CHIEF WHITE PATH'S CABIN FIASCO!…read more The was to be the icing on the cake, the site that I was most interested to see while in Gainsville, but thanks to Brenau University, my experience was ruined. First let me give you a bit of history regarding this cabin: This cabin (built in 1780 near Ellijay), belonged to Cherokee Indian Chief White Path. He fought, (unsuccessfully) to prevent the takeover of land from the Cherokee and was a leader on the "Trail of Tears". In the land lottery of 1832 the cabin and the land it was on was awarded to the Pinson family who were white settlers. In 1995 under the direction of Counte Cooley, a descendent of White Path, the cabin was moved to it's current location, which is on the edge of a parking lot and flanked by a brick monstrosity of a museum. What were they thinking??? This is a hot mess and if I used expletives, I would insert one here because it would so reflect how I feel. This historical cabin deserves to be in a natural setting, for goodness sakes! IT'S A CABIN!!!! As it stands, the cabin is attached to the Northeast Georgia History Center which is a part of Brenau University. You can't access the cabin without going through the history center. When I realized this, I wanted to scream. I should have realized that something was amiss when I noticed the address: 403 Brenau. MMMMHMM! This cabin in not at all what I expected and since it was hidden behind a fence and trees, I was not confident that it would provide the historical experience I expected. Therefore, my husband and I chose not to take the tour.

We had a wonderful time at Chief White Path's Cabin! It's was so educational! Our Children loved it…read moreand learned so much. I would definitely recommend anyone to make this a must see attraction when visiting Gainesville!

Came to Brasstown Bald Observation Tower for the views and it was a sight to see! It's not everyday…read more(at least where I live) that you can stand in such a high place and be able to see mountains spanning across 4 different states. The entry fee was 8 per adult (kids are free) which also includes a van ride to the overlook. Or you can choose to hike which wasn't a long hike but steep from what I saw. A must do for anyone visiting the area! Ohh... and make sure you watch the little movie at the top, it's very cool to see how one place is its own little world in different seasons and the history behind the place.

The current Brasstown Bald observation tower was built in 1965, replacing an earlier stone tower…read morethat was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935. The original 1935 stone tower was torn down in 1947 and replaced with a steel tower before the current structure was built - we'll folks looks like it's time to build another tower this one is in a state of disrepair. I came here to observe 4 states from the highest point in Georgia, but apparently the observation tower is in such bad shape that it is now closed to the public and your adventure will end after climbing a few flights of stairs ending at the base of the observation deck yeah there's a view from the lower level but in my opinion not worth the price of admission. Thankfully there's a shuttle van that takes you from the parking lot level to the top it runs about ever 10 minutes, our driver was very friendly and tried his best to entertain us during the short drive to the top but there's not much to say - the museum at the top is okay and takes about 2 minutes to tour it then time you walk the lower deck and wait for the shuttle back down - I purchased a refrigerator magnet for the RV from the gift shop and headed for the truck. I guess I am fortunate that I came and saw this, although it was never on my bucket list, I'm still trying to figure out why there's an old train engine in the museum it's quite the anachronism...

The tunnel is cool, but very short. The trails make up for it and the waterfalls are a great sight…read more No wait time, no reservations recommended, price to entry $1-5. But make sure you have a flashlight with you to go into the tunnels and the waterfalls is so pretty. I recommend this to anyone who want to adventure.

We thought we were at Issaqueena Falls but nope, we are at Stumphouse Tunnel. There was a worker…read moreand asked her about it. She said we missed the turn for Issaqueena Falls but could go check out Stumphouse Tunnel. It was so freaky walking into this tunnel. Pitch black. Even my phone flashlight didn't help. It is about a football field long, according to one of the workers we saw. I walked about 20 steps. Hubby didn't even attempt! If we had a flashlight or good lights, would go all the way. It was early in the morning and was cloudy. Plus inside the tunnel was really chilly. Mistakenly, we ended at the tunnel instead of the waterfall when we got there. They are in the same proximity. Just thinking about it gives me the chills but I have friends who went all the way cause they came prepared with great lights to guide them. 36/2020

I love that this bridge is open to traffic! It is rated for enough weight that my Sprinter van…read morecould cross and the bridge has enough clearance that I could fit in. The Elder Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1897 by Nathaniel Richardson. It is a Town lattice design with the planks connected with wooden pegs. It is one of the few covered bridges in Georgia continuing to carry traffic without underlying steel beams. It is possible to get to the side of the bridge and get some great pictures. I love this bridge! (Note that some of the approach road is only hard packed dirt. I was okay with it but your vehicle may have issues.) [Review 18057 overall - 532 in Georgia - 1578 of 2022.]

I happened to be dining at a restaurant in Watkinsville and noticed they were selling a magnet with…read morea picture of a covered bridge. When I inquired about it, I was surprised to learn that the Elder Mill Covered Bridge was nearby and still functioning as a working bridge. I was delighted to find more information about it on Yelp and decided to take a spontaneous outing to see this historic structure. The bridge is on a back country road. The road narrows as you approach the one-lane bridge. There is no where to pull off the road on this side of the bridge. Slow down to read the signs. There is a five ton weight limit. Your vehicle needs to be able to clear the metal structure before you drive through. It will prevent you from damaging the bridge (and your vehicle). You are supposedly on video surveillance, so don't block the private driveway and don't trespass the private land surrounding the bridge. Once you drive through to the other side, you can pull off on the paved strip on the side of the road. Feel free to get out of your vehicle to read the historic marker and take a few pictures. You can even walk across the bridge if you want to see the internal support beam structure. It is remarkable that this bridge is still in working order considering it was built in 1897. The wooden beams have obviously been updated and maintained to keep the bridge in working order, but there are no steel support beams and it is fastened with wooden pegs also called trunnels (or treenails). It is a work of art and definitely worth the 10 minute visit if you happen to be in the area.

The city of Blairsville was perfect for our little mountain getaway!…read more Blairsville or "City of Mountains" is located in North Georgia (Union County) near Chattahoochee National Forest, and Vogel State Park. There's so much fun stuff to do around here such as renting a cabin, hiking, camping, fishing, paddle boating and so much more. Some of the places we visited while staying here: - Blairsville Downtown - Sleepy Hollow Enterprises - Vogel State Park - Helton Creek Falls - Blairsville Seafood Market "Mike's" - Brasstown Bald - Bell Mountain All of those destinations were 15-20 min away from each other at the most and all the activities, and views were absolutely worth it! I totally recommend staying in Blairsville and visiting all of those places. Also, don't miss Blairsville Downtown! It's a cute, small town but it's full with happy people ready to welcome you! The restaurants around it are great as well! ESPAÑOL ¡La ciudad de Blairsville fue perfecta para nuestra pequeña escapada a la montaña!   Blairsville o "City of Mountains" se encuentra en el norte de Georgia (Condado de Union) cerca del bosque nacional Chattahoochee y el parque estatal Vogel.   Hay muchas cosas divertidas que hacer por aquí, como alquilar una cabaña, ir de excursión, acampar, pescar, remar en bote y mucho más.   Algunos de los lugares que visitamos durante su estancia aquí:   - Blairsville Downtown   - Sleepy Hollow Enterprises   - Parque Estatal Vogel   - Helton Creek Falls   - Blairsville Seafood Market "Mike's"   - Brasstown Bald   - Bell Mountain   Todos esos destinos estaban a 15-20 minutos el uno del otro como máximo y todas las actividades, y las vistas valieron la pena! Recomiendo totalmente alojarse en Blairsville y visitar todos esos lugares.   Además, ¡no te pierdas el centro de Blairsville! ¡Es un pueblo pequeño y lindo, pero está lleno de gente feliz lista para darte la bienvenida! Los restaurantes a su alrededor también son geniales.

SMALL TOWN CHARM IN A NEAT LITTLE PACKAGE!…read more Blairsville is a small town located straight up 400/19 in Union County. It is located near the Chattahoochee Forest and Vogel Park and has spectacular views and vistas. Town Square is at the center of town and where you will find restaurants and the historical court house which is now the site of the Historical Society Museum. It is a true gem and deserves its own review. It is a great little "get away" and a great place to go and re-acquaint yourself with nature, history and wonderful people. The town plays host to several festivals and community activities, (Friday night concerts) throughout the year. Although we were in town for the Mountain Heritage Festival, we wandered into town for breakfast and to see the historic courthouse which literally sits in the center of town where you can't miss it. A traffic circle directs you around the building. This town seems to be run by volunteers who love their town and its history. They were throughout the various venues and just full of useful information. We had such a nice visit, that we are considering returning to the fall festival when the weather is cooler and we are able to see the trees change color. If you come for a festival, you must have a meal downtown and take a look around. There is plenty of convenient public parking available. When you are traveling to Blairsville, you will encounter long winding roads that can appear to be a bit precarious. However just hang in there and you will be fine. These roads are very popular with cyclists, drivers of sport cars, and motorcyclists so you must be cautious and TAKE YOUR TIME. We actually were stuck behind a group of cyclists, so we simply put our hazard lights on and hunkered down while staying about two car lengths back. It is simply not safe to pass on these challenging roads. If you have ever ridden a bike on the street, you can appreciate how scary it must be to be on a winding mountain road and have an aggressive driver on your tail. Just be kind! The sorghum festival will be taking place during the first weekend in October, so make a plan!

The views from the top of Bell Mountain are spectacular! The drive up the mountain is not for the…read moreweak either. My husband and I took some great photos, but at the very top deck I could barely stand still due to all of the gnats flying around!! (Nov 1)

Bell Mountain has some incredible views, but unfortunately this has to be one of the most…read moredisturbing examples of society today. The amount of graffiti and trash is absolutely disgusting and shows a complete lack of respect for the land, the scenery, and the people around you. Nearly every inch of rock is covered in graffiti, including the platforms that taxpayers paid to build so visitors could enjoy the view. The entire place feels reminiscent of movies that depict the breakdown of society and the end of the world--where chaos takes over and respect, responsibility, and common decency no longer exist. This is not artistic expression; it's vandalism and selfishness. Instead of appreciating the beauty of nature, visitors are forced to look at layer after layer of damage left behind by people who clearly have no regard for preserving anything for others to enjoy. It's honestly sad to see such a beautiful place ruined this way.

This is excellent training trail for hikers. For some reason, I always feel fatigue on this trail,…read moremaybe because of gravel road surface or more uneven elevation changes.

AHHHHHHHHHH ..... ‍‍!!!! Met up for a group hike and this trail did NOT disappoint. Even on a…read morecloudy morning, the trail was well populated. And even after a heavy rain, the hike was manageable and not too muddy. 10/10 for sure in regards to incline, views and doability.

Stopped in to check out a little piece of history. Runs next to the train tracks were picked up the…read moreguys on their way to the get camp. The place is packed full of history from WWI, WWIi, Korea, and Vietnam. Lot of WWII all donated by families. Uniforms, guns, radios, Walkie-talkies, flags, helmets and much more. They have more than they can put out so they rotate the displays. Highly recommended!

Was a very informative museum with very informative displays. Love the uniforms and weaponsread more

Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum…read more This museum is really a hidden gem. it's on the same property as the Botanical Gardens and it is incredible. great afternoon place to spend an hour or two seeing some of the most beautiful artwork you will see. some new. some hundreds of years old. this museum is to the left of the gardens and I thought it was an event space.

Headed out for a group hike and was NOT disappointed. We opted for the Red Oak and Black Gum Loop…read more This hike was relatively easy, well marked with just a few inclines and gorgeous views along the trail. The highlight was finishing near the tulips at the end of our hike. Gorgeous morning out and perfect location for a spring kick-off in nature.

Wonderful morning on the trails for a group hike! We did two loops…read more The trails are well maintained and clearly marked. There are some inclines, making it a moderate hike. Several people enjoyed the sliding rocks and waterfall afterward. Great outing for family and/or friends .

On this rainy and chilly Sunday morning the park felt almost suspended in its own quiet, the kind…read moreof stillness you only get when the weather keeps everyone else home and you end up with the place to yourself. No one was camping or fishing or wandering the grounds (though I did see one park ranger pickup truck on patrol), which meant I had time with the real centerpiece of the park, the Watson Mill Covered Bridge, and the soft sound of the river underneath it carried farther than usual in the damp air. The bridge was built in 1885 by W. W. King, one of Georgia's most skilled nineteenth century bridge builders, and it remains the longest existing covered bridge in the state at 236 feet. It uses the Town lattice truss system, a design patented in 1820 that relies on a crisscross pattern of planks secured with wooden pegs, and Watson Mill is one of the best surviving examples of that method in the Southeast. The bridge once served the workers of the grist mill and sawmill that stood nearby, and it doubled as a community gathering place where people held picnics and even square dances. The Georgia Department of Transportation restored it in 1973, and the bridge became the anchor for the surrounding state park, which preserves both the structure and the landscape that supported it. The posted clearance was too low for my Sprinter van so I walked the length of the bridge instead, letting the boards creak underfoot and taking in the smell of wet timber that always feels older than the structure itself. There is no dedicated pedestrian lane, but the interior is wide enough that I could step to the side when a car approached, and the drivers moved slowly enough that it never felt unsafe. The combination of the rain, the quiet, and the long wooden tunnel made the whole experience feel like stepping back into the late nineteenth century for a few minutes. [Review 245 of 2026 - 942 in Georgia - 25434 overall]