Exploring Ellijay: Top Things to Do in Ellijay GA
- September 12, 2024
- Adventures, Cabin Trips
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ellijay, Georgia, is a quintessential small town with big experiences. Known for its... Read More
There’s an old saying in IT when something doesn’t work, “Have you tried turning it off, and then back on again?” However, commonplace as this phrase may be, it often rings true. Often, simply disconnecting to reconnect is the answer. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in todays hyper connected world. I’ve always found the best medicine is to get away from it all. Finding an escape from the hustle and bustle in a picturesque setting may be just the thing your soul needs.
My friend Ron and I intended to do just that the best way we know how. We loaded up the car and headed to the North Georgia mountains for a few days. Boujee Lodge is the destination, and boy is it an amazing destination. A scenic 2-hour drive from metro Atlanta lies one of Blue Ridge Georgia’s premiere cabins. The ride feels much shorter as most of it is very scenic. We made a pit stop in Ball Ground, GA at a local coffee shop, Barrel House Coffee. They specialize in barrel-aging coffee beans and roast all their coffee in-house. Highly recommend stopping there as well as Frankfurt Döner & Meats for a quick lunch and some sausages to grill later.
After passing through Jasper and Ellijay we stop at the Ingles in Blue Ridge to grab some food for the weekend. The Blue Ridge Ingles is the best grocery store in the area with a large selection of produce, meat, and an excellent craft beer selection (Ingles is often the best option in North GA).
We pull up to Boujee Lodge just in time to unpack and catch the sunset. The motto of Boujee Lodge, “Luxurious in Lifestyle, Humble in Character” rings true the moment you pull up. What looks to be a humble yet sleek and modern cabin from the front quickly opens up to a luxurious expansive space upon walking through the front door. We were absolutely amazed at the space and its chic interior.
Alex and Rob absolutely spared no detail when designing the space. It is clear hospitality is key as you are welcomed to a s’mores making gift basket and a movie night gift basket. The ceiling to floor windows that surround the house let in some amazing natural light while allowing you a spectacular view of the surrounding nature from anywhere in the house. The living room could not be more comfortable with the gas fireplace and the kitchen would be the envy of any chef in the family or friend group that intends on keeping the group well fed while visiting. The space is perfect for three couples as it houses 3 master beds (2 on the top floor and 1 on the bottom).
Many will find the main bedroom’s master bath to be a highlight, with dual shower head and a modern tub inside the walk-in shower which is large enough to be a living space in its own right. There is no wasted space with even a surprising little coffee bar tucked away beside the kitchen. The large double decker back porch is accessible via the two upstairs bedrooms as well as the living room. Here we get a wood burning fireplace fired up for the evening before checking out downstairs.
Downstairs we are absolutely blown away with the space. In addition to the 3rd bedroom and full bath, there is a game room complete with a bar/coffee bar. Ping Pong, air hockey and a wide variety of board games awaits. Stepping out of the game room onto the bottom deck you are greeted with more beautiful views of the Blue Ridge mountains. The bottom deck is most certainly the highlight for entertainment once settled in. With multiple tables in the middle there is plenty of space for a game of Giant Jenga, Connect Four, or serving up a four-course meal for your group. Flanked to the right by a giant hot tub and the left by a movie projector, log fireplace, and swinging day bed you could easily spend your trip to Blue Ridge, GA in this space alone.
Ron and I opt for a game of cornhole before heading back up to cook some dinner. Fresh trout caught at Ingles along with mixed potatoes and broccolini are on the menu for dinner. After dinner we decided to catch a movie on the outdoor projector by the fire. What better place to watch Deliverance than by a wood burning fire in the North Georgia mountains close to where the film takes place? You can hear Coyotes begin to howl together off in the distance, I’m fine with that as long as I don’t hear any Banjo music.
The next morning, we make some Boujee Bagels (Sausage, Egg, and Cheese) before planning out the day. Boujee Lodge sits between two three unique mountain towns. Blue Ridge and the lesser-known border towns of McCaysville GA and Copperhill TN. Blue Ridge hosts a wide range of activities from a train ride through the mountains, to shopping, high end restaurants, wineries, breweries, and some scenic hiking. It is known for its unique charm and picturesque backdrop. Check out our blog on our 10 favorite things to do while visiting Blue Ridge.
In McCaysville/Copperhill you can walk across the historic bridge from Georgia to Tennessee and back while stopping at local art stores or a local brewery for some great craft beer. One could be forgiven for deciding not to go anywhere at all on a visit to Boujee Lodge. There are easily enough activities and amenities to keep you occupied for a whole weekend enjoying the views with family and friends! We decided to take a trip to McCaysville/Copperhill that afternoon.
We walk around the twin towns which are very sleepy early in the week during winter. I imagine it draws quite a crowd when the scenic passenger train comes in from Blue Ridge during the summer months. We stopped by Buck Bald Brewing for some beers. It’s easy to see why this local watering hole is a favorite. The staff is extremely friendly and they are quick to share information on some of their favorite hiking and activities in the area. They make you feel like family upon arrival. We grabbed some Mexican food to go to El Rio before heading back to Boujee Lodge. Our friends Pete and Ash meet us, and we get the outdoor fire pit going. After enjoying the fire pit we play some overly competitive games of ping pong before winding down in the oversized hot tub. What better way to end an evening?
Day 3 calls for a visit to Blue Ridge. We head to the local staple, Rum Cake Lady Cuban Café. One could be forgiven for overlooking a Cuban restaurant in the mountains of North Georgia. This little place though, in addition to having the best rum cakes you will ever eat, has some of the best Cuban sandwiches and pastries in the state. I’m talking it is up there with some of the best I’ve had from historic Miami joints. They have a little shop upon entrance with Puerto Rican and Cuban snacks and goods. The ham and cheese croquette, Tampa Cubano, and Cafecito were all ridiculously good. I had to grab an empanada and rum cake to go. Next, we walk through beautiful downtown Blue Ridge.
There are many local shops to catch your interest no matter what it may be. Fly fishing, olive oil, wine, cigars, general store, pet shop, record store, there is truly something for everyone. We stopped in for a beer at Tipping Point brewery. They have some top notch beer and the outdoor patio is a great spot to take in the view of downtown Blue Ridge. After doing another lap around downtown we checked out some of the awesome fly-fishing gear at Cohutta Fishing Company. They offer guided fly-fishing excursions to some of the top Trout Streams in the Southeast. On the way back to Boujee Lodge we made a pit stop at Mercier’s Orchard.
No trip to Blue Ridge would be complete without a pit stop at this Blue Ridge institute. The store located on the family orchard that has been around since 1943 has some of the best apples and pies in the state. They now have their own wine and cider bar attached in addition to the store which has everything from local produce and gifts unique to North Georgia.
Don’t forget to grab a fried apple pie for later! We spent our last evening at Boujee Lodge much the same as the first evenings. After enjoying the sunset we alternate between fire pit, jacuzzi, and ping pong before hanging out on the giant bean bags (You could seriously fall asleep on these things) and watching The Revenant on the outdoor projector.
After waking up to the sunrise that seems to encapsulate the entire room, I truly feel disconnected from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and mentally and physically recharged. If you are looking to have an amazing getaway to Blue Ridge Georgia with family and friends taking in as many (or as little) activities as the area has to offer, be sure to visit Boujee Lodge for an unforgettable experience. This is truly one of the most unique and luxurious cabin getaways in North Georgia. It is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Don’t forget, Live Boujee.
Click here to book your stay now!