5 Perfect Summer Day Trips in Ellijay

Just 90 minutes north of Atlanta, Ellijay is the kind of refreshing mountain escape that makes a perfect day trip between FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches. While Atlanta buzzes with international energy, Ellijay invites you to slow down, breathe in crisp mountain air, and soak up orchards, wineries, rivers, and small-town charm you won’t find anywhere else.

From tubing the Cartecay River to sipping cider in the sunshine, Ellijay offers summer-perfect adventures that balance the excitement of game days with the relaxation of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Here are five ways to spend a memorable summer day in Ellijay:

1. Agritourism & Wine Country

With more than 22 varieties of apples grown from June through November, Gilmer County is known as Georgia’s “Apple Capital.” In the summer, that legacy spills over into orchards filled with blossoms and early fruits, winery patios with sweeping mountain views, and farm markets overflowing with seasonal treats.

B.J. Reece Orchards is a family favorite, open year-round, where the scent of warm fritters and fried pies drifts out of the bakery. Apple cider donuts, homemade breads, and their world-famous fried pies make for the perfect grab-and-go snack before exploring the farm.

Right next door, Reece’s Cider Co. pours farm-fresh hard ciders that highlight the area’s bounty. Try a flight and compare flavors like the crisp Ellijay Apple, the spiced Apple Pie, or the peachy Georgia classic.

Ellijay’s farm scene goes beyond apples. At Ellijay Mushrooms, visitors can pick their own flowers and shop for sustainable shiitake and oyster mushrooms. Mountain Valley Farm and Store invites you to linger with goats, bunnies, and chickens before filling a basket with butchered meats, cheeses, butter, honey, and small-batch ice cream – perfect for a summer picnic in the vines.

And for those who’d rather raise a glass, Ellijay has become Georgia’s wine country. Cartecay Vineyards offers Instagram-worthy spots like its stone chimney patio, while Roo Mountain Vineyards combines comfortable luxury with rooftop garden views. Both pair crisp wines and ciders with scenery that begs you to sit and stay awhile.

Tip: Download the free Ellijay Sips Trail Mobile Pass to guide your tasting tour and earn rewards as you sip your way through town.

2. Outdoors & Activities

Ellijay is known as the Mountain Biking Capital of Georgia, but it’s just as famous for its hiking trails and waterways.

Tubing or kayaking the Cartecay River is a summer rite of passage. With a shuttle service that drops you upstream and collects you at the finish, outfitters like Cartecay River Experience make it easy to spend a lazy afternoon floating beneath leafy canopies and soaking up sunshine.

If hiking calls your name, the Bear Creek Trail is a local favorite, winding past cool streams and leading to the Gennett Poplar, Georgia’s second-largest tree. At Carters Lake, the Tumbling Waters Trail hugs the shoreline with mountain views and cascades along the way.

Prefer water to trails? Rent a boat at Carters Lake Marina for a breezy cruise or try guided fly fishing with Reel ’Em In Guide Services, where you might reel in bass or catfish from some of the region’s best-kept secret spots.

The beauty of Ellijay’s outdoors is its flexibility: you can spend a couple of hours or a full day, then be back in Atlanta in time for kickoff.

3. Events & Markets

While Ellijay’s autumn apple festivals are legendary, summer has its own rhythm. On Saturday mornings from May through September, the Ellijay Farmers & Artisans Market transforms a corner of downtown into a hub of fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and local flavor. It’s a relaxed way to start your day before strolling the square for lunch or heading back for an evening match.

If the spirit of festivals appeals to you, mark your calendar to return in October for the Georgia Apple Festival. Now in its fifth decade, this celebration draws hundreds of vendors with handmade goods, live music, festival food, and endless apple treats. Pair it with the mountain foliage and crisp autumn air, and you’ll see why so many visitors come back year after year.

4. Downtown Ellijay

Ellijay’s downtown square is as walkable as it is welcoming, with boutiques, antique shops, tasting rooms, and restaurants surrounding the courthouse lawn.

For a casual bite, Cantaberry Restaurant is a local staple, serving up creamy tomato basil soup, chicken and wild rice, and their famously comforting chicken salad. The Roof Ellijay offers a different experience: gourmet Southern fare paired with rooftop views over the square. Its signature bologna sliders are as memorable as the sunset from its terrace.

For something more unexpected, The Shack of Ellijay brings Asian fusion to the mountains. Their Birria Ramen – a hearty, flavorful twist on classic chicken noodle soup – warms and delights even in summer evenings.

Between meals, you can browse antiques on the Ellijay Antiques Trail or duck into Cartecay Wine & Craft for a tasting. At 29 North, sip local wines while admiring art in a gallery-style setting, blending culture and flavor in one stop.

5. Appalachian Gothic

For those who like their travels with a dash of mystery, Ellijay offers a quirky attraction you won’t find back home: EXPEDITION: Bigfoot! This museum dedicated to Sasquatch lore features the country’s largest permanent display of footprint casts, life-size exhibits, and even a “Sasquatch theater.” Whether you leave a skeptic or a believer, you’ll walk away with a story to tell.

If you prefer the artistic to the mythical, local galleries and performances at Gilmer Arts showcase the region’s creative side. It’s another layer of Appalachian culture waiting to be discovered.

Whether you’re sipping cider on a vineyard patio, floating down a cool mountain river, or browsing antiques in a charming town square, Ellijay offers a refreshing contrast to the energy of FIFA World Cup 2026™ match days in Atlanta. Just a short drive north, it’s the perfect summer side adventure – and perhaps the start of a tradition that will bring you back in autumn, when the apples and festivals take over the mountains.