Thanksgiving in Blue Ridge is magical in its own way — the crisp mornings, cozy cabins, and small-town charm come together for a holiday you’ll actually remember, from scenic train rides along the Toccoa River and hikes through golden forests, to local wine tastings, turkey trots, and nights made for huddling by the fireside in your coziest sweater. We’ve spent nearly every Thanksgiving together in Blue Ridge with our family and have created a list of our favorite local activities that we think you might love, too!

Get Fresh Baked Apple Pies at Mercier Orchards

If you haven’t been to Mercier Orchards, then I’m sorry, but you now have no other choice but to go. It’s not just the most popular apple orchard in the Southeast; it’s also ranked among the top 10 orchards in the entire country. The apples are crisp and flavorful, their pies are downright legendary, and if you’re a biscuit lover, do yourself a favor and grab a jar of their apple butter. Spread it on a warm, flaky buttermilk biscuit. We LOVE the ones from Bigfoot Biscuits!

You can also hop on one of their tractor rides, which run year-round and take you through the prettiest parts of the orchard. It’s a slow, scenic ride across rolling hills, and you’ll even get to hear a few stories about the orchard’s history along the way!

Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

If you’re a huge fan of Harry Potter, you will definitely like this one. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway dates back to 1886. Originally created as a transportation system between Marietta, GA, North Georgia, and Tennessee, it has since been remade into one of the most iconic attractions in Blue Ridge! 

This nostalgic train ride follows the Toccoa River through the North Georgia Mountains, giving you sweeping views of the forests and charming small towns, making it the perfect way to experience all parts of the gorgeous rolling mountainscapes of North Georgia. 

Our favorite thing about this ride is the stop in the charming towns of Macaysville, GA and Copper Hill, TN, where you can stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat before heading back to Blue Ridge. 

Our favorite restaurant there is Burra Burra On The River, not only are they dog friendly, but they have an amazing view of the Toccoa/Ocoee river!!

Hikes Are A Must!

We’ve hit nearly every trail in North Georgia, and I think it’s safe to say we’re experts in hiking (if that’s even a thing!). No, but really, our family loves hiking and November is a beautiful time to hit the trails in Blue Ridge. Aside from the air being crisp and fresh, Blue Ridge is so magical. Even if you did a small 30-minute hike, it will feel so otherworldly! Some of our favorites include:

Long Creek Falls – This one is short and sweet. It’s tucked away on the Benton Mackaye Trail and is only a short 2-mile hike that leads to a gorgeous waterfall.

Fall Branch Falls – This one is also short, and it’s almost hard to believe how easy the hike is for how gorgeous this waterfall is! Although it is tucked away in nature, this is a popular hike, so you might see some fellow hikers!

Swinging Bridge Trail – This trail is a local favorite and a must-do for anyone visiting the area. Stretching just 0.8 miles, it leads to a suspension bridge that hangs 500 feet above the Toccoa River — and yes, it really does swing!

If you’re staying in one of our cabins, you’ll find many of these trails just a short drive away. If you want some more ideas on hikes to do around the area, you’ve gotta check out our blog on the best hikes in North Georgia!

Sip and Savor

It wouldn’t be a complete weekend without a visit to one of the local wineries. Blue Ridge is home to several charming wineries; a couple of our favorites are Bear Claw Vineyards and Engelheim Vineyards. Although if you ask us, the best wine connoisseur experience you are going to get in the area is, hands-down, the 34th degree. 

Emily, the owner of this charming shop, has spent years traveling across the US to taste and learn from the best in the world of winemaking. Her passion for sharing that knowledge shines through with every guest who walks through the door. We highly recommend booking a wine tasting with her — you’ll get to sample her carefully curated selections from around the globe and take a beautifully unique bottle back to your cabin to enjoy by the fire! 

Explore Downtown Blue Ridge

One of the biggest reasons we fell in love with Blue Ridge is its adorable downtown — it’s got that small-town charm that just never gets old. Every corner has something fun to discover: cute artisan shops, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and restaurants so good you’ll want to eat at all of them. It’s family-friendly and, most importantly, dog-friendly! We love bringing our own fluffy sidekick, Captain Fluffy, along for our foodie adventures — he’s the real critic of the bunch. If you’re planning to bring your pup too, check out our blog on the best dog-friendly places to eat in Blue Ridge — it’s a good one!

Movie Night At Swan Drive-In

Remember when drive-in theaters were all over the place? It was the place to go on a date or on a Friday Night with the family. Well could you believe that we actually have one of the very few remaining drive-ins in the East Coast? The Swan Drive-In has been showing movies since the 1950s, and it still captures that nostalgic, small-town magic. Grab some popcorn, bundle up in the car, and enjoy a movie night that feels straight out of another era — it’s an experience we can’t recommend enough.

Unplug at the Cabin

This one hits home for us. We’ve always believed that where you stay should be part of the whole experience, not just a place to crash after a long day. For us, a Thanksgiving In Blue Ridge isn’t just about the hikes, the train rides, or even the pie (though we take that part very seriously). It’s about those slow mornings on the porch, sipping coffee on a daybed you don’t want to leave, experiencing the natural beauty of North Georgia without feeling like you’re backpacking, feeling the true retreat in a bed that actually feels like a cloud.

When we designed our cabins, we paid careful attention to the overall experience. We want our guests to feel truly cared for. Like having a kitchen that’s not only gorgeous to cook in, but actually has everything you need for your favorite meals, or having furnishings that somehow turn into a nap trap because they are really THAT comfy, and bedrooms that not only have their own personality, but are built for true rest, not just a space to sleep. Regardless of what that is, the cabin you stay in should be just as exciting as the trip itself.

Take Part in the Blue Ridge Turkey Trot

We know… you know… everyone knows — you’re going to eat a lot. Don’t deny it. If you’re looking to balance things out (just a little), the best cure is a fun dose of movement! Thanksgiving morning, downtown Blue Ridge hosts its annual Turkey Trot, a lighthearted, family-friendly walk/run that winds through the charming historic streets. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday — and to earn that extra slice of pie!

The Perfect Weekend!

These are all great ideas, but if you’re a little overwhelmed by all of this information, we created a 4-day itinerary of fun things to do so the plans are already set!

Thanksgiving in Blue Ridge is truly unlike any other experience. It gives you the chance to reconnect with nature, your family, and yourself. The mountain air, the quiet mornings, and the laughter echoing through a warm cabin make it a Thanksgiving you’ll remember forever.

If you’re still looking for the perfect place to stay, we would love to host you! You can book any of our cabins on our website, or give us a call at 877-447-9007! We hope to see you there!