Your Memorable Romantic Celebration

Start your celebration with Mother Nature, breathing in the mountain air. Long Creek Falls is one of the most popular hikes in Blue Ridge and takes only about an hour to enjoy.

After that, head over to Blue Ridge Cellars for a light lunch. Pick from several charcuterie boards or flatbreads, though my favorite is the baked brie with Granny Smith apples. Either option is ideal for pairing with their wine or beer tastings.

After lunch, indulge in a couple’s massage at Serenity in the Mountains. The new treehouses offer privacy, a fireplace and a porch for enjoying a glass of champagne after your relaxing treatment.

Before dinner at Burra Burra Seafood in McCaysville, enjoy a stroll through the RiverWalk Shops.

Where to stay: Blue Ridge Inn is a lovely escape for couples near the Downtown area, or pick from dozens of perfectly secluded cabins in the mountains, on the beautiful Toccoa River or beside a mountain stream.

Your Ideal Family Celebration

Start your morning with a big Mercier Mountain Breakfast at Mercier Orchard Downtown. Kids will love the cinnamon rolls or chocolate chip pancakes.

Nothing screams “perfect for every age” more than a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Our favorite way to enjoy is in the open-air car. In general, weekend rides leave at 11 a.m., so be sure to enjoy that big breakfast so that you can eat a late lunch. Concessions are on the train should you need a hold-me-over.

After the ride, Trailer Drive-In will bring back memories for the older generation and create new ones for the kids. If you finish everything on your plate, treat yourself with a gigantic milkshake…or wait until you head back Downtown and get a cone at MooBears. (More Blue Ridge lunch ideas here.)

Get your photo together along the Blue Line–with one foot in each state. After that, take in a little history at the Ducktown Basin Museum, where you can learn about the rich copper mining history in the area.

Where to stay: Find the perfect vacation rental to suit your family's size and needs, whether a mountain cabin, bed & breakfast or downtown cottage (lodging ideas here).

Your Casual and Fun Celebration with Friends

Start your adventure on Lake Blue Ridge! Park at Morganton Point Recreation Area and rent a kayak or paddleboard from Lake Blue Ridge Outfitters. Make your way across the 11-mile lake or meander the 65 miles of shoreline.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, return your equipment and head over to Boat Dock Bar & Grill for lunch and a few beers. The open-air patio and lake-living vibe will have you cutting-up and enjoying life!

After lunch, head to your cabin and wash up; it’s time to get ready for your VIP Wine Tour at Bear Claw Vineyards. Six tastings and a private tour of the vineyard and winery promise a world of fun. After your tour, relax on the deck and take in the scenery; the views here are spectacular.

Time to make your way back Downtown and do some shopping. Take in the artistry at Canoe, or Fishbone Studio. When dinner time draws near, head over to Chester Brunnenmeyer’s Bar and Grill for delicious eats and swanky drinks, with the perfect ambiance.

Where to stay: Find a downtown cottage, bed and breakfast or an amazing mountain lodge vacation rental here (lodging ideas here).