Discover fun things to do in Ellijay, GA—from apple orchards to hiking trails, wineries, and festivals. Plan your perfect North Georgia getaway today!
15 Fun Things to Do in Ellijay, GA – Classic Family Vacation Spot
Looking for fun things to do in Ellijay, GA? Ellijay, Georgia (Ell-ee-jay) sits in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains and is famous for being Georgia’s Apple Capital. This small town is full of family-friendly fun. If you are planning a trip or just a day visit, you will find plenty of things to do in Ellijay, GA. From outdoor adventures to tasty treats, this town has it all!
For a quick overview, here are six classic things to do in Ellijay, GA:
- Hike the Mountains: Start at Springer Mountain (southern end of the Appalachian Trail) for great views.
- River Fun: Tube or kayak down the Cartecay River to cool off.
- Apple Picking: Visit a local orchard (like BJ Reece or R&A) and pick fresh apples.
- Taste Local Brews: Try wines at Engelheim or meads at Boo Mountain Meadery.
- Unique Museums: Check out Expedition: Bigfoot! for a quirky adventure.
- Go Fishing: Cast a line for trout or bass in the Cartecay River or Carters Lake.
These ideas are just the start! Many visitors love the mix of nature and small-town charm in Ellijay. Imagine hiking through lush forests, floating down a cool river, and then enjoying an ice-cold cider on a hot day. You can also pick your own apples, visit a bigfoot museum, or explore local breweries. Let’s take a closer look at all the fun activities this area has to offer.
Driving Directions from Atlanta International Airport to Ellijay, GA:
Route Overview
- Distance: ~85 miles
- Driving Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes (depending on traffic)
- Main Route: I-75 N → I-575 N → GA-515 N
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Exit the airport and get on I-85 N from the domestic terminal.
- Follow signs for I-75 N/I-85 N toward Atlanta.
- After a few miles, stay on I-75 N as it splits from I-85.
- Take Exit 268 to merge onto I-575 N toward Canton.
- Continue on I-575 N, which becomes GA-515 N after Canton.
- Stay on GA-515 N for about 30 miles.
- Take the exit for GA-382 E, and follow signs toward Ellijay.
- Follow GA-382 E, then turn left onto Old Hwy 5 N, which leads into downtown Ellijay.
Pro Tip:
Use Google Maps or Waze for real-time traffic and detour updates. Weekend traffic, especially during fall festival season, can slow down near mountain towns.
Explore the Great Outdoors in Ellijay, GA
Ellijay is surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest and three rivers, so it’s a paradise for nature lovers. Hiking is a top activity here. For example, Springer Mountain is the southern end of the famous Appalachian Trail. Three long trails meet at the summit of Springer Mountain, which leads hikers on a 2,100-mile adventure all the way to Maine. Even if you don’t hike the whole trail, you can enjoy the beautiful mountain views from the top.
Tumbling Waters Trail
If you’re visiting with family, try the Tumbling Waters Trail. This easy 1-mile hike includes a long footbridge with great views. The trail has waterfalls and an overlook, making it perfect for a short adventure. Kids and even dogs will love this walk through the woods. Nearby, Big Acorn Trail is another easy loop along the water if you want more walking.
Along with hiking, you can enjoy river fun. The Cartecay and Ellijay Rivers come together near town. Both rivers are calm enough for tubing and kayaking. Cartecay River Outfitters and Ellijay River Outfitters offer tubes, kayaks, and rafts for rent on warm days. Paddling down the river is a safe way to cool off and see the scenery. Fishing is also popular: the Cartecay River has plenty of bass and is even stocked with trout. You might spend an afternoon floating with your friends or family!
Carters Lake
Another great spot is Carters Lake, the largest lake in Georgia. It has clear blue water, sandy beaches, and boat ramps. People love to go swimming, boating, or fishing there. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards and glide over the calm waters. If you like hiking, there are easy trails around Carters Lake too. The lake is surrounded by green forests and mountain views. It’s a great place to relax and pack a picnic. It’s one of many things to do in Ellijay, GA for outdoor fans.
- Hiking: Don’t miss Springer Mountain (start of Appalachian Trail) or family-friendly Tumbling Waters Trail.
- River Fun: Rent a tube or kayak on the Cartecay River for a fun float trip.
- Fishing: Try fishing in the rivers or Carters Lake, where you can catch bass and stocked trout.
As Georgia’s tourism site notes, Ellijay “welcomes visitors with its top-tier hiking trails and wineries”. For nature and adventure lovers, these highlight some of the best things to do in Ellijay, GA. Whether it’s hiking a mountain, rafting a river, or exploring a forest, Ellijay’s outdoors never disappoint.
Apple Orchards and Festivals
Ellijay is best known for apples. It is called Georgia’s Apple Capital for a good reason. Every fall (usually in October) the town celebrates with the Georgia Apple Festival. This is a huge event, held over two weekends in mid-October, that draws crowds from all over. Around 300 vendors set up booths at the festival, selling handmade crafts, hot cider, funnel cakes, and apple fritters. There is also a classic car show, live music, and a fun run, so it’s really a festival for all ages. In fact, enjoying orchards and festival fun are classic things to do in Ellijay, GA, especially in fall.
You will also find that Ellijay has many apple orchards and “apple houses” where you can pick your own fruit and buy goodies. In fact, Ellijay has at least 11 apple orchards, and apples are in season from about August through November. For example, Penland’s Apple House (family-run since 1936) is open year-round. They sell fresh apples, home-baked pies, candy apples, apple cider, jams, and more. R&A Orchards is a family farm where you can fill up a bag with U-pick apples. While you’re there, you can even grab a pair of clippers and a cup to make your own bouquet from the flower fields.
Red Apple Barn
Another spot is Red Apple Barn, which has apple orchards and a pumpkin patch in the fall. You can pick apples, bounce on giant slides, ride a hayride, and shop for gifts and baked goods. Nearby, B.J. Reece Orchards offers a giant corn box and a long slide to race down with friends or family. (This farm has been around since the 1960s and even has a petting zoo.)
All these farms also bake tasty treats. Don’t skip the apple cider donuts, which are a local favorite. And for grown-up fun, visit Reece’s Cider Company, run by the family of B.J. Reece. Here you can taste hard cider made from Ellijay apples – try flavors like “Apple Pie” or the sweet “Poppy’s Pick”. If wine is more your style, check out Roo Mountain Vineyards on the way back.
Roo Mountain (meaning “red roof”) has a winery and a rooftop deck with mountain views, and they serve wine and ciders made from local fruits. In short, picking apples and enjoying apple-themed food is one of the most popular things to do in Ellijay, GA in the fall. In addition, the orchards, farms, and festivals make autumn a very special time here.
Sip and Savor: Wineries, Breweries, and More
Ellijay is also home to some great spots for wine and beer lovers. The North Georgia mountains around Ellijay have several vineyards where you can do wine tastings. For example, Chateau Meichtry (about a 20-minute drive from Ellijay) is a family-run French-style winery with scenic grounds and a stone fireplace. Engelheim Vineyards (right in Ellijay) opened in 2011 and now offers a wide selection of wines from Chardonnay to Cabernet. Engelheim’s tasting room events, dinners, and live music make it a lively spot to sip wine and enjoy the mountain views.
If you like craft beer, Cartecay River Brewing in downtown Ellijay is a fun stop. It’s a pet-friendly microbrewery right by the river. Here you can try a rotating selection of beers, from light ales to hoppy IPAs. The brewery hosts live music on weekends and often has food trucks or snacks. Also, it’s a laid-back place to relax after a day of exploring.
Other cool spots include Roo Mountain Vineyards, which has a rooftop deck for tasting wines and ciders with a view. Roo Mountain (named for its red roof) opened more recently and is known for its apple-based ciders as well as wines. And if you need a place to chill with a beer, the nearby town of Blue Ridge (just 20 minutes north) has additional breweries like Grumpy Old Men Brewing and Blue Ridge Brewery. Sipping local beverages is another fun thing to do in Ellijay, GA, especially when the days are warm.
- Wine tasting: Try local wines at Chateau Meichtry or Engelheim Vineyards (sample their crisp white and red wines).
- Craft beer: Also, relax at Cartecay River Brewing Co. in downtown Ellijay.
- Cider & more: Visit Roo Mountain Vineyards for hard cider and wine with mountain views.
Family Fun and Local Culture
Ellijay is full of charm and down-home fun for families, offering many things to do in Ellijay, GA. The historic downtown area has boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries in old buildings. Walking around downtown is like stepping back in time – the pace is slower, people are friendly, and you’ll see lots of local scenes on display.
Stop by a café or creamery, or try local Blue Ridge beer on tap at a nearby pub. (And don’t forget, Gilmer County is also known as the “mountain biking capital of Georgia,” so you’ll see bike shops around too.) Exploring shops and cafes are more great things to do in Ellijay, GA when you want a relaxed morning.
Unique Attraction
One unique attraction is Expedition: Bigfoot in Cherry Log (just a 10-minute drive). This quirky museum is the world’s largest Sasquatch Museum. It has 3,700 square feet of exhibits with life-size statues and the largest collection of Bigfoot footprint casts in the U.S. Even if you’re not a monster hunter, it’s a fun stop with interactive displays that kids love.
If you’re traveling with kids, check the calendar for local events and fairs. The Georgia Apple Festival itself has a 1-mile “Tot Trot” kids race along with the main 5K. There are also spring flower festivals and holiday markets in town. Carters Lake often hosts outdoor music concerts in the summer. For families, finding fun things to do in Ellijay, GA is easy with so many outdoor events.
Other easy day trips from Ellijay: the historic covered bridge just outside town (perfect for photos), Fort Mountain State Park with its ancient stone walls, or a drive on the scenic Highway 52 along the river. But mostly, families find that hiking a short trail or exploring an orchard is a perfect day. These are all great things to do in Ellijay, GA that highlight the town’s friendly vibe.
Relax, Shop, and Eat
Ellijay’s small-town charm shows in its local shops and restaurants. Downtown Ellijay (the town square) has neat shops where you can buy crafts, antiques, or apple pies to take home. A popular stop is Arlowe’s Bakehouse, a cozy coffee shop with fresh bread and pastries (perfect after a morning hike). Nearby, Pizza Pops is a cute pizzeria (try their gourmet pizzas!) and Bow Tie Kitchen serves breakfast and sandwiches in an old jailhouse. Another local favorite is River Street Tavern, which offers live music on weekends along with local brews and burgers. These shops are examples of easy things to do in Ellijay, GA when you want a relaxed afternoon.
If you want to unwind after all the adventure, there are several cabins and resorts with pools and hot tubs. The Coosawattee River Resort has chalets right on the river, and there are also nice campgrounds if you prefer pitching a tent. Many visitors even say they come back to stay longer because Ellijay has so many natural pleasures. No matter where you go, you’ll find friendly folks and a slow, easy pace – the perfect ending to a day of things to do in Ellijay, GA.
Tips for Visiting Ellijay, GA
Best Time to Visit
Fall is prime time because of cooler weather and the apple season (September to November). Spring is also beautiful for wildflowers and hikes. Summer is fun for tubing and water activities, but it can be hot. Winters are chilly and quiet; some businesses close down (though cabins are cozy by a fire).
Getting There
Ellijay is about 90 minutes north of Atlanta via Highway 515. It’s close to other mountain towns too – Blue Ridge is 20 minutes north, Jasper is 15 minutes west, and Atlanta airport is the nearest major airport. The drive is scenic, so you may want to take your time and enjoy the views on the way.
Where to Stay
There are many cabins and B&Bs in the area. Options include Dragonfly Dreams luxury cabins, Blue Sky Cabin rentals, and the Coosawattee River Resort for river-view lodges. There are also local campgrounds if you like camping. Booking in advance is wise during peak seasons (like the Apple Festival).
Local Tips
Bring layers of clothing (mountain nights can be cool, even in summer). Carry cash, because some small orchards or shops may not take cards. Check event calendars at the Gilmer Chamber website or our Touring Diary Adventure blog for the latest info on local festivals and happenings. Finally, respect the rural nature – drive slowly (wildlife crosses roads) and pack out any trash to keep the trails clean.
With so many outdoors activities, festivals, and good food, Ellijay has tons of things to do in Ellijay, GA for all ages. Whether you want adventure or relaxation, you’ll find it here in the North Georgia mountains. Keep this list of things to do in Ellijay GA handy for planning your trip!
