Revitalize Your Spirit in Blue Ridge, Georgia

A wellness weekend retreat in Blue Ridge, Georgia, will leave you rested and rejuvenated.

Nestled within the North Georgia mountains, the quaint town of Blue Ridge offers a haven for those seeking tranquility and rejuvenation. Once considered a health resort for its pure mineral waters, it’s now renowned for its charming atmosphere, picturesque landscapes, and abundance of wellness activities, making Blue Ridge the perfect destination for a revitalizing weekend getaway.

Your wellness retreat begins with a stay in one of Blue Ridge’s many luxurious, cozy cabins nestled amidst the forest. Mountain Top Cabin Rentals offers plenty to choose from and many cabins have extensive mountain views, hot tubs, and large outdoor areas.

Start the day off right with a private yoga session in the comfort of your cabin. Amanda Dilbeck, of Ascending Studio, will guide you through a flow yoga session that will leave you limber and ready explore.

Blue Ridge is known for its Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. The train runs March through December and departs from downtown for a four-hour, 26-mile round-trip journey along the Toccoa River through the North Georgia countryside. The first leg of the adventure takes about an hour to reach the sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, where you can literally stand in both states at the same time. Passengers enjoy a two-hour layover to shop and grab lunch before taking the one-hour return trip back to the depot in Blue Ridge. Note: If you’re visiting in January or February, McCaysville is a short, 20-minute car ride.

Be sure to take a leisurely stroll through Blue Ridge’s charming downtown lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafes. Savor farm-to-table cuisine at local restaurants or indulge in artisanal pastries. Pick up a bottle of organic or biodynamic wine from 34^th Degree Wine Merchant. Owner Emily Krueger has multiple certifications in wine and curates wine tastings each Thursday and Saturday, featuring different regions and styles of wines. Keeping with the wellness theme, “You’ll feel better while drinking (biodynamic and organic wines) and you’ll feel better afterwards,” says Krueger.

Refresh and revitalize at Serenity in the Mountains. This large lodge-themed, full-service spa offers saunas, a steam room, a salt cave, 38 treatment rooms, and 4 relaxation areas. Expert therapists use natural ingredients and therapeutic techniques to melt away stress and restore balance. Indulge in a soothing massage, rejuvenating facial, or invigorating body treatment.

After a full day exploring or being pampered, there’s nothing better than returning to a private chef-made dinner. Fine Dining Chefs will customize a menu to your tastes and dietary needs, utilizing ingredients sourced locally. Enjoy an amazing experience with up to eight courses, served by a cozy fire in the comfort of your cabin.

A don’t-miss stop is the Folk Collaborative. This family-owned business combines an apothecary, a 14-acre apple orchard (with the first trees planted 60 years ago), bakery, fire pits, sunset tractor rides, and more. Luke and Amanda Dilbeck (yes, Amanda is also the certified yoga instructor mentioned above) are helping keep the traditions of Appalachia alive with herbs, tinctures, recipes, and knowledge passed down from Luke’s family. The property has been in his family for generations, and 98 percent of the products are harvested and handmade in small batches onsite. Luke is a Certified Master Herbalist and says, “It’s about learning to enjoy the simple things. Every experience we have here stems from family. Each scent, each thing we carry has a story. We provide memories in a jar.”

As you bid farewell to the mountains with a heart full of serenity and a spirit renewed, carry the tranquility you’ve cultivated back to your everyday life and let the rejuvenating effects of your wellness retreat continue to nurture your body, mind, and soul.

For more information, visit https://www.blueridgemountains.com/.

Don’t miss: President’s Day weekend (Feb. 17) in Blue Ridge is the annual Fire and Ice Chili Cook Off and Craft Beer Festival. Ice carvings will be located throughout downtown, including local storefronts and in the downtown Blue Ridge City Park, where local ice carvers are on-site doing demos.