Location: Ellijay
Top Things to do in Ellijay
Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Ellijay, Georgia (GA)
Ellijay is a delightful place to be at different times of the year. Plan your trip for April and you can go on a picturesque apple blossom tour; in October, the annual apple festival takes place. Golf enthusiasts will find several golf courses within a few miles of Ellijay, the nearest of which is at the White Path Golf Club. If you want to experience the thrill of whitewater rafting, head for the Ocoee Whitewater Center, which is half an hour's drive from Ellijay. Even if you're not feeling active, you can sit and take in the wonderful scenery. For a change, you could go to a wine tasting or visit Ellijay's fascinating antique shops. If you really feel like a day in the city, Atlanta is only an hour's drive away.
Restaurants in Ellijay
1. Gilmer Chamber & Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Let the informative staff at the Gilmer Chamber and Welcome Center help you plan your next vacation to the North Georgia mountains. Whether you are planning a day trip or a week long vacation, we can help you to see and experience all The Ellijays has to offer.
Reviewed By Passenger618854
First and foremost, the Gilmer County Chamber provided a safe environment during COVID, limiting access inside their office and wearing masks. Thank you! They were very helpful and friendly, providing us with numerous maps for hiking, apple houses and wineries. With their help, we had a wonderful time exploring the Northern Georgia Mountains and the Appalachian Mountain area. Thank you for a wonderful visit.
2. Build an Ark Animal Rescue
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 335 reviews
Build an Ark, TripAdvisor's #1 Thing to Do in Ellijay, is an animal rescue and hospice with residents including sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, and pigs, as well as ducks, cats, and other amazing animals. All visitors enjoy an interactive experience feeding and loving on these dear animals. * Learn about each animal, its upkeep, and the unique stories that bring each one to the Ark. * Enjoy feeding and cuddling with each one. Bring the camera to capture special moments! * Your donations support the Ark animals, and fund special needs student field trips, nursing home visits, and interactive experiences at events around Georgia. We run on donations and with volunteers. $7 each person (2yrs & under free) Animal food included. (Cash, check, venmo, paypal, cashapp) **WE MAY BE CLOSED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER.** (Please call ahead)
Reviewed By ryanmichelledr
We were staying at a nearby cabin when the kids noticed this rescue when we drove by and begged us to take them. Honestly, we weren’t expecting much but then we read the positive reviews which piqued our curiosity. Every positive review is absolutely accurate!! We had a gloriously wonderful time and the kids (ages 13&11 and animal lovers)didn’t want to leave. The owner, Ms Susanne, is such a lovely, kind person and everyone that works there is just as nice. Wish we could come visit and volunteer here everyday!! If we are ever back to this area, we will definitely come back and visit this sanctuary!!
3. Reece Apple House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Reece Orchards is a u-pick apple orchard and farm market offering family friendly fun, petting farms and seasonal festivities.
Reviewed By GlendaF50 - Washington DC, United States
The Apple House is a marvelous place to stock up on delicious apples and I only wish they were closer to where we live. We have always been happy with the products we found here
4. Mountain Valley Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By Jwl100 - Ellijay, United States
Some animals to pet and also a terrific store where they had local grass fed beef, pork and jams, lotions, etc
5. Ellijay River Outfitters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
We offer kayak and tube rentals. We have two different trips,to satisfy your urge to spend time on the river. We allow coolers, so bring your beverages (in cans or plastic bottles) and drink away! We have lots of picnic tables in the shade for your very own picnic, or we can arrange for lunch for you. We have lots of space on the river for your event, whether it be a birthday, graduation, concert, family reunion, or anything you can think of! Come visit us!
6. Panorama Orchards & Farm Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By dpepperz
Nice day trip, large apple barn with free samples of several apple varieties, apple butter, jams, jellies, salsas and cider. You can browse hundreds of items produced on site and even watch them being made. In addition to apples they sell breads, pies, ice cream, popcorn, jams, jellies, salsa, fresh fruit and recipe books to make it all. The view of the surrounding mountains in beautiful fall colors is spectacular. They have a dining area where you can enjoy your purchase and on the day we were there they had a local group playing music and singing for the guests. When you hear the whistle blowing Be Sure and look up around the inside perimeter of the building for a miniture TRAIN that regularly makes it's rounds to the delight of young and old.
7. R & A Orchards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
A family-owned, 150-acre apple orchard in North Georgia, R and A Orchards features a farm market filled with locally grown and sourced fruits, including 38 varieties of apples, 30 varieties of peaches and eight varieties of nectarines, as well as fresh vegetables, honey, jams, jellies and more throughout the year. Since 1947, this farm market, bakery and cafe has served up 18 different varieties of homemade fried pies, chicken and dumplings, sandwiches, fudge and more. In the spring, we have fresh-picked strawberries followed by fresh-picked peaches in the summer. During the fall, we offer U-pick for seven varieties of apples on the weekends during September and October.
Reviewed By Weareallhere - Shelbyville, United States
Stopped in on the way to the Falls . We bought one of the breads then and later for breakfast the next morning. R&A orchards has some delicious fresh fruit. Depending what’s in Season will be what they have. Peaches are in and they were fabulous. R&A also offer home made pies, donuts, and a-lot more for the connoisseur of fresh fruits and vegetables. On the way back from hiking and enjoying the beauty of the mountains, we got some of the homemade peach ice cream! Wow! So fabulous, yummmmmyyy!!!
8. Vets Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By SageSheepAdventurers - Ellijay, United States
Lighted paved walking path with people walking at all times of the day. Good bathrooms (although with no soap ☹️) One round-trip on the trail - including going two laps of the circle end and then across the parking lot and up the driveway is 2 miles.
9. Red Apple Barn
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 49 reviews
Enjoy a visit with your family to the Red Apple Barn near Ellijay in the North Georgia mountains. Pick apples, pumpkins, flowers, play games or have a picnic. In our farm store, try our apple pies, fritters, bread, caramel and candied apples, jams, jellies and cider. The farm has been in the family since 1927. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 9am-6pm and Sunday 12-4pm. Call for U-Pick times.
Reviewed By cassiemstover - Ellijay, United States
I live nearby, this is a perfect place to grab apples on the way home & apple bread for breakfast on the way to work! The kids really enjoy visiting in the fall, they have a cute little picture set up! The flowers are always beautiful in bloom!
10. Hillcrest Orchards
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 143 reviews
U-Pick apple orchard featuring festivals on fall weekends with agritourism activities including pig races, cow milking, wagon rides, petting farm, apple museum, moonshine museum, farmhouse museum, fairy tale walk, kiddie corn maze, jumping pillow, mini golf, cow train rides, pedal cart rides, trike track and Bluegrass Bands and Cloggers on the stage. Weekdays the large farm market is open as well as the petting farm and playgrounds. School tours available.SEASONAL!!! OPEN SEPT-NOV
Reviewed By Carrieh82
A petting zoo, playground with huge slides, tractor ride and an apple orchard. What's not to love? $8 per person on a weekday because some of the attractions aren't open. My two year old had a blast anyway! I think the tractor ride alone was worth the cost.
