Local Area Guide: Things to do / Activities / Attractions

You must spend the day in downtown Ellijay and/or in Blue Ridge to visit the many shops and restaurants. Both towns are so quaint and oh so friendly. Park your car and walk around the square or town center, stopping to shop. Work up an appetite and have lunch in one of the several fantastic eateries and don't forget the ice cream and other dessert shoppes.

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/
 

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
http://www.ordertheshack.com
 
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 

Take time to shop for your 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
M- Sun 12-5
Site may be found on Facebook
 

Something you cannot miss:

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)
 http://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/



Custom Wine Tours at Ellijay Excursions:
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!

 

BBQ :

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, PICNICING, 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

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

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 http://www.exploregeorgia.org

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

Also visit a fabulous apple house in Blue Ridge,

Merciers Apple Orchard

Great shops, goodies, and tours, year round.

706-632-3411

www.mercier-orchards.com 

FALL IS THE TIME TO ALSO VISIT:

Burt’s Farm-

Open Sept. 1-Nov. 10

Pumpkin Picking

Hayrides

5 Burt’s Farm Rd. Dawsonville

706-265-3701

www.burtsfarm.com