Hiawassee is known as Georgia’s Lake and Mountain Paradise, so as you can imagine visitors flock to this area in the spring and summer months. While summertime in the mountains is truly spectacular, don’t dismiss a winter weekend getaway to the area quite yet.

The small town has plenty to offer year round, you just have to know where to look! Lucky for you, you don’t have to do the searching alone. 

At The Ridges Resort, we love helping you plan and enjoy special moments with your friends or family, so we’ve rounded up our top winter recommendations for you to try out on your next visit.

Pack your favorite beanie and warm clothes and hit the road. 🧳

Secure Your Stay

First things first, when you’re planning your winter getaway to Hiawassee, you’ll definitely want to pick a place to stay that matches your mood!

At The Ridges Resort, you’ll find lakeview rooms that will greet you each morning with a beautiful sunrise. After getting ready for the day, you can enjoy a warm cup of coffee in the lodge style resort lobby while soaking in the mountain views.

Throughout the year, we offer special packages that you can take advantage of and those can be found here.

Winter Weekend Itinerary

Day 1: Upon arrival at your home away from home, unpack and settle in before heading out to explore all of the fun that Hiawassee has to offer. 

When you’re ready to kick off your evening, make your way to Marina Station for a casual dinner and live music. Marina Station is located right on the grounds of the resort and is just a short 5-minute walk from your room!

Bundle up and make the treks along the winding sidewalks to enjoy wings, burgers and more paired with your favorite cocktail in the friendly environment situated right on Lake Chatuge. 

After your meal, you can make your way back to the resort and wind down with s’mores by the outdoor fire pit.

Oh, and before you head to your room to rest up for your big day of adventuring ahead, make sure to make your Saturday night reservation at The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen!

Day 2: After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to kickstart your day throughout Hiawassee with a warm cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich from a local favorite, Abide.

After you’re fueled up on food and caffeine, it’s time to hit the road for a fun filled day in the mountains.

To start, make your way to Bell Mountain for one of the best photo ops in town. This rugged mountain top with 360 panoramic views of Lake Chatuge will take your breath away and it’s a must visit on your trip!

You can drive to the top to get the full experience, but if you want to brave the cold and get a few extra steps in, you can climb the steep staircase for the ultimate view.

Address: 220 Shake Rag Rd. Hiawassee, GA 30534

After you’ve taken your photos and enjoyed the views, it’s time for a real hike! Even during the winter, High Shoals Falls is a highly traveled hiking spot that leads to a beautiful waterfall.

The 2.6 round trip hike will build your appetite for a hearty lunch at the best barbecue spot in town, The Happy Hawg. What appears to be a small shack on the side of the road is actually a booming local favorite that serves up delicious barbecue, sides and the sweetest tea you’ll find!

After all of your adventuring, it’s time to treat yourself with some local shopping. 🛍

Whether you’re looking for gifts or a fun souvenir to remember your trip by, a few notable favorites include:

  • North and Main Clothing Company – located right on Main Street in Hiawassee, this boutique always has the latest fashion finds (and they have two awesome wall murals that make for great photo ops if you want to snap a picture while you’re there 📸)
  • Bacchus On The Lake – this is THE destination for wines, tastings, craft beers and growlers for you to grab to enjoy in your room at The Ridges or for you to take home for later
  • Trailful Outdoor Co. – the local outfitter store where you can grab all of your outdoor and hiking needs

Once you’ve got your fill on shopping, head back to your room to freshen up before your reservation at The Oaks! When you’re ready, you can head to the bar to grab a well-deserved cocktail before you get seated to enjoy dinner and dessert. 

Day 3: Before you wrap up your weekend, you should enjoy one last mountain sunrise. Grab coffee from the lobby and cozy up on your balcony as you take in the fresh air of Lake Chatuge before packing up.

After checking out of the resort, make one last stop at Crane Creek Vineyard for brunch at Paris and Company.

If you’re feeling up to it, you can stick around for a wine tasting at the Stone House or grab a bottle to go at the Farmhouse Market to savor until you return to North Georgia’s premiere destination… because we know you’ll be back!

As you head out of town, make sure you stop by one of Hiawassee’s wall murals to snap a photo to remember the memories.

📍Greetings From Hiawassee Postcard: Located at Hiawassee City Hall on the square

📍Georgia’s Lake & Mountain Paradise located beside Hiawassee Hardware

With so many things to do, places to eat and sights to see, Hiawassee is  truly one of the best destinations for couples, families and friends to come together no matter the occasion. 

When you’re ready to return, we’ll be here to welcome you back!