Blue Ridge, Georgia has become one of the Southeast’s most popular mountain destinations, and for good reason. The charming downtown, scenic attractions, and abundance of activities make it an ideal base for exploring North Georgia. But the real secret to experiencing everything the area offers is staying just outside the tourist bustle—in Cherry Log, where you can enjoy peaceful mountain mornings before embarking on daily adventures.
From The Lazy Laurel in Cherry Log, you’re perfectly positioned to explore the best Blue Ridge has to offer while returning each evening to tranquil mountain seclusion. Here’s your guide to the most rewarding day trips from our cabin, each offering a unique way to experience the North Georgia mountains.
Downtown Blue Ridge: Shopping, Dining, and Art
Just 15 minutes from Cherry Log, downtown Blue Ridge is the obvious first stop for most visitors. The historic district features dozens of locally-owned shops, art galleries, and restaurants housed in restored buildings that retain their early 20th-century character. Unlike the chain-dominated commercial strips common in mountain towns, Blue Ridge’s downtown maintains authentic charm.
Start your morning browsing antique stores and art galleries along Main Street. Several galleries showcase work by local artists, from traditional mountain landscapes to contemporary pieces. The antique shops reward patient exploration—you’ll find everything from vintage furniture to quirky collectibles, often with stories about their origins from knowledgeable owners.
When hunger strikes, Blue Ridge offers dining options that exceed typical tourist-town fare. Farm-to-table restaurants source ingredients from local farms, and you’ll find everything from upscale Southern cuisine to casual cafes. Weekend evenings often feature live music at several venues, adding to the downtown atmosphere without overwhelming it.
The beauty of staying in Cherry Log is you can visit downtown Blue Ridge during less crowded times. Head in for a late breakfast or early lunch when shops are quieter, or make dinner reservations for off-peak hours knowing you have a short drive back to your peaceful cabin afterward.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: A Journey Through Time
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers one of the area’s most iconic experiences—a 26-mile round-trip journey through the Chattahoochee National Forest following the Toccoa River. The vintage train departs from downtown Blue Ridge, and the experience captures what railroad travel was like in an earlier era.
The railway operates year-round with different seasonal experiences. Fall foliage season brings spectacular colors as the train winds through hardwood forests. The Santa Express during the holidays is wildly popular with families. Summer rides offer comfortable temperatures even on hot days, as you’re traveling through shaded valleys with windows open to mountain breezes.
The journey takes about four hours round-trip, with a layover in the small town of McCaysville at the Georgia-Tennessee border. The layover gives you time to explore local shops and grab lunch before the return trip. Many visitors enjoy standing between the train’s cars to feel the wind and take unobstructed photos of the scenery.
From Cherry Log, you can easily dedicate a morning to the railway experience, then spend the afternoon exploring other nearby attractions or returning to the cabin for a relaxing evening. The short drive means you’re not committed to a full day in Blue Ridge if you prefer a more leisurely pace.
Mercier Orchards: More Than Just Apples
Located between Blue Ridge and Cherry Log, Mercier Orchards has been family-owned since 1943 and has grown into one of the Southeast’s largest apple-growing operations. The orchard offers far more than just U-pick apples—though that alone makes it worth visiting during harvest season.
The farm market is impressive year-round, featuring fresh produce, preserves, honey, and baked goods including their famous fried pies. The bakery produces apple cider donuts that have achieved near-legendary status among regular visitors. You can sample different apple varieties, buy cider pressed on-site, and browse gift items including local crafts.
During peak season (typically September through November), the orchard comes alive with activities. You can ride a tractor-pulled wagon to the picking areas, where multiple apple varieties ripen at different times throughout fall. The staff provides guidance on which varieties are best for different uses—eating fresh, baking, or making sauce.
Even outside apple season, Mercier is worth a visit. The spring brings peach season, and the farm market maintains excellent selection year-round. The location makes it an easy stop on your way between Cherry Log and Blue Ridge proper, and many guests find themselves returning multiple times during their stay.
Toccoa River Adventures: Tubing, Kayaking, and Fishing
The Toccoa River defines much of the Blue Ridge area’s outdoor recreation, and several outfitters make it easy to get on the water. The river’s character varies—some sections offer gentle floating perfect for families, while others provide more challenging rapids for experienced paddlers.
Tubing is the most popular summer activity, with outfitters providing tubes and shuttle service. The experience is refreshingly low-key—you float downstream for a few hours, enjoying the scenery and cooling off in the mountain water. The river isn’t particularly challenging for tubing, making it accessible for most ages and skill levels.
Kayaking and canoeing offer more engagement with the river. Several outfitters rent equipment and provide shuttle service, allowing you to paddle downstream and get picked up at designated take-out points. The scenery is beautiful, with mountain ridges rising on both sides and occasional wildlife sightings along the banks.
The Toccoa River is also renowned for trout fishing. Georgia stocks the river regularly, and the cold mountain water supports healthy trout populations. If you’re serious about fishing, local guides can provide expert knowledge of the best spots and techniques. Even if you’re just interested in trying your hand at trout fishing, several shops in Blue Ridge can set you up with licenses and basic equipment.
Blue Ridge Wineries: Tasting with Mountain Views
North Georgia has emerged as a legitimate wine region, and several wineries near Blue Ridge offer tastings in beautiful settings. These aren’t massive commercial operations but rather small, family-run establishments that focus on quality over quantity.
Bear Claw Vineyards sits atop a mountain with panoramic views of the surrounding ridges. The tasting room features wines made from both traditional and hybrid grape varieties suited to North Georgia’s climate. You can taste inside or, weather permitting, enjoy your flights on the outdoor deck overlooking the vineyards.
Serenity Cellars takes a different approach, focusing on small-batch production and unusual varietals you won’t find at larger wineries. The intimate tasting room encourages conversation with staff who are genuinely knowledgeable and passionate about their wines.
Several other wineries dot the area, each with its own character. Most offer outdoor seating where you can linger with a glass after your tasting, enjoying mountain views and often live music on weekends. The relaxed pace and beautiful settings make winery visits a perfect afternoon activity before returning to Cherry Log for the evening.
Lake Blue Ridge: Water Recreation Close to Town
Lake Blue Ridge provides another water recreation option with a different character than the Toccoa River. The TVA reservoir offers opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing, with several public access points and a marina that rents various watercraft.
The lake sits just outside Blue Ridge proper, making it easily accessible from Cherry Log. You can rent pontoon boats, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards for exploring the shoreline. The water is typically clear and refreshing, fed by mountain streams that keep temperatures comfortable even in summer.
Fishing on Lake Blue Ridge targets bass, crappie, and other warm-water species rather than the trout found in the river. Several coves and creek channels provide good fishing spots, and the lake isn’t as heavily pressured as some more famous Georgia lakes.
For a more relaxed experience, you can simply find a quiet spot along the shoreline for swimming and picnicking. Several areas offer beach access where you can spend a few hours enjoying the water without committing to a full-day boat rental.
Hiking Near Blue Ridge: Trails for Every Level
The mountains around Blue Ridge and Cherry Log offer hiking opportunities ranging from easy nature walks to challenging climbs. The Chattahoochee National Forest provides numerous trailheads within a short drive of Cherry Log.
For easy to moderate hikes, several trails follow streams or lead to waterfalls. These routes provide beautiful scenery without requiring advanced fitness levels. Spring brings rushing water from snowmelt, while fall offers spectacular color as hardwood forests transform.
More challenging options include summit trails that reward effort with panoramic views across multiple mountain ridges. These hikes typically involve steady climbing but are well-maintained and clearly marked. Early morning starts beat the heat in summer and often provide clearer views before afternoon haze develops.
The proximity of trails to Cherry Log means you can tackle a morning hike and still have the entire afternoon for other activities. Or you might prefer hiking as your main activity for the day, returning to the cabin in the afternoon to relax and recover on the deck with mountain views.
Craft Breweries: Mountain Beer Culture
Blue Ridge has embraced craft beer culture with several breweries offering locally-made beers in casual, welcoming environments. These aren’t tourist traps but rather genuine craft breweries that happen to be located in a tourist destination.
Most Blue Ridge breweries feature outdoor seating with mountain views, making them perfect for afternoon visits. The beer styles vary from traditional ales and lagers to more experimental offerings. Many rotate seasonal beers that incorporate local ingredients or celebrate mountain culture.
The brewery scene has a relaxed, community-oriented vibe. Locals mix with visitors, and it’s common to strike up conversations with neighboring tables. Many breweries welcome dogs and families, offering non-alcoholic options and food trucks or snacks alongside their beer selections.
From Cherry Log, you can visit one or two breweries as part of an afternoon in Blue Ridge, sampling different styles without the pressure to commit an entire day. The short drive back to your cabin means you can enjoy a few beers without worrying about a long drive afterward.
Planning Your Blue Ridge Day Trips from Cherry Log
The advantage of staying in Cherry Log becomes clear when planning day trips. You’re close enough to Blue Ridge to easily access any of these activities, but far enough away that you’re not locked into the tourist area’s rhythm. You can structure your days around what you want to do rather than working around crowds or feeling obligated to maximize every minute away from your accommodation.
A typical approach might involve one major activity—like the scenic railway or a full day on the river—combined with more casual exploration. Visit downtown Blue Ridge for lunch and shopping, stop at a winery on the way back to Cherry Log, and spend the evening enjoying your cabin’s amenities. The next day might focus on hiking with a brewery visit afterward, or perhaps a morning at Mercier Orchards followed by an afternoon relaxing at the cabin.
This flexibility is what makes Cherry Log the ideal base for exploring Blue Ridge. You’re never more than 15-20 minutes from Blue Ridge attractions, but you maintain the peaceful mountain retreat atmosphere that makes a vacation truly restorative. You can be as active or relaxed as you choose each day, knowing your private cabin awaits at the end of every adventure.
Ready to start exploring? Check availability at The Lazy Laurel and start planning your Blue Ridge area adventure from the comfort and tranquility of Cherry Log.
