In this post, we highlight places to stay and things to do in Blairsville GA. We thoroughly enjoyed this North Georgia town and all it had to offer.
Places to Stay and Things to Do in Blairsville GA
A Place to Stay: Cabin in the Woods
I had looked at about 5 different places to stay before finally choosing this one. Since we are a large family, there are a few non-negotiables that help us choose the best Airbnb:
- Enough beds for everyone to fit comfortably.
- A fairly spacious eating area.
- Washing machine and dryer.
- Safe surroundings and neighborhood.
The “cabin in the woods” had that and some! It just so happened to be in great proximity of our favorite grocery store (Aldi), other places to eat, and great attractions (see below).
Things to do in Blairsville GA (and surrounding areas)
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (Blue Ridge, GA)
I was so thrilled to see that this passenger train excursion was just 20 minutes away from our cabin! Our 3rd born has loved trains since he was a toddler and we have been wanting to take him on a REAL train ride since. Thanks to the plandemic, we had to put that off… until now!
The tickets are reasonably priced for all that is included: a full 2-hour train ride to a town over along with a 1-hour layover. We had just enough time to eat a delicious lunch and shop the train’s local gift shop. The only thing I would suggest is for them to mention the occasional loud squeaky sound of the train’s wheels ahead of time. Other than that, it was an amazing experience for all of us!
Mercier Orchards (Blue Ridge, GA)
We didn’t take advantage of visiting the actual “orchard” part but the market and bakery were amazing. $180 later, we walked out with some delicious foods and beverages! I particularly liked the honey butter, the apple cinnamon bread, and the wine slushy.
If we find our way back to this area, we will definitely take advantage of their pick your own tour!
Fall Branch Falls (Cherry Log, GA)
Our original intention after the orchard was to visit the local Amish Store. Since they were closed, I looked up the closest waterfall and we headed there. Little did we know this adventure would turn into a hiking trip, tasting real natural spring water, and experiencing nature at its finest. Overall, this was another great experience for our family!
Places to Eat in Blairsville GA
Grocery Shopping: Aldi
We’ve always been Aldi-lovers and so far there has been one everywhere we have traveled (thank goodness). The Aldi in Blairsville is nice, clean, and much bigger than the one we were used to back “home.”
Katz’s New York Deli
This is the place we ate during our layover with the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway trip. It’s located in McCaysville, GA and is on the border of the TN state line. What drew us here was the fact that it’s KOSHER and if you know anything about us – we LOVE that!
The Wine Shoppe (Blairsville GA)
We wanted to try some more local wines, especially after the ones we had purchased at the orchard. The Wine Shoppe is located downtown Blairsville and is beautiful and reasonably priced. I typically go for the fruity and sweet wines whereas Bryan enjoys a good bitter red.
More to Do
There’s a lot more to do in this area but our trip was a little short for this stop. When you visit the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, you can get a local guide of more things to do in Blairsville, Blue Ridge, and the surrounding areas.
This area is known for beautiful waterfalls, fishing spots, scenic drives, local eateries, and more. We will definitely revisit these towns if/when our adventures bring us back this way!