Fun Things To Do In Ellijay, Georgia

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Nestled in the North Georgia Mountains, Ellijay is an endearing small town destination. brimming with charm and tradition. This little mountain town rests along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains against the Appalachian range, less than two hours drive from Atlanta. It's the perfect getaway for the whole family, and an ideal destination for memories, bonding, exploration, and relaxation.

Ellijay is the county seat of Gilmer County, which holds claim to being both the Apple Capital of Georgia and the Mountain Biking Capital.

The city serves as host to the ever-popular Georgia Apple Festival, held each year in October at the height of the fall harvest. Throughout the area, four seasons of fun are waiting to be discovered, including healthy, outdoor activities among the forests, rivers and streams, and plenty of remarkable history and genuine Southern charm in the downtown area.

Let’s dive right into the best things to do in Ellijay, GA.

Stroll Around Downtown Ellijay

Photo Credit: dej1982 via Instagram

At the center of it all, Historic Downtown Ellijay is a walkable space with an array of restaurants, shops, and impressive architecture. This area makes for a great place to gather the family for a meal and a stroll after a day of adventure nearby.

Don't miss our favorite Downtown Ellijay eateries, including Abby's Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt and River Street Tavern!

Other highlights in the downtown area include:

• George Link, Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse - 135 N Dalton St, Ellijay, GA 30540 - the center of performing arts and culture in Ellijay
• The Tabor House & Civil War Museum - 138 Spring St, Ellijay, GA 30540 - the oldest family home in the city of Ellijay. This 1870's Victorian-era home and museum contains artifacts related to the region's history, including the Cherokee Indians and military history from the Civil War to WWII, and more. Visitors can opt for a guided or self-led tour of the site's exhibits.

For more fast-food restaurants and big stores to grab anything you might have forgotten while packing, take a quick drive to East Ellijay. This area of town has all you’ll need to make sure your stay is a comfortable one.

Stay in a Fantastic Cabin Rental

One of the best things to do in the area is to stay in one of the incredible Ellijay cabin rentals. Choose a secluded rental with unobscured mountain views, one that’s waterfront, or one of our biggest rentals, ideal for the entire family, plus some!

With cabins spread throughout the area, fit for a variety of different budgets, group sizes, and amenities desired, you’re sure to find the perfect place to rest your feet at night for a long day ahead of exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Have a Drink at Ellijay Vineyards & Wineries

Photo Credit: Nikki Wolfe via Flickr

North Georgia wineries consistently rank among the best in the nation, and some of the region's most popular wine producers have wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms located right here in Ellijay!

Among some of our favorites are:

• Cartecay Vineyards
• Engelheim Vineyards
• Ellijay River Vineyards

If wine tasting is your thing, you can make a full day trip of exploring Georgia’s Wine Highway, featuring wineries and vineyards in Ellijay as well as neighboring towns like Dahlonega, Cleveland, and Hiawassee!

Cartecay Vineyards

Situated around a renovated 1890s barn, Cartecay Vineyards features six varieties of grapes from 13 acres of vibrant vines. The property regularly hosts family-friendly events featuring live music and local vendors.

Engelheim Vineyards

The German-themed Engelheim Vineyards, named the 2018 Georgia Winery of the Year, is a vine-to-glass "farm winery" offering wine pairing classes, dinners, festivals, and more.

Ellijay River Vineyards

Spanning nearly 20 acres alongside its namesake river, Ellijay River Vineyards offers a range of small-batch varietals complemented by the picturesque views of the river and lush mountain flora. Visitors are welcome by appointment.

Go Apple Picking at the Apple Orchards

Photo Credit: Michael Patterson via Flickr

The rich lands of North Georgia yield an array of harvests, from the vines to the pumpkin patches, but nothing beats our apples! Known as Apple Orchard Alley, Highway 52 is a great starting point to discovering the best of the seasonal harvests at Ellijay's top apple orchards.

Enjoy the fall ambiance of the orchards in full swing and don’t forget to pick up some fried pies, apple donuts, or apple cider to take back home to your cabin rental.

R & A Orchards

With 60 acres of apple trees and 10 acres of peaches and nectarines, R & A Orchards offers fruit picking, a restaurant and farm market featuring vegetables, honey, jams, jellies, and more throughout the year.

Apple House & Orchards

Open to the public from late July through December, BJ Reece Apple House and Orchards is a favorite spot for apple picking, along with tractor rides, a petting zoo, and a country bakery.

Red Apple Barn

From August through December, visit the Red Apple Barn for a u-pick extravaganza showcasing a diverse array of apples and pumpkins. Enjoy wagon rides, fresh-baked goods, a farm market, and fun family-friendly events!

Hillcrest Orchards

Open from September - November, Hillcrest Orchards is a family-owned and operated facility with a petting farm, wagon rides, playgrounds, farm market, and a bakery serving up their famous apple fritters.

B.J. Reece Orchards

The u-pick season here is open from August thru October. During this time, they also offer plenty of family-friendly farm activities. Don’t miss out on a visit to their market and bakery- they’re apple goods are seriously out of this world!

Hop in One of the Rivers of Ellijay

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Ellijay’s name is derived from an Indian phrase meaning “land of many waters” and, once you visit, you’ll certainly see why that name fits.

Take advantage of our tumbling waters for a range of adventures, from mild to wild! Local outfitters and tour guides like Cartecay River Experience can help to get your gear for kayaking excursions or whitewater rafting adventures in and near Ellijay. Go tubing or kayaking the Ellijay River, Cartecay River, or the Coosawattee River. All three offer a combination of relaxation and fun!

Swim or Fish at One of the Lakes

If time on the water is what you're after, consider a little jaunt to explore one of the area's nearby lakes, as well. Lake Blue Ridge is located just south of the North Carolina-Tennessee state lines in Fannin County.

The 3,290-acre lake offers entertainment options for adventures and fishers-alike, with a variety of outdoor entertainment options.

Fed by the Coosawattee River flowing between Ellijay and Chatsworth, the 60+ mile Carters Lake is a great spot for boating, picnicking, and fishing, with a beach and four different hiking trails to explore.

Fun Within A Half-Hour Drive

Photo Credit: Mike Boening Photography via Flickr

If you’re interested in more small-town mountain charm and exciting things to do, these activities are a short drive from Ellijay. Pick and choose your next activity:

• Blue Ridge - Home of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and Long Creek Falls.
• Cherry Log - Home of Expedition: Bigfoot: The Sasquatch Museum, Fall Branch Falls, and the legendary cuisine of The Pink Pig.
• Amicalola Falls State Park - Home of the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast and the southernmost point of the Appalachian Trail.
• Mountain Valley Farm - Located nearby in Talking Rock, this is a great place to go horseback riding along mountain trails. They also have a shop with local products.

You’re Ready to Enjoy the Best Things to Do in Ellijay

After a fun day exploring Ellijay, Georgia, it’s time to sit back and relax in your private hot tub with a glass of wine or prop your feet up on the deck with a hot mug of tea. Enjoy the endless views and stargazing as the sun sets over the North Georgia mountains.

This kind of tranquility at night and excitement during the day is really hard to find elsewhere.