Unique Things to Do in Blue Ridge, GA

Quirky Places & Local Treasures

Unusual and unexpected places to eat, shop and play in Blue Ridge and the Copper Basin.

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creditBlue Ridge Scenic Railway

Attractions

Shops

Restaurants

Attractions

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

241 Depot St, Blue Ridge, GA

Experience the beauty of Blue Ridge from a new perspective aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Ride in comfort or upgrade to the locomotive car to watch the engineer and conductor in action. For a more hands-on journey, hop on a custom-built, four-person electric Rail Bike and ride past streams, vineyards, and towering pines.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Expedition Bigfoot

1934 GA-515, Blue Ridge, GA

Explore one of the country’s most fascinating cryptozoology museums, where lifesize sculptures, footprint casts, sound clips, and eyewitness stories bring the legend of Bigfoot to life. Expedition Bigfoot doubles as a research and reporting center, so if your mountain adventures turn up something unusual, you can add your own story to the collection.

Ellijay Mushrooms

2269 Old Flat Branch Rd, Ellijay, GA

Have you ever wondered how mushrooms are grown? Take a self-guided tour of Ellijay Mushrooms, a family-owned mushroom farm growing 5,000 lbs of shiitake, oyster, and lion's mane mushrooms every week, to learn how mushrooms are sustainably farmed. Stop at the farm store for fun mushroom souvenirs and fresh mushrooms for dinner at your cabin.

Mushroom Themed Gifts displayed on a table.

Ellijay Mushrooms

The Zoo–Groovy Metal Yard Art

8341 Lakewood Hwy, Mineral Bluff, GA

For an animal experience unlike any other, be sure to visit The Groovy Zoo–the only zoo where you can bring the animals home with you. As you stroll through the zoo you'll be surrounded by thousands of colorful animals, created with metal, aluminum, and wood. Take time to read the info panels throughout the property to learn fun facts about the different "animals".

The Lilly Pad Village

24 Adelaide Dr, Blue Ridge, GA

Surprise the young children in your family with a fun gem-mining experience at The Lilly Pad Village in the Aska Adventure Area. Help them sift through the gem dirt to uncover a variety of colorful gemstones. Then, enjoy a friendly round of mini golf or sit by the lake and fish for catfish, bass, and brim.

Image shows a kid sitting on a dock by a lake with a line in the water.

The Lilly Pad Village

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Swan Drive-In

651 Summit St, Blue Ridge, GA

Enjoy a double feature from the comfort of your car at one of Georgia’s last remaining drive-ins. Order classics like buttery popcorn or try deep-fried Oreos delivered right to your window by friendly carhops. It’s a nostalgic night out you won’t want to rush.

Couple sits in the front seats of a car, holding drinks and looking out at a movie. A bucket of popcorn sits between them

Swan Drive-In

Tank Town USA

10408 Appalachian Hwy., Morganton, GA

Tap into childhood dreams and check one off your bucket list at Tank Town USA, the ultimate heavy equipment playground for adventure sports and off-road excursions. Drive a tank, or better yet, drive a tank over a car!!

Tank Town USA

Shops

The Folk Collaborative

2984 Mobile Rd. McCaysville, GA

Shop for Appalachian treasures at the The Folk Collaborative. The store specializes in locally grown produce, organic herbs, teas, salves, extraction, ointments, supplies, mountain knowledge and all things folk. Listen to a story or a little mountain wisdom from owner Luke Dilbeck.

Folk Collaborative

Huck's General Store

500 E Main St, Suite 201, Blue Ridge, GA

After a day of exploring the outdoors, reward yourself with a stop at Huck's General Store. Cool off with an old-fashioned cream soda and pick out some souvenirs. Plus, kids of all-ages will love grabbing some candy from the store's large wooden barrels.

Huck's General Store

Oyster Fly Rods

494 East Main St, Blue Ridge, GA

If you love fly fishing, consider Oyster Fly Rods an absolute must-visit shop. William Bill Oyster is a world renowned bamboo fly rod maker and has handcrafted fly rods for some of the world's finest anglers including President Jimmy Carter. He even offers courses so you can learn the art of crafting your own bamboo fly rod.

Oyster Fly Rods

Restaurants

Rum Cake Lady Bakery and Cuban Café

111 Ocoee Street, Copperhill, TN & 205 West 1st St., Blue Ridge, GA

For an authentic Cuban experience in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, try sweet bites of moist cake and warm, energy-surging Cuban coffee at the Rum Cake Lady Bakery and Cuban Café, a family-owned, fast-casual cafe offering authentic Cuban comfort food, just like "mami" used to make. An additional location in downtown Blue Ridge means a sweet treat is always within arm's reach. The Rum Cake Lady to Go is reminiscent of a Cuban walk-up window-cafe, "La Ventanita," and offers fresh-off-the-press Cuban sandwiches, pastries, the best Cuban coffee in town, grab and go Cuban food bowls, desserts and a full selection of their famous rum cakes.

Image shows exterior of corner building with outdoor seating and signs all around advertising Rum Cake Lady Cuban Cuisine with a state line side and blue line off to side.

Rum Cake Lady Bakery and Cuban Café

Mystic Mountain Pizza

4118 E 1st St, Blue Ridge, GA

Treat your inner hippie to an oozy, cheesy slice amidst the peace signs and welcoming, relaxed vibe at family-owned and -operated Mystic Mountain Pizza. Along with fire oven pizza, the specialty of the house is awesome hot dogs; the owners started the business as Hippie Hotdogs before making the shift to pizza! Take the time to buy a hippie inspired gift to take home from the gift shop.

Mystic Mountain Pizza

Rod's Rockin' Rolls

327 Main Street, Ducktown, TN

Round out unique restaurant experiences in Blue Ridge with a visit to local favorite Rod's Rockin' Rolls, a family-owned restaurant specializing in Southeast Asian fusion. The spring rolls are the best and the menu changes daily.