Where to Stay in Blue Ridge, Georgia: The Blue Ridge Inn Review
Long live the lore of the Blue Ridge Mountains: folk music, whispering pine trees, friends gathered around roaring fireplaces, and views of tree-lined mountain tops set against bright blue skies.
Ever since moving to Auburn, I’d heard whispers of Blue Ridge, Georgia, a destination so many people love to visit. Fall tends to be the most popular season (as evidenced by fully booked cabins and hotels & locals will also tell you reservations are hard to come by that time of year). But George’s sports schedule is packed from September through November and again from mid-February through June, so our little getaways tend to land in January and July instead.
For a January escape, we wanted somewhere we could spend the morning exploring and then curl up in front of a fireplace with a good book in the afternoon. After some research, we decided The Blue Ridge Inn would be the perfect spot.
The Blue Ridge Inn sits in downtown Blue Ridge, just steps from the train depot (home to the famous scenic Blue Ridge Railway rides), along with restaurants and shopping. Originally built in 1890, the Inn has gone through several thoughtful modernizations over the years. Today, it’s run by innkeeper John Lavin, and we’d be remiss not to mention him by name.
“Do y’all have the day figured out?” John asked us after a delicious sit-down breakfast in the formal dining room alongside other guests. (Having breakfast served feels like a true luxury for toddler parents.)
George and I had loosely planned our day, but nothing was set in stone, and with so many nearby hikes, we didn’t quite know where to start.
“Let’s take a look at the map, and I’ll write down my recommendations,” John offered.
He led us over to a framed map of Blue Ridge and the surrounding areas, pointing out his favorite spots. We followed his itinerary to a tee, hiking the Cartecay River Loop Trail — a four-mile trail with beautiful river views — antiquing at Southern Flare, enjoying lunch in downtown Ellijay, sipping wine atop Roo Mountain Vineyard, and cruising back into Blue Ridge along scenic Boardtown Road. By the time we collapsed onto our ultra-comfortable bed for a well-deserved nap, we both felt like we’d had a true Blue Ridge experience.
We stayed in The Lodge Suite, which is both kid- and pet-friendly. The space includes a full kitchen, multiple sitting areas, two king beds, a screened-in porch, and (of course) a cozy electric fireplace. If we bring Addy back for her own Blue Ridge experience, I know she’d love it. There’s plenty of room to roam, breakfast can be delivered for an easy “dine-in” morning, and the location is perfect for families who love to explore but are still navigating life with little legs in tow.
One of the biggest benefits of staying somewhere locally owned and operated is that the people running it genuinely want you to experience their town the way they do. And that’s exactly what you get when you stay at a local bed-and-breakfast.
The Inn itself felt like a nostalgic nod to travel from a slower era … back when you swapped stories with fellow travelers and when folks put their phones down long enough to enjoy where they were. Mornings felt unhurried, where the weekend getaway lure was sitting still (especially for us toddler parents).
Add in charmingly decorated rooms, homemade breakfasts, Mountain Mama’s coffee in the mornings, and friendly staff, and you quickly understand why guests return again and again.
Learn more about The Blue Ridge Inn HERE.
