Your Guide To The Perfect Fall Vacation in North Georgia

When the North Georgia fall foliage changes to red, gold, and orange, setting the mountainsides ablaze, you know it’s time to escape to North Georgia for your fall getaway. With everything from leaf peeping and apple picking to corn mazes and fall festivals, there is no end to the fantastic things to do in North Georgia during the fall!

The Brilliant fall foliage creates the perfect backdrop for a variety of North Georgia fall activities. Here are just a few of the many ways you can enjoy this beautiful season!

Autumn in North Georgia

The fall weather in North Georgia arrives with a refreshing crisp air that might make you want to grab a sweatshirt before you head out the door. Daytime high temperatures average around 70 degrees, with lows around 47 degrees. North Georgia is one of the few locations in the southern United States that experience true four-season weather.

The best time to view fall leaves in North Georgia depends on the elevation. October 10-20 is peak color for elevations ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 feet, while October 18-26 is peak color for elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. October 24-31 is peak color for elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, and October 26-November 8 is peak color for elevations less than 2,000 feet. 

Kids carrying pumpkins in North Georgia pumpkin patch
Photo from Shutterstock

Things To Do

Leaf Peeping

In fall, North Georgia’s vibrant foliage transforms into a breathtaking canvas of beautiful colors. Fiery reds, rich oranges, and golden yellows are everywhere you look. There are tons of different ways to enjoy the beautiful trees while staying in our North Georgia cabins! 

One of the best ways to leaf peep is by driving the route known as Dragon Eyes, a 77-mile scenic route that winds through the North Georgia mountains in roughly the shape of a dragon head, featuring two loops, 715 curves, six gaps, and endless scenic views. If you prefer a more interactive viewing method, consider hiking on one of North Georgia’s many beautiful hiking trails. The Bear Hair Gap Trail at Vogel State Park in Blairsville offers a four-mile hike overlooking Lake Trahlyta and the golden foliage surrounding it.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers some of the best views in the region. Running from the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge, the route winds along the scenic Toccoa River as you travel back in the past in a vintage rail car and admire Mother Nature’s canvas painted with a beautiful palette of fall colors. Color tours run from September 21-November 6, and it’s recommended that you book at least three weeks in advance to reserve your spot!

Apple Picking in Local Orchards

Fall is the perfect time for picking apples in North Georgia. The small town of Ellijay is known as the Apple Capital of the world, making it the ideal place to indulge in another essential fall activity—apple picking. Home to a wide variety of apples, your options range from crisp and refreshing to sweet and juicy. Many different apple orchards in North Georgia offer the option of picking your apples, and if you don’t feel like picking them yourself, many orchards also sell freshly picked apples. And even better, you’ll only be moments away from the best apple picking around when you book your stay in one of our Ellijay cabin rentals!

Family picking apple in North Georgia
Photo from Shutterstock

Corn Mazes & Pumpkin Patches

At 300 acres, Mercier Farms is one of the largest farms you’ll encounter and was established in 1943. Besides apples, Mercier Farms also grows strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries, and in October, you can choose from a huge selection of pumpkins for decoration, carving, and pie pumpkins. You can purchase delicious baked goods, enjoy breakfast at the cafe, and even sample hard cider that’s been pressed right on the farm. Wrap up your visit with a tractor tour to further explore the farm and learn more about what they do!  

B.J. Reece Orchard offers every fall activity you can imagine—and some that you can’t! Enjoy the pumpkin patch, hay rides, a North Georgia corn maze, train rides, farm tours, and pony rides for the kids. Fill your belly with homemade apple cider donuts, apple bread, and a variety of pies. Altogether, B.J. Reece Orchard has 120 acres of apples, 30 acres of peaches, and 30 acres of a wide variety of vegetables. 

Horseback Riding 

One of the best ways to view fall color is from horseback. Several different outfitters in the area offer fall horseback riding North Georgia tours, here are a few you should check out for your North Georgia adventure.

Appalachian Trail Rides offers guided horseback riding tours through over 250 acres of the Blue Ridge. Their rides are curated to your experience level, so you can trust that your experience will be perfect and memorable even if you’re a first-time rider!

If you’re looking for an adventure, check out North Georgia Equestrian Tours at Cohutta Stables. Enjoy a personalized, private trail ride along the beautiful ridgelines of the 95,000-acre Cohutta Wildlife Management Areas. Plan on three to four hours of riding (about 13 miles altogether) with a break for lunch at a rustic campground. This ride is recommended for those with some previous riding experience. 

Plan Your Visit

Ready to start planning your fall vacation to stunning North Georgia? There’s no better way to experience the region than with a stay in a North Georgia cabin rental just as relaxing and beautiful as the area. With over 70+ cabins for you to choose from, finding the perfect place for your getaway is made easy with Morning Breeze Cabin Rentals! View our entire rental catalog and book your stay today!

Annual Fall Festivals

Georgia Apple Festival

There’s no better way to celebrate the arrival of autumn than with a stop at one of the amazing fall festivals in North Georgia. The Georgia Apple Festival runs the second (the 14th and 15th) and third weekend (the 22nd and 23rd) of October and celebrates the agricultural heritage of Ellijay, Georgia. Peruse handmade and hand-crafted offerings from hundreds of vendors (many with an apple theme!), watch on-site demonstrations, enjoy live music, and savor delicious fair food. 

Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival

Located in downtown Blue Ridge, the aptly-named Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ festival welcomes the fall setting with two Georgia classics: blues and BBQ. The event runs from Thursday-Saturday during the second week of September. Enjoy delicious BBQ from a wide variety of local and regional vendors while you listen to well-known blues artists. Admission is $10, and proceeds go to several local nonprofits. 

Fall Arts In The Park

Recognized as one of the Top 5 Art Towns in Georgia by the Georgia Council of the Arts, the Fall Arts in the Park festival celebrates Blue Ridge’s status as a top art destination. The festival will take place on October 14th and 15th. This festival is perfect for the entire family. With more than 170 artists, exhibitors, and vendors’ booths, there will be art for everyone to enjoy.

Blue Ridge Mountains in the fall
Photo from Shutterstock

Book Your North Georgia Vacation Rental With Morning Breeze Cabin Rentals

When you are ready to plan your North Georgia Mountains vacation, there’s no better place to stay than with Morning Breeze Cabin Rentals. Our North Georgia cabin rentals put your right in the heart of nature and close to all your favorite fall activities without having to sacrifice the privacy you need during your stay! 

Choose from amenities that include mountain views, water views, fishing cabins, hot tubs, and even pet-friendly cabins if you want to include the family’s furry members in your trip. No matter what kind of vacation you have planned, we have the perfect place for you to call home while you’re here! Find your home away from home and start planning your trip today!