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North Georgia is the northern hilly / mountainous region in the U.S. state of Georgia, with a rich history and diverse geography. Learn about its counties, rivers, climate, attractions, and more from this comprehensive article.
- Helen. The charm of this Bavarian-style town in the North Georgia mountains is unmistakable. The town's storybook aesthetic instantly makes visitors smile, and the whimsical shops and attractions offer hours of entertainment any time of year.
- Ellijay. Home of the Georgia Apple Festival each fall, Ellijay's setting in the North Georgia mountains make it a sweet place to visit any time of year.
- Tallulah Falls. The most unique way to experience Tallulah Falls is by hiking to the floor of the gorge. The catch: you have to get a permit to do that, and the park only hands out 100 per day.
- Blue Ridge. Only 90 miles north of Atlanta, Blue Ridge is a wonderful getaway any time of year. Hike to waterfalls, cruise around on Lake Blue Ridge, go fly fishing, and pick up farm-fresh treats at area orchards and farms.
- Things to Do in North Georgia Guide
- Waterfalls in North Georgia
- Blue Ridge Mountain Towns
- Hiking Trails in North Georgia
- North Georgia Attractions & Tours
- North Georgia Lakes
- North Georgia Restaurants
- North Georgia State Parks
- North Georgia Christmas Events
Amicalola Falls
Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest just eight miles from the southern end of the Appalachian Trail, Amicalola Falls is the tallest, and arguably one of the best North Georgia Waterfalls. The word Amicalola is Cherokee for “tumbling waters,” a perfect description for the falls, which cover seven cascades and reach a total height of 729 feet. Various hiking trailswill give you glimpses of the gorgeous waterfall from different angles, including the wheelchair-accessible West Ridge Fall...
Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Fallsis a stunning pair of side-by-side waterfalls that are formed at the junction of Curtis Creek and York Creek in Helen GA. Curtis Creek tumbles over 150 feet, and York Creek 50 feet, to form the enchanting twin falls, which spill into Smith Creek and flow downhill into the Chattahoochee River. To make your way to the falls, your journey will begin at the visitor’s center just outside of Unicoi State Park.
Dukes Creek Falls
Located along the Richard B Russell Scenic Highway, Dukes Creek Fallsis a trio of waterfalls just north of Helen GA. There’s an ADA-accessible viewing platform near the beginning of the hike, and you can catch stunning views of Yonah Mountain along the way. But the true treat is the viewing platforms at the base of the falls, where you can admire the sparkling waters that drop over 150 feet!
Blue Ridge GA
Founded in 1886 with the arrival of the Marietta & North Georgia Railroad, Blue Ridge GAhas grown to be one of Georgia’s most popular mountain towns. There are lots of fun things to do in Blue Ridge, which boasts a vibrant downtown filled with upscale restaurants, local breweries and wineries, and a fantastic arts scene. For outdoor lovers, there are an abundance of activities in the area, including horseback riding through the Chattahoochee National Forest, white water rafting, kayaking at L...
Blairsville GA
Nestled in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Blairsvilleis home to treasured North Georgia landmarks such as Brasstown Bald (the tallest peak in Georgia) and Vogel State Park. Nearby Lake Nottely and Lake Trahlyta are some of the best lakes in the North Georgia mountainsand offer amazing boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities. You can also drive the Richard B Russell Scenic Highway to Helen, which is especially stunning when Georgia’s fall colorsbegin to reach their peak.
Clayton GA
It may not have the name recognition of Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, or Helen, but there are so many things to do in Clayton GA that it quickly rose to the top of our list of the best places to live in North Georgia. Within 15 miles of charming downtown Clayton, you can visit 17 waterfalls, 4 lakes, 3 state parks, 2 of the tallest mountains in Georgia (Black Rock and Rabun Bald), and countless hiking trails. There’s also a burgeoning foodie scene here, with restaurantslike Fortify and Fortify Pi le...
Black Rock Mountain
Standing tall in Black Rock Mountain State Park, Black Rock Mountain offers a picturesque hiking trail to its summit, the Tennessee Rock Trail. Departing from the state park’s main trailhead area, the hike climbs into the forest and eventually on a set of wooden stairs to reach the TennesseeRock Overlook at 1.75 miles. The views are simply stunning, and to complete the hike the traildescends northbound toward the trailhead.
Big Cedar Mountain
Big Cedar Mountain is located in the Blood Mountain Wilderness portion of the Chattahoochee National Forest, and is widely considered one of the Best North Georgia Mountains for Hiking. Preacher’s Rock, a famous landmark on the Appalachian Trailthat’s located near the summit of the mountain, offers notoriously stunning views. The hike is just 2 miles round trip, starting at Woody Gap on GA Hwy 6.
Blood Mountain
While it is one of the more difficult North Georgia trails, hiking the Blood Mountain’s summit trailis well worth the trek, offering truly enchanting views from the top of the Appalachian Trail’s highest summit in Georgia. The hike starts at the Byron Reece Trailhead and reaches the summit at 2.15 miles, next to a rock building constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s. The hike retraces the outbound route to the trailhead, completing the adventure at 4.3 miles.
Schoolbus Graveyard
A fun day trip from Atlanta GA (1 hour) in Habersham County, the Schoolbus Graveyardis one of the most unique roadside attractions in North Georgia. This 5-acre junkyard surrounding Alonzo Wade Used Cars & Auto Parts features art from dozens of innovative artists, with some coming from as far away as California, Quebec, and Ireland to contribute. The Schoolbus Graveyard is completely free, and is a must-see if you like colorful graffiti and mural art.
Expedition Bigfoot Museum
Located in Cherry Log GA, theExpedition Bigfoot Museumis a unique roadside attraction that you simply have to check out if you’re even remotely interested in unexplained phenomena. The 4,000-square foot museum has an expansive collection of exhibits featuring all kinds of Sasquatch folklore, artifacts, and memorabilia. You can explore hundreds of documented Bigfoot encounters, including videos and recordings of Bigfoot sounds that attempt to prove these humanoid creatures really do exist.
Barnsley Gardens Resort Ruins
Offering a glimpse into the state’s pre-Civil War history, the Barnsley Gardens Ruinsare located in the foothills of Adairsville GA. You can explore the ruins of the English Manor built by Godfrey Barnsley in the 1840s while staying in the resort’s cottages, visiting the swanky spa and fine dining restaurants. The resort becomes even more magical at Christmas, when the estate is all decked out in holiday lights.
Lake Blue Ridge
Widely considered one of the most fun places to go in Georgia, the 3,300-acre Lake Blue Ridge was created as a reservoir by the TennesseeValley Authority back in the 1930s. There are several marinas on the North Georgia lake that offer boat rentals for sweet summer days on the water. Campgroundson the lake can be found in the Morganton Point Recreation Area. If sleeping in tents is not your style, there are also lots of cabins andlake houses for rentin the Blue Ridge area.
Lake Burton
Named after the former town submerged beneath its surface, Lake Burton is a great Northern Georgia attraction located about 8 miles west of Clayton GA. Fishing on this gorgeous lake (and the creeks that feed into it) is very popular because it is stocked with lots of bluegill, largemouth bass, and tasty mountain trout. On the West side of the lake you’ll find Moccasin Creek State Park, where you’ll find beach volleyball, a playground, campgrounds, and hiking trails.
Lake Chatuge
Nestled between some of the tallest mountains in North Georgia, Lake Chatuge is on the Georgia/North Carolinaborder, near Hiawassee GA and Hayesville NC. The lake is utterly spectacular in terms of beauty, with stunning beach areas, a fun water park, lots of marinas for boating, and spectacular views of Bell Mountain. Lake Chatuge is one of our favorite North Georgia vacation spots, and offers lots of great hiking trails through the surrounding forest.
The Sweet Shoppe Bakery
The Sweet Shoppe Bakery has truly made a name for itself since becoming nationally-known in 2015, when the owners won Season 6 of the Food Network reality show, Cupcake Wars. There’s something for every type of sweet tooth at this busy Blue Ridge bakery, with everything from brownies, blondies, and breakfast pastries to their famous peanut butter and jelly cupcakes.
Rum Cake Lady Cuban Café
Owned by Liz Correa, theRum Cake Lady Cuban Caféis truly a family affair. Correa’s son, David, works the counter and brings food out to tables, while her older sister, Susan, works in the kitchen. The charming restaurant (which has locations in Blue Ridge and Morganton GA) has a menu packed with delicious traditional Cuban cuisine, and has grown into one of the area’s most popular restaurants.
Black Sheep Restaurant
Located inside the historic home of Colonel William Butt, a former Blue Ridge mayor and Georgia State legislator, the Black Sheep Restaurant is filled with as much history as it is fantastic food. With a stylish interior and an expansive covered patio under a 200-year-old oak tree, this upscale Southern eatery easily ranks as one of the Best Restaurants in Blue Ridge, GA!
Amicalola State Park & Lodge
Located 8 miles from the southern end of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, Amicalola State Park & Lodge is home to the highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. There are several easy hiking trails to the Georgia waterfall, with three (the ADA-accessible West Ridge Falls Access Trail, one-mile East Ridge Trail, and New Appalachian Approach trail) offering excellent views of the 729-foot Amicalola Waterfall. Aside from hiking, the Amicalola Falls Lodge also offers visitors myriad ac...
Black Rock Mountain State Park
Towering over the Eastern Continental Divide at 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain is Georgia’s highest state park. With classic Blue Ridge Mountain hiking trails, including the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail, the park offers exceptional views that span into North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. You can also go fishing and kayaking/canoeing in Black Rock Lake, try your hand at geocaching, and visit the park’s stunning overlooks for exceptional mountain views at sunrise and sunset. It is...
Cloudland Canyon State Park
With 3,538 acres of lush woodlands and beautiful natural attractions such as a 1,000-foot-deep canyon and sandstone cliffs, Cloudland Canyon State Parkhas no shortage of breathtaking terrain. There are over 30 miles of biking trails, 16 miles of horseback ridingtrails, a fishing pond, and an 18-hole disc golf course to keep you entertained as well. But the main attraction here is the park’s 64 miles of gorgeous north Georgia hiking trails, including the acclaimed West Rim Trail and the ever-p...
Christmas in Blairsville
This small townof less than 700 people truly packs in the holiday cheer around Christmastime. From Dec 1 through 31, you can visit the Union County Community Center’s Tour Of Trees, where over 40 decorated trees and wreaths will be displayed. Other fun local Christmas traditionsinclude the Blairsville Holiday Stop & Shop at the Union County Civic Center, and the annual Holly Jolly Christmas Breakfast with Santa.
Light Up Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge GA is one of the best Christmas Towns in Georgia, and Light Up Blue Ridge is their signature holiday event. The festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving (a.k.a. “Blue Friday”) with holiday bargains and carolers roaming the streets. On Saturday, Santa and Mrs. Claus make their way to town for special appearances and photos with kids. Other local holiday events include the Blue RidgeScenic Railway’s Santa Express and Holidays at INOLA Blue Ridge, a living history village that’s a...
Clayton Christmas Parade
Hosted by the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce and City of Clayton, the Clayton Christmas Parade features dozens of festive floats and even an appearance by Santa. While the Christmas parade is their main holiday event, there’s also the Merry Market & Fundraising Jolly at the Rabun County Civic Center, where you can shop for locally produced gifts like arts & crafts, yummy baked goods, and more.
- TREK THE CANYON. North Georgia is blessed with many amazing parks but we have one particular favorite—Cloudland Canyon State Park. Cloudland Canyon in Rising Fawn is located on the western end of Lookout Mountain in Dade County and is without a doubt one of the largest and most awe-inspiring parks in Georgia.
- HIKE THE TRAIL. There are thousands of miles of trails in North Georgia, but none are as famous and nationally beloved at the Appalachian Trail, which starts at Springer Mountain in Georgia and treks more than 2,000 miles through 14 states all the way to Maine.
- AMBLE THROUGH ORCHARDS AND FARMS. Whether you are in the mood for apple picking, tractor tours, you-pick gardens or a delicious tasting room, orchards abound all over North Georgia.
- SAVOR A VIEW TO REMEMBER. Some views are pretty, for sure, but some views will simply take your breath away. You definitely will be catching your breath when you visit Bell Mountain Park and Historical Site, which is actually only a few years old, but may just offer some of the best panoramic views in Georgia.
Jul 31, 2024 · Check out our extensive guides to the best things to do in the North Georgia Mountains, including overviews of the best mountain towns, restaurants, hiking trails, attractions, wineries, resorts, and cabin rentals.
Feb 19, 2024 · I’m just going to say it: North Georgia is a massively underrated destination, with the Blue Ridge Mountains, the start of the Appalachian Trail, numerous cute towns, waterfalls and viewpoints galore, and a rich history.
May 9, 2022 · Discover the best places to visit in North Georgia, from Alpine villages to waterfalls, lakes, and wineries. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures, cozy dining, or family fun, North Georgia has something for everyone.
