Ellijay is the gem of North Georgia. The small town known for its hiking trails and apples is the perfect place to experience nature, peace, and calm. Start your day by waking up in a charming vintage-styled cottage at our North Georgia bed and breakfast. Then, take your bike and explore the surrounding woods on one of the acclaimed mountain biking trails, or take a ride on a kayak to explore Carters Lake for picture-perfect scenery.
Ellijay has a lot to offer, especially for people visiting in the fall. Here are our top 8 activities to enjoy while spending your fall in North Georgia.
Fall in North Georgia: 8 Must-Do’s Activities in Ellijay
Carters Lake
Ellijay is home to many tranquil rivers hidden among the forested areas. Among the several beautiful rivers and lakes, Carters Lake is one of the most prominent tourist spots in North Georgia. Attracting everyone who visits the charming town of Ellijay, Carters Lake is located in the backdrop of the famous Blue Ridge Mountains. This combination gives perfect landscapes and sceneries for visitors to escape into. Carters Lake and the surrounding area also offer a range of outdoor activities for a wonderful experience.
Local Tip... Carters Lake is perfect for stargazing.
Apple Picking
Ellijay is perhaps most known for its apple harvest. The fall and winter seasons are packed with all things apple - from soothing apple cider to baked apple pies. The Apple Capital of Georgia attracts hordes of visitors each year to its Georgia Apple Festival. Fall is the best time to go apple picking in one of the many orchards in Ellijay.
Mountain Biking
Ellijay is known for its lakes, rivers, apples, and most of all for its biking trails. Referred to as the mountain biking capital of Georgia, Ellijay offers sports enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature and enjoy a range of biking paths. The most prominent trails cross through the forested area and the most picturesque spots of Ellijay. See a list of Ellijay Mountain Biking Trails.
Hiking
The quaint and charming Georgia town is the ideal fall vacation spot you’ve been looking for to go back to your roots. Among the range of outdoor activities from mountain biking to boating and fishing, hiking by foot is probably the most common and easiest activity to partake in.
Surrounded by lush green forests and incredible natural scenes, the several accessible hiking trails are a must-do when staying at our bed and breakfast in Ellijay. From the Bear Creek Trail to the cascades of Amicalola Falls Trail - take your pick and set out on a hiking journey. Find out more about the trails of Ellijay in our previous blog: Easy Hiking Trails in the North Georgia Mountains.
Relax at a Winery
If all you want to do this fall is go on a vacation to a quiet and quintessential town and lay back and sip some wine - Ellijay is exactly what you’ve been looking for! Visitors who stay at the Ellijay River House Bed & Breakfast would know about Ellijay’s award-winning vineyards and wineries. With several vineyards scattered around the town, here are our favorites for you to visit when you come to Ellijay this fall - Best Wineries in North Georgia
Visit a Brewery
Besides the orchards, trials, and vineyards, the Ellijay breweries are another local hit among the tourists. Some of the most notable breweries in and around the town include Cartecay River Brewery, Grumpy Old Men Brewing, Fannin Brewing Co, and Talking Rock Brewery.
Unique Shopping
When you are on vacation, especially around the fall-festive season, you are bound to do a little holiday shopping. Thankfully, Ellijay has a unique market district offering a range of goods that will catch your eye. From antiques to flea markets and precious handcrafted items, Ellijay’s downtown has them all. Some of the local antique hotspots can be found in our list - Antique Shopping in North Georgia.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Last on our list is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Taking you from the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge, the four-hour-long journey lets you discover and explore the Georgia town with a new perspective. Hitting all the renowned spots in town, the train ride is about a 26-mile round trip journey along the Toccoa River through the North Georgia countryside. Stopping by the sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee.
Book Your Fall Getaway at our North GA Bed and Breakfast
If you’re looking for the perfect Georgia mountains getaway this fall, come join us at the Ellijay River House, a North GA Bed and Breakfast perfectly located in downtown Ellijay, just outside Blue Ridge, with endless activities and relaxation outside your door.