Ellijay, GA

Ellijay is an 80-mile drive north of Atlanta through the Georgia mountains, accessible via I-575 to US-515. The small mountain town serves as Gilmer County's seat, surrounded by apple orchards in the Appalachian foothills. US-515 connects it north to Blue Ridge and south to Jasper, while State Route 52 links to Dahlonega. Every October, the Georgia Apple Festival draws huge crowds to celebrate the area's apple heritage with traditional copper kettle apple butter making.