Things You'll Need:
- Car
- Walking shoes or hiking boots
- Sweater or jacket
- Camera
- Spending money or credit cards
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Step 1
Visit Unicoi State Park. With more than 1,000 acres of pristine woods, streams and waterfalls, the park offers numerous opportunities to enjoy the fall foliage. Visitors can take guided nature walks along 12 miles of trails where you can watch local crafts people making quilts, pottery and furniture. The lodge at Unicoi State Park houses a gift shop and cafeteria. The park also offers campsites as well as two and three bedroom cottages.
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Step 2
Hike the half mile trail to Anna Ruby Falls. The falls are located in the Chattahoochee National Forest recreation area bordering Unicoi State Park. Here visitors can stand at the base of the falls and watch the water as it rushes 153 feet over Tray Mountain.
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Step 3
Explore the apple capital of Georgia. When the leaves turn to vibrant hues of red and orange thousands of visitors flock to Ellijay, Georgia to pick their own apples and purchase fresh apple cider and homemade fried apple pies. During the month of October you can enjoy the Georgia Apple Festival with its parades, bluegrass music and arts and crafts.
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Step 4
Take a relaxing hayride through the North Georgia Mountains at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm. Located in Dawsonville, Georgia, Burt’s Pumpkin Farm grows thousands of pumpkins and gourds each year ranging in size from 1 lb. to a massive 150 lbs. After you choose the perfect pumpkin for the front porch, stop at the pumpkin house to listen to the talking pumpkins, Gourdy and Autumn tell a mesmerizing story. Then it’s time to climb into one of Burt’s eight wagons to enjoy the colorful fall leaves on a mountain hayride.
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Step 5
Ride the rails on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage of the North Georgia Mountains on this three-and-a-half hour train ride. The trip starts in Blue Ridge, Georgia and winds its way along the Toccoa River, stopping for a two-hour layover in Copperhill, Tennessee.
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Step 6
Celebrate Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega, Georgia. The third weekend in October the town of Dahlonega celebrates its rich golden history with parades, clog dancing and local musical performers. The shops surrounding the rustic town square sell locally made gold jewelry, mountain crafts and marvelous melt-in-your-mouth fudge. You can also purchase gold mining equipment at many of the shops.
