Pick Your Perfect Vacation in Ellijay

Pick Your Perfect Vacation in Ellijay

The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and it’s the perfect time for a spring vacation that indulges all your senses in the beauty of nature.

Ellijay, GA, has the best of both worlds: a charming, small-town way of life and a variety of food and drink choices that rival big cities. Located between Atlanta, GA, and Chattanooga, TN, Ellijay is best known as Georgia’s Apple Capital, but this idyllic location has more than apples to share. Live music, car shows, festivals, and antique shops are just a few of the exciting things you can find in Ellijay, and with an exciting array of food, drinks, and outdoor activities, you’ll find something for every kind of adventure.

Start planning your perfect spring getaway with these mustvisit spots in Ellijay.

INDULGE YOUR TASTE BUDS

Eat like a local for every meal!

Best known for their freshpressed juices, Green Goddess Avocado Toast, and Buddha Toast

topped with almond butter, figs, and strawberries, Zen & Juice is the perfect breakfast spot.

For an afternoon pick-me-up that will impress the toughest of coffee lovers, Ellijay Coffeehouse is the place to be. With their warm staff, craft coffees, and browseworthy book and game shelves, it’s no wonder that this hangout spot is known as a “local living room.”

When dinner rolls around, visit The Roof of Ellijay for modern takes on classic Southern Cuisine. Perched atop a historic building in Beautiful Downtown Ellijay, The Roof makes expert use of local ingredients in their cooking.

Their Wild Oyster Mushroom Meatloaf features ingredients sourced directly from Ellijay Mushrooms, a family-owned sustainable mushroom farm.

If you prefer to cook up farmfresh meals at your vacation home, the Mountain Valley Farm Store is the perfect place to find Georgia-Grown provisions like grass-fed beef, local meats and cheeses, and much more.

AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

Gilmer County is known as Georgia’s Mountain Biking Capital and is home to

awesome mountain biking trails like Bear Creek Trail. Find a like-minded community with the top trail recommendations at Cartecay Bike Shop, known for their mountain bike classes, top-of-the-line biking attire, and exciting Saturday Social Rides.

Ellijay is just as fun on the water as it is on the land! With three rivers (The Ellijay, the Cartecay, and the Coosawattee) and Carters Lake (Georgia’s Deepest Lake), Ellijay is the perfect destination for kayaking, tubing, and boating! Bring your family for a whitewater adventure or relax on the Cartecay River.

WINE ALL DAY

Ellijay is a quickly rising wine destination. Since Cartecay Vineyards was founded in 2007, Ellijay has welcomed six vineyards to the area, with over four more area vineyards opening in the years to come.

Looking for a vineyard that lends itself to making picture-perfect memories? Chateau Meichtry’s tasting rooms and rentable villas are reminiscent of the French countryside, while Buckley Vineyard’s sleek tasting room has an ultra-modern feel. Ott Farms and Vineyards features firepits, sloping hills, and wines like “Worth the Wait” that will make you feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie.

Prefer cider to wine? Reece’s Cider Company, new in 2021, is the first to bring hard apple cider to Georgia’s Apple Capital. Their flagship creations are reminiscent of sweet, sparkling apple wine with the perfect golden hues. End your night out at Cartecay River Brewing, located right on the riverside, where you can find awesome local music on the regular.

ALL PHOTOS © OUTLIVE CREATIVE

From winery tours to small town adventures, refresh your spirit this spring by vacationing in this Georgia destination that’s as wild or relaxing as you want it to be.

Plan your trip today at gilmerchamber.com