North Georgia Mountains The North Georgia Mountains comprise the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are a haven for those wishing to spend time with nature. The Chattahoochee National Forest spans much of the northern part of the state and allows visitors to be in constant awe of the amazing scenery. From majestic mountains to rushing rivers to serene lakes, the North Georgia Mountains seem to have it all. Table of Contents
Outdoor Activities ...... 5 Hiking ...... 5 Zip Lining ...... 7 Horseback Riding ...... 7 Golf ...... 8 Fly Fishing ...... 9 White Water Rafting ...... 9 Agritourism ...... 10 Muesums & Historical Sites ...... 11 North Georgia Wineries & Tasting Rooms . . 12 Antiquing ...... 13 Restaurants ...... 14 Annual Festivals and Events ...... 16 Accommodations ...... 18 Amenities ...... 19 What to See and Do
Whether you want to relax in the tranquility of the outdoors or get in as many activities as you can, the North Georgia Mountains are the perfect getaway spot. Here are some of our favorite activities.
Some areas of interest in the North Georgia Mountains include Tallulah Gorge State Park, Lake Rabun, and the Soque River. These are just a few of the places in the area where you can hike, boat, and fish. The area also possesses some of the most challenging and beautiful golf courses in the region and gives the shopper many places to find their next piece of artwork or antique. The North Georgia Mountains also contain multiple vineyards that you can experience on Georgia’s Wine Highway.
4 Outdoor Activities
The North Georgia Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for anyone who loves the outdoors with various hiking trails, water activities, golf courses, and much more.
Black Rock Mountain State Park Located north of Clayton, GA in Mountain City, Black Rock Mountain State Park is the highest state park in Georgia. There are four hiking trails open for visitors that will take you to and through some excellent scenery. https://gastateparks.org/BlackRockMountain Hiking Minnehaha Falls Tallulah Gorge State Park Minnehaha Falls is the perfect place to see a Tallulah Gorge State Park is one of the most magical waterfall. At 60-feet high, the falls are sought-after canyons east of the Mississippi well worth the trip. Hikers only need to travel River. At two miles long and almost 1,000 feet about 0.6 miles to reach the destination from deep, the gorge provides several hiking trails the parking area. and picturesque views. http://www.georgiatrails.com/gt/Minnehaha_ http://gastateparks.org/TallulahGorge Falls
5 Moccasin Creek State Park Another of the many state parks in the area, Moccasin Creek State Park resides along the shores of Lake Burton. Hikers can opt for the two-mile Hemlock Falls Trail or a one-mile Interpretive Trail. http://www.gastateparks.org/MoccasinCreek
Panther Creek Falls
The Panther Creek trail is seven miles roundtrip and at the half way point is the amazing Panther Creek Falls. Several smaller waterfalls prime hikers along the way before getting to one of Georgia’s most popular hiking destinations. http://www.georgiatrails.com/gt/Panther_Creek_Trail
6 Zip Line Tours
Sunburst Adventures/Stables Although the name implies it is all about the horses, that couldn’t be further from the truth at Sunburst Adventures/Stables. Visitors will soar through the canopy on this tour. Sunburst also offers a twilight tour where people can zip line through a spectacular lighted course at night. http://sunburststables.com/html/zipline- tours/
Zip-N-Time Horseback Riding The tour guides at Zip-N-Time won’t just help you experience the beauty of the Nacoochee Sunburst Adventures /Stables Valley, but they will also fill you in on some of the Sunburst Stables offers guided horseback rich history in the area. trail rides that are suitable for all ages and http://www.zipntime.com/ experience levels. In addition, you can spend anywhere from 2-4 hours on your trip through North Georgia Ultimate Canopy Tours the Chattahoochee National Forest. Customize your trip at North Georgia Ultimate http://sunburststables.com/html/trail-rides/ Canopy Tours. Guests can go on a two to three hour adventure with the option of capturing the trip via a personal videographer and photographer. https://www.northgeorgiacanopytours.com/ 7 Golf
The Orchard Golf & Country Club
Located just 2 miles from the inn, the Orchard Golf & Country Club is a 6,948 yard, par 72 championship course. Built amid apple orchards and sitting adjacent to the Chattahoochee National Forest and the Appalachian Mountains, this course is not only challenging, but beautiful. http://www.orchardgolfclub.com/
Apple Mountain Resort & Golf Club This 18 hole course is located about 3 miles north of downtown Clarkesville. It is a 6,428 yard, par 72 course with the North Georgia Mountains providing a scenic backdrop. http://www.applemountaingolfga.com/
8 Fly Fishing Whitewater Rafting
The Soque River is a prime place to go fly fishing for Head east of Clayton, GA to the famed both rainbow and brown trout of great size. There Chattooga River for the exhilarating experience are several outfitters and guides in the area who of whitewater rafting on a pristine river want to help you catch the big one. Here is a list: through a remote wilderness setting. There are several outposts offering rafting, canoeing and Blackhawk Fly Fishing kayaking trips for all experience levels March http://www.blackhawkflyfishing.com/ through October.
Brigadoon Lodge Nantahala Outdoor Center http://www.brigadoonlodge.com/ www.noc.com Southeastern Expeditions
Fern Valley on the Soque www.southeastrnexpeditions.com http://fernvalleytrout.com/25/index. Wildwater Limited php?page/Home.html www.wildwaterrafting.com
Unicoi Outfitters Wildwood Outfitters http://www.unicoioutfitters.com/index.shtml Wildwood Outfitters have outposts in Cleveland and in Helen, allowing trips to take place along four different sections of the Chattahoochee River. http://wildwoodoutfitters.com/
9 Agritourism
Hillside Orchard Farms Hillside Orchard Farms is a working farm where you can pick your own blackberries or purchase some of the best fresh picked apples you could ever eat. The Country Store offers hundreds of varieties of specialty jams, jellies, and relishes for sale and activities such as the corn maze and petting zoo make this location perfect for all ages. http://retail.hillsideorchard.com/
Jaemor Farms Jaemor Farms is a produce farm and roadside market specializing in fresh local farm produce, including many favorites such as Georgia peaches, strawberries, watermelons, and pumpkins. Fried pies are a specialty at their Farmer’s Market, as is fresh-churned peach ice cream. http://www.jaemorfarms.com/
10 Museums and Historical Sites
Folk Pottery Museum Currahee Military Museum This museum showcases the historical Take a trip to Currahee Military Museum and importance and changing role of folk pottery in dive deep into the history of the Paratrooper southern life. Infantry Regiment that trained at Camp Toccoa http://www.folkpotterymuseum.com/ in the early 1940s. The museum also highlights local veterans, the Civil War, World War I, and Foxfire Museum World War II. The Foxfire Museum aims to capture the lifestyle http://www.toccoahistory.com/ of the people of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Although the lifestyle is very nearly The Mauldin House, Millinery Shop & Big Holly gone, this museum will give you an idea of how Cabin things used to be. This site is dedicated to A.M. Mauldin and his http://www.foxfire.org/museum.html wife, who was a hat maker. It is a large Victorian cottage that serves as Clarkesville’s Welcome The Gourd Place Museum Center and a museum of area heritage. This museum is unique in that it features over http://www.n-georgia.com/mauldin-house. 200 gourds from 23 different countries. These html gourds have been constructed into art that you can come see for free. http://www.gourdplace.com/ 11 North Georgia Wineries & Tasting Rooms
We might be the Peach State, but North Georgia is a prominent wine region that is continuing to increase in national popularity. With more than a dozen wineries and vineyards in the area, a trip to Georgia wine country has become a must-do event. Here are a few of our favorites that provide sensational wines to satisfy every palate.
Habersham Winery – Helen Yonah Mountain Vineyards – Cleveland http://www.habershamwinery.com/ http://www.yonahmountainvineyards.com
Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards - Sautee Tiger Mountain Vineyards – Tiger http://www.sauteenacoocheevineyards.com/ http://www.tigerwine.com/
The Cottage Vineyard & Winery – Cleveland Here is a map and listing of North Georgia’s http://www.cottagevineyardwinery.com/ wineries and vineyards: http://www.georgiawine.com/georgia-wine- country-map 12 Antiquing
People travel from all over the country to find antiques in the North Georgia Mountains. The following are towns that feature great antique stores:
Clarkesville Clayton
Old Clarkesville Mill Art & Antique Mall Butler’s Gallery and Antique Mall and Butler’s II
http://www.oldclarkesvillemill.com/ www.butlergalleries.com
Homestead House Black Bear Creek Antiques http://www.homesteadhouseprimitives.com/ http://www.blackbearcreekantiques.com/
Dillard Nacoochee
Carol’s Back Porch Old Sautee Store http://www.dillardgeorgia.com/ http://www.oldsauteestore.com/ carol%E2%80%99s-back-porch/ Nacoochee Village
Yesterday’s Treasures Antique Mall http://www.nacoocheevillage.com/ http://www.dillardgeorgia.com/yesterday’s- treasure-antique-mall/
13 Restaurants
During your adventures in the North Georgia Mountains, you’re sure to work up an appetite and our cuisine will not disappoint. From the casual fine dining experience at Glen-Ella Springs Restaurant to quaint bistros and family owned barbeque joints, the area has fare for all palates.
available each season. Open most evenings beginning at 5:30 pm and reservations are recommended. Please call the inn directly or visit www.OpenTable.com to check the restaurant ‘s availability. http://www.glenella.com/our-restaurant/ Glen-Ella Springs Restaurant
Glen-Ella Springs Restaurant offers one of the best evening dining experiences in North Georgia in an elegant yet rustic setting. Chef Bill Wilder and his staff create classic American Continental inspired dishes with innovative twists. The diverse menu includes signature The Attic - Clarkesville dishes such as the herb encrusted Rack of Open for lunch and dinner, the Attic in Lamb or the Trout Pecan as well as the Chef’s Clarkesville has a nice selection of salads, nightly specials. The restaurant is known for sandwiches, burgers, pasta, quesadillas and preparing everything from scratch and always other entrees. incorporates farm fresh produce as it becomes http://theatticrestaurant.com 14 The Copper Pot - Clarkesville Right on the square in historic downtown Clarkesville, the Copper Pot is a great spot for lunch. Sandwiches, salads, pizzas and seasonal entrees are all included on the menu. http://www.thecopperpotrestaurant.com
Blue Creek Café - Hollywood A family-run restaurant featuring a menu of classic barbeque and good old-fashioned sides. Diners rave about the potato salad in particular.
Midtown Grill - Clarkesville Located off the square in midtown Clarkesville, Midtown Grill has a menu of specialty burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, salads and plates. Be sure to save room for one of their famous milkshakes for dessert. https://squareup.com/market/midtown- grill-2
Hawg Wild BBQ and Catfish House - Clarkesville Head to Hawg Wild in Clarkesville for classic southern style barbeque and catfish. Pulled pork, chicken, ribs, brisket and catfish are all on the menu along with all the homestyle sides you’d expect with barbeque. http://www.hawgwildbbq.com/ hawgwildbbq/index.html 15 Annual Festivals & Events
The North Georgia Mountains are home to several fun festivals and events each year. Celebrations of our wineries, food, arts, entertainment and culture are all here for your enjoyment.
Spring Wine Highway Weekend Celebrate Clayton - Clayton, GA Georgia Wine Highway - March April Held annually the 3rd and 4th weekend of Celebrate Clayton is an Arts, Music, Crafts March. Visitors will have the opportunity to and Gardening event for all ages, with mouth- purchase a passport giving them access to visit watering food and a super kids program. Set over 12 participating wineries in the north in the spectacular North Georgia Mountains Georgia region during this 2-day event. Celebrate Clayton is held annually the last www.georgiawine.com weekend in April. www.celebrateclayton.com 16 Mountain Laurel Festival
Clarkesville, GA - May Listed on the Top 20 Events in the Southeast – this is a long standing annual festival drawing thousands of people and featuring arts and crafts, live entertainment, food and lots of fun for the entire family. www.clarkesvillega.com
The Georgia Wine Country Festival
Dahlonega, GA - June Every Saturday and Sunday in June, Three Sisters Vineyards hosts a Wine Garden featuring new and returning guest wineries from the region, live music, and food vendors. Admission to the festival is free. www.threesistersvineyards.com
The Taste of Clarkesville
Clarkesville, GA - September The last Saturday of September, join others as they gather on the historic downtown square of Clarkesville where you will be able to sample food from some of the area’s best restaurants, enjoy wine tastings and live music.
17 Glen-Ella Springs has a total sixteen rooms, with four types to choose from. Whether you want the ultimate luxury provided by our Penthouse Suites or to simply relax in a Queen Room, you’ll enjoy beautiful individualized décor, fine furnishings and all the modern bed and breakfast amenities you deserve. And of course, a full breakfast is included each morning of your stay.
Penthouse Suites Three Room Suites
The most spacious of the inn’s rooms, our Our Three Room Suites are located on the Penthouse Suites are located on the third floor. second floor, overlooking the woods on the With high ceilings and lots of natural light, property. Each has a bedroom, bathroom with the Penthouse Suites have an open feeling dressing area and a sitting room. Both Three that is enhanced by the warmth of the natural Room Suites each feature a king size bed, wood floors. Each is beautifully and uniquely stacked stone fireplaces and whirlpool jetted decorated and feature overstuffed reading tubs. chairs, a king size bed, gas log fireplace and a http://www.glenella.com/rooms-suites/ private bath with a corner Jacuzzi tub. http://www.glenella.com/rooms-penthouse/ 18 King Rooms Queen Rooms
Located on the first and second floors, our King Each Queen Room features a queen size bed, Rooms feature porch views of the woods on writing desk and chair, a comfortable chair for the property. A king bed is accompanied by a relaxing and a private bath. The Queen Rooms writing desk with chair, two comfortable chairs are located on the first and second floors of for reading or lounging and a private en-suite the inn and open onto a covered porch so you bath. The beds in four of our king rooms can can take in the view of our meadow, pool and be changed into twin beds should your needs gardens. require separate sleeping arrangements.
Glen-Ella Springs has luxury amenities to enhance relaxation during your stay. Along with our well appointed rooms, guests enjoy the comfort of our exquisite linens, custom milled bath products, specialty blend of gourmet coffee and more. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the property for your convenience. Plus the on-site restaurant and private conference room make Glen-Ella Springs a complete getaway destination.
Meeting Place
Consider Glen-Ella Springs for something other than a personal getaway. The private and well outfitted 900 square foot conference room is the ideal location for corporate executives to meet and will accommodate up to 35 people. It features plenty of natural lighting, private restrooms, a beverage center and ergonomically engineered chairs for comfortable seating. Because of the many common areas on property, Glen-Ella Springs is well equipped to handle corporate team building exercises as well as other gatherings such as family reunions, community events and civic or private parties. http://www.glenella.com/meetings-events/ 19 Destination Weddings
Glen-Ella Springs is the ideal location for your North Georgia wedding. The property is the perfect venue for your ceremony and reception as well as the rehearsal dinner. Brides can choose from a number of locations for the ceremony and the open air, covered pavilion is a beautiful site for the reception. Glen-Ella Springs can host weddings as intimate as “just the two of you” to a guest list of up to 250 people. Our wedding coordinator will make sure the process runs smoothly from the beginning stages of planning all the way up to the big event. http://www.glenella.com/Weddings/
20 Glen-Ella Springs is the perfect getaway destination in the North Georgia Mountains whether you want to unwind in the solitude of your surroundings or fill your trip’s itinerary up with local attractions and activities. Our Penthouse Suites, Three Room Suites, King Rooms and Queen Rooms offer guests a variety of lodging choices, ensuring that your time with us will suit your needs perfectly. Nowhere else in the North Georgia Mountains can you enjoy the splendor of nature, luxurious accommodations and fine dining all in one location. Book your stay at Glen-Ella Springs and discover the magic of the North Georgia Mountains. We can’t wait to see you soon!