Mineral Bluff, GA
I’ve said it before; I’ll say it again…vacations are not a luxury! They’re a necessity for a well-balanced, healthy life. If you ask me, they’re just as important as eating right, exercising, & getting adequate sleep. It doesn’t matter what you do, everyday life can be stressful, & you owe to yourself, your family, & even your employer to give yourself permission to take a break. Studies show that taking vacations can reduce stress, strengthen relationships, make you more productive at work, happier, & even provide a whole host of other physical health benefits!
As anyone who’s followed me for a bit can see, we like to get out & explore as often as we can for this very reason. A favorite escape for us has always been the mountains, & the Mineral Bluff area is a great option if you’re looking for some R&R away from the more well-known, crowded, mountain towns. Rest assured, there is plenty to do & see on a weekend getaway here! So, if you’re looking for a vacation that’ll help rejuvenate your soul & rediscover your inner peace; a north Georgia, mountain getaway may be just what you need. Keep scrolling for my recommendations on things to do & places to stay in this happy corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
WHAT TO DO:
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I cannot recommend this place enough! By far our favorite part of the trip. Our guide, Adrianna was an absolute doll! So personable & knowledgeable, & the trails sprawling over their 250-acre farm were such a treat for this flat land, lowcountry girl! While they offer guided trail riding all the way up to the advanced level, it was my daughters first time, so we opted for the beginner’s ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains. We loved every minute of the breathtaking mountain views, creek crossings, & lakeside trots alongside our friendly & experienced guide. My daughter is already begging to go back! Blair runs the ranch & is wonderful to coordinate with. I fell in love with my horse, Moonshine, & my daughter still talks about her love for Silver. So thankful for these sweet memories that’ll last a lifetime
You can’t go to the Blue Ridge Mountains & not sample some of the greatest natural gifts the area has to offer, & Mercier Orchards has the largest variety of local favorites all in one place. My kids are already apple obsessed, so they loved the “Apple Counter,” where the sweetest, little lady gave them countless samples of bright red, yellow, & green apples. While the apples were crisp & delicious, Mom & Dad’s favorite had to be the hard cider sampling. Add in their scratch made selection of apple donuts, fritters, well, really just about everything apple, & you’ll be glad you didn’t miss this charming, old timey gem. They also offer tractor rides & all sort of other activities in the late spring & summer months.
Shocker, I found a winery. Ott Vineyard is a precious, small town, family farm & winery that overlooks the Appalachian Mountains. Extremely kid & pet friendly, with ample indoor & outdoor seating overlooking the vineyard, which while not in season when we visited, was still very pretty. It’s hard to beat an afternoon sipping wine flights with live music & the view of distant mountains. While light snacks are available at the wine counter, there’s always a food truck out front with some heartier options to pair with those bold reds. The only downfall for someone who might be a hardcore wine lover is that they are usually very busy. Therefore, the staff, although friendly & knowledgeable, have to give you a very quick rundown of your choices before shoveling you away from the tasting counter. Not to worry though, there are plenty of beautiful spots to sit & sip those delicious wines they sent you off with. Definitely a top pick for me in the Mineral Bluff area.
While peaches may be the official state fruit, in North Georgia, I’ve found that apples reign supreme. B.J. Reece Apple House is another fun stop that even offers a variety of U-pick produce. Their pink lady apples are juicy, goodness heaven, & they’re right across the road from my next rec…
A husband & wife team serving up the best hard cider in the area at their family friendly brew house just across the street from the orchard. With a wide selection of craft beers, local wines, & of course, hard ciders, this happenin’ little joint is a must visit. Cozy up by the firepit & enjoy some live music while the kids roll down the nearby hill, or opt for a round of cornhole or any of the other indoor or outdoor games they have laying around for your enjoyment.
Shopping on Blue Ridge’s Main Street:
The quaint, little downtown is jam packed with specialty shops, boutiques, galleries, antiques & unique crafted items. There’s truly something for everyone in the family here (my kids were partial to the toy store). You can see it all in just a few hours, so you can get back to exploring all the nearby nature. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway runs through downtown. If you don’t have time for it on your trip, at least hop aboard the big, blue train sitting alongside the tracks for a fun photo opp.
MORE TO DO:
Our priority for this three night trip was lots of family time & relaxation, so we spent a good bit of our weekend around the cabin. However, if you’re looking for even more to do, check out some of the options below I heard great things about.
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WHERE TO EAT:
We splurged quite a bit on our cabin for this particular stay, so we opted for most meals in, both to save money & also for the sole fact that we wanted to be there. I tried & can highly recommend the first three eateries below, but I’ve also included a few I didn’t try that I’d heard good things about.
Creative farm-to-table, southern-inspired cuisine served in a family-owned, homey & rustic space. Located in historic downtown Blue Ridge, Harvest on Main is known for its commitment to using the freshest ingredients & local items when available, including grass-fed local beef, seasonal veggies, Bramlett Farms trout, local craft beers, & an extensive wine list. The staff was so friendly & accommodating, & the smoked salmon & trout spread was a huge hit, even with my kiddos. Okay, they only ate the crackers, but the waitress was an absolute doll & brought Matt & I some extra, although the dips were so delicious, we probably would have eaten them straight from a spoon if necessary! Other recs are the harvest salad & salmon.
Winners of Food Network's Cupcake Wars season 6, The Sweet Shoppe specializes in from-scratch, gourmet desserts, & it’s a must stop for the dessert lover like myself. Their cupcakes were the favorite for me & the kids, while daddy was a big fan of the cheesecake.
I’m a big time lover of farm-to-table restaurants, & this rock-themed tavern brings its own unique flavor to the concept of sustainable dining. Known for their mountain style comfort food, hardy appetizers, & small-batch whiskeys, this downtown eatery shouldn’t be missed. A favorite hangout for locals & visitors alike, the tavern is a lively spot full of live music & fun games you can take part in. The burgers are king here, if you ask me or Matt, but the fish tacos looked pretty incredible too.
While I didn’t have time to try the restaurants below personally; I did hear wonderful reviews while in town.
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WHERE TO STAY:
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals is the way to go, folks! Not only do they have an entire site full of cabins in every size & finish level to choose from, they also make the entire experience from booking to checkout a breeze. I can attest to their cabins cleanliness, & that they’re even better than the pictures advertised. Take it from a gal who’s booked some places that didn’t live up to the representation online. I recently experienced this on a trip to Orlando, & ended up with quite a hassle of having to move places…& forfeit some dough in the process. Book with Southern Comfort so the only hot water you end up in is that of a bubbling hot tub on a pine porch. The first one listed is where we stayed, but I’ve included a few more in varying sizes & price ranges to help narrow your search from their extensive database.
Click the links below to explore..
So book your trip today & get going to discover breathtaking views, create unforgettable memories & breath in the fresh mountain air of Mineral Bluff.
