Guide to Clayton
Originally inhabited by Cherokee tribes, the town of Clayton was incorporated in 1821 by European settlers. The mountain community is known for its thriving downtown, unique lodging, outdoor recreation, and restaurants, earning it the title of Farm to Table Capital of Georgia. The nearby wineries make for a popular day trip, each offering stunning views.
Things to do
From offbeat to beautiful, the attractions in and around Clayton are sure to keep you entertained.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Spend the day or longer exploring Tallulah Gorge State Park, named for its 1,000-foot-deep gorge. Walk across the 80-foot-high suspension bridge, hike to one of the many waterfalls, go geocaching, or camp at one of the sites.
Tallulah Adventures
Located next to Tallulah Gorge State Park and its five waterfalls, Tallulah Adventures welcomes visitors to gather for food and drink, adventure, art, music, and cultural events. Drop in for a bite to eat and a beer at The Edge Cafe & Bar, test your skills on the climbing wall, listen to live music, relax in the fun-filled backyard, and maybe even take a yoga class or learn about bouldering.
Black Rock Mountain State Park
Nearby, Black Rock Mountain State Park is the highest state park in the state, showcasing 80-mile vistas, four hiking trails, and campsites where visitors can spend the night.
Dillard House Stables
Go for horseback rides with Dillard House Stables, which operates scenic trail rides along the river of varying lengths for all ages.
Andy's Trout Farm
Located on more than 300 acres, the 50-year-old Andy's Trout Farm is the perfect place to spend the day fishing and exploring. The farm has everything you need, including rentals and bait, as well as overnight accommodations, including cabins and campsites.
Fly Fishing
Join local guides to fish the rivers of North Georgia near Clayton. Blackhawk Fly Fishing provides private fly fishing along the spring creek-fed waters of the Soque River. Shady Creek Expeditions offers guided trips on over 15 fly fishing streams, including the Chattooga River.
Moonrise Distillery
Clayton is in the mountains where the original moonshiners operated, but Moonrise Distillery is the area's legal distillery. Owner Doug Nassaur welcomes visitors for guided tours of the facility, which was established in 2012. He crafts whiskey, bourbon, vodka, gin, and fruit brandies with locally sourced ingredients.
Stonewall Creek Vineyards
Visit the small artisan Stonewall Creek Vineyards, known for its exceptional grapes and fine dry wines. Their wines, including the Petit Manseng and the Cabernet Franc, have won awards. Stop by their tasting room for samples.
Tiger Mountain Vineyards
Located on a hillside in the Northeast Georgia Mountains, Tiger Mountain Vineyards feature individually tended vines and hand-picked grapes. Their red wines are barrel-aged for 12 to 24 months, which visitors can sample in their tasting room.
12 Spies Vineyards
The views from the tasting room at 12 Spies Vineyards are unrivaled with sprawling gardens on nine acres. Visitors can sample their range of sweet, semi-dry, and dry wines on their covered deck.
Filming locations
The 1972 movie "Deliverance," about an ill-fated canoe trip through the rugged wilderness of northeast Georgia, was filmed on the untamed Chattooga River, well-known for its role as the fictional Cahulawassee River. Local rafting outfitter Southeastern Expeditions started with equipment purchased from Warner Brothers after the filming of the movie. Other local rafting outfitters include Wildwater Chattooga Adventure Center and Nantahala Outdoor Center Chattooga Outpost. Tallulah Gorge State Park also appears in the movie.
Other popular movies filmed in the area include "Trouble with the Curve" (2012), starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, and Justin Timberlake; and "Hillbilly Elegy" (2020), starring Amy Adams and Glenn Close.
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Places to stay
Spend the night at one of Clayton and Rabun County’s cozy accommodations.
Beechwood Inn Bed & Breakfast
Named one of Southern Living’s Best Inns and winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Beechwood Inn Bed & Breakfast is a welcome country retreat. The five-acre property has luxury suites with mountain views. Celebrities like John Travolta and Judd Apatow have stayed here.
White Birch Inn
Set in a 100-year-old brick building in downtown Clayton, White Birch Inn is charming and elegant with six uniquely decorated rooms and suites. All have ensuite bathrooms, and suites have fireplaces. One even has a copper soaking tub. Guests have access to the gym, sundeck, breakfast room and bar.
Kingwood Resort & Country Club
The Kingwood Resort & Country Club offers countless recreation opportunities, including an 18-hole championship golf course, full-service spa, indoor and outdoor swimming, tennis, and a waterfall hiking trail. Chow down at one of their many restaurants or venture out to the nearby wineries.
River Falls at the Gorge
Open year-round, River Falls at the Gorge has RV and tent campsites along the Tallulah River. In addition, they have “glamping” accommodations, including RV rentals, rustic cabins, tiny cabins, and treehouses.
The Dillard House
Known for its family-style dining, The Dillard House also offers a variety of accommodations, including cottages, cabins, and Rock House rooms. Don’t miss their restaurant and amenities like a conference center, swimming pool, tennis, and horseback riding. Some rooms are pet-friendly.
Lake Rabun Hotel
Honored by countless publications, Lake Rabun Hotel was built in 1922 on the shores of the namesake lake. Rooms feature original woodwork, scenic decks, fine art and antiques, and free WiFi. The hotel also has a full bar and restaurant with complimentary gourmet breakfast.
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Places to eat
You won't be disappointed by Clayton's culinary scene.
Clayton Cafe
Clayton Cafe has operated in Historic Clayton for more than 60 years, serving Southern home cooking. Enjoy their meatloaf, a menu favorite, and sandwiches with sides like black-eyed peas and sweet potato casserole.
Fortify Pi
Chow down on pizzas at Fortify Pi, a large brick space with beaker light fixtures and large windows. The wood-fired pies are best enjoyed with the craft beers and local wines they have on the menu.
The Hush Cuban Kitchen & Bar
Stop into the Hush Cuban Kitchen & Bar for made-from-scratch Cuban and Latin cuisine, such as Cuban sandwiches, lechon asado, and guava and cheese pastelitos. Relax with a Cuban mojito at happy hour, and be sure to enjoy Sunday brunch with specials like tres leches French toast, and dulce de leche and banana parfait.
Universal Joint
The auto-themed Universal Joint features a delicious menu with fresh salads, Angus beef burgers, sandwiches, and quesadillas, as well as craft beer. Their patio is the perfect place to hang out.
Rabun Social
Rabun Social is a dynamic kitchen, cocktail, and sushi bar in downtown Clayton. Delight in rich Asian flavors with dishes like ramen, Pad Thai, chicken lettuce wraps, and Mongolian beef short ribs. The sushi is crafted following authentic Japanese traditions, offering some of the finest tastes available. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails made with in-house syrups and fresh-squeezed fruits.
The Vandiver
Every dish tells a story at The Vandiver, an American tavern-style eatery located in the Bridge Creek Inn, a new 45-room boutique hotel in Clayton. Enjoy American classics with contemporary twists featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Stekoa Creek
Stekoa Creek is a mountain-inspired eatery focused on chef-driven steaks, seafood, pastas, cocktails, and wines. Make reservations for dinner and Sunday brunch. Relax in the rustic lounge, complete with a glowing fireplace and cozy atmosphere - perfect for a pre-dinner drink, post-meal wind down, or just soaking in the ambiance. Check the restaurant's Facebook page for special events.
Mama G's
Find a taste of Italy at Mama G's, a full-service restaurant offering steaks, seafood, pasta, and pizza, all made from scratch using the best ingredients. They also have gluten-free pizzas upon request and can accommodate other food allergies.
White Birch Provisions
This gourmet shop in historic Clayton is a full-service espresso bar and bakery featuring specialty coffee drinks or tea varieties and freshly baked goods daily. Shop for wines, cigars, and accessories, cheeses, charcuterie, and other tasty treats sourced from as many regional vendors as possible.
Julep Farms Kitchen
Featuring New American cuisine with a Southern twist, Julep Kitchen at Julep Farms focuses on seasonal cooking with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Situated on 22 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this restaurant on a farm resort is an exceptional farm-to-table dining experience.
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Events
There's always something going on in Clayton and Rabun County.
Sassafras Artisan Market
The annual Sassafras Artisan Market is held every April and features juried artists and artisan booths. The family-friendly event features artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, and food vendors.
Ramshackle Street Festival
Held on the first Saturday of June, Ramshackle is a street festival with live music, food, activities, and street vendors. Browse unique crafts, artwork, and locally made products from talented artisans and small businesses. Savor food from local eateries and food trucks, along with wine and craft beer. Enjoy family-friendly entertainment, including games and activities for all ages. Experience outstanding performances throughout the day.
Foxfire Mountaineer Festival
Run by the Foxfire Museum, Foxfire Mountaineer Festival is held in October. The fall event features live bluegrass music, barbecue, and other food vendors, contests, crafts, a raffle, and an auction.
Harvest Stomp
Harvest Stomp at Stonewall Creek Vineyards gives you the chance to do your best "I Love Lucy" impersonation, stomping grapes in a barrel to earn a souvenir shirt. Try their wines and enjoy live music.
Holiday events
Celebrate the holiday season with the Festival of Trees & Holiday Shopping Extravaganza. It’s both a holiday craft market and a silent auction of decorated trees that benefits a local charity. Christmas in Downtown is another event that includes a parade, a tree lighting, shopping specials, and activities.
