Getting back to nature is what it’s all about when you and the kids head for the hills to enjoy the natural wonders of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia. Live the rustic good life in a spacious luxury cabin vacation rental with scenic views of the surrounding mountain scenery, or in a secluded cottage. Book a stay at a today. In this peaceful setting, you and your family can spend plenty of quality time exploring hiking trails and rivers. Check out the top kid-friendly activities at the Blue Ridge Mountains.
1. Go Fruit Picking at Mercier Orchards
Family owned and operated for over 70 years and counting, the Mercier Orchards is a wonderful place for kids of all ages to enjoy an authentic fruit picking experience. Pick fresh apples, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and strawberries, depending on seasonal availability. At the on-site store, you’ll find a mouthwatering selection of apple cider, candy, fruit spreads, and scrumptious baked goods all ready to go, making it easy to enjoy them at your cozy rental.
2. Ride Ponies and Horses
Mention pony rides to your kids, and watch their faces light up. At Hell’s Hollow Adventure Outpost, kids ages seven and over and adults ride horses up and down scenic mountain trails. Horses are well cared for and rested for the hour-long trip, and you can make arrangements for beginner, novice, moderate, and expert rides to ensure everyone is comfortable. Kids weighing up to 50 pounds can enjoy 15-minute pony rides around the farm. Additionally, a group of eight family members can pile into a tractor-pulled wagon for an old-fashioned dirt road farmland tour.
3. Sail Through the Air on a Zip Line
Zip lining is another fun-filled family activity to do while visiting Hell’s Hollow Adventure Outpost. Its Blue Ridge Canopy Adventure features tree-based platforms, 6,000 feet of zip lines to ride, and nature walks through beautifully pristine forests. The minimum age for children is 10, and the minimum weight allowance is 70 pounds, while the maximum weight is 250 pounds for safety reasons. Be sure to bring along a backpack or fanny pack to carry essentials, such as snacks, water, epi-pens, medication, inhalers, and sunscreen.
4. Take a Scenic Train Tour
There’s nothing quite like seeing mountain country from the view of a train seat, and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is a great way to relax and chat with your kids about nature. Choose to ride in an open-air car or closed climate controlled car. The kids are in for a scenic treat as the train chugs along the 26-mile scenic route of the Toccoa River.
5. Mine for Gemstones
Take the kids on a real treasure hunt for valuable gemstones. Lilly Pad gem mining provides you with buckets, trays, and patient staff guidance to ensure your child’s mining experience is a bountiful success. Gems waiting to be found include moonstones, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and Tigers Eye. This mining experience is ideal for children ages 10 and under.
6. Catch Rainbow Trout
Tucked away in an area of the Chattahoochee Forest is the National Fish Hatchery run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. You and the kids can fish for rainbow trout at no charge while enjoying tranquil streams teeming with fish. Open year-round, there are restrooms and a picnic area for eating lunch.
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7. Walk Over a Long Swinging Bridge
Walking over a swinging bridge is a unique experience kids can share with friends and schoolmates. The Toccoa River swinging bridge spans a section of the Benton MacKaye Trail, taking you across the river to a small waterfall on the other side. The bridge is constructed of sturdy wood planks, and there’s a railing to hold onto while crossing one by one.
8. Solve Puzzles and Escape
Get locked up with your family in one of the game rooms at Escape Blue Ridge and see how long it takes to solve all the clues to unlock the door. Escape rooms have various themes, and friendly staff is on hand to answer your questions.
9. Indulge in Sweet Treats
Swing by The Chocolate Express to stock up on chocolate candy and out of this world fudge for between meal nibbling. Kids who love cupcakes find plenty of tasty selections at The Sweet Shoppe, which has an amazing array of scrumptious cupcake flavors and other baked goods.
10. Learn About Bigfoot
You and your kids can learn all about this mythical creature at Expedition Bigfoot, a local museum attraction. Located near the town of Blue Ridge, kids can browse a large collection of Big foot related photos, memorabilia, newspaper clippings, artwork and intriguing exhibits.
11. Watch a Drive-in Movie
The Swan Drive-In Theatre has been around since the mid-1950s, and it’s one of the few places in the country where families can enjoy watching a flick from the comfort of a car. Located near a shopping center, family-friendly movies are shown on a large screen, and crisp sound flows from the car’s FM radio. Enjoy concession stand foods such as burgers and funnel cakes. This is a cash only theatre, so bring plenty of cash to cover tickets and treats.
12. Stand in Two States at the Same Time
While visiting the charming community of McCaysville, Georgia, you and your children can accomplish an amazing feat without knowing a lick of magic. Find the brightly painted line on the border separating McCaysville from its neighbor, Copperhill, Tennessee, and place one foot on each side of the line to achieve easy bragging rights of being in two states at once. Snap photos for the family photo collection before heading to Horseshoe Bend Park for a pleasant picnic.
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