Staff photo by Dan Henry/Chattanooga Times Free Press - 6/09/11. Pedestrians visit shops located in downtown Blue Ridge, Ga., nestled in the North Georgia mountains just a few hours drive from Chattanooga. Blue Ridge is a picturesque town nestled in the North Georgia mountains offering adventure and history. Drive-in theaters are still in operation, as well as a train station that has functioned for more than 110 years. There is no shortage of hiking trails or fishing opportunities in the Peach State's trout capital.
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TROUT GALORE* If trout are what you seek, the Toccoa River delivers. Running next to Blue Ridge, the Toccoa River is filled with sizable trout. The river is stocked above the Blue Ridge Dam every other week during trout season, which runs from late March to October.* Pick up a comprehensive guide to trout fishing put out by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at the Fannin County Welcome Center, 152 Orvin Lance Drive.* Located below the Blue Ridge Dam just off the Appalachian Highway in town, Tammen Park is a popular spot for fly-fishermen. Call 800-238-2264 for advance water-release information. The park also includes a playground, picnic pavilion and restrooms.Source: Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center
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TAKE THE TRAINThe Blue Ridge Scenic Railway provides a majestic trip through countryside.* Starting at Blue Ridge’s 1905 train depot, this four-hour train adventure makes a stop in the twin border towns of McCaysville, Ga., and Copperhill, Tenn., before returning to Blue Ridge. The two-hour stop allows passengers to eat and shop.* Ticket prices vary by season and ride, between $27 and $55. Call 877-413-TRAIN (8724) to make reservations. The ticket office is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.* There are special annual trips: the Easter Egg-Spress, July Fourth Firecracker Special, Fall Foliage Excursions, Pumpkin Express and Santa Express.* Visit brscenic.com for more information.Source: Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
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SPLASH INTO LAKE BLUE RIDGENext to the town of Blue Ridge is Lake Blue Ridge, a 3,290-acre lake with campsites, boat ramps, a full-service marina, public swimming and picnic areas.About 80 percent of the lake’s 65 miles of shoreline is bordered by the Chattahoochee National Forest.The lake was created in 1930 when the Blue Ridge Dam was built on the Toccoa River by the Toccoa Electric Power Co. TVA purchased the lake in 1939.>Lake Blue Ridge is ideal for fishing, but visitors also can rent pontoons or personal watercraft from the Lake Blue Ridge Marina. Call 706-632-2618 for more information.Source: City of Blue Ridge; Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau
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DOWNTOWN GATHERINGSBlue Ridge’s downtown festivals attract thousands.* Arts in the Park: Each spring and fall, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and Art Center puts on this festival with more than 175 fine arts, crafts and food booths. In its 40th year, it attracts about 18,000 people. For more information, call 706-632-2144 or visit blueridgearts.net. (Memorial Day weekend in May and Columbus Day weekend in October, downtown Blue Ridge City Park, $5 admission.)* Blues and Barbecue: This sixth annual festival provides good music and good food every September. Regional cooks whip up barbecue while blues bands play in the park. (September, downtown Blue Ridge City Park, $5 admission.)* Good Samaritan Barbecue: Every Labor Day, Blue Ridge gets together for the Good Samaritan Barbecue, with food vendors, live music and family-style entertainment. Call 706-455-3818 for more information. (11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., downtown Blue Ridge City Park, $8-$10 admission.)* Light Up Blue Ridge: This Christmas holiday celebration, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, includes entertainment, craft vendors, food vendors, Santa Claus and a parade. The evening ends with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. (10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Blue Ridge City Park downtown, free admission.)Source: City of Blue Ridge
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DELICIOUS DESSERTSThe Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” Season 6 winner hails from Blue Ridge.The Sweet Shoppe of the South serves up gourmet cupcakes at $2.75 a pop. The owners have baked cupcakes for the “Duck Dynasty” crew, country singer Zac Brown and politicians at the Georgia state Capitol. They won the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” competition in 2012.>Besides cupcakes, The Sweet Shoppe also serves caramel- and chocolate-covered fruit, truffles, pretzels and cookies.Located at 576 E. Main St., The Sweet Shoppe is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.For more information, visit thesweetsouth.com or call 706-632-6886.Source: The Sweet Shoppe
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AT A GLANCE* Population: 1,210* Biggest employers: Fannin County School System, The Home Depot* Landmarks: The Swan Drive-In, at 651 Summit St., is one of only four operating drive-in movie theaters in Georgia. In its 62nd year of operation, the Swan Drive-In is a cash-only establishment that has held ticket prices at $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-11.* Date founded: 1886* History: The town was founded after the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad rolled through in 1886. It was originally nicknamed the “Switzerland of the South.”* Most famous resident: Country singer Mark Wills* Unique traditions: Mercier Orchards offers food, fruit-picking and tractor rides every weekend. Visit mercier-orchards.com for more information.Source: City of Blue Ridge