Winter Wanders & Cozy Adventures

Late fall in Blue Ridge and the surrounding mountains call for brisk evenings and mild days, perfect for enjoying outdoors activities in the Georgia Appalachians and area lakes and streams. Nights call for families enjoying s’mores around a campfire before retiring to their cabins nestled in the woods. Add to the beauty of the season is holiday fun, everything from train rides with visits from Santa to vibrant community theater.

GET OUTSIDE

There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails throughout the region, many sporting waterfalls and brilliant autumn foliage. Not far from Blue Ridge lies the southern beginning of the Appalachian Trail at nearby Springer Mountain and the Benton MacKaye Trail, which includes a dramatic view of the Toccoa River from a swinging bridge!

Because Blue Ridge rests inside a valley of the North Georgia Mountains, visitors may choose from a plethora of cabin accommodations, from rustic and secluded to luxurious homesites that sleep many, perfect for family reunions or gatherings for the holidays. And since nights drop to temperatures requiring sweaters and jackets, light up the fire pit and roast marshmallows and watch the night sky for shooting stars and winter constellations.

GO SHOPPING

Art galleries, antiques, boutiques, vinyl, artisan foods and wines and fine furnishings—that’s what you’ll discover shopping in downtown Blue Ridge. Not to mention so many items you won’t find anywhere else. Like craftsman William Oyster who creates handcrafted and engraved bamboo fly rods for presidents such as Pres. Jimmy Carter and other famous people at his Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods. He’ll even teach you how to make your own at his classes that sell out months, sometimes years in advance. A short drive north is the quaint town of McCaysville, home to more specialty shops and restaurants. And just outside of town The Folk Collaborative serves up lunch specialties in its café and sells organic products that are grown, harvested and created in the North Georgia Mountains. We’re talking herbal extracts, teas and body care, among others.

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SWAN DRIVE-IN

Folks today will be hard-pressed to find drive-in theaters—but Georgia has four and one is located in Blue Ridge! The Swan Drive-in Theatre shows first-run and boutique films year-round, offering a cozy family experience even when it’s chilly outside. (And yes, the movie plays in rain and snow.) If the weather’s good, however, bring lawn chairs or sit on your tailgate as the sun sets and the film emerges on the giant screen.

The theater dates to 1955 and still owns a nostalgic charm. The diner serves up fun items such as wings and cheeseburgers and car hops will even deliver food to your car.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY EXPRESS

Visitors to Blue Ridge have the unique opportunity to ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a historic train that transports visitors to and from the neighboring town of McCaysville. But from November 29 through Christmas Eve, the Railway offers a one-hour ride on its “Holiday Express.” Children will be treated to holiday music, a reading of the classic “The Night Before Christmas” story and a visit from Santa. They’ll go home with a special Blue Ridge Scenic Railway jingle bell and candy cane.

MERCIER ORCHARDS

There’s so much to love at Mercier Orchards, from picking apples through November at the largest apple orchard in the southeast, to their store featuring wines and ciders, home décor and a bounty of local foods and products, including their delicious fried apple pies served hot from the bakery. Naturally, Mercier dresses up for the holidays and Santa comes to visit.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

One of the most cherished Christmas stories remains O. Henry’s “Gift of the Magi,” where an impoverished young couple find ways to gift each other through personal sacrifice. Blue Ridge Community Theater places the story during the 1950 Atlanta Transit Strike for performances from November 21 through December 15.

One way to run up an appetite for all things Thanksgiving is participating in the annual Turkey Trott 5K walk/run
through downtown Blue Ridge on Thanksgiving Day. The race begins at 8 a.m. and is fun for the whole family, from casual walkers to serious competitors.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 30, Blue Ridge rings in the holidays with strolling Christmas entertainment along Main Street, entertainment on the Depot Street main stage, a visit from Santa and a 5:30 p.m. parade during Light Up Blue Ridge. Then, immediately following the parade’s conclusion, around 7 p.m., there’s the lighting of the Great Tree.

But there’s more! The day before, November 29, is known as Blue Friday and includes discounts at the downtown stores, entertainment, food vendors and the opening of the Gingerbread Village at noon at the Art Center.

Cheré Dastugue Coen

Author

Cheré Dastugue Coen

Food & Travel Writer, Author

Cheré Dastugue Coen is an award-winning journalist and author. She has written or edited for several newspapers, magazines and websites, including Variety magazine in Hollywood, the Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge, Gambit Weekly in New Orleans, the Gannett newspapers of Louisiana, The Californian, and many others. She currently writes freelance for a variety of publications, including AAA Southern Explorer; New Orleans magazine, Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile of the Renaissance magazine group of New Orleans; TravelAgeWest magazine; Louisiana Country; Florida Currents; South Carolina Currents; and many others. Cheré also writes nonfiction books, plus novels under the pen name of Cherie Claire
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