Local Area Guide for Ellijay and Blue Ridge

At Dragonfly Dreams, we want your stay in the north Georgia mountains to be unforgettable. Our Local Area Guide is here to help you discover the best of Ellijay and Blue Ridge, whether you’re after adventure, relaxation, or local culture.

 

Ellijay: The Apple Capital of Georgia

Ellijay, known as the Apple Capital of Georgia, is a must-visit, especially during the Georgia Apple Festival. Enjoy apple picking in the picturesque foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and explore local historic sites that showcase Gilmer County’s rich heritage. Downtown Ellijay offers quaint shops, unique gifts, and dining options ranging from BBQ to farm-to-table cuisine. Don’t forget to visit the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce for more insights into the area.

 

Blue Ridge: Mountain Adventure and Relaxation

Just a short drive from Ellijay, Blue Ridge offers outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and zipline tours in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town is also known for its vineyards, where custom wine tours provide a perfect way to spend an afternoon. After your adventures, enjoy the local dining scene or browse through the charming shops.

 

Make the Most of Your Stay

Our guide ensures you experience the best of Ellijay and Blue Ridge during your stay with Dragonfly Dreams. From exploring the Apple Capital of Georgia to enjoying the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll find something for everyone. Visit the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce and explore Explore Georgia online for more activities and accommodations in the area. With Dragonfly Dreams as your base, the best of the north Georgia mountains is at your fingertips.
 

---

 

BEST EATERIES IN DOWNTOWN ELLIJAY

The Butcher and Bottle 
24 River Street
An upscale restaraunt right on Riverstreet in Downtown Ellijay.  Their menu boasts Scallop Risotto, Tuna Tartare, Oysters Rockefeller (as well as raw oysters), premium cuts of steak, Pan Fried Trout, an array of salads,  and much more.  Live music on some weekends. See website for more details.
https://thebutcherandbottle.com/

The Roof of Ellijay
16 River Street
Indoor dining or heated outdoor seating on the roof.
New Southern rooftop kitchen and bar, inspired by the culture of our hometown in Appalachia. Eat, drink, View!
Open Wed-Thur 11-8pm    Fri-Sat 11-9pm    Sun 12-8pm
http://www.theroofellijay.com 

The Shack of Ellijay
118 N Main St.
Dine in or take out...delicious Asian infusion. 
Mon-Sat  11-7pm
https://theshackofellijay.business.site/
 
Cantaberry’s Restaurant

5 Southside Square, Ellijay

Homemade soups and sandwiches

Open 11:00-4:00

There are several outside tables for those who want to bring Fido with them. So good they opened one in Blue Ridge, too.
http://www.cantaberry.com 

 

Back Porch Bistro
10 Northside Square
Sandwiches, homemade soups, desserts, and coffee
Fido is welcome to join you on the back porch!
http://www.backporchbistro.com 

Abby's Frozen Yogurt
24 South Main Street, Ellijay
Open seven days a week, 12-9
678-408-1119
http://www.iloveabbys.com 

Chill Out Ice Cream and Eatery
Ice cream, hot dogs, specialties.
True hometown shoppe.
40 River Street, Ellijay
(706)276-2611
https://chillouticecreamandeatery.com/

Bavarian Chocolatier & Fudge & Candy Shop
4 Northside Sqaure
Closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays
See their Facebook page for more details

River Street Tavern
40 River Street
Great burgers and specialties, craft beers and cocktails. Quirky and fun. Check out the menu and drinks of the day. Often live music. Always crowded as it's a fave with the locals and our visitors. Worth the wait. Outdoor tables so you may bring fido.
http://riverstreettavern.com/

BEST COFFEE SPOT IN ELLIJAY
 

The Ellijay Coffee Shop

131 N Main St.
Also great teas, breakfast and lunch.
http://ellijaycoffeehouse.com 

 

SHOPPING IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ELLIJAY

 

Yesterday's Decor and Hometown Florist

 

Make it one of your first shopping stops on River Street. The store is over 4200 sq ft with a variety of merchandise to include both new and vintage items, cabin and farmhouse furniture and decor, Shabby chic, antiques, arts and crafts. They also are the best hometown florist for all of your floral and wedding needs.
Now Open 7 Days Monday - Saturday 9-5 Sunday 11-5
56 River Street
http://www.yesterdaysdecor.com/

 

 

SHOPPING FOR PETS IN ELLIJAY AND BLUE RIDGE

 

Love Dogs and Cats Too (Boutique)

“A shop for dogs and cats and the people who love them.”

777 Main St., Blue Ridge

706-632-8668
Site may be found on Facebook

 

 

Mountain Hounds (Pet supplies)
24 River Street
Ellijay, GA
M- Sun 12-5
Site may be found on Facebook

 

Mountain Valley Farm and Farm Store

Dry aged grass fed beef- free range heritage pork- free range eggs- raw milk- artisinal cheeses- butter- local honey- sauces- real hand crafted ice cream- many other surprises...including farm animal area to visit the lovely creatures. Amazing for young and old and all in between. The best place to gather amazing fare to take back to your cabin. BEST STEAKS EVER! The farm family is proud of their work and well they should be. You must put a visit there at the top of your list.
706-889-0999
grassfedga.com
Open 10-6
Please tell them Dragonfly Cabin Rentals sent you!

 
 

WINE AND ENTERTAINMENT

Chateau Meichtry

1862 Orchard Lane
Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 11-6 Sun 12:30-5:30
706-502-1608
Enjoy great wines in the tasting room or outside overlooking the beautiful scenery. Live music is often found on weekends.  Amazing tasting choices and incredible owners.
http://chateaumeichtry.com/ 

 

Buckley Vineyards Farm and Winery

708 Henry Evans Road
Ellijay, GA 30536
(706)972-2080
Call or see their website for more info.
https://www.buckleyvineyards.com/

 

Engelheim Vineyards

127 Lakeview Road
"Experience a Taste of Heaven"
Thursday-Monday 12:30-6:00 pm
706-635-WINE (9463)
 https://engelheim.com

 

Cartecay Vineyards

Open Thurs. through Mondays @ 11:00

Relax on the chimney patio with a delicious glass of wine grown on the premises.

5704 Clear Creek Rd., Ellijay

http://www.cartecayvineyards.com/

 

Ellijay Excursions
Leave the driving to the experts for custom wine tours. Ben and staff will help you plan an amazing day to suit your every need. Memories will be made with no worries about driving! Click on the link above to contact and begin planning your amazing adventure!
Guest books excursion- 706-972-7401 Tell them Dragonfly Dreams sent you!
https://ellijayexcursions.com/

 

POPULAR BBQ LOCATIONS
 

Biguns BBQ- (Our Fave)
362 Carns Mill Rd.
Talking Rock, GA (Between Jasper and Ellijay)
http://www.bigunsbbq.com 

 

The Pink Pig

Open since 1967 Th-S 11:00-9:00

824 Cherry Log St., Cherry Log

http://www.pinkpigcherrylog.com

 

 

 
 

FRESH SEAFOOD
 

Jolly Rogers Fish Market (A local secret.)

We buy their fresh shrimp and oysters and grill them at the cabin.

2414 E. 1st. Street

Blue Ridge 30513
Open Wed-Sat only 11-2:30   4-8PM
Site may be found on Facebook

 

 

ADVENTURE
 

Back Woods Fishing Guide

Full time guide service on Carters Lake and Lake Sidney Lanier.
Offers half and full day trips; for private parties, family outings, or corporate business trips.
770-265-9677
email: [email protected]
http://backwoodsfishingguide.com

 

Appalachian Trail Rides, S&T Stables, LLC

Mention Dragonfly Dreams Cabin Rentals and receive 10% discount!
Trail rides, abundant wildlife, customized trips. Highest rated stables in the area.
Their menu of custom rides are amazing! They even offer pony rides and proposal rides!
706-374-0362
http://appalachiantrailrides.com

 

Cartecay Bike Shop

This shop is the go to spot for mountain biking enthusiasts. From gear, to trail ride suggestion, these are the experts to turn to here at the mountain biking capital! We have cabins available near the best trails as well.
https://www.cartecaybikes.com/ 

 

The Lily Pad Village

Located eight miles outside of Blue Ridge, the whole family will love to spend an hour or a day gem mining, mini golf, fishing, hiking, or bring a picnic.
http://lillypadvillage.com/ 

 

Cartecay River Experience

Tube or kayak down the Cartecay River, rent tubes/kayaks, and transportation.
1554 Lower Cartecay Rd.
706-531-4746
http://www.cartecayriverexperience.com

 

Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge

You can also book rafting trips on their website.

800-251-4800

Call for directions.

http://www.zipblueridge.com/
 

Expedition: Bigfoot!

1934 Hwy 515
Cherry Log, GA
706-946-2601
http://www.expeditionbigfoot.com


 

HIKING, PICNICKING AND NATURE

Long Creek Falls Trailhead

Long Creek Falls is located in beautiful Suches, GA (approximately 30 minutes from downtown Ellijay).  Three streams converge to form the Noontootla Creek in the Three Forks valley of the Chattahoochee National Forest.  This hike is ideal for seasoned hikers and beginners alike, and the one that I would personally recommend the most.  Hike the elevated trail to view a series of waterfalls that cascade over 50 feet.  Long Creek Falls runs parallel to the Appalachian Trail and is a fun family excursion you won't soon forget.  For more information visit 
https://www.blueridgemountaintravelguide.com

Amicalola Falls State Park

This is a must see at the beginning of the
Appalacian Trail

418 Amicalola State Park Rd., Dawsonville

http://www.gastateparks.org/lodges/amicalola/

 

Fort Mountain State Park

A scenic drive on Highway 52 near the Cohutta Wilderness leads visitors to this mountain getaway. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders will find some of the most beautiful trails in Georgia, winding through hardwood forest and blueberry thickets, crossing streams and circling a pretty lake. Hikers can also explore a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and an ancient rock wall which stand on the highest point of the mountain. The mysterious 855-foot-long wall is thought to have been built by early Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies.
https://gastateparks.org/FortMountain
 

Brasstown Bald

Located near Blairsville, GA at 4,784 feet above sea level this must see is the highest peak in the state of GA.  The view that you see here is a scene that will stay with you for the rest of your life.  You can see four seperate states with the naked eye Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  In the fall the vivid colors will paint a memory for you and your family to look back on forever.  For more information visit https://www.exploregeorgia.org
 

HIKING TRAILS

Find a comprehensive list of hiking trails at

www.georgiatrails.com/city/Ellijay 

 

 
 

GOLFING

Whitepath Golf Club

1156 Shenendoa Dr., Ellijay

www.whitepathgolfclub.net

 

 

 

A FAMILY MUST
 

Take the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

To Copperhill, TN.

Lovely views along the Taccoa River.

Make reservations @

http://brscenic.com/

 

 

GO TO AN OLD-FASHIONED DRIVE IN

Swan Drive-In Theatre

Blue Ridge

706-632-5235

www.swan-drive-in.com

 

 

 

 

IF IT’S FALL, IT’S TIME TO VISIT THE APPLE HOUSES!

 

Visit all the apple houses that reside up and down Hwy 52 in Ellijay. Our favorite apple houses on 52 are…

• BJ Reece Apple House

• Hillcrest Orchards

• R & A Orchards

 

 

Merciers Apple Orchard

Great shops, goodies, and tours, year round.

706-632-3411

www.mercier-orchards.com 

 

 

Burt’s Farm

Open Sept. 1-Nov. 10

Pumpkin Picking

Hayrides

5 Burt’s Farm Rd. Dawsonville

706-265-3701

https://www.burtspumpkinfarmgeorgia.com/