Things to Do in Blue Ridge, GA for Couples: A Romantic Weekend Guide

Blue Ridge is one of the easiest romantic getaways from Atlanta: close enough for a Friday-night escape, far enough that it feels like a different world. These are our favorite things to do as a couple, plus a simple weekend plan at the end.

#1. Book the Premier Car on the scenic railway

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway has a Premier Car for passengers 18 and older, with reclining seats, snacks and soft drinks included, and alcohol available to purchase. It runs on the four-hour trips, which include a two-hour layover in McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. Use the layover to stand on the painted state line together: one of you in Georgia, one in Tennessee.

#2. Go wine and cider tasting

• Mercier Orchards: about eight minutes north of downtown, and the only Georgia orchard that grows, presses, ferments, and cans its own hard cider, according to Mercier. Split a fried pie while you're there.
• Georgia Wine Depot: a downtown tasting room pouring Paradise Hills wines.
• Bear Claw Vineyards: a winery right in Blue Ridge. Our wineries near Blue Ridge guide has its hours and rules, plus Kerith House and the Blairsville wineries.

#3. Cross the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge

The 260-foot Toccoa River Swinging Bridge on the Benton MacKaye Trail is the longest foot-trail suspension bridge in the southern Appalachians. You can drive most of the way on a Forest Service road and walk a short distance, or make a day of it on the 3.5-mile trail from GA-60. Pack a lunch for the riverbank. Our swinging bridge guide has directions and road notes.

#4. Hike to a waterfall

Fall Branch Falls is a half-mile walk to a 30-foot waterfall, about 25 minutes from town. It's short enough for a slow morning and pretty enough to be the highlight of the day. Our waterfall guide has more options.

Would you rather see the woods from the saddle? Our horseback riding guide lists sunset, picnic, and proposal rides at stables near town, with prices.

#5. Spend a morning on Lake Blue Ridge

Rent a kayak or paddleboard and paddle the quiet coves of Lake Blue Ridge, where about 80% of the shoreline is national forest. Lake Blue Ridge Marina rents pontoons too, if you'd rather float with a cooler.

#6. Wander downtown and stay for dinner

Downtown Blue Ridge has more than 100 locally owned shops, plus galleries and restaurants, all within a few walkable blocks. Go late in the afternoon, browse, then stay for dinner.

#7. Take the long way home

On a fall afternoon, drive Aska Road south from town, or head over to the Ocoee Scenic Byway in Tennessee. See our fall foliage guide for timing.

#8. Stargaze

Away from the city, the sky out here gets genuinely dark. Bring a blanket outside, or use a telescope if your cabin has one. Ours does.

#A simple couples itinerary

Friday

• Leave Atlanta before the 3:30 PM rush if you can. It's about two hours up I-575 and GA-515.
• Check in, open a bottle, and start the weekend in the hot tub.

Saturday

• Slow coffee.
• The scenic railway or a waterfall hike.
• A cider tasting at Mercier.
• Back to the cabin for the sauna, dinner on the deck, and the fire pit.

Sunday

• Breakfast, a walk downtown, and one more soak.
• Head home before the late-afternoon traffic.

Celebrating an anniversary? Our anniversary getaway guide covers the Premier Car, couples massages, and what to book first.

#Where to stay

The Black Ember is a modern A-frame set back in the trees about 10 minutes from downtown. It has a private cedar barrel sauna, a hot tub, a wood fire pit, a dining deck under string lights, and a loft bedroom with its own bath. It's built for exactly this kind of weekend. See why couples book it.