Visit B.J. Reece Orchards for a delightful apple-picking experience that offers fun-filled activities for the entire family. The orchard comes alive with a wide range of attractions, including a farm slide, corn box, duck races, and a petting farm. More importantly, BJ Reece Orchards is dog-friendly, allowing you to bring your furry friends along for the orchard adventure as long as they are on a leash.

On your trip down Apple Alley, Hillcrest Orchards is another can’t-miss! Weekends at Hillcrest Orchards are an invitation to a world of apple-picking adventures and endless family fun specially tailored for our littlest visitors. With over 20 attractions to explore, there’s never a dull moment. 

The next stop down Apple Alley is R & A Orchards – a delightful escape into the heart of apple country. Beyond the bountiful apple orchards, this family-owned farm offers an enchanting surprise—a beautiful flower field where you can lose yourself in the joy of flower picking, creating a fragrant bouquet of memories. After working up an appetite, head to their market, bakery, and cafe, where you can savor the warm comfort of a local’s favorite – chicken and dumplings!

A trip to the Red Apple Barn promises a quintessential autumn experience, complete with apple picking and an array of delightful attractions. Hop aboard the charming tractor ride that takes you to a picturesque pumpkin patch, where you can handpick the perfect pumpkin to complement your apple haul. Back at the farm store, the aroma of freshly pressed apple cider and warm cider doughnuts fills the air, offering the perfect fall treats.

Planning a trip to the Ellijay orchards? Check out our Fall U-Pick Calendar!

Known for their delicious apples, Aaron Family Orchards has recently opened their second-annual flower patch. You’ll be amazed by the beautiful sunflowers and zinnias they have to offer. Along with rows upon rows of vibrant sunflowers, visit their store for fresh apples, canned goods, and other fresh produce grown on the farm.

Ellijay Mushrooms, the newest mushroom farm in North Georgia, has also joined the flower-picking scene. They grow and cultivate high-quality mushrooms and are now offering a delightful flower picking experience as well. Visit their farm store to build your bouquet of flowers, and purchase quality Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms.

Since 2021, Harvest Moon Farm offers a variety of organically grown vegetables, blueberries, strawberries, pumpkins and flowers, and anything that is in season. Visit this farm stand on your way to a wine tasting and build your own bouquet to compliment your picnic in the vines!

You won’t want to miss another family favorite, R & A Orchards. This family-owned farm market offers a bakery, café, and their popular U-Pick flower field. From vibrant zinnias to stunning sunflowers, they have a wide variety of colorful zinnias and sunflowers for everyone to enjoy.

Visit Red Apple Barn for a fun day on the farm, including U-pick apples, flowers, pumpkins, and wagon rides. Enjoy delicious apple pies, ciders, fritters, breads, honey, jams & jellies, and more from the Farm store!

Town Creek Valley Farms is one of the largest U-pick flower experiences in Gilmer County. With a 5-acre corn maze and locally grown pumpkins as well as other farm products, you can’t miss a trip to this family-owned farm!

The Blue Ridge Mountains Wine & Jazz Festival brings great music, great wines, fine art, and delicious cuisine to beautiful Ellijay, GA. With a diversity of wines from around the world, including those made locally in North Georgia and the North Carolina region, music lovers can enjoy delicious food prepared locally and listen to top jazz performers also from the region. Purchase wine by the glass or bottle and bring your blanket and lawn chairs to relax in while listening to great music.

September comes alive at Cartecay Vineyards with Crush Fest where visitors can enjoy stomping grapes, vineyard tours, great music, food trucks, and of course, wine! Since 2012, Crush Fest has become Cartecay Vineyards’ biggest and best attended festival of the year. Learn more about Crush Fest 2024!

Get ready for sizzling excitement at the 3rd Annual Ellijay Bacon Fest! Indulge in mouthwatering bacon-themed dishes, groove to live music, join in the bacon eating contest, and enjoy a variety of games and activities. Best of all, your participation supports a great cause, benefiting the Gilmer Community Food Pantry. It’s a day packed with delicious flavors and family-friendly fun.

The Apple Arts Festival is a sister festival of the Georgia Apple Festival happens on the same dates and times and adds fun arts & crafts and delicious food to the downtown scene. Ready for the best part? The Apple Arts Festival is pet-friendly, accessible, and admission is FREE! After exploring all of the unique vendors, visit the shops in Downtown Ellijay. 

For 53 fun-filled years, the Georgia Apple Festival has brought two exciting weekends in October to Gilmer County. This festival features over 300+ vendors with handmade, hand-crafted items, on-site demonstrations, live music, and delicious fair food. The countdown is officially on for the 2024 Georgia Apple Festival!