Hiawassee is a sweet small town located at the tip top of Georgia bordering the North Carolina line and is known as Georgia’s Lake and Mountain Paradise.
After Labor Day, the summer lovers return home as boating season comes to an end and the town begins to welcome its second wave of visitors that prefer the crisp mountain air that starts to take over mid-September.
Hiawassee is one of those hidden places that many people drive through to reach other destinations, such as Helen or Blue Ridge, but as they pass through, they begin to fall in love with what the town has to offer and usually come back for an extended stay.
Here at The Ridges Resort, we absolutely love welcoming you into what we like to call North Georgia’s Premiere Destination as you enjoy various accommodation options, on-site restaurants and beautiful lakeside views.
Fall is a peak season for Hiawassee, especially when the leaves start to turn into those gorgeous hues of red, yellow and orange, making our mountains a picture perfect backdrop for your visit.
If you find yourself in the area this season, we’ve rounded up 5 Can’t Miss Events and Activities In Hiawassee This Fall 🍂
Live Music Every Weekend
One of the best parts about Hiawassee is that the town proudly puts their locals on display and promotes family fun all year round in many ways, but one of the most prevalent being through live music.
Almost everywhere you look, you’ll find a local music act filling the atmosphere with familiar tunes as visitors and residents alike enjoy delicious bites and tasty cocktails throughout the sweet mountain town.
As you plan your visit to Hiawassee this fall, make sure to pencil in a live music act at one of the following:
Marina Station
Located on the grounds of The Ridges Resort, Marina Station hosts live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. If you’re searching for a casual lakeside dining experience with the chance to soak in the beauty of the mountains at sunset, look no further.
Crane Creek Vineyards
Located a few minutes away in Hiawassee’s neighboring town, Young Harris, Crane Creek is one of two local wineries offering gorgeous views that become elevated in the fall as the leaves change colors.
The vineyard is known for their live music Fridays, also referred to as Aperitivo, from 6-8pm where you can kick off your weekend with wine by the glass or bottle, paired with yummy small plates by Paris & Company.
Acoustic Sunsets at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Located in the heart of Hiawassee and designed to truly enjoy the beautiful outdoor scenery that the mountains have to offer, Acoustic Sunsets at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds is a free event with food trucks and art vendors from 6-9pm every Thursday night through October 6th with live music beginning at 7pm.
Bring your own chair or picnic blanket to enjoy a family friendly evening in the mountains.
Hiawassee Brew
Hiawassee’s first and only brewery brings the fun every Friday and Saturday night with local artists that add a special touch to the already friendly and vibrant environment.
With a full menu serving up delicious snacks, entrees and rotating beer choices, you’re sure to have a unique experience at the brew each time you visit.
Hiawassee Hikes
While the summer season allows for a lot of outside activities on the lake, we believe there’s really no better time to get outside than in the fall, especially when you’re in Hiawassee.
The area is known for a few local hikes offering beautiful views, including:
Bell Mountain
If you’re not really the hiking type, but still want a mountainous photo op, look no further than the local favorite, Bell Mountain.
What used to be a rough dirt path only accessible by walking or off road vehicles, has since been developed into a paved, drivable mountain road with parking lots so that anyone can visit.
Always known for the graffitied rocks at the top, Bell Mountain offers 360 views of Lake Chatuge that can be enjoyed by an observation deck.
Pro Tip: try to visit at sunset – the views are insane 😍
Address: 220 Shake Rag Road, Hiawassee, GA 30546
High Shoals Falls & Blue Hole Falls
The most popular waterfall destination in the area, this trail provides a 2.4 mile adventure with multiple places to stop along the way so you can truly enjoy the great outdoors.
The hike is marked as moderate, making it a perfect stop on your fall family day.
Address: 1333 Indian Grave Gap Road, Hiawassee, GA 30534
First Friday Night Market: October 7 & November 4
A trip to a small town wouldn’t be complete without paying a visit to the town square and Hiawassee makes it easy for you to enjoy the charming area with the First Friday Night Markets.
On the first Friday of each month through November, you can shop an artist and artisan market, pick up fresh, local produce, enjoy a food truck dinner and, you guessed it, listen to live music! Games are also available for the kids, so this is perfect for your first night in town to kick off your fall vacation weekend. Admission is free and the fun goes from 5-9pm.
Address: 19 S Main Street, Hiawassee, GA 30534
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival: October 7-15
A Hiawasee fall tradition that is back better than ever this year, the fall festival is complete with arts and craft vendors, daily live music in the Anderson Music Hall and carnival rides paired with your favorite fair food making this an event for the whole family to enjoy.
Festival doors open at 10am each day and will run until 7pm. Parking is free at the fairgrounds and admission to the festival is $12. All live music is included with your admission, excluding Saturday October 8th and 15th.
Address: 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee, GA 30546
Appalachian Brew, Stew & Que Festival: October 22
The brew fest is another fall classic in Hiawassee that draws in large crowds to enjoy craft beers from breweries across Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama.
The one day only event is a perfect way to get outside, soak in the fall scenery, sip on good drinks and get a taste of the south with some of the best BBQ around.
With $40 admission at the gate, you’ll receive unlimited tastings from 60+ breweries, a souvenir glass and complimentary live music.
Pro Tip: save $5 when you pre-purchase online!
Address: 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee, GA 30546
There’s truly nothing like a trip to the mountains in the fall and you definitely won’t run short of things to do or views to see. Pick a weekend, plan your trip and we’ll see you soon 🎉