Kids aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway are enthralled by the shrill piercing of the train whistle as it echoes through the canyons and valleys of North Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. They peer out open-air rail cars, waving to trout fishermen knee-deep in the Toccoa River and calling to chestnut-colored horses grazing in pastures as the train powers past mountain homes and weathered red barns.
The Blue Ridge Mountains in Fannin County provide urban families a bucolic escape. There are many ways to see the natural beauty of the region, including hiking, white water rafting and zip lining, but a 26-mile ride (round trip) on the scenic railway is especially popular because everyone from toddlers to seniors can enjoy it.
The four-hour journey (including a two-hour layover) begins at the historic depot in the village of Blue Ridge and makes a stop at the twin border towns of McCaysville and Copperhill, Tenn.
» Road trip to a long weekend of adventure in Blue Ridge
What to do at the Blue Ridge mountains
Blue Ridge is about 90 miles north of Atlanta. For tourist information, contact the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center, 152 Orvin Lance Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. 1-800-899-6867, blueridgemountains.com.
Where to stay
Escape to Blue Ridge Cabin Rentals. 1-866-618-2521, escapetoblueridge.com.
Where to eat
Georgia Boy's BBQ, 64 Toccoa Ave., McCaysville. 706-964-6336.
Toccoa Riverside Restaurant, specializing in North Georgia rainbow trout. 8055 Aska Road, Blue Ridge. 706-632-7891, toccoariversiderestaurant.com.
Activities
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Blue Ridge Depot, 241 Depot St., Blue Ridge. 1-877-413-8724, www.brscenic.com.
Adventure Trail Rides, 933 Cashes Valley Road, Cherry Log. 706-258-2276, adventuretrailrides.com.
Also visit
Mercier Orchards, 8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge. 706-632-3411, www.mercier-orchards.com.
Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge, 891 Old Cashes Valley Road, Blue Ridge. 1-800-251-4800, zipblueridge.com.
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Riding the train with kids
On a recent journey a group of youngsters was impressed by the conductor’s crisp uniform and hat encircled by bright yellow bands. They peppered him with questions, and he patiently explained the mechanisms that propel the train through the mountains.
The curious crew was instructed to keep an eye out for what was coming around the next bend. To their surprise, they were greeted by an elderly woman perched on a river bank waving a giant American flag.
For many of the kids, it was their first time on a train. The snack car was a favorite hangout for loading up on popcorn and soda.
When the train stopped in McCaysville, passengers made a beeline for Georgia Boy's BBQ and lined up for pulled pork sandwiches. After lunch, they walked across the state line to peruse the shops in Tennessee.
There’s much to explore in these historic towns, but for young passengers it’s about the journey, not the destination. Kids may soon forget the fudge they ate in McCaysville, but their first train ride is likely to be an indelible memory.
Happy trails
To appreciate the splendor of the mountains from another perspective, giddyup and go for a trail ride.
Christine Callihan, trail guide and co-owner of Adventure Trail Rides, brought a recent party of horseback riders to a sudden halt near a creek surrounded by mountain laurel. The riders assumed they had stopped for the view, but Callihan pointed to a tree and they followed her gaze.
It was hard to make out at first, but a young black bear was clinging to a towering oak tree, his tongue curled around a branch crawling with tasty insects. Everyone scrambled to get a photo, but the bear was camera-shy. He shimmied down the tree and scampered away.
This lucky bunch hit the jackpot of wildlife viewing in North Georgia. Spotting a bear is rare, but riders on Valley Trail often encounter deer and a variety of colorful birds.
This one-hour trail ride is recommended for families with children because the horses maneuver the mountainous terrain at a leisurely pace. It’s also easy on rear ends unaccustomed to sitting in a saddle.
Little cowboys and cowgirls often are introduced to Honey, a docile palomino with a snowy mane and tail, or Teaspoon, a quarter horse who likes to take it easy. Kids can’t resist running their hands over the horses’ glossy coats.
Callihan said even kids who have never been on a horse are usually riding with confidence in no time.
“They typically love it and will take to it better than adults,” Callihan said. “They have more trust and less fear.”
No matter how families choose to explore Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, chances are they will rekindle a meaningful connection with nature, and with each other.
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