atlanta arts tagged interest

Established in 1886 as a railroad stop in the foothills of Georgia’s Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge has long been a getaway for city dwellers looking to commune with nature, with top-notch hiking, fly fishing, and river sports set against forested peaks. By the early 2000s the area was dotted with second homes, drawing artisans to set up shop downtown. When liquor laws were lifted in 2012, allowing restaurants to serve alcohol, a thriving culinary scene soon sprouted. Today, the area offers more vacation rentals than any other spot in the North Georgia mountains, and each year seems to bring more shops, visitors, and eateries to Main Street. Here’s our guide for making the most of a mountain getaway.

Friday

CHECK IN ➞ You can’t do better than a stay at the Blue Ridge Inn Bed andamp; Breakfast, a renovated Victorian home that dates to 1890. No matter which of eight individually appointed rooms you choose (including some that connect an adjoining sitting room to create a suite), you’ll be charmed by the blend of old and new: Original pine floors, fireplaces, and jazz tunes wafting through common spaces feel right at home alongside smart TVs, Dohm white-noise machines, and a free Tesla charging station. Though you’re just a block from downtown’s main shopping district, if you’d prefer to save your legs for outdoor pursuits, hop on the Blue Ridge Runner shuttle.

EVENING ➞ Before dinner, explore the upper and lower thoroughfares that frame downtown’s historic 1905 train depot for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. The cobalt blue train parked in front presents the perfect backdrop for your mountain-getaway photo. Indulge in some retail therapy in the increasingly refined shops along East Main Street. Peruse a mix of vintage and under-the-radar designer women’s clothing at Deerbird Boutique, handmade furniture and original artwork at Wrapsody in Blue, made-in-the-South leather bags and men’s accessories at Oar Finer Goods, and a curated selection of artisan-made gourmet goods and wines by boutique producers at Out of the Blue. At Cohutta Fishing Company, book ahead for a guided trip with an expert to catch prize-winning trout and discover why this area is called the “trout capital of Georgia.” If someone in your crew craves a diversion, send them to Vertigo Pinball, where they can play on more than 25 vintage machines.

Next, you’re off to Grace Prime Steakhouse, one of the newest and most glamorous dining spots in town. Start with a Smokeshow Old Fashioned, poured tableside, and move on to elegantly presented roasted oysters with Champagne sabayon and a 45-day bourbon-aged tomahawk ribeye that’s big enough for two (or more). Feeling a little “extra”? With 72 hours’ notice, the kitchen will prepare a whole roasted suckling pig just for you.

Saturday

MORNING ➞ Stretch your legs and wander downstairs to the inn’s dining room, where every day sees a new mouthwatering breakfast spread of blueberry French toast soufflé, hash brown sausage casserole, or other favorites, all using local ingredients. Before you strike out, swing by the on-site coffee shop, Mountain Mama’s, to pick up their namesake latte that includes a double shot of espresso, maple syrup, and cinnamon.

Next, you’re bound for the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge that spans the rushing river. Lace up your boots for an easy hike through the verdant Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to walk the 270-foot suspension bridge, the longest such structure east of the Mississippi. The road to the parking area is unpaved, so a sturdy vehicle is ideal, but if you’re game for a longer, six-mile round-trip hike, start at the Benton MacKaye parking area and follow the trail’s white diamond markers.

AFTERNOON ➞ You’ll have worked up an appetite, so head back downtown to Chester Brunnenmeyer’s Bar andamp; Grill, where the smoked trout dip, chargrilled wings, and creative flatbreads have garnered a loyal following. Wash it down with a glass of Cartecay Raptor Double IPA, brewed in nearby Ellijay. After lunch, stop at the Sweet Shoppe for a Cupcake Wars–winning lemon raspberry or PBandJ cupcake.

Properly fueled, head just out of town to cool off on the Toccoa River. Blue Ridge Tubing in the Aska Adventure Area offers a six-mile float, with a few easily navigable Class I and II rapids thrown in for a little adrenaline rush. Pull your inner tube under the lush tree canopy for a dip to make the most of the cool water on a hot summer day.

Need to work out some kinks from your day of adventure? Schedule a CBD-infused massage or a Thai bodywork stretch session at downtown’s TeaTree Spa, housed in a log cabin.

EVENING ➞ Book ahead if you want to score a table at the ever-popular Harvest on Main, where chef Danny Mellman uses local ingredients (some of which are grown at his nearby farm) to make simple dishes shine. You can’t go wrong with Brussels sprouts studded with bacon jam, blackened rainbow trout with almond agrodolce sauce, or the burger made of ground beef short rib and brisket and topped with white American cheese. If you’ve finished early and aren’t ready to turn in, have one last drink at Grumpy Old Men Brewing where the Aska Pale Ale is a perennial favorite.

Sunday

MORNING ➞ Pack up the car and head for Mercier Orchards, the largest apple orchard in the Southeast. Nibble on cinnamon sugar–dusted apple cider donuts while you shop the sprawling farm store for everything from house-made hard cider and jam to gourmet jerky and gifts. If you’re visiting from August to October, hop aboard the tractor for a ride to pick your own bushel from among more than 300 acres planted with 50 different kinds of apples.

Feast

The food scene in Blue Ridge is growing fast, and there are more worthy restaurants than you can hit in a weekend.

On a return visit, don’t miss the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant, where signatures such as fried green tomatoes and creamy pasta tossed with smoked trout are best enjoyed at a table overlooking the river.

Historic vibes meet modern cuisine at the Black Sheep, a restaurant in the 1914 Butt House downtown. The crab cake Benedict is a hearty winner for brunch.

Or have a taste of Italy at Ferraro’s Kitchen, where Venice-born chef Igor Ferraro offers charcuterie boards overflowing with imported cured meats and cheeses, handmade pasta, and an impressive wine list.

This article appears in the Summer 2024 issue of Southbound.