A Darling Day Trip to Ellijay, GA

A mountain town as charming as it is welcoming.

Dear Darling,

Nicknamed the Apple Capitol of Georgia, Ellijay is filled to the brim with natural scenery and is what you probably picture in your mind when you hear "fall." From Rome, Georgia, Ellijay is an hour and twenty minutes drive. In my opinion, the drive is as beautiful as the destination. Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, Ellijay has a host of trails, orchards, and rivers to explore. It feels like stepping back in time, to a slower, more peaceful place. 

Brunch 

Once arriving in Ellijay, in order to start your day off, head to historic downtown Ellijay to check out Cornerstone Cafe. However, they are only open Friday-Monday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. This cafe is locally owned and operated and is well-known for their southern charm. Another option downtown is Ellijay Coffeehouse, which reportedly is very popular for their lattes! This place is a self-proclaimed "living room" that encourages people to eat, drink, and socialize while there. If you are looking to connect with locals and get their advice for what to see and do, this is a great place to start your day! 

What to do 

If you have always wanted to cross apple picking on a cool fall day off your bucket list, look no further than Hillcrest Orchards. After all, how could you go to the Apple Capitol of Georgia and not pick apples? While this orchard is known for its beautiful isles of apples, it also hosts pig races. You show up, pick your pig from the lineup, then cheer it on as it races the others! It is also home of the south's first apple tree maze. If that doesn't interest you, right down the road there is B.J. Reece Orchards, another farm to pick a basket of apples. However, they invite their guests to use their apple cannon to shoot cotton apples at high speeds. On weekends, they also have zip lines and pony rides if you are traveling with someone on the younger side. 

Next 

After exploring an orchard, you can drive down roads tinted with fall colors, taking in all the changing leaves. Your end destination can be none other than one of the many wineries that Ellijay has to offer. The list is expansive, with each location offering unique tastings. Some of the most popular spots include Reece's Cider Company, North Georgia Wine Trips, and Serenberry Vineyards. For some adult relaxation, participate in a tasting while overlooking the vineyards that are surrounding by the mountains. You can also buy bottles by the dozen to bring a taste of Ellijay back home with you. 

Dinner 

Though your belly may be full of apple wine or cider by dinner time, Ellijay has some quaint options for food downtown. Downtown Ellijay is charming and provides visitors with many restaurants, taverns with live music, souvenir shopping, and high end shopping all within walking distance. There are more than thirty shops offering antiques, homemade soaps, home goods, coffee, and handmade art. I recommend taking the rest of your day pop in and out of these. For dinner, you can go to River Street Tavern, which was recently voted the top craft beer bar in the state of Georgia. When done for the day, you can either stay in one of their many rental log cabins and get the full mountain experience, or you can head back to Rome. Although, I would recommend driving through Blue Ridge for some gorgeous views - and some more dinner options! 

Overall

With a town as cute as Ellijay, it is a perfect spot to spend a Saturday or Sunday away from the busyness of school and work. If you are going to go, try to go during the fall, when the leaves are at their peak. After all, isn't that the perfect time to go apple picking? 

Sincerely, 

Abby Grace Shrader