Jasper, The perfect fall day trip in North Georgia

Are you looking for the perfect fall day in the North Georgia Mountains? I encourage you to visit Jasper, Georgia. It's only an hour and a half from Atlanta, a little over an hour from Gainesville, GA and 2 hours from Athens which makes it the perfect location for a day trip.

If you are like me, you like to get an early start but not too early. Here is an itenerary that works for a single day starting at 9AM.

Morning: Scenic Drive Through the North Georgia Mountains

- Start Time: 9:00 AM

Route: Begin your scenic drive on GA-53 West. This road will take you through rolling hills and offer stunning views of the North Georgia Mountains.

Recommended Stops:

  - Burnt Mountain Overlook – A brief stop to admire the panoramic view.

  - Sharp Mountain Vineyards – Enjoy a beautiful vineyard as part of the scenic route, perfect for photos.

Late Morning: Apple Orchard Visit

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Destination:Hillcrest Orchardsor R&A Orchards (Both located in nearby Ellijay, 20-30 minutes from Jasper)

Activities:

  - Pick apples, enjoy cider, and explore the farm.

  - Hillcrest offers a petting zoo and farm market, while R&A is known for delicious fried pies.

Lunch: Picnic or Casual Bite

- 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

- Bring along a picnic to enjoy in one of the orchards or stop for lunch at The Old Mulehouse in downtown Jasper for Southern-style comfort food. We opted this stop and it was perfect. There was live music and delicious food. I had the Georgia Peach Mule and a brisket sandwich special. The Fries are 10/10.

Afternoon: Visit Local Wineries

-2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

- Fainting Goat Vineyards (15 minutes from downtown Jasper)

  - Enjoy wine tastings with a view of the vineyards and distant mountains. Be sure to check their calendar. They have live music on the weekends but also other events sprinkled throughout the months.

- Location 2:Sharp Mountain Vineyards** (optional second winery)

  - A small family-owned vineyard with cozy tastings and stunning scenery. We opted to only stop at Fainting Goat and spend a little extra time walking around there, but next time I think we will skip lunch out and have a picnic here. Looks like the perfect spot!

Evening: Dinner

- 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Restaurant: The Last Catch - Known for its fresh, high-quality seafood dishes. It's especially favored for its variety of fish, shrimp, and crab options, prepared in both traditional and Southern styles. A perfect spot to have a nice dinner before our drive home.

Restaurant: Roco's Pub - Known for its lively atmosphere, classic American pub food, and live entertainment. It has a reputation for great burgers, wings, and hearty sandwiches, along with a wide selection of beers and cocktails. If we were staying the night, this likely would have been our choice but it a bar vibe with live music and open much later than The Last Catch.

Restaurant: 61 Main – Known for its farm-to-table dishes, seasonal ingredients, and relaxed but elegant atmosphere. I am a sucker for good atmosphere and this place looks so cute. A great option for lunch or their Monday night supper.