FAQ/Local Area Attractions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Serenity have a Conference Room or Banquet Hall?

Serenity in the Mountains is a small boutique spa hotel so we are not equipped with conference rooms. However, if you are holding a small meeting the three bedroom suite can accommodate 8-10 people informally in the living room and dining room. The local area banks (United Community Bank 706-632-6000 and Appalachian Community Bank 706-258-4000) offer Community Rooms for rent but you will need to book them far in advance. Both of the facilities are within 5 minutes of Serenity and can accommodate mid-size groups.

Does Serenity have a restaurant and/or can you cater an event for us?

While we do offer food and beverage service at the spa (lunch, group manicure, and pedicure refreshments—see options listed for Girlfriend Getaways), Serenity in the Mountains does not have an on-site restaurant. We do not have an on-site catering company, and we do not refer customers to a particular catering company. Please contact the Fannin County Chamber for a list of caterers in the area at 706-632-5680 or 1-800-899-MTNS (6867).

Is Serenity in the Mountains a resort?

We are not a full-service resort. While all of our suites are built and modeled as luxury cabins in the mountains... they come complete with everything but the view. The suites are all spacious and include all of the comforts of home. The Suites are an extension of the Spa, built in the same Mountain retreat style.

Does Serenity in the Mountains have a pool?

While we do offer the Steam and Sauna at the spa (you are welcome to visit the spa steam and sauna at no charge during spa hours), Serenity does not have a pool. There are Jacuzzi bathtubs in each suite but there is not a large group hot tub.

Local Area Attractions

Please visit our Stay and See Blue Ridge Section for a list of the area's top attractions including the Blue Ridge Scenic Mountain Railway.

Restaurants/Food

You may want to go out to eat while you're visiting (and just relax!) or you may want to pick up some tasty treats and prepare them in your room (some of us just love to cook and snack!) so we've included a link to all of the local area restaurants below along with some suggestions on grocery stores and specialty food and wine shops.

Food/Wine

Out of the Blue is Blue Ridge's premier gourmet food and wine store located on Main Street in downtown Blue Ridge. You'll find a great selection of the best wines (and at Blue Ridge prices!). They also have wonderful snacks. The Gourmet Market (in nearby Morganton) or the Ingles grocery store (across the street from Serenity) both offer a very nice selection of meats and seafood. Wine and beer are sold in grocery stores in Blue Ridge.

Restaurants

Blue Ridge has many wonderful restaurants to offer. The restaurants run the gambit from seafood and steaks on the Toccoa River (so you get a great sunset view on the porch) at the Toccoa River Restaurant, to vegetarian delights at Indigo Grill in downtown Blue Ridge. You may also want to visit Murphy, NC (only a 25 minute drive away).

See a list of area restaurants

Shopping/Antiquing

Downtown Blue Ridge offers a wonderful variety of antique, clothing and gift stores. You can easily spend the day shopping! Many of the shops are located on Main Street (along with fun restaurants and treats). You'll also want to check out the stores across from the train station on the opposite side of downtown. From great antiques to Elvis Christmas ornaments to everything bear... there is definitely something for everyone on your list!

There are also several spots where you can grab a snack when you need to give your feet a rest from all of the shopping... the best ice cream cone ever at Sweet Treats, real French pastries at Danielle's Great Eats, and of course coffee at The Beanery, voted one of the best in Georgia by Southern Living.

Area shopping overview

Movies/Drive-In/Theater

Blue Ridge is home to one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters with two showings every night at sundown (most of the year) and a traditional movie theater with two screens (two shows on the weekends and an early show during the week). If you can't find the latest blockbuster at either of these, you can venture either south into Canton, GA or north into Hiawassee, GA for a metroplex (both about 45 minutes in either direction).

Blue Ridge's Community Theater productions are terrific—great shows, actors, and directors. The theater has quite a following. There are typically four to six main productions each year along with a wonderful Christmas show.

Music/Dancing/Games

One of the best summer activities in Blue Ridge is "Pickin' in the Park" every Thursday evening at Horse Shoe Bend State Park. Local area musicians all get together for a blue grass/country/pop jam fest on the Toccoa River. Most people bring a picnic dinner.

In terms of dancing (we know some of you ladies love to kick up your heels!), most of this occurs on the weekend, but there are also special dance band occasions on holidays (mother's day at Brother's Restaurant in Murphy, New Years Eve at Brasstown Valley in Young Harris...). Both the Morganton Music Park (706-374-5230) and the Sugar Creek Music Park (706-632-2560) offer local country music and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights (Morganton) and Saturday nights May through October (Sugar Creek). Both of the music parks are small local venues.

In addition, some of the festivals offer bands and dancing. One of note (for those of you who have always wanted to dance on the courthouse steps!) is the Street Dance on May 16th in Downtown Blue Ridge. Please visit the links listed below under festivals and events to check for other dancing opportunities.

Blue Ridge also has a bowling alley (Fannin Lanes Bowling Center 706-632-2064) and a pizza restaurant (Papa's Pizza 706-632-8551) with a game room for kids (a mini version of Chucky Cheese complete with coupons to redeem for prizes) both a 5 minute drive away.

Golf/Pool/Tennis

While you can enjoy a steam or sauna at the spa, Serenity does not have a pool. If you'd like to go swimming, you can either try Lake Blue Ridge (they have a small beach area great for swimming or picnicking), or the local Blue Ridge pool (706-632-7696) in town is $5 per visit or the Meeks park pool about 15 minutes north on Hwy 515 (706-439-6101) is $3 per visit. Be prepared for lots of kids either way! Both the Blue Ridge pool and the Meeks Park pool are open Memorial Day through the end of summer. Meeks Park also has four new tennis courts open to the public free of charge—its fun to play with the mountains as your backdrop.

Churches

If you'll be here over the weekend, you may want to visit one of the local churches. The churches in downtown Blue Ridge are listed below along with a link to a complete list of area churches.

See a complete list of churches

Events

There are a number of great events in Blue Ridge (ranging from Arts in the Park to the Great Adventure Race to Fireworks at Lake Blue Ridge on the 4th of July). People drive up from South Florida for our Halloween event—we close down the town! All the children trick-or-treat together in downtown Blue Ridge complete with wonderful activities and an incredible costume contest.

See the latest and greatest events in Blue Ridge

Festivals

Downtown Blue Ridge offers a very charming setting for cultural events. The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association has for over thirty years hosted some of the best events in North Georgia. The fall and spring offer the biggest variety of festivals but there are events throughout the year. The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association (BRMAA) hosts many large and small events in addition to offering lots of wonderful art, music, and dance classes.

In addition, there are wonderful events offered in neighboring communities like the Scottish Highlands Festival in Blairsville and the Apple Festival in Ellijay.

Upcoming BRMAA Events

BRMAA Festival Information