Atlanta Off The Beaten Path Tips by dustmon Top 5 Page for this destination

Rustic mountain rental with hot-tub North Georgia Mountains & Waterfalls Review

Using Blue Sky Cabin Rentals (blueskycabinrentals.com) we snagged a last minute getaway to Ellijay and "The Cabin on the Pond", a one bedroom with 2 twin beds in the loft and a queen in the master, one bath, with electric/gas fireplace and huge hot tub on the porch overlooking the pond. Way back in the hills away from all traffic noise, situated in The Villas of Coosawattie
subdivision right outside of East Ellijay. Definitely recommended for a one/two night stay from the Atlanta area, it took us just over an hour to get to the office to pick up the gate pass. Cost was $220 for one night including taxes, fees and $60 cleaning fee.
It was clean and had all the kitchen stuff we needed for dinner and breakfast.
Could not get the dvd player to work so we just got back in the hot tub.

Phone: 706-636-2226

Website: http://blueskycabinrentals.com

Red Apple Barn---apples, ciders, pumpkins North Georgia Mountains & Waterfalls Review

A fall destination for apples, ciders, sweet potatos, and other veggies along with pie pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns...sometimes boiled peanuts and fried pig skins as well....
When visiting Ellijay or Jasper visit this place-----

Phone: 7066355898

Website: http://redapplebarn.com

TLC Cabin Rentals North Georgia Mountains & Waterfalls Review

North Georgia Mountain cabins for rent from 4-13 people---
some pet friendly, some with jacuzzis, most with nice porches with mountain views, check out the website for specials---fall colors are late september to late october----you can also enjoy the apple festival early October in Ellijay and along Hiway 52
TLC cabins makes a great place for a home base for Ellijay, Lake Blue Ridge, Morganton (Blue Ridge Dam) and more North Georgia sites.

Other Contact: 706/827/4922

Phone: 706/636/1979

Website: http://www.tlccabins.com

Cecil B Day Butterfly Center Callaway Gardens Review

If you are needing a nice day trip from Atlanta and go to Callaway Gardens, make sure and save some time for the Butterfly Center---over 1000 butterflies from more than 50 species flutter around landing on you and all the flowers around in a weather-safe environment in the glass-enclosed conservatory. Take your camera and have a blast with all the color! The Gardens fees are adults $18, Seniors $15 and children $9, which gets you into all aspects of Callaway including the butterflies. 9 AM until either 5 or 6PM.

Phone: 1-800-Callaway

Website: http://www.callawaygardens.com

Poole's BBQ for pig lovers! North Georgia Mountains & Waterfalls Review

Poole's BBQ is in East Ellijay in North Georgia up I-575 from Atlanta, and one of the better BBQ places up there. The pork sandwich comes in 2 sizes and the sauce is delicious and thick! They also have brisket (MMMMM!), beef and chicken, and ribs. The sides (BBQ beans, slaw, pot. salad, fries, rings, corn, and more) are good as well--there is inside and outside seating, and on the hill in the back is a pig-lovers dream. For dessert you can get an apple or a peach pie fresh made. You can pay $10 and have a pig sign put up with the rest with your name or a tribute for someone else. It is a hoot to visit here---Colonel Poole is sometimes there, but usually just the rest of the family. You should definitely stop here on your way up to Lake Blue Ridge area....

Phone: 706-635-4100

Website: http://www.poolesbarbq.com

Blue Hole, North Georgia North Georgia Mountains & Waterfalls Review

There is a place near Brasstown Bald Mountain that I have been going to since I was a teenager that has a set of 3 magnificent waterfalls and a few neat places to camp nearby called Trey Mountain, also called Blue Hole after one of the falls. Blue Hole is the top falls in the series and has a really cool small cave behind the falls with a rock seat, so you can look through the falls from behind! The small pool is about 6 feet deep and very cold, but also very refreshing in the heat of the summer. The second fall is large with a huge tree fallen into it, which you can sort of clamber up a ways, and I have seen folk jump from the top into the big pool below. The bottom fall is more photogenic, with less pitch, and easy to climb up to places to sit in the spray.
The way in is close to the entrance to Brasstown Bald Mountain. The entrance to BB is on the left coming from the Helen area, and the gravel road to the right (a little before BB entrance) goes up Trey Mountain until you get to the car parking area at the top. Then you walk back down for a bit, switching back and forth til you reach the bottom glade, which is really beautiful in Spring and Summer. You pass the camping areas and start going down a bit more until you see the left side trails going down to each fall.
There is a small creek that you have to cross in your car, but I have never had a problem crossing in any of my cars over the years---just don't try it in a sports car low to the ground!

Pasaquan---St EOM Memorial

Pasaquan is a property that was developed into a piece of art, kind of similar to Howard Finster's Gardens, if you have been there. St EOM, or Eddie Owens Martin, created this world-famous art environment painting the buildings and adding artistic flair to this Southeastern Georgia area near Buena Vista (pronounced Byoo-na-vista) :>
It is only open the first saturday of each month so make your plans accordingly. A very cool place to see if you are in the Callaway Gardens neighborhood or just for a day trip from Atlanta.

Website: http://www.pasaquan.com

Sweetwater Creek State Park

This place has ruins from the Cival War era---a mill on a large Creek which has trails and interactive areas all along the banks of Sweetwater Creek. The Mill ruins are especially cool for photo buffs...bring your favorite model! Or bring the family----the trails are not hard and you can decide how far you want to go easily.....Fishing is also allowed with the proper liscences.
Basically I-20 West about 10 miles outside I-285. Exit Thornton Road turn left, cross the X-way and turn right at the sign.

Phone: 770-732-5871

Website: http://www.gastateparks.org/sweetwater