17 Things to do in Ellijay, GA for Families

If you have not visited Ellijay before, let us give you a quick rundown. Ellijay is home to the Georgia Apple Festival, gorgeous hiking trails along naturally beautiful rivers, a charming set of antique shops, and more apple orchards than you can visit in one weekend. Needless to say, there are a ton of things to do in Ellijay, GA.

Our list includes only family-friendly things to do because we travel with toddlers, which means we don’t have time to stop at (or the ability to enjoy) wineries. However, you’ll find some resources for winery recommendations at the bottom!

What is Ellijay known for?

Apples. Ellijay is known for apples. Did you know they are home to THE Georgia Apple Festival? Ellijay is also home to a large number of apple orchards. They have actually renamed Highway 52 “Apple Orchard Alley” because there are eight Ellijay apple orchards on this one road.

Prime apple season runs from August through December, so plan your trip accordingly. Keep reading to find out more about the Ellijay apple festival and the variety of Ellijay apple orchards to choose from.

Does Ellijay have a downtown?

Yes! It is actually one of the things we recommend “to do” in Ellijay (see below). There are obviously a lot of apples here but there are also a lot of antique stores and there is a lot of small town charm.

Downtown Ellijay is home to a variety of local shops and restaurants that can easily fill an entire day on your itinerary. Check out our top recommendations below. If you’re looking for great restaurants, you can check out our separate post here for local places to eat and drink!

Things to do in Ellijay, GA

Looking for fun things to do in Ellijay, GA? We have a comprehensive list of things to do that is a great resource for families. We have broken each activity down into four main components: what you can expect, where you can find it, how much it costs, and when it is open. There are also websites attached to each of the things to do in Ellijay that are featured on our list, just in case you need more information.

Visit an Ellijay apple orchard

There are so many ways to enjoy fresh apples in the north Georgia Mountains. One of the best ways to do that is to go straight to the source: an Ellijay apple orchard. There are so many orchards that we made a separate post so that we could dive deep into each one. You can check out that post here.

Georgia Apple Festival

Second to an Ellijay apple orchard would be an Ellijay apple festival known as the Georgia Apple Festival. The festival truly has something for everyone in your family. They offer camel rides, fried pies, boutique vendor booths, and even live music. Our toddlers loved the fresh apples (we bought two bags!) and all of the different vendors.

Here are some FAQs most visitors have about 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 are set up throughout the festival selling homemade crafts, food, etc. at an additional cost.

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

What time is the apple festival? The festival is held from 9:00AM to 6:00PM on both Saturdays and from 9:00AM to 5:00PM on both Sundays.

Where is parking for the Ellijay apple festival? Parking at the Fairgrounds is extremely limited but 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.

Are dogs allowed at the Ellijay apple festival? Unfortunately, there are no pets allowed at the Georgia Apple Festival. Service dogs are permitted. They do offer limited space in their on-site kennels if you need a place for your furry friend to stay while you explore the festival.

Downtown Ellijay Shops

Downtown Ellijay is filled with about 30 locally owned shops and around 10 local restaurants. These downtown Ellijay shops sell everything from homemade soap to the latest fashion trends. Five of these local shops are antique stores! Our toddlers love antique stores because they always find a cool old book or doll that we *have* to have.

My personal favorite shop in downtown Ellijay is Misty Hollow Antiques & Collectibles because it is a perfect mix of old and new. Plus, I love supporting local vendors and finding cute homemade gifts. Misty Hollow is like a locally sourced Hobby Lobby that also has antique items. They also change inventory based on the season so you can find some high quality holiday gifts!

➡What is there to do in downtown Ellijay?

Downtown Ellijay shops are obviously a crowd pleaser but, what else is there to do in downtown Ellijay? Well, there’s actually a lot to do. First of all, they have local coffee shops, ice cream shops, and restaurants scattered throughout downtown. Check out our post on all things eating and drinking in downtown Ellijay.

So now you’ve checked out all of downtown Ellijay’s shops and you’ve had something to eat. What’s next? Great question. Downtown Ellijay is an eclectic mix of entertainment. Many of their restaurants provide live music in the evenings. You could also walk across the street to Harrison Park (scroll down to see what’s there) or check out the Tabor Museum (again, scroll down for more info). There really is a lot to do in downtown Ellijay!

Gilmer County Historical Society: Tabor House and Civil War Museum

This is a two for one visit! The Tabor House was recently donated to the Gilmer County Historical Society and now serves as its visitor center. However, the Tabor House has its own unique history and makes for a great history lesson for kids who have started studying United States history.

The home was built in the late 1800s and is the oldest home in Ellijay. It currently serves as a museum for Civil War and Cherokee Nation artifacts, as well as early pioneer and WWII artifacts. Inside, you’ll also find a Civil War library with over 200 titles. You’ll also find rooms that have been staged for the time period they were built in (1870s). Tours are self-guided which means you can spend as little or as long as you’d like in each room.

Address: 138 Spring St., Ellijay, GA 30540

Cost: Free!

Hours: Thursday & Friday 11am-3pm, the first Saturday of each month 11am-3pm

Harrison Park (Ellijay, GA)

Harrison Park in Ellijay, GA is a beautiful 26 acre tract that is located only 1/2 mile from downtown, making it a perfect stop after a local lunch. This piece of property was actually farm land a long time ago so you will see remnants such as a barn, hay bales, etc. It also runs along the Ellijay river for some added scenery!

Harrison Park features some gorgeous rolling hills, ideal picnic areas, and scenic walking trails. This is a great spot for couples and families with kids of any age. It is also dog-friendly! We used Harrison Park to get the wiggles out after we visited one too many stores with our toddlers. It was a perfect spot for them to run and roll in the grass!

Address: McCutchen St Ellijay, GA 30540

Cost: Free

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Build an Ark Animal Rescue

Build an Ark Animal Rescue is a local animal rescue and hospice that is home to ducks, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, pigs, cats, dogs, and others! A donation to the rescue grants you access to feed and snuggle these sweet animals while learning a few fun facts about each one. Your donations also help fund the organization, field trips for individuals with special needs, as well as nursing home visits.

Our favorite animal is a 39 year old horse named Spirit! We thought it was so amazing to meet an animal older than we are. These up-close encounters are well worth $7 per person. Our toddlers loved it! Check out Build an Ark’s list of residents here.

Cost: An optional $7 donation per person is strongly encouraged because it helps fund the rescue. It also buys a basket of food for you to use to feed the animals!

Address: 27 Eagle Mountain Dr.Ellijay, GA 30540

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 11am-3pm // Sat 10am-5pm //CLOSED Sunday and Wednesday

Check out Build an Ark Animal Rescue’s website for more up to date information about upcoming events.

Mountain Valley Farm & Store

If your family loves fresh, local, and humanely sourced meat then this is a must-stop during your trip to Ellijay. Mountain Valley Farm specializes in grass-fed beef that is pesticide-free and NOT stock yard raised. They specialize in various cuts of beef, pork and now lamb! You can expect their prices to be higher than a grocery store or even a local market because of the way these animals are raised and harvested. You will truly feel good about what you are buying!

They describe their meat cuts as “from here: thousands of miles fresher.” Trip advisor reviews say this is an excellent place to stop and pick up some food for dinner. In addition to the best beef you’ve ever tasted, their shop also has: fresh pastured eggs, goat and cow cheeses, butter, mushrooms, grits, cornmeal, sauces, pickles, jams, and even homemade ice cream! Their website has a frequently updated list of current products being sold.

Our toddlers were most excited about the fresh ice cream until they saw the petting area. There are some really cute goats waiting for head scratches in a large pen next to the store. You’ll also see some free range bunnies hopping about!

**This is a fantastic place to stop and use the restroom if the need arises. The restrooms were spotless!!

Address: 2021 Homer Wright Rd, Ellijay, GA 30536

Cost: Entrance into the store is free. Your purchase price will vary based on seasonal availability and how hungry you are.

Hours: Store hours are 10am-6pm every day except Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Elijah River Outfitters: Tubing & Kayaking

Ready to tube or kayak the Cartecay River? Tubing and Kayaking are on our list as soon as our kids are a little bit older. My husband and I love to kayak so we are excited to bring our kids with us. Elijah River Outfitters (ERO) recommends that everyone in your party be able to swim before deciding on an activity. However, they also require that children under the age of 12 wear life vests while participating.

ERO offers lazy river tubing for a one-mile trip or a three-mile trip. Each mile takes about an hour to float the river so plan at least that long for your tubing trip. They also offer sit-on-top kayaking in one-mile trips and three-mile trips. Pricing is located below!

ERO is fully stocked and ready for your visit. Their website says “All the necessary gear is provided; inner tubes, or kayaks with paddles, life jackets, and shuttle service to the river.” They recommend wearing comfortable clothes/swimsuit and an old pair of flip flips or water shoes. You will be splashing through a river, which is a natural habitat for a lot of animals!

Address: 88 Holt Bridge Rd, Ellijay, GA 30536

Cost: Tubing: $11/mile or $22 for 3 miles // Kayak: $21/mile or $37 for 3 miles

Hours: Open 7 days a week from 10am-4pm

Cartecay River Experience

Similar to ERO (listed above), Cartecay River Experience offers a kayaking experience and a river tubing experience. They have their experiences broken down into two categories: adventure river experience and lazy river experience.

The adventure river experience definitely lives up to its name because you will get to experience class 1 and 2 whitewater rapids along a 3-mile stretch of the river. Fun, right? It looked too fun for us since we travel with toddlers but we’ll definitely be back to try it by ourselves. You can complete the adventure experience by kayak (about 1.5-2 hours from start to finish) or by river tube (about 2.5-3 hours from start to finish).

The lazy river experience is exactly how it sounds: lazy. This experience will include a lazy float down the 1.5 miles of the calm part of the Cartecay River. Absolutely no adventure involved in this route (which is why we recommend this one for families traveling with kids). Tubing is the only way to experience the lazy river and it lasts about an hour. We recommend buying (or renting) push sticks if you choose the tube experience. They will help ‘push’ you along!

Address: This could get tricky. Here are the directions that Cartecay River Experience recommends that you follow: “Drive to this address first because the bridge is out: 8264 Hwy 52 Ellijay, GA 30536. Then drive to: 1554 lower Cartecay Rd. Ellijay Ga 30536. We are at the Dead End Bridge. Do not follow any Detour Signs PLEASE​.”

Cost (Lazy River): KAYAK $22 cash $25 credit card // TUBE $10 cash $13 credit card // CANOE $45 cash $50 credit card

Cost (Adventure River): KAYAK $28 cash $32 credit card // TUBE $13 cash $16 credit card

Hours: Open Memorial Day through Labor Day all day // AFTER LABOR DAY HOURS: Sat & Sun 11AM to 2:30PM Weekdays: 24hour advance reservation only.

You can check out their website for more details throughout the season.

Hiking in Ellijay

Tumbling waters trail-This trail offers some fantastic views of the river and the falls! It is kid and dog friendly, but dogs must remain on a leach. Tumbling waters trail is an easy hike but can be more moderate if it has rained recently. There are also a fair amount of roots so make sure you are wearing study shoes! Our toddlers navigated this trail without a problem.

Note: There is a $5 fee to park your car inside the park.

Bear Creek Trail-We actually got all packed up and ready to start this trail until we realized it is 6.5 miles long. So, given that we have two toddlers that we aren’t willing to carry, we passed. However, it comes highly recommended for those traveling with kids who can walk/hike by themselves.

Bear Creek Trail is a moderate trail that has a decent incline at first but offers a a nice downhill slope to finish out the trail. You will also be crossing through a couple of very shallow creeks/streams. It is dog friendly and you can pretty much expect to see at least one tree down while hiking. Be ready to climb over or crawl under! If you’re looking for the Bear Creek Trail map, check out this website.

Veterans Memorial Park

Veterans Memorial Park has some beautiful walking trails along the river that runs the length of the park (about a mile). There is also a playground at each end of the park for families traveling with children. They also have a walking track, for those looking for somewhere to do their daily walk/run.

Our toddlers navigated the playground well and loved walking next to the river. The restrooms were clean and stocked while we were there. We sat on one of the benches to have a snack and take a break from our busy shopping day. This is a great little park that is outside of the bustle of downtown Ellijay.

Fife Bridge

Fife bridge is a historical landmark in Georgia that crosses the Coosawattee River. This bridge has been maintained as an automotive bridge despite its age and history. There are some fantastic views around, next to, and underneath this bridge! The banks of the Coosawattee River make an excellent back drop for some quick landscape photography sessions.

Address: Coosawattee Dr, Ellijay, GA 30540 (start by navigating here and then following the signs to the bridge)

Visit a Winery

Our list of things to do includes only things that are enjoyable with young kids because we travel with two toddlers. When we go to a winery we are there to relax and enjoy the views, which is very difficult to do with bouncy toddlers. If you are looking for wineries in Ellijay, I would recommend checking out this post by Downtown Ellijay for some awesome local spots.

Some of the most notable wineries in Ellijay are: Cartecay Vineyards, Engelheim Vineyards, Chateau Meichtry, Grapes and Ladders, Fainting Goat Vineyards, Ott Farms and Vineyard, and Ellijay River Vineyards.

What towns are near Ellijay, Georgia?

Ellijay is situated off of Highway 76 which also leads right into Cherry Log and downtown Blue Ridge, if you are traveling north of Ellijay. We have actually booked mountain homes in between Ellijay and Blue Ridge so that we could explore both towns in the same trip (they are only 25 minutes away from each other). You could also follow this same highway down to Talking Rock, Jasper, and Ball Ground if you are traveling South.

Amicalola (and Amicalola Falls) are about 25 minutes to the east. Dawsonville and Dahlonega are also to the east and about 45 minutes away. If you can find a place to rent right outside of Ellijay you can easily see the sights in more than one town while you are traveling.

Free things to do in Ellijay, GA

We have a variety of free things to do in Ellijay on our list. Of those listed above, our favorites are exploring the downtown Ellijay shops and walking tumbling waters trail. Both of these were really great options for families with kids of any age.

Here is a round-up of all of the free things to do in Ellijay on our list: downtown Ellijay shops, Tabor House and Civil War Museum, Mountain Valley Farm & Store, Harris Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Fife Bridge, Tumbling Waters Trail, Amanda Coyle, and Bear Creek Trail. You can also visit Ellijay apple orchards for free but be warned: you will feel compelled to buy some freshly picked apples!

Things to do in Ellijay, GA in October

Our #1 recommendation for things to do in Ellijay in October is the Georgia Apple Festival. It is so much fun and its never the same twice. So, even if you’ve been in previous years, I would encourage you to try this Ellijay apple festival again and check out the newest vendors! If you are not up for a festival, the next best thing to do in October is to visit one of the many Ellijay apple orchards. See our post if you need a recommendation!

If you are traveling in late October, one of the best things to do in Ellijay is to take a color drive. Drive around the mountains and look at all of the beautiful leaves changing colors. We recommend driving Carters Lake Loop Road (which takes you to the lake overlooks) and the Georgia Mountain Parkway.

The Georgia Mountain Parkway is a bit longer and can span five counties from start to finish. The views of the Appalachian Mountains are breathtaking!

Things to do in Ellijay, GA in winter

There are still plenty of things to do in Ellijay in winter, even though apple season has come to a close (or will soon). We always recommend starting with downtown Ellijay regardless of what time of year it is. We have spent multiple days exploring the variety of downtown Ellijay restaurants and shops. If you are traveling in late January through early February then you may also get to see some snow!

In addition to downtown, you could also check out most of the other free options on our list (minus the apples, obviously). Instead of a crisp fall view you’ll be more likely to see a frosty view, which is just as beautiful in my opinion!

Are you on your way?

We hope we gave you enough ideas to get started on your itinerary, or spontaneously hop in the car to go check out a cute mountain town. Did we miss anything important? My husband and I have been traveling to Ellijay since we were kids which helped us when we developed our list. However, we love to try out fun new spots! Let us know if you’ve found one.