Hiawassee and Lake Chatuge
Nature & Scenic Spots
The best views and places to surround yourself in nature.
*See my hiking guidebook here for trails for all levels
https://www.airbnb.com/s/guidebooks?refinement_paths[]=/guidebooks/2520127
This is the highest point in Georgia and the 360 degree view is amazing! Take a sneak peak on their website:
https://cfaia.org/visitor-centers-gift-shops/georgia-visitor-centers-gift-shops/brasstown-bald-recreation-area-visitor-centers-in-georgia/
288 locals recommend
Brasstown Bald Visitors Center
2941 GA-180 SpurThis is the highest point in Georgia and the 360 degree view is amazing! Take a sneak peak on their website:
https://cfaia.org/visitor-centers-gift-shops/georgia-visitor-centers-gift-shops/brasstown-bald-recreation-area-visitor-centers-in-georgia/
This once was a rock quarry and is now a county park. While it was closed for several years, people would hike up to the summit and spray paint the rocks (which is no longer allowed). You can drive all the way or park and walk to the summit. There are several built wooden walkways and outlooks. This is free and is a great panoramic view of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding mountains. It's a must see!
138 locals recommend
Bell Mountain
220 Shake Rag RdThis once was a rock quarry and is now a county park. While it was closed for several years, people would hike up to the summit and spray paint the rocks (which is no longer allowed). You can drive all the way or park and walk to the summit. There are several built wooden walkways and outlooks. This is free and is a great panoramic view of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding mountains. It's a must see!
A year-round botanical garden on 33 acres with level walking trails throughout. April and May are the best months to visit!
Open Year Round 8AM – 8PM, Restrooms are available but closed in Winter
Admission: Honor system $2 per person, $5 per family
Pets are not allowed
Tobacco products are prohibited
96 Pavilion Road
Hiawassee, GA
706-970-0011
26 locals recommend
Hamilton Gardens at Lake Chatuge
96 Pavilion RdA year-round botanical garden on 33 acres with level walking trails throughout. April and May are the best months to visit!
Open Year Round 8AM – 8PM, Restrooms are available but closed in Winter
Admission: Honor system $2 per person, $5 per family
Pets are not allowed
Tobacco products are prohibited
96 Pavilion Road
Hiawassee, GA
706-970-0011
Essentials
This is the best quality grocery store in Hiawassee. I always shop here. They have a great selection and quality of meat for the grill, and great made-to-order sandwiches too!
76 locals recommend
Ingles Market
94 N Main StThis is the best quality grocery store in Hiawassee. I always shop here. They have a great selection and quality of meat for the grill, and great made-to-order sandwiches too!
Shopping
They have multiple vendors under one roof and and amazing selection of items. Even if you don't buy anything, it's worth a browse.
19 locals recommend
Hiawassee Antique Mall LLC
518 N Main StThey have multiple vendors under one roof and and amazing selection of items. Even if you don't buy anything, it's worth a browse.
This is a must stop for gifts with a variety for every budget and style. They carry handcrafted and local items. The owner Linda is a pleasure to chat with. It's a wonderful country store.
Creekside General Store
2955 US-76This is a must stop for gifts with a variety for every budget and style. They carry handcrafted and local items. The owner Linda is a pleasure to chat with. It's a wonderful country store.
Great store for gifts, local products and for browsing. They carry an array of items from vintage to clothing, candy, pet products, toys, books and more. Also the staff is wonderful to chat with!
Lakeview Vintage Market
325 Big Sky DrGreat store for gifts, local products and for browsing. They carry an array of items from vintage to clothing, candy, pet products, toys, books and more. Also the staff is wonderful to chat with!
Always Christmas
715 N Main StIf you're in a Christmas mood, this is the perfect place!
This is a nice tidy shop with a well thought out selection of mid-to-high grade camping and hiking supplies and gear. gear. A selection of books and maps is available for the adventurer. The staff knowledgeable about the products and the area. They offer some unique gift items as well.
75 North Main Street
Hiawassee, GA 30546
(706) 521-HIKE
14 locals recommend
Trailful Outdoor Co.
75 N Main StThis is a nice tidy shop with a well thought out selection of mid-to-high grade camping and hiking supplies and gear. gear. A selection of books and maps is available for the adventurer. The staff knowledgeable about the products and the area. They offer some unique gift items as well.
75 North Main Street
Hiawassee, GA 30546
(706) 521-HIKE
Food & More
Located from Helen to Hayesville, NC these spots are the ones to try!
A must go to bbq spot. Inside and outside seating with a view of Lake Chatuge.
*They do get busy during prime lunch and dinner times.
29 locals recommend
The Happy Hawg
1586 U.S. 76A must go to bbq spot. Inside and outside seating with a view of Lake Chatuge.
*They do get busy during prime lunch and dinner times.
Brew house serving craft beers and wines from local wineries. The Taco Trailer serves up mexican street food, and there is plenty of seating and sometimes live music.
55 locals recommend
Hiawassee Brew
616 S Main StBrew house serving craft beers and wines from local wineries. The Taco Trailer serves up mexican street food, and there is plenty of seating and sometimes live music.
This is a local favorite! Great American home-cooking with a little twist and vegetarian options. The atmosphere here is cozy and comfy, and the food never disappoints.
49 locals recommend
Brother's at Willow Ranch
6223 S US Hwy 76 BypassThis is a local favorite! Great American home-cooking with a little twist and vegetarian options. The atmosphere here is cozy and comfy, and the food never disappoints.
A fun American spot downtown Hiawassee with quality food. Eat in the dining room or out on the patio! They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also have a large bar with night time entertainment.
They have online ordering at https://www.ordersundance.com
706 896 4745
715 N Main St
Hiawassee, GA 30546
Come and join us!
34 locals recommend
Sundance Grill
715 N Main StA fun American spot downtown Hiawassee with quality food. Eat in the dining room or out on the patio! They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also have a large bar with night time entertainment.
They have online ordering at https://www.ordersundance.com
706 896 4745
715 N Main St
Hiawassee, GA 30546
Come and join us!
If you are in Helen, this is a good place to get chicken and waffles. The portions are generous and they have weekly specials. It is a tavern, so can be a bit noisy when busy. You'll enjoy the food!
81 locals recommend
Bigg Daddys Restaurant & Tavern
807 Edelweiss StrasseIf you are in Helen, this is a good place to get chicken and waffles. The portions are generous and they have weekly specials. It is a tavern, so can be a bit noisy when busy. You'll enjoy the food!
The Copper Door is an intimate restaurant focused on traditional steaks & seafood and more with a Creole touch. They offer a selection of quality wines in an, inviting dining room, outdoor seating on a patio with a courtyard, and a full bar. Open for dinner Monday through Saturday evenings. The dress code is smart casual, and gentlemen are asked to remove their hats.
Reservations are recommended.
https://www.thecopperdoor.com
828-389-8460
121 locals recommend
The Copper Door
2 Sullivan StThe Copper Door is an intimate restaurant focused on traditional steaks & seafood and more with a Creole touch. They offer a selection of quality wines in an, inviting dining room, outdoor seating on a patio with a courtyard, and a full bar. Open for dinner Monday through Saturday evenings. The dress code is smart casual, and gentlemen are asked to remove their hats.
Reservations are recommended.
https://www.thecopperdoor.com
828-389-8460
Nocturnal Brewing
893 US-64 BUSThe Oaks Lakeside Kitchen
3493 US-76Hiawassee Seafood Bar & Grill
147 S Main StWineries
Good wineries all within a 45 minute drive of Hiawassee
An excellent vineyard a 30 minute drive away!
Tasting Room: 706.379.1236
E-mail: info@cranecreekvineyards.com
Knowledgeable friendly staff, beautiful scenery, great wine. A wonderful place to spend a relaxing afternoon. You can bring your own food or purchase a charcuterie sampling there if you like. Reservations are recommended.
148 locals recommend
Crane Creek Vineyards
1040 Crane Creek RdAn excellent vineyard a 30 minute drive away!
Tasting Room: 706.379.1236
E-mail: info@cranecreekvineyards.com
Knowledgeable friendly staff, beautiful scenery, great wine. A wonderful place to spend a relaxing afternoon. You can bring your own food or purchase a charcuterie sampling there if you like. Reservations are recommended.
A beautiful landscape with a friendly staff and music on Saturdays. They also have very good wine!
42 locals recommend
Hightower Creek Vineyards
7150 Canaan DrA beautiful landscape with a friendly staff and music on Saturdays. They also have very good wine!
They have good reasonably priced wine, plenty of outdoor seating,knowledgeable staff and a great selection of wines. A fun stop in Helen!
http://habershamwinery.com/
86 locals recommend
Habersham Winery
7025 S Main StThey have good reasonably priced wine, plenty of outdoor seating,knowledgeable staff and a great selection of wines. A fun stop in Helen!
http://habershamwinery.com/
This is a small boutique winery just over the border in North Carolina and convenient to downtown Hayesville. They have plenty of covered outdoor seating and scenic Mountain views.
(828) 389-8466
8 Cedar Cliff Rd., Hayesville, NC 28904
eagleforkvineyards@gmail.com
29 locals recommend
Eagle Fork Vineyards
8 Cedar Cliff RdThis is a small boutique winery just over the border in North Carolina and convenient to downtown Hayesville. They have plenty of covered outdoor seating and scenic Mountain views.
(828) 389-8466
8 Cedar Cliff Rd., Hayesville, NC 28904
eagleforkvineyards@gmail.com
Activities
If you have a boat or are using our kayaks on the lake, this is the closest access point.
Public Boat Ramp Access to Lake Chatuge
If you have a boat or are using our kayaks on the lake, this is the closest access point.
Best zip lining and tubing in the area with closed bottom tubes.
87 locals recommend
Cool River Tubing
590 Edelweiss StrasseBest zip lining and tubing in the area with closed bottom tubes.
Great hands-on guides and an overall fun experience. They are open year round. They offer trail riding, lessons, training, and boarding. The name Chunky Gal comes from the mountain range that they sit right at the base of, Chunky Gal Mountain. The legend is that the mountains were named after an old Cherokee Indian story of a chief's daughter that did not want to be married off to who her father had selected and ran away into the mountains. Chunky Gal Mountain was the last place she was seen.
29 locals recommend
Chunky Gal Stables
1306 Hot House RdGreat hands-on guides and an overall fun experience. They are open year round. They offer trail riding, lessons, training, and boarding. The name Chunky Gal comes from the mountain range that they sit right at the base of, Chunky Gal Mountain. The legend is that the mountains were named after an old Cherokee Indian story of a chief's daughter that did not want to be married off to who her father had selected and ran away into the mountains. Chunky Gal Mountain was the last place she was seen.
This small white sand beach with gorgeous lake and mountain views has an adjacent park with a playground for the little ones, pickle ball courts, and a pavilion with picnic tables if you're staying for lunch. If you're not up for packing a picnic, don't forget to pick up sandwiches in downtown Hiawassee (check the map for my favorite spots)!
http://www.townscountyga.org/beach.html
7 locals recommend
Towns County Recreational Beach & Playground
This small white sand beach with gorgeous lake and mountain views has an adjacent park with a playground for the little ones, pickle ball courts, and a pavilion with picnic tables if you're staying for lunch. If you're not up for packing a picnic, don't forget to pick up sandwiches in downtown Hiawassee (check the map for my favorite spots)!
http://www.townscountyga.org/beach.html
The Old Rock Jail functioned as the county jail from 1936 to the early 1970s when a new jail was constructed. In 1980, the building was renovated and used by the City of Hiawassee as a City Hall. Since that time, the building has been used for various purposes. In 1985, the Old Rock Jail was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The hours are:
Fridays 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Saturdays 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Other times by special request.
townscountyhistory@gmail.com
or calling: 706-781-8611
or 706-994-0218
Old Rock Jail
South Wood StreetThe Old Rock Jail functioned as the county jail from 1936 to the early 1970s when a new jail was constructed. In 1980, the building was renovated and used by the City of Hiawassee as a City Hall. Since that time, the building has been used for various purposes. In 1985, the Old Rock Jail was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The hours are:
Fridays 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Saturdays 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Other times by special request.
townscountyhistory@gmail.com
or calling: 706-781-8611
or 706-994-0218