free. Some of them do offer a free tour, although you might need to pay money if you want to pick some of the apples.

Because there are so many beautiful orchards in the area, don't forget to check them out to see if they have any free opportunities. This is a great way to really bathe in the atmosphere of North Georgia.

6. Check Out the Waterfalls

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If you love hiking outside of Atlanta, you should definitely explore some of the waterfalls in the Blue Ridge area. This is an absolute paradise for people who love nature, and there are plenty of amazing waterfalls in the area. You might even want to bring a blanket so that you can enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike.

If you want to see the waterfalls at their largest, you should try to visit during the spring. A lot of the snow in the area has melted, which means there is a lot of extra water rolling down the rocks. It would be the perfect opportunity for you to not only cool off but also see a giant cascade rolling through the North Georgia Mountains.

7. Head Out to the Lake

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If you enjoyed the waterfall, then you might enjoy a lake as well. There are lots of access points along the Morganton Point Recreation Area. This is also a place with restrooms and picnic tables available. If you have a boat, you can go out on the lake for free.

You can always swim out to the center of the lake, but if you do not have a watercraft, you may need to rent one. The lake is a great opportunity to cool off, particularly in the middle of the summer. This is definitely an attraction you will not want to miss.

This isn’t the only lake in the area, so if you enjoy your time swimming here, you can take a dip in other North Georgia lakes, too.

8. Swing By the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge

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Another one of the main attractions along the hiking trails in the area is the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge. It can get crowded during the day, so if you want to get out to the bridge, you should try to go earlier rather than later.

You may also want to bring your camera so you can take a picture of the river, which flows directly underneath the bridge. This is a fun place to go hiking in North Georgia.

9. Visit the Lilly Pad Village

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If you are traveling with children, you should check out the Lilly Pad Village. There are lots of fun activities in this area, including mini-golf, gem mining, fishing, hiking, and free climbing. Even though not all of the activities are free, a lot of them are.

This is a great place for the kids to burn off some energy. That way, they will have an easier time going to sleep at night. This is an often-overlooked area in Blue Ridge, so be sure to add it to your list during your visit.

10. Enjoy a Meal on the River

If you feel like camping, you might be able to enjoy a meal next to the river. Even though there are plenty of restaurants available, you can certainly bring your own food. That way, you don't have to spend any money!

The outdoor scenery is absolutely breathtaking, particularly when the sun goes down. Therefore, bring a picnic basket, roll out a blanket, and enjoy a meal with your family members and friends. You can learn why so many people love eating outside in North Georgia.

11. Consider Taking a Brewery Tour

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This area of the country is home to a wide variety of breweries. Some of them even offer free tours, although you will have to pay something if you want to try the beer. You may want to call the breweries ahead of time to see if they are offering any tours.

Most of the tours last between 20 minutes and a half-hour, but not every brewery offers a tour every day. Many breweries also have some amazing views, so be sure to bring my camera as well.

12. Go Fishing

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During your visit to North Georgia, you should definitely go fishing. It is one of the fishing capitals of the country, and you are sure to catch a few trout as long as you bring your equipment. In particular, Blue Ridge, Georgia is home to the Toccoa River.

This is one of the best opportunities for you to catch some dinner. If you have brought your fishing gear, it should be free to go fishing; however, there are opportunities for you to rent fishing gear if you did not bring your own stuff.

13. Check Out Amicalola Falls

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Amicalola Falls is located near Burt’s Farm in Elijay. It is one of the most popular places for pictures in the local area. It is a very short walk from the farm, and it is one of the biggest waterfalls in the area.

If you want to go all the way to the top of the waterfall, you may have to do a bit of climbing, but it is definitely something you should not overlook during your visit to North Georgia. There is even a footbridge that goes over the waterfall, providing you with a perfect photo opportunity.

14. Go For a Bike Ride

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There are plenty of opportunities to go bike riding if you swing by Ellijay or Morganton. While you can certainly ride a bike around town and check out the sites, there are mountain biking opportunities available.

Make sure you get your bike tuned up before you go for a bike ride, as some of the trails can be a bit bumpy. If you did not bring your own bike, you can certainly rent one, but the best way to enjoy free biking opportunities is to bring your own from home.

15. Enjoy the Apple Festival in Elijay

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If you decide to visit Ellijay, you will definitely want to check out the Apple Festival. It is one of the most popular times of the year, and it takes place during the fall. Not everything is free at the Apple Festival, but a lot of the activities are.

You might even be able to try a few delicious apples without having to pay anything! Many of the apples come from Mercier Orchards or BJ Reece Orchards, so you will have an opportunity to try Apples from a lot of different locations in North Georgia.

16. Swing By Fausett Sunflower Farm

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Not far from Ellijay is the Fausset Sunflower Farm. It is more than 13 acres in size, and it has a lot of gorgeous flowers for picking and for photographs. This is also a great place to check out during the fall because there are a lot of pumpkins available in the area.

You might be able to take a few pictures for free, but if you want to put together a bouquet, you will probably have to pay some money. They have specials throughout the year, so you might want to call ahead of time before you visit.

17. Visit Talking Rock Park

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Talking Rock Park is one of the most popular attractions in the Ellijay area. There are plenty of covered picnic tables, lots of restrooms, and even a playground for children. Of course, the biggest attraction is the water.

It is incredibly shallow, and it is a great way to cool off in the middle of the summer. It can be a bit hard to find, so you might want to use your GPS to help you. If you wade in the water a bit upstream, you will see that it gets a little bit deeper.

18. Check Out a Swimming Hole

There are lots of hidden swimming holes scattered throughout the North Georgia Mountains as well. In a lot of cases, people have set up a rope with a tire swing for people to swing and jump into the water.

It is important to put safety first, but it is one of the best ways to cool off in the middle of the summer. If you are curious about some of the hidden swimming holes in the local area, you should talk to a few of the locals to get their advice.

19. Enjoy the Art Work

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If you swing by Cherry Lodge or Mineral Bluff, you will see a lot of people painting on the street. There are lots of street artists who have set up an easel to strut their stuff. Even though the goal is to sell some artwork, you can certainly watch them for free.

You might see North Georgia in a completely different light after you take a look at some of the paintings and pictures they produce. Everyone has a slightly different style, so you may want to talk to a few of the artists to see how they got started.

20. Check Out a Georgia State Park

There are plenty of state parks scattered throughout North Georgia, so consider checking out a few of them. You do not necessarily need to pay anything to get into the parks! Many of them are home to a wide variety of wild animals, so you may want to talk to a guide to learn more about some of the animals that live in the area. You should also take a closer look at some of the trees, flowers, and bushes that grow in the parks.

21. Go Stargazing

You might even want to go stargazing while you are spending time in North Georgia. Because you are a fair distance from ATL, there will not be nearly as much light pollution in the area. If you turn your eyes to the sky, you might even be able to spot a few constellations.

This could be a great activity you can do with your children. You may want to quiz them on some of the constellations you see. If you get lucky, you might even get a full moon overhead. You might even feel like you are laying on the floor of a giant planetarium.

22. Listen To Some Live Music

When the weather gets warm outside, there are plenty of opportunities for live music scattered throughout the towns of North Georgia. This includes Morganton, Ellijay, Mineral Bluff, and Cherry Lodge.

Lots of people like to play the guitar, while some people even pull a piano out onto the sidewalk. If you are willing to tip them a few dollars, they might even be able to play one of your favorite songs. If you are truly brave, you might want to bring out a guitar to play with them.

23. Go Canoeing on the River

If you have your own canoe, there are plenty of opportunities for you to go canoeing in the North Georgia Mountains. You might even want to pick a stretch of the Toccoa River to explore. You do not necessarily need to paddle quickly, as the current will bring you downstream. At the same time, don't forget to set up travel arrangements! You will need to figure out a way to get back to your car or your campsite!

24. Check Out the Cultural Exhibits

If you swing by a visitor center, you might see a few cultural exhibits, particularly those that focus on African American history. This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about what life was like for people of African American descent in the area.

There are also plenty of exhibits that focus on Native American history as well, especially the Cherokee tribe. There is a tremendous amount of history in this part of the country, so swing by a visitor center or arts center to learn more. Some of them have free admission.

25. Go Horseback Riding

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Now, this is only something you will be able to do for free if you have your own horse, but there are plenty of trails to explore on horseback. If you own your own horse, North Georgia is definitely one of the top places to go.

You might even be able to go for a horseback ride in a national park in the area. On the other hand, you also have an opportunity to rent a horse to explore the natural beauty of Northeast Georgia.

Prepare for Your Visit To North Georgia

Regardless of whether you are planning a day trip or looking for overnight cabin rentals, there are plenty of hidden gems scattered throughout North Georgia. With so many opportunities for family fun, it is easy to see why people love visiting this part of North Georgia and Tennessee year-round.

You can take a walking tour of the Chattahoochee National Forest, enjoy some delicious ice cream, and enjoy paradise for hikers. Do not forget to explore the Benton Mackaye Trail as well. There are lots of free things to do in North Georgia regardless of whether you are staying in Blue Ridge, Morganton, Helen, Dawsonville, or Dahlonega, so start planning your itinerary now! There are lots of ways for you to take advantage of everything this part of the country has to offer.