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Fun Things to do in the North Georgia and Western North Carolina Mountains

Award Winning North Carolina State Park

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Come for the views discover infinite possibilities - is the natural fulfillment of your trip to the North Carolina mountains. Take a deep breath of refreshing mountain air, become invigorated by our hiking trails, and let your cares fade away in the cool mist of Hickory Nut Falls.

The perfect place to reconnect with nature and spend time with family and friends. Only minutes from Lake Lure, Chimney Rock offers the best of the mountains in one place – panaramic views, hiking trails for all ages, a waterfall and signature special events.

9431 Main St • Chimney Rock NC 28720 • 828-625-9611 • www.ChimneyRockPark.com

National Arts & Craft Educational Center in Gatlinburg, TN

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a national art and craft education center located just one mile from the entrance of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The School offers weekend, one and two week workshops for the beginner to advanced artist, taught by national and international practicing studio artists and university faculty.

Students work and learn in professionally equipped studios on our stunning 13 acre residential campus hidden in the heart of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Workshops and classes are offered in ceramics, fiber, metals/jewelry, painting, drawing, photography, warm glass, woodturning, woodworking, mixed media, books, paper and more.

556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 • 865.436.5860 • info@arrowmont.org • www.Arrowmont.org

Georgia Mountain Fairground Festivals and Super Star Concerts

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee Georgia

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds are right on beautiful Lake Chatuge in Towns County Georgia. The Fairgrounds sit along the banks and are surrounded by the mountains, including the tallest mountains in Georgia.

The Festivals and Concerts start in early spring with the Rhododendron Festival, followed by the Georgia Mountain Fair, Fall Festival, Super Star Concerts, Georgia's Official State Fiddler's Convention and there are campgrounds right on beautiful shores of Lake Chatuge.

1311 Music Hall Road • Hiawassee, Georgia 30546 • 706.896.4191 • GeorgiaMountainFairgrounds.com

Appalachian Museum and Family Fun in Rabun County Georgia

Foxfire Appalachian Museum & Heritage Center

Home of the Foxfire book series - the physical legacy built by high school students who took a real interest in their heritage while producing the Foxfire Magazine, an ongoing documentation of Southern Appalachia. Truly unique artifact collection in and around 106 acres with 20+ log cabins. Various Heritage Skills classes are offered spring to fall each year and teach traditional crafts and practices, such as weaving, herbal medicine, and broom making.

Visitors to the Foxfire Museum in Mountain City, GA, can imaginatively re-create the works and days of southern Appalachia in the 1800s.

98 Foxfire Lane • Mountain City, GA 30562 • 706.746.5828 • Foxfire.org

Gardens in Hiawassee Georgia

Hamilton Gardens at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

The Gardens are located on a gentle hillside on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee Georgia. Plants, both native and hybrid, sit quietly along 20 acres of majestic walking trails, spilling over as if to greet you with warmth and color.

The Rhododendron Festival at Hamilton Gardens takes place from mid-April to mid-May, everything will be in bloom, showing colors even an artist dreams about! Hundreds of varieties, and as many as 1,500 rhododendrons and azaleas create a magnificent backdrop for many other equally beautiful plants. Come take a stroll and feel the beauty and peace surrounding you.

Open Every Day 8:00 am - Dusk
96 Pavilion Road • Hiawassee, GA 30546 • 706-896-4191 • Hamilton Gardens

Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin North Carolina

Scottish Tartans Museum & Gift Shop

A visit to the Scottish Tartans Museum and Gift Shop in the Smoky Mountains is a stroll through the history and culture of Scotland. Located on Main Street in downtown Franklin, NC, our museum showcases a large gallery of tartans, kilts and Highland dress history, as well as an expansive gift shop.

Our gift shop features many unique Scottish gift items, including books, music, jewelry and more. We offer a full range of custom Highland Dress items to get you outfitted from head to toe. Every purchase helps to fund the museum!

86 E Main Street • Franklin, North Carolina, 28734 • 828.524.7472 • www.ScottishTartans.org

Blue Ridge Georgia Apple Orchard

Mercier Orchard • Farm • Family • Fun

Mercier Orchards is a family owned and operated apple orchard. Started back in 1943, Mercier Orchards offers it's visitors a fun filled experience! From seasonal U-PICKS and tractor rides to our world famous bakery, Market Cafe and winery!

Open 7 days a week from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Mercier Orchard • 8660 Blue Ridge Drive or
Mercier Downtown • 260 W. Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
customer.service@mercierorchards.com • www.MercierOrchards.com • 800.361.7731

Ellijay Georgia Apple Orchards

Hillcrest Orchards ~ Located in Apple Alley

Apple Pickin' Jubilee September - October, U-pic apples and petting zoo everyday.

On Saturday & Sunday Only...Hillcrest Orchards has Ellijay's only swimming pig races, cow milking, wagon rides, pony rides, pedal cart rides, giant jumping pillow, giant slides and playgrounds. Visit the Apple Museum, Moonshine Museum, and watch live entertainment on the stage.

September & October 9:00 am - 6:00 pm • November 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

9696 Highway 52 East • Ellijay, Georgia • 706.273.3838
applelan@ellijay.com • www.HillcrestOrchards.net

B J Reece's Apple House ~ Located in Apple Alley

You are invited you to join us any day in September through October to one of our 2 U-Pick Orchards for apple picking, apple cannons, hayrides, and the petting farm. Before you leave, try our famous fried apple pies, people come hundreds of miles just for our pies.

U-Pick Apple Season: August 29 – November 1 - 9 am - 6 pm everyday including Sunday

9131 Highway 52 East • Ellijay, Georgia • 706.276.3048
reeceorchards@ellijay.com • www.ReeceOrchards.com

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Travel and Real Estate Guide to the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, including North Georgia, Western North Carolina, Tennessee River Valley and Up Country South Carolina

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