8 Awesome Things to do in Hiawassee, GA with Kids
My family is native to Georgia so it always amazes us when we find hidden travel gems right in our backyard. Hiawassee is one of those scenic gems that never disappoints in pictures. Here are our top 8 things to do in Hiawassee, GA with kids.
Psst – looking for a place to eat in town? We’ve got you covered! Check out top Hiawassee restaurants here.
1. The Beach at Lake Chatuge, Hiawassee
One of the best things to do in Hiawassee, GA is visiting Lake Chatuge. If you love boats, fishing, jet skis, and other water recreation then this is your place. Not a big fan of the water?
No worries-we aren’t either. Our kids are little so we stay on the beach. You read that right: the BEACH. Next to the mountains. Is that not the best of both worlds??
The beach on Lake Chatuge hosts a large pavilion area with 10 picnic tables, public restrooms, and two awesome playgrounds. The first playground is perfect for little ones ages 2-5. The bigger playground was easy to navigate by our 3-year-old but there were definitely older kids out there playing also.
We have spent the whole day right in this little spot while our kids played at the beach and floated in the “ocean.” A picnic lunch is also a convenient option that we utilize meaning we actually don’t have to leave that spot until we are ready to go back to the house.
To find the beach, we searched for “Pickleball Complex Hiawassee” in maps which led us to the campground right next door. If you’re coming from south of Hiawassee you will go past the campground and the beach will be on your right. If you are coming in from the north you will see the beach on your left right before you reach the campground.
Check out the Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce site for an extensive list of activities that are specific to the lake.
Is Lake Chatuge clear?
Yep! Lake Chatuge is filled with some beautiful, clean mountain water. We brought swimsuits for our kids and let them splash around in the shallow part of the lake on the shore line. There were quite a few boats and jet skis driving around farther out. There were also a ton of fishermen!
Can you swim in Lake Chatuge?
Officially, yes. At the beach there is a buoy rope that goes across the lake about 20 yards out from the shore line. This rope keeps the beach swimmers separated from all of the motorized boat activity that is happening on the other side of the rope.
There are a lot of recreational activities that go on at Lake Chatuge so while it is okay to swim, please be mindful of boats if you are past the buoy line.
2. Hamilton Gardens
Our family loves a nature walk! It is something we have always done on vacation (especially with kids) because we can travel at our own pace, they are accessible for strollers, and there is always so much to see. Hamilton Gardens is no exception.
There are 10 trails that all vary in distance but the main trail is about .4 miles long. We walked the main trail with a toddler on foot and a toddler in a jogging stroller and had no problems. We visited in September so we missed a lot of the pretty summer blooms.
The paths are not paved so I would not recommend a traditional stroller. No pets or bikes are allowed and there is an honor system for admission payments ($10 per family).
The gardens have public restrooms, pavilions, numerous benches throughout the trails, and a fountain. My 3-year-old’s favorite part? The praying mantis sculpture.
One of the best parts of the gardens is the picnic pavilion. We stopped to eat lunch here because the views were incredible. There is also a large grassy area that separates the gardens from the fairgrounds, which was perfect for getting out some after lunch energy.
To get there, type in “Georgia Mountain Fair” in maps and follow those directions. Once you pull into the fairgrounds, you’ll stay to the right after you go through the “house.”
You will drive up to the top row of the parking area and the entrance to the gardens will be right there. There are also signs that will lead you up there!
Hamilton Gardens keeps an up to date list of events on their website as well as a bloom schedule so you can plan your trip accordingly with any specific flower varieties you’d like to see.
3. High Shoals Falls
This post is making us look really outdoorsy but TRUST ME when I say we are not avid hikers/outdoorsmen. If you are not into hiking with small people strapped to you then I would just keep on scrolling to number four.
This is not an easy flat hike but it is definitely doable with small ones. My 3-year-old hiked most of the way up by himself and only needed to “ride” on the way down. My almost 2-year-old was very comfortable in her carrier the whole way up and the whole way down. Round trip this hike is 2.5 miles and you get to see two awesome waterfalls.
The photo opportunities are endless on this hike! The first waterfall you come to is the smaller of the two falls so don’t be disappointed by its lack of height. Its still awesome but not quite as big. The second one is the reason why you hiked and you definitely won’t be disappointed if you appreciate natural waterfalls.
We used this address (1333 Indian Grave Gap Road, Hiawassee, GA 30546) to get there and there were plenty of signs marking the way to the falls. The falls have their own site with lots of extra information about the area and the trails.
4. Bell Mountain
Bell Mountain is a really great thing to do in Hiawassee with kids. Want to know why? There is no walking. The photo opportunities here don’t require a professional camera because they are so naturally picture-perfect. You also get to drive right up to them. How is that for an easy adventure?
The mountain was recently purchased by Towns County, so the curvy (and a bit steep) road that leads up to the lookout landings has been freshly paved. Thanks, Towns! There are two lookouts, both of which offer great views. The newest landing offers a full 360° view! There were a fair number of people up there when we drove up the mountain but the “line” to see the views moved quickly.
To get to the parking lot, you can use this address: 220 Shake Rag Road, Hiawassee. Shake Rag Road is a turn off of the main highway that runs through downtown Hiawassee. You then have a short, winding drive up to the top where you can get out and take those awesome pictures.
Bell Mountain Park opens at 8am and closes at dark. Sunrises and sunsets are (obviously) beautiful and highly recommended.
Pro Tip: Mountains are foggy. We travelled up to Hiawassee in late September and had to wait until almost lunch time before the fog cleared at the top of the mountain. Mountain fog is no joke. You can’t see farther than 10 feet in front of you! Make sure you plan a couple of different times of day to visit the top if you want to get the best views.
5. Splash Island Water Park on Lake Chatuge
We recently visited Hiawassee with our kids in July and it was hot. Splash Island was on my list of things to check out as a possibility with the knowledge that it may not happen given the age of our kids.
As it turns out, they recently created a brand new part of the park designed for kids ages 4-7. Well, my oldest is three so we still didn’t make the cut BUT we will definitely be back. It looked like so much fun!
The original Splash Island Water Park is open for adults to accompany their kids, ages 7 and up. All participants are required to wear life vests. There are two options for payment: by hour and by day. If you aren’t planning to stay long then you can pay $15 for one hour of fun. Alternatively, you could make a day of it and pay $35 to stay as long as you want. They also offer a family pass for 4 people that’s $115.
I would definitely check the site for COVID precautions and potential closings before planning a trip to Splash Island.
6. Brasstown Bald
Brasstown Bald is a historic landmark in Georgia that everyone should have the opportunity to visit. After all, it is Georgia’s tallest mountain! The visitor’s center offers a shuttle service that will take you straight up to the viewing platform. If you feel like hiking, you can hike the .6 mile paved path up to the platform.
The shuttle service makes this an ideal photo opportunity for families with young kids because there is no hiking necessary! The view from the top are 360 degrees and beautiful. The shuttle ride is quick and easily doable with kids of all ages.
You can find the Brasstown Bald visitors center at this address: 2941 Hwy. 180 Spur Hiawassee GA 30546. They are open 7 days a week from 10-5. There is a $5 fee for anyone 16 and older to use the visitor center services, including the shuttle.
7. Georgia Mountain Fair
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds host a variety of events throughout the year that are perfect for families. Their big Georgia Mountain Fair is usually in August/September and includes carnival rides, vendor booths, food, and many more activities.
However they also host many concerts, car shows, a fall festival, a Christmas light show, and New Years fireworks. There are plenty of options to choose from so one of their events should fit within your travel dates!
Their events page will keep you up to date on upcoming festivities that you can participate in while you are in the area.
Address: 1311 Music Hall Rd. Hiawassee, GA
8. Roadside markets and produce stands
Is it weird that this is one of my all time favorite things to do in the mountains? Any mountains. If I see a roadside stand while we are driving I have been known to make a U-turn just so we can get some boiled peanuts and a bottled Dr. Pepper.
Hiawassee has a few options for roadside markets if you are looking for fresh produce, local honey, or a snack for the road. My favorite is the Hiawassee Fruit & Vegetable Market.
They offer so many varieties of every kind of produce imagine and it is all locally grown/harvested. The last time we stopped here was in late September and I was able to get all of the decorative heirloom pumpkins I needed for my front porch fall display.
Oh, and also boiled peanuts.
Address: 814 North Main Street, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546
Does Hiawassee have a downtown?
Yes and no. When I think of mountain towns in north Georgia I think of cute little downtown squares with tons of old shops. Hiawassee does not have that kind of downtown. They do have a main highway (Hwy 76) that takes you through most of what Hiawassee has to offer in terms of businesses.
The Hiawassee Town Square is a cute little park with a gazebo that is surrounded by county government buildings. It’s a great place to stop and stretch your legs! They will host seasonal events here and they also have a Christmas lights display starting around Thanksgiving.
Looking for the best restaurants in Hiawassee, GA?
Speaking of awesome things to do with kids, let’s feed them! If you’re looking for some great local restaurant suggestions in Hiawassee then check out our post on 10 local restaurants in Hiawassee!
Stay awhile! Check out these campgrounds while you are in town.
Looking for campgrounds in Hiawassee? A perfect way to end a perfect day is to go back to your creek side camp site to spend the night camping in Hiawassee next to the Blue Ridge mountains. We have done the homework for you so check out our list of sites for both RVers and the best tent camping in Hiawassee.
Wrap up: Things to do in Hiawassee, GA with kids
These are our favorite things to do in Hiawassee with young kids. We usually visit this beautiful mountain town at least once per year (this past year we went twice) just to breathe the mountain air and take in some picturesque scenery. If you’ve visited Hiawassee recently and found a great spot for kids, let us know!
