48 Hours in Blue Ridge: Planning Your Stay at Our Lazy Bear Lodge

Friday Evening: Depending on which way you’re coming into Blue Ridge (Of course, we came from Chattanooga), you might pass through a small town called McCaysville. McCaysville is a gorgeous little town split in half by the Tennessee/Georgia line and boasts an adorable stripmall and some amazing food!

Spend some time checking out all of the cute boutique stores the Riverwalk Shops has to offer (Make sure to look up the shops beforehand as they all have individual opening/closing times) and then hop over to Twisted Tomato to enjoy some of the most amazing pizza you’ll ever have while listening to live music right on the Toccoa River.

Friday Night: Once you finish up at dinner, head on over to Blue Ridge for your first night at the Lazy Bear Lodge. Make sure to stop at the Blue Ridge Walmart for all the essentials: Firewood, smores, snacks, and some good brews! Once you get to the cabin, make sure to head down to the firepit to enjoy some smores before hoping into the hot tub and taking in the beautiful, natural views. Afterwards, spend a late night in the game room playing board games, ping pong, and pacman!

Saturday Morning: After a slow, easy morning enjoying some coffee on the deck, head to Downtown Blue Ridge and grab some brunch at Black Sheep Restaurant, Big Foot Biscuit, or Southern Charm. If you’re looking for some specialty coffee and need some more caffeine, head over to Mountain Mama’s Coffee Lounge (They also have some amazing breakfast items as well). Take your coffee on-the-go and spend some time exploring and shopping Downtown Blue Ridge! Our favorite shops to browse are:

PezRock, where you can find some beautiful crystals and jewelry.

High Country Art, where you can view amazing pieces done by local and regional artists who also offer personal pieces!

Owl’s Nest, where you can find beautifully crafted jewelry  and other unique pieces.

Blue Ridge Adventure Wear, where you can get a new sticker to add to your bumper to commemorate your travels or shop their extensive collection of brand name outdoor wear. 

Saturday Afternoon: While you’re still in Downtown Blue Ridge, grab some lunch! We chose Southern Charm for lunch as we are late risers. There was a bit of a wait, but honestly, we’d wait forever for that juicy, tender fried chicken and perfectly southern vegetable plate! Downtown Blue Ridge is not short on delicious, amazing food when it comes to restaurants. In reality, any restaurant you dip into for lunch in this area is guaranteed to hit the spot! We recommend ditching the Google search and keeping your eye out for these restaurants as you shop around and explore, choosing whichever one tickles your fancy. You really can’t go wrong!

After a lunch of your choice, there are an array of options for you to choose from. Head back towards McCaysville to hit Mercier’s Orchard, a hub of Blue Ridge tourism with delectable desserts, a deli, hand-crafted hard ciders and brews, and pick-your-own produce. Head back towards the cabin and keep on going for a tubing excursion with Blue Ridge Tubing, perfect for toasty summer gays and guaranteed to refresh (The Toccoa is COLD). Hop on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway for a gorgeous tour of one of the Appalachian Mountains finest regions, or head back to the cabin for a peaceful nap and some down-time in the loft. Blue Ridge has endless options for exploration, so be sure to take advantage of it while you’re there!

Saturday Evening: If you stopped by the Walmart on your way to the cabin, you must have understood that “essentials” also include hot dogs, buns, toppings, and chips to roast over the fire during your stay. If not, no worries! The Walmart is a very short drive away. Fire up the pit and enjoy the gorgeous sunset behind the dense forest while roasting your dinner to perfection, and enjoy the covered porch as you enjoy your dinner.

Saturday Night: For us, every night was spent enjoying the game room and the hot tub. If you’re looking for nightlife, Downtown is home to a plethora of cocktail bars and live music venues that make for an exciting night. A wraparound deck with open-area and screened-in seating allows for a peaceful night of listening to the cicadas and wilderness at Lazy Bear, or curl up by the fireplace and use the smart TV to find a movie to keep you entertained while you cozy up.

Sunday Morning: Rise and shine for your last few hours in Blue Ridge! Making breakfast at the cabin is a fantastic way to enjoy the time before your Lazy Bear sendoff. Pack up your things before check-out and spend the next few hours taking in more of Downtown, McCaysville, or Mercier’s Orchard. Personally, we headed for McCaysville, stopping at the Yellowbird Coffee Shop and enjoying our morning sitting on the colorful patio, observing the peaceful Toccoa River pass by. Afterwards, since the Riverwalk Shops were closed on our way in, we shopped around before heading home. 

Blue Ridge is a charming little town and the perfect place to relax, explore, and enjoy the beautiful mountains. Our Lazy Bear Lodge is a gorgeous, amenities-packed, classic cabin in the heart of Blue Ridge, making for an idyllic stay that should be on your bucket list no matter the season.