As Floridians we are used to beaches, flat plains, and wetlands. So any chance we get, we book a trip to the mountains to experience the views and enjoy a change of scenery. If it’s Fall, we hope to feel the crisp October air, and hope to see a little bit of changing leaves. If it’s Winter, we hope for just a little bit of snow. North Georgia is close enough that we can make a quick few days’ trip out of it, drive our own car, and bring our pup with us.
So pack up your car and head out for a road trip experience of the best of what North Georgia has to offer. There are quite a few unbelievable gems that are certainly worth putting on your list. Now, all of these stops we have listed might not be accomplished in one road trip, but they are all worth putting on your list.
A North Georgia Road Trip to Hit All the Best Spots
Helen, GA
Helen, Georgia is the closest you’ll get to visiting Germany, without needing a passport (we aren’t counting EPCOT…). This mountain town is set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and is an immersive experience, bringing visitors to this Bavarian-themed town out of Georgia and straight to Europe. The buildings in Helen are designed to resemble an Alpine village, complete with timber-framed facades, balconies, and cobblestone streets. The Chamber of Commerce has made it so that even the big chains that move into town must follow the theming. Make sure you check out the Wendy’s when in town!
We visited in October, as the Fall foliage in the area is some of the last to turn in the country, so you can plan your trip a little later in the season to get the best color. But Helen is bustling all year round, in the Summer it’s also common to see people floating down the river in innertubes. Near by you’ll also find Anna Ruby Falls. Northern Georgia is known for some incredible waterfalls, and this one is no exception.
I’d plan to spend at least a day or two exploring the area in and around Helen. Not only is the downtown area full of the Bavarian Alpine-style architecture, they also fully embrace the other aspects of Bavarian culture, including shops and restaurants. We even found ourselves amongst an Oktoberfest celebration that was in full swing downtown. Helen is the kind of place where families come year after year for their annual vacation, so be sure to book your accommodations well in advance of your visit.
Blue Ridge, GA
The town of Blue Ridge is about an hour drive from Helen. You could absolutely make a home-base somewhere in-between the two towns and visit both during your stay. Blue Ridge is surrounded by forests, rolling hills, and the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Toccoa River also flows through the area, adding to the natural charm, and is one of the highlights of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway trip. The train trip can be just an afternoon quick trip, or you can take a full day ride which gives you time to explore the cities of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee which sit right on the state line.
The downtown area, although not themed like Helen, is a still an incredibly charming small town with shopping and restaurants, and many of the business are even dog friendly. You can spend a day exploring the near by areas for hiking or fishing, and even stop by the “EXPEDITION:BIGFOOT! The Sasquatch Museum” for a glimpse into some local lore.
This area of Georgia is also known for its apple orchards, as the climate in the area is good for growing apples which makes it a popular activity for both the locals and visitors, especially during the fall season. We picked up two bushels of apples and made some apple butter back home with it.
Ellijay
A little less known than the towns of Blue Ridge, and Helen, but Ellijay is absolutely a spot to add to your road trip plans. This small town doesn’t have as much of a specific draw like a railway or a town theme, but it is a charming town with some great locals and a super relaxing vibe. We picked Ellijay as our starting point for a recent trip, and even stayed in a Dome House just outside of Amicalola Falls State Park.
Amicalola Falls State Park was one of our major draws to Ellijay. Again, another one on the unexpected list of incredible waterfalls in North Georgia. The falls here have a couple of different vantage points, including one from the top, one from the bottom, and a mid way point. You can climb the stairs from the lower falls, all the way back up to the top, but you can also skip a few stairs and access the falls from West Ridge Falls Access parking area, and get an incredible view.
The area around Ellijay is also home to a few different wineries, as well as cideries, which ties back to the apple picking that happens around here. We stopped by the Fainting Goat Vineyards, which had great wine, was dog friendly, and yes, did have goats.
Toccoa River Swinging Bridge
Although not a city, this stop was the perfect mid way point between the cities we just talked about and the next stop at Lookout Mountain. We found this hidden gem by the suggestion of a Facebook group, sometimes it is great to have others who have made the trip before you give you a few tips. It’s not a wildly publicized spot, and we even had some trouble finding it on Google maps. But that made it seem all the more adventurous. You have to drive up a pretty bumpy dirt road, but once you reach the parking lot, it is time to hike. It’s probably about a quarter mile to reach the bridge, and it does require the most miniscule amount of scrambling.
You’ll be able to hear the water of the river rushing by the trail before you can see the river, but soon you’ll reach a clearing and see the bridge spanning over the river. This is the same Toccoa River that runs along side the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. If you are afraid of heights, this might make you a little uneasy. But, we promise the views are certainly worth the trek.
Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain sits on the border of Georgia and Tennessee in the North West corner of Georgia. There is a lot of discussion online as to which state can truly claim this location, but we are going based on what Google maps says, and that is Georgia. But either way, this area is full of incredible views, hiking trails, and wouldn’t you believe it, waterfalls. We made our first day in the area a day at Cloudland Cannon State Park. This is one of the largest state parks in Georgia, and tops every list of most scenic. There are unforgettable views from the rim trail, and hikes down into the canyons that are worth the multiple flights of stairs.
Lookout Mountain is also home to what I’m calling the trio of tourist attractions, that although they are touristy, they were worth the cost of admission to us. The three are the Incline Railway, Rock City Gardens and Ruby Falls. Each one unique in its own way. The incline railway takes you from the base of Lookout Mountain to the top with scenic views for miles.
Rock City Gardens is a walk thorough attraction that brings you through a garden of, well rocks. Its much more impressive than that sounds. And lastly Ruby Falls is an unbelievable experience, including story telling, cave exploration and an unforgettable waterfall at the end. Yes, this is certainly a tourist attraction, but if you can set aside some judgment, you’ll totally enjoy it. You’ll have a few twists and turns, and areas requiring you to duck down, at least if you are over 6 foot 4 inches like one of us… And you learn a lot about the formation of caves, and the discovery of this gem.
We keep dreaming about returning to the mountains of North Georgia. It’s always a good sign of how a place made an impression on you if you know someday you’ll be returning, and telling those closest to make the trip for themselves.
There is so much more to explore in Northern Georgia, that we couldn’t cover everything. But If you want to follow along with our adventures, be sure to check out these recent videos on YouTube.
To see more from our trips to Georgia start here:
The Savory Suitcase 
One thought on “A North Georgia Road Trip to Hit All the Best Spots”