Guidebook for Hiawassee
Food Scene
"An Appalachian eatery"
Easily the best restaurant in this area. Fabulous young chef doing wonderful things with well-sourced ingredients. You can check them out on Facebook. This place has turned me into someone who take photos of my food.
BYOB
Restaurant Lorene
1149 Main St"An Appalachian eatery"
Easily the best restaurant in this area. Fabulous young chef doing wonderful things with well-sourced ingredients. You can check them out on Facebook. This place has turned me into someone who take photos of my food.
BYOB
Epic Catering is great for a morning bagel or breakfast burrito. Lovely owners who will be happy to chat with you about the area. Even better though is if you're planning to be here for several days, you can order from their personal catering menu and have meals ready for your trip.
Visit e-entrees.com to see their weekly menu, order by Tuesday, and pick up meals on Wednesday to have for the rest of the week.
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Epic Catering
714 North Carolina 69Epic Catering is great for a morning bagel or breakfast burrito. Lovely owners who will be happy to chat with you about the area. Even better though is if you're planning to be here for several days, you can order from their personal catering menu and have meals ready for your trip.
Visit e-entrees.com to see their weekly menu, order by Tuesday, and pick up meals on Wednesday to have for the rest of the week.
Good pulled pork and smoked turkey - eat in or drive through/pick up - good for bringing back to eat on the dock. Heavy on the smoke if you like that. Sides are just ok.
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The Happy Hawg
1586 U.S. 76Good pulled pork and smoked turkey - eat in or drive through/pick up - good for bringing back to eat on the dock. Heavy on the smoke if you like that. Sides are just ok.
Super convenient to the house. You can call in an order, walk down there in your lake clothes and pick it up at the window without having to go into the restaurant. Most tender ribs you'll find.
Rib Country BBQ (Hiawassee, GA)
101 South Main StreetSuper convenient to the house. You can call in an order, walk down there in your lake clothes and pick it up at the window without having to go into the restaurant. Most tender ribs you'll find.
The best Asian food around here. I like their curries with fried tofu. Very friendly people.
6 preporuka/e lokalaca
Bowl of Asia
3921 US-76The best Asian food around here. I like their curries with fried tofu. Very friendly people.
Sports bar scene with some surprisingly good food. Great burgers, good duck salad, and outstanding bread pudding.
29 preporuka/e lokalaca
Chevelles 69
983 NC-69Sports bar scene with some surprisingly good food. Great burgers, good duck salad, and outstanding bread pudding.
Easy drive through window pick up of decent pizza at a good price. My nephews love the "Hundred pounder" - xl pizza with 100 pieces of pepperoni and 1 pound of cheese. If you want delivery though it has to be over $25 and there is a charge.
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Papa's Pizza To Go
3064 US-76Easy drive through window pick up of decent pizza at a good price. My nephews love the "Hundred pounder" - xl pizza with 100 pieces of pepperoni and 1 pound of cheese. If you want delivery though it has to be over $25 and there is a charge.
Big Al's Pizza
757 Bell Creek RdSolid specialty pizzas
Mary's Southern Grill
1615 GA-17Good country breakfasts and Southern lunch
The Sawmill Place
1150 Pat Haralson DrGood quality Southern food with local ingredients.
Tasty, higher-end dishes, good happy hour specials, affordable lunch menu, Sunday brunch (no alcohol though)
Can sit outside with a lake view
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Hawg Wild BBQ And Catfish House
625 US-76Tasty, higher-end dishes, good happy hour specials, affordable lunch menu, Sunday brunch (no alcohol though)
Can sit outside with a lake view
Do NOT go here!
There is nothing outstanding about the food and they have a well-established reputation for dishonesty. Stay away.
8 preporuka/e lokalaca
Cafe Portofino
3295 Dogwood LnDo NOT go here!
There is nothing outstanding about the food and they have a well-established reputation for dishonesty. Stay away.
If you happen to be driving that way in/out of town, or you're headed to Vogel, Mountain Crossings, etc., this is DEFinitely the best barbeque around.
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Jim's Smokin' Que
4971 Gainesville HwyIf you happen to be driving that way in/out of town, or you're headed to Vogel, Mountain Crossings, etc., this is DEFinitely the best barbeque around.
G&G Bakery & Cafe
110 Gainesville HighwayFantastic donuts! Coffee drinks and other pastries, too. Huge salads.
Arts & Culture
Free music concerts on Friday nights; contra dancing on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Explore the campus and the gift shop, as well.
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John C. Campbell Folk School
One Folk School RdFree music concerts on Friday nights; contra dancing on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Explore the campus and the gift shop, as well.
There are tons of music events and theater productions going on regularly at the College. Plus, there is an art gallery on campus that cultivates exhibits from artists all over the world. The planetarium has year-round shows. It's worth checking out the College calendar for while you're here: http://www.yhc.edu/about/news-media/events
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Young Harris College
1 College StThere are tons of music events and theater productions going on regularly at the College. Plus, there is an art gallery on campus that cultivates exhibits from artists all over the world. The planetarium has year-round shows. It's worth checking out the College calendar for while you're here: http://www.yhc.edu/about/news-media/events
Clay's Corner is a peculiar little gas station that gained notoriety for it's annual New Year's Eve "possum drop."
On Friday nights after the John C. Campbell concert you can find locals gathered in the back of the convenience store for ice cream and folk music jam sessions. It's worth stopping in to see the place and to hear some old-timey, Appalachian music.
Clays Corner
11005 Old Highway 64 WestClay's Corner is a peculiar little gas station that gained notoriety for it's annual New Year's Eve "possum drop."
On Friday nights after the John C. Campbell concert you can find locals gathered in the back of the convenience store for ice cream and folk music jam sessions. It's worth stopping in to see the place and to hear some old-timey, Appalachian music.
Essentials
The closest place to purchase hard liquor is the ABC store connected to Cruz Thru. Cruz Thru is actually drive through beer, but the ABC store wasn't showing up on the map. Towns and Union Counties in Georgia don't sell liquor in stores. The ABC store is technically Hayesville, NC, but it's not actually that far. If you go down there, you can also find a couple of Mexican restaurants, Chevelle's, Rib Country, and Ingles.
Cruz Thru Beverages
48 Creekside CirThe closest place to purchase hard liquor is the ABC store connected to Cruz Thru. Cruz Thru is actually drive through beer, but the ABC store wasn't showing up on the map. Towns and Union Counties in Georgia don't sell liquor in stores. The ABC store is technically Hayesville, NC, but it's not actually that far. If you go down there, you can also find a couple of Mexican restaurants, Chevelle's, Rib Country, and Ingles.
Great local place for wine and beer - very friendly owners - love to support them. Can do beer tasting and get growlers.
**Remember, no alcohol sales on Sunday in GA
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Bacchus Wine Shoppe & Bacchus Beer and Growlers
355 N Main StGreat local place for wine and beer - very friendly owners - love to support them. Can do beer tasting and get growlers.
**Remember, no alcohol sales on Sunday in GA
Good grocery with just about anything you could need. Has salad bar and deli sandwiches. They do sell beer and wine, but not on Sunday.
Starbucks counter inside.
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Ingles Market
94 N Main StGood grocery with just about anything you could need. Has salad bar and deli sandwiches. They do sell beer and wine, but not on Sunday.
Starbucks counter inside.
Rite Aid
131 S Main StHiawassee Hardware
139 N Main StEntertainment & Activities
Highly recommended. Fabulous staff is so friendly and flexible at this place. You can rent boats or jet skis for half day, full day, or multi day. A boat is THE best way to really see and appreciate the beauty of Lake Chatuge. They also rent kayaks, paddle boats, etc.
There is also a cute gift shop there.
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Boundary Waters Resort & Marina
Highly recommended. Fabulous staff is so friendly and flexible at this place. You can rent boats or jet skis for half day, full day, or multi day. A boat is THE best way to really see and appreciate the beauty of Lake Chatuge. They also rent kayaks, paddle boats, etc.
There is also a cute gift shop there.
There are several places to ride horses around here, but Chunky Gal or Trackrock are the best. Brasstown Valley Resort is not a great ride.
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Chunky Gal Stables
1306 Hot House RdThere are several places to ride horses around here, but Chunky Gal or Trackrock are the best. Brasstown Valley Resort is not a great ride.
Music Venue, fairgrounds, and the memorial garden with fabulous rhododendron trails.
Always worth checking out what may be happening at the fairgrounds.
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Georgia Mountain Fair Inc
1311 Music Hall RdMusic Venue, fairgrounds, and the memorial garden with fabulous rhododendron trails.
Always worth checking out what may be happening at the fairgrounds.
There is a public pickle ball complex and I have two racquets and balls in the downstairs linen closet. Even if you've never played, it's pretty easy to pick up and a fun way to spend some time. The courts are lakeside, too.
*There are usually some paddles for people to borrow there, as well. There is a box on the courts with extra racquets to use.
9 preporuka/e lokalaca
Towns County Pickle Ball Complex & Courts
Campground RoadThere is a public pickle ball complex and I have two racquets and balls in the downstairs linen closet. Even if you've never played, it's pretty easy to pick up and a fun way to spend some time. The courts are lakeside, too.
*There are usually some paddles for people to borrow there, as well. There is a box on the courts with extra racquets to use.
Drinks & Nightlife
Very popular open air bar in the evenings.
Brunch on the beach on Sundays in the summer is affordable and about the only place nearby that you can get a bloody mary or mimosa with your brunch. Brunch = waffles, omelets, and homefries. Simple, but good.
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Sand Bar
3288 Dogwood LnVery popular open air bar in the evenings.
Brunch on the beach on Sundays in the summer is affordable and about the only place nearby that you can get a bloody mary or mimosa with your brunch. Brunch = waffles, omelets, and homefries. Simple, but good.
I am only recommending this place for the outdoor bar area. It's the only place (other than my dock!) to have a drink or be in a "scene" ON the water.
I am not recommending to eat there or do anything other than hang out in the outside part. Sometimes they have live music out there. Don't expect great service.
Blue Otter
3399 US-76I am only recommending this place for the outdoor bar area. It's the only place (other than my dock!) to have a drink or be in a "scene" ON the water.
I am not recommending to eat there or do anything other than hang out in the outside part. Sometimes they have live music out there. Don't expect great service.
Good night life if you don't mind the drive. You can have a good dinner there, listen to a band, hang out, they have karaoke some nights and trivia others...it's just a nice fun place.
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Doyle's
925 Andrews RdGood night life if you don't mind the drive. You can have a good dinner there, listen to a band, hang out, they have karaoke some nights and trivia others...it's just a nice fun place.
Go here for a drink at the bar, check out the lobby and porches, but don't plan to eat here. The whole place is pricey, but it is a lovely ambiance for relaxing. It's a public spot, so you are welcome to go right in and explore. They have a full bar downstairs, fire pit, billiards, corn hole, and giant fireplaces both up and downstairs.
I do not recommend eating in any of their dining options.
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Brasstown Valley Resort Dining
6321 US-76Go here for a drink at the bar, check out the lobby and porches, but don't plan to eat here. The whole place is pricey, but it is a lovely ambiance for relaxing. It's a public spot, so you are welcome to go right in and explore. They have a full bar downstairs, fire pit, billiards, corn hole, and giant fireplaces both up and downstairs.
I do not recommend eating in any of their dining options.
Beautiful, family-owned vineyard in Young Harris. Very friendly and lots of options. They are very open there, so you can bring whatever you want to eat and camp out there as long as you want. There is a pavilion, shaded tables, and a large lawn. You can walk among the vines, go around the lake, or explore the tasting room. Even on rainy days, there is space to sit under the pavilion or in Holly Hill and enjoy the vistas and wine.
On Friday evenings they have live music and tapas - I recommend you call ahead for a reservation if you want to eat and/or get a table.
While you are allowed to bring whatever food you'd like, they do sell some snacks like cheese and crackers.
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Crane Creek Vineyards
1040 Crane Creek RdBeautiful, family-owned vineyard in Young Harris. Very friendly and lots of options. They are very open there, so you can bring whatever you want to eat and camp out there as long as you want. There is a pavilion, shaded tables, and a large lawn. You can walk among the vines, go around the lake, or explore the tasting room. Even on rainy days, there is space to sit under the pavilion or in Holly Hill and enjoy the vistas and wine.
On Friday evenings they have live music and tapas - I recommend you call ahead for a reservation if you want to eat and/or get a table.
While you are allowed to bring whatever food you'd like, they do sell some snacks like cheese and crackers.
Parks & Nature
Posjetiteljski centar Brasstown Bald
2941 GA-180 SpurVogel državni park
405 Vogel State Park RdNice distance for a walk in the woods; not too strenuous. 2.7 milles (in and out I believe) to get to 2 waterfalls. You can swim. Chacos or Tevas or the like will do the job.
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High Shoals Falls
1333 Indian Grave Gap RdNice distance for a walk in the woods; not too strenuous. 2.7 milles (in and out I believe) to get to 2 waterfalls. You can swim. Chacos or Tevas or the like will do the job.
Hiking and biking trails
Boat ramp is good place to put in kayak to paddle different area of the lake (than my place).
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Jack Rabbit Trailhead
1203 Jack Rabbit RdHiking and biking trails
Boat ramp is good place to put in kayak to paddle different area of the lake (than my place).
Mountain Crossings
12471 Gainesville HwyAppalachian Trail
Dicks Creek Gap
Appalachian Trail
Chatuge Dam Trail
1407 Chatuge Dam RdNice, flat, paved walking trail that's great for sunrise.
Largest collection of rhododendrons in the state. April and May are high bloom season - beautiful, shaded stroll.
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Hamilton Gardens at Lake Chatuge
96 Pavilion RdLargest collection of rhododendrons in the state. April and May are high bloom season - beautiful, shaded stroll.
Sightseeing
Not a "hiking trail" per se - an old road. Go up as far as you can drive, find a place to pull over and then walk the rest of the way. The view is worth it!
Just a 5 minute drive from the house!
Summer 2016 - they grated the whole road up so just about any car can make it practically to the top. They created a little parking lot of sorts just before the lookout.
Great for sunsets!!!!
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Bell Mountain
220 Shake Rag RdNot a "hiking trail" per se - an old road. Go up as far as you can drive, find a place to pull over and then walk the rest of the way. The view is worth it!
Just a 5 minute drive from the house!
Summer 2016 - they grated the whole road up so just about any car can make it practically to the top. They created a little parking lot of sorts just before the lookout.
Great for sunsets!!!!