All Aboard! A Relaxing Blue Ridge Getaway

Scenic train rides, small-town charm, mountain views, and a few unexpected adventures along the way.

Sometimes the best trips aren’t the biggest ones. They’re the little getaways that give you time to slow down, explore somewhere new, enjoy some good food, and come home feeling refreshed. That’s exactly what we found in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

We made this a two-night getaway, but Blue Ridge could easily work as a day trip too. With a charming downtown area, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, interesting little shops, beautiful mountain scenery, and plenty of nearby attractions, it’s the kind of place that offers a lot without feeling rushed or overwhelming. We were looking for a relaxing change of scenery with a few fun things to do, and Blue Ridge turned out to be just what we needed.

An Unexpected Adventure Along the Way

One of our first stops was Expedition Bigfoot: The Sasquatch Museum, which definitely added a little extra personality to our trip! It’s not every day you get to visit a museum dedicated to Bigfoot, and sometimes those quirky roadside attractions turn out to be some of the most memorable parts of a getaway.

We enjoyed making an unusual stop along the way, and it was a fun reminder that not every activity has to be serious or elaborate to be worthwhile. Sometimes it’s enough to discover something a little different, have a good laugh, and add another experience to your collection of travel memories.

Arriving in Blue Ridge

We arrived in Blue Ridge late in the afternoon and checked into a wonderful Airbnb located right next to the railroad. The location couldn’t have been more convenient! Being so close to the depot and downtown meant we could spend our time enjoying the area instead of worrying about driving from place to place.

That evening, we headed out to explore downtown Blue Ridge. It’s a charming little area filled with interesting shops, restaurants, and plenty of places to browse. I especially liked how much was concentrated around the railroad depot. The atmosphere felt welcoming and relaxed, and it was the perfect place to wander through the shops, find something good to eat, and enjoy being somewhere different for a couple of days.

All Aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway!

The next morning, we boarded the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, one of the main reasons we’d planned the trip. We decided to splurge a little and purchase the upgraded seating in an air-conditioned railcar with traditional train-style seats. I’m glad we did! It made the ride especially comfortable, and our experience included snacks, a bag of goodies, and a photograph of us to remember the trip.

There’s something special about traveling by train. Instead of concentrating on the road, dealing with traffic, or figuring out directions, you can simply sit back and watch the scenery roll by. The journey took us through the beautiful North Georgia countryside toward McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. The scenery was lovely, and the train ride was every bit as enjoyable as the destination. It was a wonderful way to experience the area at a slower pace.

Exploring Two Towns in Two States

One of the fun things about the railway excursion is that it takes you to McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, two neighboring towns situated right along the state line. When the train arrived, we had time to explore before making the return trip to Blue Ridge.

We enjoyed browsing the local shops, finding something good to eat, and walking around to take in the beautiful surroundings. The river and bridges make the area particularly scenic, and of course, there’s the novelty of walking from Georgia into Tennessee! We even found the state line marked along the sidewalk, which makes for a fun photograph.

The time between train rides gave us a nice opportunity to enjoy the area without having to plan anything complicated. We explored at our own pace, visited the shops that caught our attention, and enjoyed the scenery before returning to the train for the ride back to Blue Ridge.

More Shopping, Good Food, and a Drive-In Movie

Once we returned to Blue Ridge, we weren’t quite finished exploring. We spent more time browsing the downtown shops, looking around town, and enjoying some delicious food. One of the things I appreciated most about this getaway was that we didn’t feel obligated to rush from one attraction to another. We could take our time and enjoy whatever caught our attention.

We also visited the Swan Drive-In Theatre, which added a little old-fashioned nostalgia to our trip. There’s something special about watching a movie outdoors from your own car, especially when drive-in theaters have become so uncommon. It was a fun addition to our getaway and another example of the variety of experiences available in the Blue Ridge area.

A Stop at Mercier Orchards

Of course, we couldn’t visit Blue Ridge without stopping at Mercier Orchards! It’s a wonderful place to browse seasonal goodies, baked treats, and all sorts of delicious things to take home. We enjoyed looking around and naturally ended up buying plenty of goodies for the trip back.

I always enjoy visiting apple orchards in the North Georgia mountains. There’s something about the combination of apples, baked goods, and mountain scenery that makes the experience feel like a little tradition. Mercier Orchards is definitely worth adding to the itinerary if you enjoy visiting local markets and bringing home a few edible souvenirs.

Beautiful Mountain Views at Brasstown Bald

On our way home, we decided to enjoy one more adventure and visited Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. After spending time exploring the little towns and riding the train, it was wonderful to finish our getaway with sweeping views of the North Georgia mountains.

The scenery was absolutely beautiful. Layers of green mountains stretched into the distance beneath an incredible sky filled with clouds, creating the kind of view that makes you want to stop and simply take it all in. It’s one of those places that reminds you how beautiful this part of Georgia really is.

We took plenty of photographs and enjoyed the peaceful mountain scenery before continuing our trip home. It was a lovely way to end our little getaway.

A Relaxing Getaway Without a Packed Schedule

One of the things that made this trip especially enjoyable was how manageable it felt. We were able to see and do quite a bit without spending our days rushing around or walking long distances. Much of our time was spent exploring relatively flat downtown areas, riding the train, visiting interesting shops, and enjoying scenic stops along the way.

Having our Airbnb so close to the railroad depot made a big difference, and the comfortable, air-conditioned train car was especially nice. Although individual shops and attractions may have varying accessibility, we found that this trip offered plenty of enjoyable experiences without requiring strenuous activities.

I also liked having our car available for exploring beyond downtown Blue Ridge. The scenic railway was the centerpiece of our visit, but stops like Expedition Bigfoot, Mercier Orchards, the Swan Drive-In, and Brasstown Bald made the entire getaway feel like a collection of little adventures.

Would We Visit Blue Ridge Again?

Absolutely! Blue Ridge has a wonderful combination of small-town charm, beautiful scenery, interesting shops, good food, and memorable activities. We enjoyed the scenic railway, loved exploring downtown, and had fun discovering some of the other attractions in the surrounding area.

Although we chose to spend two nights, Blue Ridge could easily be enjoyed as a day trip, especially if you live within driving distance. If you have more time, an overnight stay gives you the flexibility to explore without feeling rushed. And if you enjoy finding unusual little attractions along the way, having a car opens up even more possibilities.

For us, this trip was the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. We didn’t need an elaborate itinerary or a long vacation to have a wonderful time. We simply enjoyed exploring somewhere different, trying some delicious food, taking in the scenery, and making a few new memories along the way.

A Little Adventure Goes a Long Way

One of my favorite things about exploring new places is that you never quite know what you’ll discover. Sometimes it’s a beautiful mountain view, a charming little shop, an unexpected roadside attraction, or a memorable meal. Other times, it’s simply the pleasure of slowing down and enjoying somewhere different for a couple of days.

Our Blue Ridge getaway gave us a little bit of everything, from a scenic train ride and small-town shopping to a Bigfoot museum, a nostalgic drive-in movie, and breathtaking mountain views. It was a reminder that you don’t have to travel far or plan something elaborate to enjoy a memorable adventure.

If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway in the North Georgia mountains, Blue Ridge is definitely worth considering.

Happy exploring!