Our Local Fall Playbook - Blue Ridge Edition
Blue Ridge during peak foliage is our favorite place to host visiting friends, but we give everyone the same advice: plan early! Between the river train runs, downtown taprooms, roadside farm stands, and lakefront live music, Fannin County is where our family spends the best autumn weekends.
Riding the Rails & Track Pedal Adventures (Book Right Away!) Seeing the foliage blaze along the Toccoa River from the open-air cars of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (departing from the historic depot on East Main Street) is an absolute must. Their Fall Foliage Excursions begin September 19 and run through early November. Take our advice: book right now. Leaf peepers travel from all over the country and these train runs sell out weeks ahead! If you'd rather pedal, book an outing on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Rail Bikes out of the Blue Ridge depot. These custom four-person electric pedal bikes cruise down historic tracks right beneath the mountain forest canopy, and time slots are strictly limited.
Tour Stunning Mountain Architecture: Blue Ridge Parade of Homes If you love mountain architecture, interior design, or dream of building your own cabin retreat, the annual Blue Ridge Parade of Homes is a must-attend fall event! Held across three days—October 2, 3, and 4 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily—the tour gives you exclusive, self-guided access inside some of the most breathtaking custom luxury lodges and modern rustic homes throughout the Blue Ridge mountains. It’s an incredible way to take in peak fall views while getting endless home decor inspiration. Make sure to buy your tickets online in advance directly through the Blue Ridge Parade of Homes Ticket Portal so you're ready to tour when you arrive.
Goat Hikes, Orchard Days & A Giant Pumpkin Trip One of our family’s all-time favorite memories from this past year was taking our kids and out-of-town guests on a guided goat hike at Storybrook Acres. It is fantastic for all ages—the trail pace is easy, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the land, the rescue animals, and the mountains. Walking through the woods while friendly goats trot right alongside you is something your group will talk about for years!
For harvest treats, we always stop by Mercier Orchards on Old Highway 5 for fried apple pies, catch-and-release pond fishing, and weekend tractor wagon tours through the fruit trees. If you want farm-fresh produce and native mountain flowers away from the heavy crowds, make the drive over to Cate's Farm on Highway 60 in Morganton.
If you want one of the coolest autumn day trips in the state, take a scenic drive just south to Burt's Pumpkin Farm on Highway 52 in Dawsonville (open daily 9:00 AM–6:00 PM). It’s an unbelievable spectacle with a literal sea of pumpkins ranging from tiny tabletop gourds to 150-pound monsters. Grab a slice of fresh-baked pumpkin roll and ride the tractor hayride directly through "Autumn & Gordy's Harvest House"—the world’s largest drive-through pumpkin!
Blues, Barbecue, and Pipers in the Vines Downtown Blue Ridge hosts one of our favorite weekend parties: the 15th Annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival. Kick off the festivities at the Business After Hours Blues & BBQ Kick Off on Thursday, September 17 from 5:00 PM–6:30 PM[cite: 4], followed by the BBQ cookout at Old Toccoa Farm on Friday, September 18. On Saturday, September 19, head to Blue Ridge City Park from 11:30 AM–9:00 PM, where 15 regional pitmasters serve up smoky barbecue while regional blues bands play on stage.
For wine tasting, visit Kerith House on Old Highway 76 in Morganton. In a tribute to Scottish Highlands heritage, a bagpiper plays live among the vines every Friday and Saturday evening at 6:00 PM (September 11, 12, 18, and 25). You can also join Morning Pilates in the vineyard on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM (September 9, 16, and 23) or attend their Sip & Step Ballroom Dance Class on Thursday, September 10 at 4:00 PM. If you want breezy porch sips, drive out to Serenberry Vineyards on West Tipton Trail in Morganton, or walk into Cartecay Wine & Craft - Blue Ridge on East Main Street.
Lake-Side Sips & Downtown Brewery Nights If you want to skip the drive into downtown Blue Ridge and soak up a fantastic local vibe on the Morganton side of Lake Blue Ridge, head over to Mountain Provisions on Morganton Highway. They offer a great selection of curated wines and cold beers with roll-up garage doors that bring the outside in. Even better, it has become a new live music gem where local talent plays every Friday and Saturday night!
When you're ready to explore the downtown taprooms, Blue Ridge has an awesome weekly schedule:
Grumpy Old Men Brewing (East Main Street): Our go-to dog-friendly deck with outdoor fire pits. Wednesday Trivia (3:00 PM–5:00 PM), Karaoke Thursdays (4:00 PM–7:00 PM), Live Music on Fridays (4:00 PM–8:00 PM) and Saturdays (4:00 PM–7:00 PM), and Sunday Music Bingo (3:00 PM–5:00 PM).
Angry Hops Brewing (East Main Street): Excellent traditional ales and IPAs. Features Monday Trivia at 6:30 PM, Karaoke Wednesdays, and live acoustic music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tipping Point Brewing Co. (West Main Street): Relaxed second-story taproom overlooking the downtown district. Drop in for Tuesday Singo, Thursday Trivia, and live weekend acoustic sets.
Copperhill Brewery (Ocoee Street in McCaysville): Located just minutes away along the river border, featuring Monday Game & Trivia Night, Wednesday Karaoke, and live music every Friday and Saturday.
Need a Place to Stay? Whenever our visiting family and out-of-town friends need a mountain cabin, we send them straight to PMI North GA Mountains and Escape to Blue Ridge. Both have outstanding reputations with our guests and offer everything from riverfront chalets to mountaintop cabins with hot tubs and breathtaking foliage views.
