This Small Georgia Mountain Town Features a Scenic Railway and the Southeast's Largest Apple Orchard

"It may be small, but Blue Ridge has no shortage of things to do-or reasons to visit. Within the town's 2.2 square miles, you'll find a main street lined with charming clothing stores, antique shops, restaurants, and breweries. "We have so many incredible small businesses here," says Morgan Stephens, owner of Mountain Mama's Coffee. While you could spend an entire weekend browsing all of the downtown spots, there's even more adventure-including hiking, kayaking, and fly fishing-to be had in greater Blue Ridge."

"Located in Fannin County, the "trout capital of Georgia," Blue Ridge beckons travelers who love the great outdoors. "Fly fishing unites sport and the pristine nature that envelopes us," says Shannen Oyster, co-owner of Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods, a bamboo rod-making workshop in town. Whether you're throwing your first cast or you're an expert on the river, she suggests booking a guided trip with local fly shop Cohutta Fishing Company."

"No matter your interests, there's something for you in this gem of a mountain town -from embarking on half-day hikes and tastings at local wineries to riding the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and harvesting fresh fruit at the largest apple orchard in the Southeast. Oyster says visiting Blue Ridge for the first time "is like going on a 'first date' of sorts with our little town"-it's exciting and refreshing, and it may just have you coming back for more."

Blue Ridge, Georgia, population just under 1,300, sits within 2.2 square miles in the Blue Ridge Mountains and features a walkable main street of clothing stores, antique shops, restaurants, and breweries. The town serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation in Fannin County, known as the trout capital of Georgia, with opportunities for hiking, kayaking, fly fishing, and guided trips through local fly shops. Attractions include half-day hikes, local wineries, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, and the largest apple orchard in the Southeast. Local businesses include a bamboo fly-rod workshop and coffee shops, and bed-and-breakfast accommodations are available downtown.

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