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Thinking about exploring the North Georgia mountains? Wondering what the best small towns to visit in Georgia are?
If you’re looking for small beautiful towns with fantastic views and fun activities, then North Georgia is where you want to be. The state is filled with interesting spots to visit. However, more than a few of these are located in the northern part of the state.
Whether you want to take a romantic getaway to the mountains, visit some local wineries, or enjoy some go camping with the whole family, North GA has you covered.
Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you. Here’s our list of the small towns in North GA that you should definitely add to your travel bucket list.
1. Blue Ridge
Seated in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, the small town of Blue Ridge is popular for its quaint shops, amazing breweries, and scenic train rides. It’s located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Some of the most popular attractions in Blue Ridge include the Swinging Bridge at Toccoa River, the Mercier Orchards, the Fannin Brewing Company, and the Bear Claw Winery and Vineyard. Riding on the Blueridge Scenic Railway is also essential if you decide to visit this lively town.
There are also many activities to experience in the area including hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and of course, zip-lining. In addition, the town offers some great vintage markets, antique stores, and quaint coffee shops in downtown Blue Ridge.
2. Helen
One of the more unique towns in the southeast USA, Helen doesn’t look like it belongs in Georgia at all.
This beautiful town is modeled after the look of a Bavarian town and has become a tourist attraction in its own right over the years. If you’re in North GA, there are few places that are better to check out than this unique town.
The town has many a lot to offer visitors of all ages including plenty of German-themed dining options, gift shops, and sweets shops. There are also many activities to take part in including mini-golf, tubing, and ziplining. The town also features the state’s only alpine coaster, the Georgia Mountain Coaster.
Nearby, there are also plenty of activities to do as well including hiking and visiting the many wineries the area has to offer. If you’re interested in taking a romantic getaway in Helen, you’ll also be happy to learn that there are fewer better places in the North GA mountains to do it.
3. Dahlonega
The small mountain college town of Dahlonega is a favorite for many visitors because it has so much to offer.
Even though it is popular as a wine destination, there are hundreds of nice places to visit and plenty of things to do. The town also has popular festivals and events year-round. This includes Gold Rush Days and the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival.
Known as the first location of a gold rush in the United States, there are numerous historic sites that you can visit including the Dahlonega Gold Museum which is located on the historic square. You can also pan for gold in a nearby river or at a public gold mine, such as the Crisson Gold Mine.
If learning about gold doesn’t suit your fancy, you can also drop by the nearby wineries for a wine tasting or try out the restaurants located in the center of town. Montaluce Winery and Wolf Mountain Vineyards are some of the most popular wineries in Dahlonega.
Alternatively, you can also visit the town square and stroll through the many shops such as the Dahlonega General Store, Outlaw Jerky & Trail Grub, or Paul Thomas Chocolates.
4. Blairsville
Named after a revolutionary war veteran, James Blair, this little town is also known as the City of Mountains. The popularity of Blairsville, GA can be credited to its proximity to many other destinations in North Georgia. This includes numerous hiking and camping spots.
Some of the most popular activities to be found in and around Blairsville include visiting Helton Creek Falls, tasting wine at the Odom Springs Vineyard, going on a horse riding tour, and paddleboarding. Also, be sure to pay a visit to some of the amazing restaurants that are in Blairsville before you leave town.
5. Ellijay
The little town of Ellijay is located in the heart of Gilmer County and is just south of Blue Ridge, GA. It offers some great scenic views for visitors who are spending some time in the North Georgia Mountains.
Other than being the apple capital of the world, Ellijay boasts six wineries and numerous orchards. Visitors to Ellijay enjoy visiting destinations such as the Mountain Valley Farm, Reece Apple House, R&A Orchards, and the Hillcrest Orchards.
For a fun-filled vacation, plan your visit for October so you can participate in The Georgia Apple Festival which occurs annually. The festival offers a lot to visitors including antique car shows, handicrafts, parades, and more.
6. Mountain City
If you appreciate nature, then this town should top your priority list. Mountain City is one of the best small towns in North Georgia. It has some of the most spectacular scenes in the Southeast.
In Mountain City, you can choose to take a scenic drive or go hiking. Either way, you’re guaranteed a great time and even greater photo ops.
In addition, you should make sure to visit the nearby Black Rock Mountain State Park and the Foxfire Museum, which is a great place to stop if you want to learn more about Appalachian life.
Choosing Your Next North GA Destination
There are other fantastic little towns you can visit in North Georgia. However, the ones on the list above are some of the best of the bunch. If you’re new to the area and are visiting for the first time, be sure that you add at least one of the towns above to your itinerary.
Looking for a great place to stay while in North GA? Check out this list of great luxury accommodation options now.
Cover Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Hey, I’m Harrison! I’m the creator of Southern Portals and the writer of many (but not all) of the posts you’ll find here. I’m a native of the North GA mountains, an avid traveler, and a singer-songwriter. This website is one of my passion projects and I hope to share a bit of my expertise with the world through it, so I hope you enjoy the articles that you find here. Thanks for reading!
