GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THOSE INTERESTED
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1. ELLIJAY TOWN SQUARE - Antique shops, Craft shops, Gifts and clothing. Follow Hwy 5 North to 2nd red light and you will find yourself in Ellijay square. Travel time: 12 minutes
2. CARTERS LAKE - Corp of Engineers Federal Park, formed by Coosawattee River (which flows through Coosawattee River Resort). Fishing, Boating, Swimming, Bird watching trails, picnic areas, Bald Eagles, Lake Dam Powerhouse. the lake is 500 ft. deep in some places. Turn right out of CRRA main gate, you are on HWY 383, travel to the end of 382 (about 12 miles) and turn right onto 136. Go a few miles and you will see a sign saying Marina. Turn right and you will find the Visitors Center. Travel time: about 25 minutes
3. CHIEF VANN HOUSE - Continue past Carter's lake, go over the railroad tracks and turn right at red light intersection HWY 411. About 12 miles and you will come to the town of Chatsworth, GA, watch for signs leading to CHIEF VANN HOUSE, an important Cherokee Chief's home. Travel time: about 45 minutes
4. Continue on to Dalton, GA - Great carpet, good prices and an Outlet Mall. Travel time: 1 hour
5. Just beyond Outlet Mall is I-75 , go north to Chattanooga, TN and visit the world's largest fresh water aquarium, I-Max Theatre, river boats on the Tennessee River, Lookout Mt., The Incline, Ruby Falls, the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the largest Civil War Battlefield, CHICKAMAUGA. Travel time 1 hr and 30 minutes
6. Take HWY 52 West back to Ellijay, across the scenic Fort Mountain you will arrive in the downtown square. Go around the square and turn right onto 52 East. Follow 52 E. about 36 miles, through Apple orchards and pastures. Follow signs to AMICALOLA FALLS, Georgia's tallest water falls (780 ft.) and State Park. Good Food, buffet style and reasonable prices at The Maple Room is at the top of the Mt. at the Lodge. Ask for a table by the window and you can view the N. GA Mts over 50 miles. Gift shops and walking trails. Travel time: 40 minutes
7. Go past Amicalola Falls and visit Dahlonega, Ga. Great restaurant SMITH HOUSE, Gold mines, panning for gold, gold museum, visit the Gold Mint from long ago (the dome of the State Capitol building in Atlanta is painted with real gold from Dahlonega) Travel time: about 40 minutes from the Falls
8. Come back to Ellijay, travel North on 515 about 17 miles to Blue Ridge, GA. Turn right at McDonalds into town. Ask directions to the Depot. If hungry, grab a bite at LINDSEYS next to the Depot, a 50's Malt Shop, also excellent full meals. Take a trip on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a 26 mile round-trip through Murphy Junction along the Tocca River into McCaysville. Ride in a A/C Coach or an open air car. Two trips every Fri. and Sat. and one on Sunday. For reservations phone before you go. 1-800-934-1898 Travel time 20 minutes
9 Go back to HWY 515 N and in a small strip mall past a good size mall on the left (Roses Store, Blue Ridge Restaurant, etc.) you will find the Georgia Forestry building. If you are interested in hiking or visiting some wonderful parks they will give you maps and tell you the location. Bear Creek, Brass Town Bald (GA's beginning of the Appalachiam Trail. If you walk about 3,000 miles you will end up in Maine.
10. While leaving Blue Ridge traveling North, you will notice the number of the HWY changes to U.S. 76. Continue on to Blairsville, Young Harris and on to Helen, GA. Helen is a re-creation of a European Alpine Village. Natural old world setting, in the mountains. Locals dress in alpine clothing, 200 specialty and import shops, theme restaurants and buggy rides. A charming Village. Travel time from Ellijay: about one and a half hours.
11. Take a glance at your GA Map and find Cleveland, GA. visit BABYLAND GENERAL HOSPITAL, the birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids. Travel time from Helen: about one hour
12. When coming back to Ellijay go back to U.S. 76 and watch for the Brass Town Valley Resort and eat dinner there. Good food in a beautiful hotel, gift shops, pool, gardens, golf, tennis
