6 Coziest Mountain Towns In Georgia
Starting in Pennsylvania and heading southwest through Maryland, Virginia, then North and South Carolina, the magnificent Blue Mountains ultimately end 615 miles away in Georgia. It’s here, in the tail end of this stretch of the Appalachians, that some of the region’s most scenic small towns can be found. Set amidst ancient peaks, dense forests, and countless waterfalls and rivers, these attractive mountain towns are some of the most popular tourist destinations in Georgia, if not the American South. And for travelers seeking a memorable mountain escape that mixes outdoor adventure with more sedate activities, these six communities deliver.
Blue Ridge
The charming town of Blue Ridge deserves to be first on any list of cozy mountain towns in Georgia. Founded in 1886 and named after the surrounding mountains, its beginnings as a railway town are evident everywhere. Originally part of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, today’s Blue Ridge Scenic Railway runs right down the middle of what’s widely regarded as one of the best Main Streets in the US.
You can pick up tickets and details of this 26-mile round trip from the original 1905 depot that’s quite literally in the middle of historic downtown Blue Ridge. Better still, book your tickets online to avoid disappointment (the train books up fast in the summer months). The four-hour journey along the Toccoa River through the North Georgia Mountain’s beautiful countryside is worth every penny.
For a superb overnight stay, the Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast also has a railway connection. Built in the 1890s for the original railway’s founder and just steps away from the station, this charming three-story inn features just eight guest rooms, each with 12-foot ceilings. They also serve a sumptuous breakfast.
Ellijay
Located just 15 miles southwest of Blue Ridge and a scenic 90-minute drive north of Atlanta, Ellijay is well-known as Georgia’s “Apple Capital.” The town’s slightly lower elevation has proven ideal for the many orchards that have flourished here since the late 1930s. Celebrated at the Georgia Apple Festival over two October weekends, highlights include hundreds of vendors selling everything from handmade crafts and pottery to apple-themed treats like fried pies, fritters, cider slushies, and caramel apples.
The prefect place to stay during the festival (or in fact any other time of year… I visited in February and it was still awesome)? The Ellijay River House Bed & Breakfast occupies a charming red-brick home dating from 1915 set on the banks of the Cartecay River, just 200 yards from dining and shopping in Downtown Ellijay. This classy adults-only property features delicious gourmet breakfasts, served on the veranda if the weather cooperates.
The terrain surrounding Ellijay has also led to its being named the “Mountain Bike Capital of Georgia.” The most famous trail follows the Mulberry Gap, which cuts through the mountains and draws riders from across the country. For bike-friendly accommodations, lug your gear to Gingershack Farms. Just a few miles outside of town, this working farm features cozy two-bedroom cabins set in the midst of the Georgia Mountains and is incredibly quiet.
Helen
Another personal favorite, Helen is certainly something of a curiosity among Georgia’s best mountain towns. A dying lumber town in the 1960s, savvy townsfolk came up with the novel idea of rebranding the town as a Bavarian village complete with German gingerbread trim, colorful facades, and cool alpine details.
Nowadays, Helen draws travelers to its medieval-style streets to shop in its many specialty shops (check out the Swiss-German Plaza) and its European-themed eateries like the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant. Accommodations also come with an Old-World twist. I stayed at the centrally located Castle Inn, located right on Main Street and overlooking the Chattahoochee River.
Helen has, of course, become one of the best places in the US to celebrate Oktoberfest. Held here since the early 1970s, this popular event draws huge crowds to enjoy the most authentic Bavarian mountain town outside of Germany.
Blairsville
Situated on land once inhabited by the Cherokee, Blairsville was named for a Revolutionary War hero dubbed the “Paul Revere of the South" for his role in warning colonists of British troop movements. Now considered one of the prettiest small towns in Georgia, its centrepiece is the regal Historic Union County Courthouse.
Constructed in 1899, this imposing Romanesque brick and granite structure sits on the town square and now houses the Union County Historical Society. Be sure to spend at least a little time exploring its collections covering local and military history, as well as dollhouse miniatures.
Just a block away from the courthouse, the Mountain Life Museum provides a glimpse into regional history through a recreated mountain village that includes old cabins and early farm equipment. Outdoors enthusiasts will want to visit Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest peak with incredible views of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina. A great visitor center at the summit features history and geology exhibits, with an option to follow a steep trail or take a shuttle to the top.
Dahlonega
Named for the Cherokee word "tahlonega," meaning yellow, Dahlonega became the scene of one of America's earliest gold rushes after a hunter tripped over a rock that turned out to be full of the precious substance. Soon after, thousands of miners turned up to claim their share of the easy-to-find gold that had, over centuries, simply washed off the surrounding mountains.
The rush of prospectors and the plentiful gold they found led to the opening of a U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega in 1838, which coined more than $6 million in gold before closing at the start of the Civil War. You can learn more about this fascinating period at the Dahlonega Gold Museum, housed in the town’s original Lumpkin County Courthouse.
Built in 1836 and one of Georgia's oldest courthouse buildings, its displays include a complete set of rare coins minted locally, gold nuggets, and even a large hydraulic cannon used to blast soil from the mountains during industrial mining operations.
Clayton
Just two hours north of Atlanta and close to both the North Carolina and South Carolina borders, Clayton was incorporated in 1821 by European settlers and has been known as Georgia's “Farm-to-Table Capital” for its agriculture. It’s also a hotbed of outdoor activity, with three neighboring state parks to explore.
The best known is Black Rock Mountain State Park. At 3,640 feet, it’s the highest state park in Georgia, boasting 11 miles of hiking trails, magnificent views from multiple overlooks, and a 17-acre lake for fishing and paddling. Also popular, Tallulah Gorge State Park features a 1,000-foot-deep gorge, over 20 miles of trails, and an 80-foot suspension bridge offering views of the rocky chasm below.
The Chattooga River, classified as a nationally significant “Wild and Scenic” waterway, is a big draw for whitewater rafters and kayakers for its Class III-V rapids. And more than 20 waterfalls are accessible from Clayton, including the 100-foot Minnehaha Falls and the multi-tiered Dicks Creek Falls.
Final Word
Taken together, these six mountain towns reveal the very best that the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer. Whether you’re here for scenic railway rides or immensely walkable historic downtowns, or perhaps outdoor adventures or scenic drives, the beautiful Georgia Mountains region is undoubtedly home to some of the best mountain towns along the over 600-mile length of the Blue Mountains.
