Blue Ridge Country Nov/Dec 2024 - 48

SANTAAPPROVED
TOWNS
PHOTOS
COURTESY OF GEORGIA'S BLUE RIDGE
Of course, if you're looking to stretch
your legs, there's plenty of hiking in
Swain County. A local favorite is the
Lakeshore and Tunnel Bypass Trail, a
three-mile loop that passes abandoned
homesteads, a cascading creek and the
" Road to Nowhere, " an iconic highway
constructed after the area was flooded to
build Fontana Lake.
For post-adventure vittles, grab a hot
chicken sandwich and cold beer from
Bryson City Brewing. For lodging, book
a room at The Everett Hotel. Located inside
what once served as the Bryson City
Bank, this downtown accommodation
features a rooftop terrace with stunning
mountain views.
Winter Wonderland at Darnell Farms
(2300 Governors Island Rd., Bryson City,
N.C.) happens on select days from November
27-December 24. For more information, visit
darnellfarms.com.
Hop Aboard the Holiday
Spirit in Blue Ridge, Georgia
Typically, Santa Claus travels in a sleigh
powered by a herd of flying reindeer.
But in Blue Ridge, Georgia, a relaxed
whistlestop tucked in the Appalachian
Mountains, Father Christmas prefers a
different mode of transportation: train.
Every year from late November to
48 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
ABOVE: Blue
Ridge, Georgia,
delights holiday
lovers of all ages.
RIGHT: The Blue
Ridge Holiday
Express offers
holiday tours.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEORGIA'S BLUE RIDGE
Christmas Eve, the Blue Ridge Scenic
Railway offers the Holiday Express Tour.
During this hour-long adventure, you'll
chug along the tracks while sipping hot
cocoa and listening to holiday music.
According to Rachal Gray, general
manager of the railway, children receive
a jingle bell and a candy cane. Plus, they
get to rattle off their Christmas list to
Saint Nick himself.
The Grinch occasionally makes appearances,
too. But don't worry: He
would never
dare steal the Yuletide
spirit in Blue Ridge, a place where the
entire downtown participates in a window
decorating contest, the Blue Ridge
Mountains Arts Association puts on a
gingerbread display and the Blue Ridge
Farmer's Market transforms into an iceskating
rink.
Should you work up an appetite
amidst your merry making, grab a bite
at Harvest on Main. The menu tends
toward upscale Southern cuisine, with
decadent entrees like confit of duck
served atop butternut squash ravioli. For
dessert, head to The Sweet Shoppe-
winner of Food Network's " Cupcake
Wars " -and grab a Christmas treat.
After filling your belly, you can catch
Blue Ridge Community Theater's rendition
of " The Gift of the Magi " or find
a gift of your own at one of the town's
shops. End your day at the Blue Ridge
Inn, a quaint bed and breakfast nestled
inside a Victorian home.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (241 Depot St.,
Blue Ridge, Ga.) offers the Holiday Express
Tour from November 29-December 24. See
brscenic.com.
http://www.darnellfarms.com http://www.brscenic.com http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country Nov/Dec 2024

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