15 unique places to visit in north Georgia with kids

The best places to visit in north Georgia have stunning mountain views, lazy rivers, delicious homemade apple pies, and easy family hiking trails. Whether you are looking for a specific town or for specific attractions, you are sure to find something on our list of things to do in north Georgia mountains that will fit your family.

The best mountain towns in Georgia

North Georgia has some amazing mountain views, beautiful (normal amounts of) snowfall, cool summer breezes, and more sights to see than any other part of the state. The best mountain towns in Georgia, in our opinion, are Hiawassee, Helen, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Clayton, Cleveland, and Blairsville. You really cannot go wrong with a trip to any of these towns.

What is northern Georgia known for? North Georgia is known for beautiful mountain views, an abundance of hiking trails, waterfalls galore, and picture-perfect downtown squares. You’ll find links to all of these below!

We have included one or two things from each of these towns in north Georgia on our list of places to visit. Although we isolated one or two specific attractions, we would highly recommend you spend a weekend (or a week) in any of these mountain towns in Georgia. You will not be disappointed!

Best places to visit in north Georgia with kids

There are a ton of things to see and do in the mountains. Our list of places to visit in north Georgia with kids includes our favorite kid-friendly activities, as well as some additional suggestions in the area. However, all of these activities are very family friendly-some are just more geared towards kids than others.

Hiawassee, GA

Our first recommendation comes from one of the towns in north Georgia that is closest to the state line. Hiawassee is only about 7 minutes from the North Carolina state line! Since the town is so far north, it offers amazing year-round mountain views.

One of the most unique things about Hiawassee is that it offers the mountains and the beach! We frequently take day trips to Hiawassee to enjoy the beach at Lake Chatuge. Plus, right across the street from the beach access you will find their botanical gardens (Hamilton Gardens), which is an easy walk for kiddos (or an easy ride for a jogging stroller).

There are also a ton of mountain overlooks and scenic spots to visit. Our first recommendation for places to visit in north Georgia is Bell Mountain, which is centrally located in Hiawassee.

Need other ideas in Hiawassee? Check out our posts for things to do in Hiawassee with kids and top local restaurants!

1. Bell Mountain

Bell Mountain offers one of the most beautiful valley views of the area and it is completely accessible by car-no hiking required! The Bell Mountain Park and Historical Site has two observations deck, one of which was recently constructed from the newly paved road and parking area.

Pro tip: Due to the elevation, there is a lot of fog in the early mornings. The best time to get clear views of the lake and surrounding mountains is late morning or mid-day! If the weather is clear, you can also see some great sunset views in the evening!

Can you hike up Bell Mountain? Yes and no. The only hiking you can do at the Bell Mountain observation decks is to climb the stairs from the first observation deck to the second observation deck. The second deck will give you the 360-degree views of Lake Chatuge and the mountains from over 3400 feet above sea level. We took the picture above from the second deck.

To get to the observation decks, follow directions to 220 Shake Rag Rd which will lead you to a parking lot. The first observation deck is steps from your car! You can then decide if you want to traverse the stairs up to the second observation deck. If you can manage the stairs, we HIGHLY recommend going all the way up.

How many steps are there to the top of Bell Mountain? To the top of the observation deck, there are 300 steps that are spread out across multiple winding staircases. There are platforms along the way up if you need to stop and rest.

Address: 220 Shake Rag Rd, Hiawassee, GA 30546

Hours: 6AM-11PM

Helen, GA

Helen is one of the most unique places to visit in north Georgia because it was constructed as an Alpine Village. It is a really neat area that is home to some authentic German food, delicious local coffee, and gorgeous waterfalls.

2. Anna Ruby Falls

Anna Ruby Falls is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Helen but also one of the most popular places to visit in north Georgia. It could be because the hike is less than a mile (in and out) and takes place on a paved trail (one of the few in north Georgia). The trail is lined with rock caves, beautiful water views, and resting points along the way.

Be warned: though this is a short hike, it is a steep hike. We took a jogging stroller with us the first time we hiked it because we had a 3 year old and a 20 month old with us. Not only could the 3 year old not make it up the first 0.4 miles, his parents struggled to push the stroller up to the top. We are not exactly out of shape people either.

The observation deck at the top is directly in front of both falls so you have a good chance of getting a great picture. There are a few sets of stairs leading down and back up when you approach the observation deck.

You cannot take strollers up to the deck due to the stairs that lead to the top-FYI. However, they do have a parking spot for strollers at the base of the stairs to the observation deck.

Cost: $5 per person ages 16 and up

Address: 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd, Helen, GA 30545

Need other ideas for your trip? Check out our posts for things to do in Helen with kids and amazing waterfalls in Helen, GA!

3. Lazy River Tubing

Up until recently, we have been traveling with two young toddlers so river tubing has not been top on our list as a family. However, it is a very popular family activity for those who have kids that are old enough to participate!

There are a couple of different companies to choose from when deciding how you want to “shoot the hooch.”

Cool River Tubing offers a 1 hour trip and a 2 hour trip, tubes with and without bottoms, and they are open rain or shine. Prices Monday-Friday are $14 per person ages 3 and up, with Saturday/Sunday being $18 per person ages 3 and up.

Helen Tubing (at Helen Waterpark) is another option that offers lazy river rides that are about 2.5 hours long. Their rides cost $14/per person on weekdays and $18/per person on weekends. They also offer tubes with headrests, bottoms, both, or neither!

River tubing is usually recommended for ages 2 and up. Passengers under 14 are required to wear a life vest and younger passengers (ages 2-3) are required to be walking already before getting in a tube. The tubes with bottoms are great options for families who travel with younger kids!

4. Downtown Helen

Downtown Helen is an experience all on its own. The whole downtown area looks like an Alpine village. Their shops offer everything from homemade fudge, authentic German fare, handmade wooden toys, and more.

Personally, we always stop by Yonah Coffee to start our walk around downtown. Bonus: Yonah is right across from a giant playground that can help your kiddos get some energy out!

Our favorite restaurants in downtown Helen are Big Daddy’s Restaurant & Tavern, Hofbrauhaus Restaurant (if you’re looking for German cuisine) and Betty’s Country Store (amazing sandwiches and desserts). Check out our post (above) for a complete breakdown of downtown Helen.

Ellijay, GA

Ellijay is located just south of Blue Ridge in the north Georgia mountains. Every fall, it hosts the Ellijay Apple Festival which is probably one of the top places to visit in north Georgia in the fall. In addition to the apple festival, visitors can travel to any one of the local apple orchards for U-Pick apples, petting zoos, homemade apple eats, and more.

5. Visit an Apple Orchard

One of the most popular places to visit in north Georgia from August-November is an apple orchard. Any apple orchard; they’re all wonderful. What most people don’t know is that these apple orchards also offer U-pick events for other seasonal fruits like summer berries and fall pumpkins. That means you do not have to wait until apple season to plan a trip to a local orchard.

However, if you really want to see everything these local farms have to offer, we recommend planning your trip to an Ellijay apple orchard sometime between late September and early November. Most of these orchards offer petting zoos, fall festivals, etc. that can only be experienced during those months.

If you are traveling to Ellijay solely to pick some wonderfully fresh apples, then I would highly recommend you choose an orchard and watch diligently as they post updates.

U-Pick season usually begins in September and goes until the apples are gone. However, different apple varieties will ripen at different times throughout the season. So, double check before you plan your trip!

Local Ellijay apple orchards include: Penland’s Apple House, Panorama Orchards & Farm Market, Hillcrest Orchards, R & A Orchards, Red Apple Barn, B.J. Reece Orchards, Aaron Family Orchards, Hudson’s Apple House, Seller’s Orchard, Mack Aaron’s Apple House, and Mercier Orchards.

Check out our complete review of each of these local apple orchards!

6. Ellijay Apple Festival

The Ellijay Apple Festival is a staple in north Georgia that began in 1971 and is held the second and third full weekends in October. Visitors can expect handmade crafts in local vendor booths, live music, food, experiences for the kids, and of course apples.

Local tip: Do NOT park close to the apple festival! The traffic line to get out is very long. You will actually get to leave quicker if you park in a nearby adjacent lot (down the street from the festival) and walk to the festival.

What dates are the apple festival in Ellijay? The Georgia Apple Festival is always held the second and third full weekends in October. You can find specific dates by year on their facebook page or on the Georgia Apple Festival website.

How much does it cost? Admission is $5 for adults and children 10+. All children under the age of 10 are free. A variety of vendors set up throughout the festival selling homemade crafts, food, etc. at an additional cost.

Where is the apple festival held?The festival is hosted by the Ellijay Lions Club at their fairgrounds, located at 1729 South Main Street, Ellijay, GA 30540.

If you are unable to walk, they offer a free shuttle service for neighboring lots. The shuttle parking areas are located at Gilmer High and Middle Schools, Ellijay Elementary and Primary Schools, and Mountainview Elementary School. The shuttle bus runs from 8:30AM-6:30PM on Saturdays and 8:30AM-5:30PM on Sundays.

If you’re planning to visit Ellijay, check out our post for things to do in Ellijay for families!

Blue Ridge, GA

Blue Ridge is probably one of the most well-known mountain towns in north Georgia and one of the oldest! It dates back to the 1800s and was intentionally built on either side of the railroad tracks to allow Fannin County to market its agricultural products.

Today, downtown Blue Ridge is packed full of local shops, amazing restaurants, and the boarding station of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. It is also known as the “antique capital” of Georgia so you can expect to find a wide variety of antique stores as well.

Is Blue Ridge Georgia worth visiting? Yes! We have spent whole mountain vacations in Blue Ridge alone because there really is so much to see and do. They offer everything from train rides to drive in movie theaters to amazing views. We highly recommend bookmarking Blue Ridge as one of the places to visit in north Georgia on your next trip.

Although there is a ton to see and do for such a small area, two of our favorite things to do in Blue Ridge are to ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and to experience Christmas in Blue Ridge.

7. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is one of the coolest tours in the state of Georgia! The trip is 26 miles along the Toccoa River and lasts about 4 hours.

The drive to McCaysville, GA takes about one hour. Once there, passengers depart the train for a 2-hour layover in McCyasville and Copperhill, TN. Passengers will then board the train again for the hour long ride back to Blue Ridge. There is a 2-hour express that does not have the layover, but you will ride the train for 2 straight hours.

Passengers have three choices for train cars: vintage, climate-controlled, and open-air. When you book your tickets, you are assigned a car but not a seat. Be sure to arrive early to make sure your family can get seats together! Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to departure time but they recommend guests get there 45 min in advance.

In addition to the regular rides, they also offer a “fall foliage” ride in the fall to see all of the beautiful colors in the north Georgia mountains. During the month of December, they offer a Holiday Express train ride designed with children in mind. This one hour train ride features a gift for children, a visit from Santa, holiday music, and a Christmas story.

Cost: Tickets vary based on package chosen. View their bookings page here.

Address: 241 Depot Street Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (this is the actual train depot where you will board the train. You can park anywhere downtown and walk to the depot)

8. Christmas in Blue Ridge

Christmas in Blue Ridge looks like the set of a Hallmark movie. Their official Christmas celebration is called Light Up Blue Ridge and takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving. It continues through the month of December.

Light It Up Blue Ridge includes a visit from Santa around noon, live entertainment on the main stage, a Christmas parade that begins around 5:30 pm (starting at the corner of Church and E. Main), and then the lighting of the Great Tree at 7pm. These main events take place the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

In addition, children can write a letter to Santa on the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving and receive a hand-written response via mail within a few days. Check out their website for mailbox hours and more information!

Throughout the month of December, visitors can also visit the gingerbread house contest at the Arts Center and vote on your favorite gingerbread house! There are usually a large number of houses on display, each with its own unique theme. Voting usually runs through mid December.

Blairsville, GA

Blairsville, GA is one of the best places to visit in north Georgia if your family is looking for some great outdoor adventures. Our top three recommendations are the Blue Ridge mountains overlooks, Brasstown Bald and Vogel State Park.

In addition to some of the most beautiful opportunities for mountain view overlooks, Blairsville also one of the quaintest downtown areas in all of north Georgia. Check out the map to see what they have to offer:

9. Blue Ridge Mountains Overlook – Blue Ridge Overlook & Blood Mountain Overlook

If you are looking for Blue Ridge Mountains Overlook, then Blairsville needs to be one of the towns in north Georgia that you visit. These overlooks are listed under Blairsville (rather than Blue Ridge) because they overlook the mountain range, rather than the actual town of Blue Ridge.

Blue Ridge Overlook is one of four scenic overlooks hidden within Black Rock State Park. This park is located between Blairsville and Clayton. Their blue ridge mountains overlooks are some of the most accessible and have fantastic views you can enjoy from your car window.

To get to Black Rock State Park, use this address: 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy, Mountain City, GA 30562 and follow the road to the overlook. You can’t miss it!

Blood Mountain Overlook is located just south of downtown Blairsville and requires a bit more effort than the Blue Ridge Overlook. If your family is looking for a really awesome Blue Ridge Mountains overlook and your family loves to hike, then this is the spot for you!

The hike to the view is about 2.3 miles up and 2.3 miles back down, for a total hike of just under 5 miles. Our toddlers could not do this hike, but it would be manageable for older kids! The views are well worth it. Be warned: bears are frequently spotted in this area.

Address: Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Blairsville, GA 30512

10. Brasstown Bald

One of the most unique places to visit in north Georgia is Brasstown Bald because it is the highest point in the state at 4,784 feet! A visit to Brasstown Bald is best on a dry, sunny day to get the full effect of the panoramic views. The distant mountains can be very difficult to see if it is cloudy/overcast or foggy.

Brasstown Bald has a gated entrance. It costs $7 to enter, park, and ride the Brasstown Bald shuttle bus to the top of the mountain. Alternatively, you can park and hike to the top. The hike is a steep 1/2 mile hike but it offers plenty of stops along the way if needed.

Is Brasstown Bald worth visiting? Yes! The Visitor’s Center offers panoramic views of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and makes a great photo opportunity.

Is Brasstown Bald still open? How much does it cost to get into Brasstown Bald? Brasstown Bald is open every day from 10am-5pm except on days with inclement weather and national holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.). It costs $7 to get into Brasstown Bald which includes parking, admission, and the shuttle to the top.

Can you drive to the top of Brasstown Bald? No, you cannot drive to the very top. However, you can drive to the parking lot where you will have two options to get to the summit. The Brasstown Bald shuttle bus is included in the admission price and will drive you directly to the Visitor’s Center at the top of the mountain. You can also hike from the parking lot, which is about 1/2-mile and decently steep.

Address: 2941 Hwy. 180 Spur Hiawassee GA 30546 (It is a Hiawassee address but is closer to downtown Blairsville!)

11. Vogel State Park

Vogel State Park is one of Georgia’s oldest state parks and is located at the base of Blood Mountain. The park offers a 22-acre lake, a Civilian Conservation Corps Museum (open seasonally), a variety of hiking trails of varying distances, a General Store, a playground, and a ton of rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, pedalboats, etc.).

Our favorite trail in Vogel State Park is the Trahlyta Lake Trail. This one mile loop is a very easy walk and leads to a dam that offers a beautiful view of the dam spillway. You can find this trail at Picnic Shelter 2 or Cabin 35. The Trahlyta Lake Trail is very doable with kids and has picture-perfect backdrops along the trail.

Parking is $5 per vehicle, but this is the only admission fee to enter the park.

Address: 405 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512

Dahlonega, GA

Dahlonega is one of the oldest (and coolest) towns in north Georgia. The downtown area is a true “downtown square” (shape and all) and has some of the best local shopping.

Being a gold rush town, Dahlonega has some great attractions for families that are deeply rooted in history. Plus, they’re so fun! Gold mining is definitely one of the top things to do in Dahlonega, which is why we have recommended Consolidated Gold Mine as one of the places in north Georgia you have to visit (see below).

If you’re planning to visit Dahlonega, check out our post for things to do in Dahlonega with kids!

12. Consolidated Gold Mine

Consolidated Gold Mine offers the only underground mine tour in Dahlonega! The entire tour takes about 45 minutes to complete and is definitely manageable for kids ages 4+. Our three year old did well with the tour because they keep you moving while you explore. However, it is a small space with one way in and one way out so consider your kids and their limits before booking.

The tour of the mines leads you down manageable stairs so that you end up 200 feet underground to begin your experience. After you have toured the mines, everyone gets to personally pan for gold and even take a sample of your “riches” home with you!

Also note: you can just pan for gold without the tour experience! They also offer a gemstone mining experience that allows visitors to select a bucket (ranging in price starting at $15) and keep what they find!

Cost: Adults $20 // Children $14

Hours: Open 7 days a week from 10-5

Address: 185 Consolidated Gold Mine Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Clayton, GA

Clayton is one of our favorite little spots to visit for a day trip. Their downtown area is quaint but packed with some delicious restaurants, homemade donuts and ice cream, and antique stores. However, our favorite thing to do in Clayton is to visit Goats on the Roof.

If you’re planning to visit Clayton, check out our post for things to do in Clayton for families!

13. Goats on the Roof

One of the most unique places to visit in north Georgia is definitely Goats on the Roof. As the name suggests, there are literally goats walking around on the roof! Our toddlers loved this place! They thought it was so funny and they had so much fun feeding the goats.

In addition to the goats on the roof, there is a pen with a variety of goats inside on the ground level. These goats can climb up to the top or stay on the ground so different goats will cycle through while you are there. Inside, they offer fresh homemade fudge, ice cream, and other assorted goodies.

It is free to walk the grounds and interact with the goats. You can purchase a feed bag from inside the store $2 per bag (they were only accepting cash for feed bags last time we were there-FYI). You can use your feed bag to feed the goats ong round level or send feed up to the goats on the roof using a pulley system!

Address:  3026 US-441, Tiger, GA 30576

Cleveland, GA

Cleveland, GA is home to awesome mountain hiking trails, a cute little downtown scene, and some awesome local BBQ. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, we highly recommend the Mt. Yonah Trailhead or Yonah Preserve Trails.

Maybe you’re just here for the food. The Soda Fountain Cafe and Rib Country BBQ are two of our favorites! If you’re looking for a fun family experience (our 4 year old boy thought this place was cool also), then we highly recommend Babyland General Hospital.

14. Babyland General Hospital

The original Babyland General Hospital is located right here in Cleveland, GA! It’s the birthplace fo the Cabbage Patch Kids! I know at first glance this looks like a cool place for a 3-year-old girl to visit but our 4-year-old boy was just as interested in this place!

Babyland General Hospital tours are self-guided and usually take about an hour to an hour and a half. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they would like and kids ARE allowed to play with the babies.

How much does it cost to go to Babyland General? Babyland General Hospital prices are for the dolls and accessories only. The hospital tours are FREE!

How long does it take to go through BabyLand General Hospital? This will depend on how interested your kids are, but in general it takes about an hour to an hour and a half.

Where was the original BabyLand General Hospital? BabyLand General Hospital moved in 2010 to its current location. Prior to that, it was located in downtown Cleveland.

Where do Cabbage Patch Dolls live? Cabbage Patch Dolls are born from cabbages under the mother tree. They are then taken to the nursery to await adoption. The nurses are BabyLand General Hospital can provide answers to any questions you have about these squishy faces!

Address: 300 NOK Dr, Cleveland, GA 30528

McCaysville, GA

McCaysville, GA is a very small town at the northernmost part of the state, opposite of Hiawassee. This is definitely one of the more unique places to visit in north Georgia because you can stand in Georgia and Tennessee at the same time!

15. Visit two states at once + Riverwalk Shops

The “blue line” pictured above is the state line of Tennessee and Georgia. It runs across the middle of a busy road and people regularly stop to take pictures in the middle of the road. We do not recommend doing this, for obvious safety reasons. You can enjoy the state line from the safety of the sidewalk as well.

What is McCaysville GA known for? McCaysville, GA is known for riverfront dining and shopping! The Riverwalk Shops in McCaysville are a collection of restaurants, boutique shops, and entertainment venues that border the Toccoa River.

You can see a list of restaurants here and a list of shopping here.

You can also walk from the shops in Georgia to the shops in Copperhill, TN via the steel truss bridge. Its an easy walk (our toddlers walked there and back with no trouble) and you get to experience two states at once!

Address: 100 Blue Ridge Dr, McCaysville, GA 30555

Where should I stay in Georgia to see the mountains?

To get the best views of the mountains, we recommend staying in Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Clayton, or Hiawassee. These towns have the most rental properties with mountain views. However, if you are planning far in advance or are flexible with dates/locations, you could realistically find a home with a mountain view in any of the north Georgia mountain towns listed below.

What cities are in north Georgia mountains?

The north Georgia mountains are home to some of the most unique cities in the state. The most popular to visit are: Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Hiawassee, Helen, Blairsville, Clayton, Cleveland, Toccoa, and McCaysville.

Wrap-up: The best places to visit in north Georgia with kids

Whether you’re looking for the best mountain towns in north Georgia or the most unique places to visit in north Georgia with kids, we hope you have found something on our list that will be a fun new adventure for your family!

Happy Traveling!