Blairsville, Georgia

Blairsville was designated the Union County seat in 1835 and is named for Revolutionary War veteran James Blair. The area also has a mining past: the Coosa Mines ore was famed for its color and purity. Two museums tell the story, both run by the Union County Historical Society and both free (donations welcome).

Call 706-745-5493 to confirm. The Society also hosts bluegrass, mountain and gospel concerts in the restored 1899 courtroom on select Fridays; see our events calendar.

The market sells local produce, plants, honey, baked goods and handmade crafts every Tuesday and Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM, June through October. October is the last month of the 2026 season, so catch it soon. It also hosts the Kris Kringle Mountain Market, a one-day Christmas market in early December; the 2026 date hasn't been announced.

Lake Nottely was created when the Nottely River was dammed in 1942 as part of the TVA system, and roughly 70 percent of its shoreline is undeveloped national forest land. It's a quiet place to fish or paddle; see our Lake Nottely page. Meeks Park, at 490 Meeks Park Road, hosts the town's festivals and has no pets allowed.

Vogel State Park is about 11 miles south of town. Lake Trahlyta is drained for dam repairs and the lake loop and Trahlyta Falls are closed, but cabins, campsites and trails like the 4-mile Bear Hair Gap loop are open. Nearby Helton Creek Falls is a free, 0.2-mile walk on Helton Creek Road, with steep sections and a Forest Service caution about waterfall danger. Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest point, is a short drive away; see our Brasstown Bald guide.

Stop at Neel Gap, where the Appalachian Trail passes through the stone breezeway of the old Walasi-Yi Center, now the outfitter Mountain Crossings (open daily 9 AM to 5 PM). It's the only place the trail passes through a building. Hikers hang old boots on a tree outside. Our Neel Gap page has details.

Sorghum in the Mountains, held since 1969, is the signature event. The Butternut Creek Festival (free) and Green Bean Festival come in July, and the Scottish Festival and Highland Games are held in early June nearby in Hiawassee. Dates, times and details are on our Blairsville festivals page.