Unique Stays in Ellijay, Georgia

Ellijay sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and calls itself the Apple Capital of Georgia. It is a small mountain town with orchards on every road out of it, rivers for tubing and paddling, and a growing collection of vineyards. It is also one of the easiest mountain escapes from Atlanta.

The homes on this page are at Atlas: an A-frame, a pond-side house and a hideaway in the woods, each designed with care and each set up for slow weekends. They are a good fit for couples, small groups and anyone who wants the North Georgia mountains with a little more design than the usual log cabin.

Every home on Locèlle is listed by its owner, and you book with them directly, without added platform fees.

• Easy from Atlanta. About ninety minutes north of the city by car.
• Apple country. Orchards, cider and the Georgia Apple Festival each October.
• Rivers and lakes. The Cartecay River for tubing and kayaking, and Carters Lake nearby.
• Design over log cabin. A-frames and modern cabins chosen for their architecture.
• Book direct. Locèlle introduces you to the owners so you can book with them without platform fees.

Fall is peak season, with apple picking from late summer and foliage usually at its best in late October. Spring brings blossoms in the orchards and waterfalls at their fullest. Summer is for river tubing and lake days, and winter is quiet, mild and good value.

Ellijay is about 80 miles north of Atlanta, roughly ninety minutes by car via I-575 and GA-515. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is the nearest major airport. Blue Ridge is about 30 minutes further north. You will need a car.

• Orchards: pick-your-own apples along the Highway 52 orchard corridor.
• Wineries: several vineyards with tasting rooms in and around Ellijay.
• Water: tubing and kayaking on the Cartecay River and boating on Carters Lake.
• Day trips: downtown Blue Ridge and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.