Blairsville
Blairsville, Georgia
Blairsville, Georgia
Get Lost in the Outdoors
By: Myron Madden
DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 15 minutes from downtown Chattanooga
GREAT FOR: Outdoors › Families › Culture
BEST IF YOU HAVE:
1-2 days
Tucked away in the shadows of North Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the unsuspecting city of Blairsville is an adventure waiting to happen. Whether you’re looking to lose yourself in the great outdoors or take a trip the whole family will remember, this hidden gem delivers one surprise after another, leaving day-trippers with plenty of reasons to circle back.
> WHAT TO DO:
Vogel State Park
405 Vogel State Park Road
706-745-2628
Swimming, fishing, mini golf and camping are just a few of the activities available for those who visit this 233-acre paradise in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The park’s 22-acre lake makes it the perfect spot for kayaking, paddleboarding and paddle boating — all available for rent — and with 17 miles of trails on hand, hikers will have plenty to keep them busy.
Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm
706-835-1837
Book an appointment for a chance to get up close and personal with the fluffy alpacas on this private farm. In addition to an interactive afternoon with the animals, the free tour will give visitors a look at how the owners use the alpaca’s fleece to create wearable art, fly fishing flies, and more. Guests can even sign up for classes to make some of their own unique creations.
» During the Northeast Georgia Spring Arts Tour June 7-9, no appointment is needed to tour the farm during open hours — and there will be live arts demonstrations and interactive activities.
Let your imagination run wild at this whimsical fairy garden created by a former Disney artist. The gardens, woodworking studio and gift shop feature colorful, cartoonesque playhouses, birdhouses and decorative hobbit homes that will have you convinced you’ve been transported to Wonderland.
With batting cages, disc golf, tennis courts, a swimming pool, playground and plenty of walking trails, there’s something for everyone in the family at this breezy recreational area. The park is also home to the Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games in June, the Butternut Creek Art Festival in July, and the Sorghum Festival in October.
> COMING UP:
> THE GREAT OUTDOORS:
Helton Creek Falls
34.751944, -83.896389
706-745-6928
The drive may be long (roughly 25 minutes), but the hike will be short to see this gorgeous dual waterfall. After an easy 0.3-mile walk on the kid-friendly path, set up a picnic with the family as you watch the water cascade into the pool below while surrounded by moss-covered boulders and hardwood forest.
Brasstown Bald Visitors Center
2941 GA-180 Spur, Hiawassee, Ga.
706-896-2556
Take a trip by foot, car or shuttle to the peak of Brasstown Bald, the tallest mountain in Georgia, where you’ll find a cloud-level observation deck offering a breathtaking 360-degree view spanning four states. There, you’ll also find an interactive museum featuring exhibits that showcase the area’s cultural and natural history.
» On May 24, 31 and June 7, 8, 21 and 28, visitors can gain a whole new perspective from the bald’s panorama with astronomer Alex Langoussis. The park’s popular Gazers of the Galaxy program guides guests though the night with high-powered telescopes and Langoussis’ expertise.
Ice Climbing
Blairsville is one of the few destinations perfect for ice climbing in the state of Georgia, though the ideal conditions needed for scaling the frozen waterfalls are brief and rare. Brush up on best climbing spots before the next big freeze with Michael Crowder’s guidebook, “Southern Fried Ice.”
> WHERE TO EAT:
COST KEY:
$: Under $10
$$: $11-$30
$$$: $31-$60
$$$$: $61+
Griddle Cafe & Deli
19C Cobalt St.
706-781-1330
Cost: $
Known for whipping up pancakes as big as the plates they’re served on, this small brunch hangout offers huge portions sure to fill visitors up for the day ahead. Whether you’re craving a Philly cheesesteak in the morning or a cheese omelet in the afternoon, this cafe’s got you covered. Just be sure to order the biscuits, so warm and fluffy they’ll practically melt in your mouth.
Hole in the Wall
12B Town Square
706-745-5888
Cost: $
Established in 1931, this storied establishment is much larger than its name implies. Located on the downtown square, it stands as the oldest diner in Union County. The eatery offers old-style Southern cooking so authentic that “you’ll swear your grandma made it,” with options like catfish po’ boys, meatloaf smothered in gravy and pan fried rainbow trout, in addition to breakfast all day. (Cash or check only.)
Michaelee’s Italian Life Caffe
6C Town Square
706-400-5603
Cost: $$
Offering a menu filled with cleverly reinterpreted Italian favorites, this boutique restaurant promises a meal guests won’t soon forget. Whether you’re in the mood for vegetable lasagna or a full-on lobster dinner, Michaelee’s delivers with only the finest imported ingredients. After dinner, head downstairs to the cellar for something sweet, whether it be housemade fudge, Arabic espresso or loose leaf tea.
Jim’s Smokin’ Que
4971 Gainesville Hwy.
706-835-7427
Cost: $
Though only open Thursday-Sunday, there’s a reason this unassuming hideaway is always packed come lunchtime. Named one of the top barbecue joints in the U.S. by TripAdvisor in 2014, Jim’s smokes up pulled pork, babyback ribs and wings that are worth the wait. The secret, of course, is in the sauce, which guests have been known to take home by the jar. Next door, the Pigs Gone Amuck Mini Golf offers the chance to while away your wait time May-October.
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