480 W. Main St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Large patio seating, great food, gets busy so call ahead.

205 W. First St., Blue RIdge, GA 30513

Best rum cake around. Great Cubans for something quick.

576 E. Main St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Great for families and large parties, special occasions.

657 E. Main St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Great for breakfast and lunch, cup of tea and people watching on the patio.

34.651,-84.608, Ellijay, GA 30540

Family-friendly, short hike with views of the waterfalls and wooden bridge adventures. During the summer months plan on stopping for a swim. We go here with our 3-, 5- and 7-year olds and they have no issues on the trail. There is a small fee to get into the park. Lots of adventure and change of scenery on this trail. It’s our families favorite.

241 Bear Creek Camp Rd., Ellijay, GA 30540

Come see the 2nd largest tree in Georgia which is 0.8 miles from the parking lot. It is a Gennett Poplar measuring nearly 20 feet in circumference. The poplar was spared by Gennett Lumber Company in 1955 and left for future generations to enjoy. The full loop is 6.5 miles and crosses over several streams. It has single and double track sections for bikers. The road is a gravel mountain road to the trail. It starts as an easier trail on an old logging road to the tree and gets more difficult the further in you go.

Appalachian Approach Trail, Ellijay, GA 30536

Come to where so many hikers start or end the Appalachian Trail. A short 1 mile hike to the Terminus and view. To get to the trail you will need to travel down a gravel road. Beautiful view that is best during the winter months when the leaves are off.

Stanley Creek Rd., Cherry Log, GA

Hike about a 0.5 mile to the trails and then follow up to the top of the falls. Easier hike and good for kids.

199-101 Shady Falls Rd., Blue Ridge, GA

A 2.3 mile loop that is easy for families, and dogs on leashes are allowed.

This trail combines portions of the Stanley Gap and MacKaye Trails. Mountain bikers are frequent in this area. Follow the Stanley Gap Trail about a half a mile to an intersection with the Benton MacKaye. If you go left it will take you up to the ridge of the Rocky Mountain. Or, take a right and head nearly 1.2 miles downhill to Fall Branch Falls which is a 60 foot tiered waterfall. Continue to follow the Benton MacKaye for another half a mile to meet up with Rock Creek Road. At the road take a right to walk back up to the Stanley Gap parking area.

418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd., Dawsonville, GA 30534

This one will be a drive to get to but it’s worth it, in our opinion. It’s a 729 foot waterfall. There are several trails and hikes around the park. The main one going up to the waterfall has a lot of steps and takes you straight up to the top with a really rewarding overlook at the top. If you are not a hiker but want to see it, there is also a way to drive to the top by car. There are trails once at the top to continue your adventure or you can easily go back down. We have done this with our small children but plan on taking snacks and stopping on the platforms for them to take a break if you are going up the stairs.