The Perfect Family Getaway- Blue Ridge, Georgia: Part 1: Lodging and Food

Gorgeous Blue Ridge, Georgia

I admit it, I am cheating on my hometown of Jacksonville. Each and every time we vacation in Blue Ridge, GA a piece of my heart is left behind. Usually towards the end of a vacation I feel ready to come back home, but this time was different. I wanted to stay.... FOREVER! My husband and I seriously discuss moving there for weeks after we return home, and maybe some day we will. But for now it is without a doubt one of our favorite vacation destinations. If you are looking for a vacation spot that is outdoorsy, adventurous, beautiful, quaint, down home, family-oriented, and relaxing this is truly the perfect spot.

When planning any trip the first priority is of course finding a place to stay. Each time we have been (and I think we're up to 6 times) we rent a different cabin. That is part of the thrill, not knowing exactly where it is, how steep the drive is, and if the cabin as nice as it looks in the pictures! We have used three different rental companies but I am only willing to recommend two of them. One is Escape to Blue Ridge and the other is Mountain Top Cabin Rentals.

Mountain View Lodge
Mountain Top Cabin Rentals

All of the cabins we've rented through them have been exquisite, beautiful, and exactly how they looked on the web! Renting a cabin is a fairly economical way to travel too and to top it all off  these rental companies are known for offering great specials, like rent 5 nights get the 6th free. One thing we really love about staying in a cabin is that it allows for space to spread out when you need to. The days of my family staying in one hotel room are well over. A cabin allows everyone to have their own space and most importantly their own bed. Another great advantage to a cabin is it allows some meals to be prepared at home. Since we were travelling with two teenagers we knew we had little chance of getting them out the door early in the morning. So we spent our mornings eating breakfast we prepared at the cabin, drinking our coffee, and sitting on the deck enjoying the beautiful mountain air. We also spent some evenings cooking out on the grill and dining by the outdoor fireplace. Saving money by eating some meals at home is a real savings to your pocketbook and your waistline! The night life at a cabin is probably the best part. There is nothing better than enjoying a slower pace. Just sitting on the porch and enjoying the view and the fireflies is a great way to spend the night. But we also enjoy family game nights, pool tournaments, movie night, and of course just hanging out and laughing together. This last trip for most of our waking hours the four of us were never more than 10 feet apart, literally. These are the moments I will remember forever.

Activities in Blue Ridge are abundant. There truly is something for everyone. Downtown Blue Ridge is an adorable small town with shops, restaurants, bars, and even a scenic railroad called the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. And when I say small town, I mean it. The main downtown area is literally two streets. You can buy everything from feed for your farm, to monogrammed bags, to world famous cupcakes. A trip to downtown isn't complete without visiting the old town store, Huck's General Store. Here you can load up on handmade soaps, sauces, and jams as well as old fashioned candy and sodas. You can also catch up on some town gossip, the last time we were there we heard all about the townspeople's dislike for Floridians! Go figure!! Dining downtown is a must. But because Blue Ridge is a small town restaurants can be closed on nights you wouldn't expect so always check before heading out!  If you are in the mood for the best pizza and crust EVER be sure to check out Blue Jean's Pizza and Pasta. The service can be slow, but the food is definitely worth the wait! It is one of my son's favorites and often the first dinner out we grab. Another great spot to grab dinner is the  Blue Ridge Brewery. The food and beer were absolutely delicious. I highly recommend that you get reservations though, even during the week. It's small and gets crowded quick!
Just slightly outside of  the downtown area is literally the best barbecue restaurant on the planet, Blue Ridge Mountain BBQ. We seriously can't get enough of this place when we are in Blue Ridge. From the fried pickles, to the pork rinds, to the chicken there truly is no better BBQ in the world. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! One of our favorite lunch spots is Serenity Garden Cafe. They have a vast and delicious menu from soups and salads, to burgers and sandwiches. The last restaurant that I think is not to be missed is the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant. The view alone is worth the drive through the Aska Adventure Area. The restaurant is perched on the shore of the Toccoa River with an expansive outdoor dining area. They are famous for their fresh caught mountain trout. YUM!

View from the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant

Next up I'll share the awesome outdoor adventures just waiting to be explored in Blue Ridge and the surrounding areas. Isn't it time to plan your next vacation? :)
~ XOXO jules