Knowing where to look for a good vacation home can be tricky. After all, the point of your vacation home is for it to take you away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You want to be able to see stars in a night sky so dark that it looks like a jar of molasses was spilled over it. You want to go fishing, wine tasting, hiking, and swimming until your head’s so clear you wonder why this is your vacation home and not where you live year round. You want to be able to put all of the stress behind you and reap the rewards of all the hard work you’ve put into building the life you want. You want a vacation home in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
Located in the North of Georgia, just a little under two hours away from Atlanta, Blue Ridge lives within the Chattahoochee National Forest limits. Here you can find over 300 miles of hiking trails, trout-fishing streams, and be fully immersed in the outdoors.
Blue Ridge is particularly well known for its rainbow trout, courtesy of the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery. Close to a million fish are raised sustainably each year, which shows how committed the areas in and around Blue Ridge are when it comes to preserving its natural resources.
Mercier Orchards is a fourth generation, family owned and operated company. Established in 1943, this is one of the top spots for those who love to see the concept of farm-to-table in action. To date, Mercier Orchards is the only grove in the state of Georgia that both grows and later bottles its apples into some of the finest hard cider in the state. They also offer tasting flights and operate a bakery that sells incredible fried pies.Shops and Dining
Locals get to have a taste of fine dining and craft brews with restaurants such as Harvest on Main, a restaurant that adds a Southern touch to its locally sourced ingredients.
You can also enjoy the local wine and craft beer scene by grabbing a drink at Bear Claw Vineyard or Grumpy Old Men Brewing. And if you’re looking for something sweet, then Three Sisters Fudge is just around the corner.
Naturally, you can’t forget that by owning a vacation home in Blue Ridge, that means that you’re only a hop and a skip away from Lake Blue Ridge. Created in 1930 by the Toccoa Electric Company, this man made lake has grown to be a vital part of Blue Ridge’s local economy, and there’s even a board to oversee water quality and marine life.
Blue Ridge residents tend to bring their boats or camp out at Morganton, one of the points near Lake Blue Ridge. It’s a great access point to get in the water and swim, or try your hand at reeling in some white-striped bass, catfish, jackfish, and other tasty catches of the day.
Being only an hour and a half away from Atlanta, there’s a sense that in Blue Ridge, you can have your cake and eat it too. Even if you don’t live in the state of Georgia, there are few things as inviting as a home away from home—especially when they're as nice as the ones here.
With a population of only a couple thousand, the loudest sound you’ll hear are crickets or some quiet relaxed chatter as you head into town for a bite to eat with your family. While there are seasons that the town is filled with tourists because of apple festivals, triathlons, and agritourism—can you blame them for coming?
Other than that, things quickly revert back to their slow-paced charm. Blue Ridge was made for quiet, easy living, and it’ll set your priorities straight. We work to live. We don’t live to work. Sometimes, it takes a little mountain air to remind us of that.