All Aboard: The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
A bright red engine coupled with a blue caboose on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER
ALL ABOARD!
THE BLUE RIDGE SCENIC RAILWAY
One of the things I love about Europe is their infatuation with the train. They understand that there is romantic adventure in a good train trip in a way a plane, car or ship will never have. When you are being served breakfast in a private car after a good night’s sleep rolling along the tracks looking out on the dark silent landscape, it just doesn’t get much better.
While I might not be able to access the European system of travel, I can plan a fun short trip in my own backyard by grabbing some tickets with the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. I did just that recently on a holiday weekend. With two different kinds of trips to choose from and several different car offerings, you and yours can have a lovely days get away just a short drive time from the house.
A few things you will see on the trip
A FEW TRAIN FACTS
We arose to overcast skies and feared it might rain out our plans, but it made for a little cooler trip where the sweaters we threw in at the last minute came in super handy. I actually went online ahead of time to purchase our tickets which I suggest everyone should do. You can pick up your already purchased tickets in the shorter line when you get to the train station, which will give you some time to pick up some cool souvenirs in the gift shop.
First you need to decide which trip you want to take. If you just want the experience, choose the afternoon run that leaves around 3:00 PM and returns two hours later at 5:00. If you’re like me and want a little more adventure, choose the lay-over trip that leaves at 10:00 AM and arrives in the sister towns of McKaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, TN at 11:00.
There you will have two hours to explore, do a little shopping and grab a bite of lunch with drinks. The train tour guides provide you with a great walking map that shows you the layout of the area along with color-coded designations for attractions, food and drink, shopping and other nearby things you might be interested in seeing. The train pulls back out sharply at 1:00 in order to return in time for the afternoon run at 3:00.
Don’t forget to pick up a few train souvenirs at the gift shop
Who you are traveling with may help you decide which trip to make. I noticed kids in the group for both types of trips. I also noticed different levels of handicapped people taking the journey. While there are necessary concessions for that, I wouldn’t say they are 100%. They are just the necessary amount to meet code and nothing more.
Having said that, the train staff were very helpful in trying to make it easier for those who might struggle. Because of how the stops line up to get on and off the train, the handicap car is located in the middle causing the people who need to walk the least struggle to walk/roll the farthest to board. Also note that because of that and how the town is laid out, the four blocks are long blocks requiring quite a bit of walking in order to do much with your allotted time.
CAR TYPES
Next you will want to decide how you want to travel. The least expensive are the open-air cars which take all ages and offer padded seats in bench style as well as access to restrooms and the snack car. There is also an open-air handicap car which offers bench seating for cane and walker folks as well as room with lifts for wheelchair access. There is a separate handicap restroom and it is located right next to the snack car.
The next level of cost will put you in enclosed cars which are a safe bet for weather changes and allow all ages to sit together in comfy chairs facing each other in groups of four. Padded seats, air conditioning and restrooms are also available to you.
Finally, the premier enclosed cars offer the most luxury for the layover trip as they include an 18+ adults only age, a boxed catered meal with dessert, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, reclining seats and air conditioning along with a complimentary photo and tote bag to remember your trip by.
Tickets for the layover trip begin at $37.99 for children and go up to $56.99 for adults with discounts offered for seniors, military and 1st responders. This is for the coach level of service. Want the luxury premier car with all the goodies? You’ll be shelling out $94.99 per ticket less similar discounts. The two-hour trip starts at $30.99 for children and goes up to $42.99 with no premier car extras on the service should you choose that type of car.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Railroads played a big part in the development of the state from the 1800’s through the 1900’s. They contributed to small town growth causing areas to become resorts with regular tourism and visitors. It also helped an ailing mining industry while allowing for the clearing of timbered areas.
The original tracks were laid from Marietta, Georgia running up to Blue Ridge and surrounding areas in 1886. The line running east to Copperhill, TN had a curve that was horseshoe shaped called “the hook”. According to train lore, it was said that curve was so sharp that if the conductor’s cigar went out in the caboose he could wait for the hook and a get a light from the engineer! 🤣
Each car has an assigned train guide whose job seems to be to support the engineers tour over the intercom system. They offer interesting facts along the way about the Toccoa/Ocoee Rivers (the name changes at the Tennessee state line), the people who live and build along the water, descriptions of Native American life and inventions such as fish traps as well as info on a famous local farm family and the smallest church on record (it only seats 10 people).
The Cuckoo’s Nest is your first antiques stop from the train station
MCKAYSVILLE, GA & COPPERHILL, TN
Once you pull into the station, you will unload slowly to either go down a long bit of stairs or a pretty long ramp to get down into the two towns. The blue line refers to the line separating Georgia and Tennessee. Many people straddle that line with a foot in both states for a good selfie while standing in front of the spot the towns created for just such photo ops.
McKaysville and Copperhill…I won’t kid you…are not Blue Ridge from a shopping and dining standpoint but there are some standouts that I mention throughout this post that will be sure to please should you stop in.
The beautiful Blue Ridge Olive OIl & Tea Shop in Copperhill, TN
SHOPPING & DINING
Walking away from the station your first stop might be at Katz’s Deli for a nice mango smoothie and a jumbo hotdog. Both are done well and they offer indoor, outdoor and picnic tables for seating options.
Continue on to the Cuckoo’s Nest for your first stop of antiques shopping. I enjoyed rummaging around this little gem of a store with records, books, accessories, tableware, jugs, and more. I found two wonderful stemmed wine glasses in a color to match my grandmothers antique bowl and they were nice enough to hold them for me until I was heading back to the train.
If you want some genuine Cuban food like so many did, Rum Cake Lady Cuban Cafe is the spot to wait for that table. There you will find sandwiches on real Cuban bread, fried sweet plantains, black beans and rice and all manner of food bowls. Top it off with a little Cuban espresso while you’re at it.
Riverwalk will get you a great spot for ice cream and two restaurants in Bura Bura and Twisted Tomato-all with killer seats and views of the river. Bura Bura serves American classics while Twisted Tomato is your go to for the freshest pizza in town.
Finally, I spent my last bits of time in two of the best shops I discovered and that was Blue Ridge Olive Oil & Tea and Mountain Attitude Designs. Blue Ridge lets you taste any of the flavored olive oils they sell before you purchase which is fabulous. You can also have a nice pot of tea brewed for a cuppa break if you desire. I picked up some great gift sets, pasta, sauce and spice rubs to take back home. Mountain is a cute boutique with gifts, fashion, homewares, jewelry and art. I spotted a cute tee shirt and a great pair of earrings for some pretty awesome prices.
The casual rustic mountain atmosphere of Harvest on Main
HARVEST ON MAIN
Since we needed to be at the train station 45 minutes early and it was an hour’s ride from home, we opted to spend the night and have dinner out the evening before. I made a late reservation for dinner at Harvest on Main which is very well known in the area serving contemporary Southern cuisine with a global twist.
We started with chocolate martinis and continued to wonderful glasses of Zinfandel with our bread and butter basket and bowls of onion apple soup. We shared a pretty plate of duck ravioli which was slightly too smoky in flavor for my taste but had great texture, sweetness and tenderness. Who wouldn’t want a chocolate cream brulee for dessert? This restaurant never fails to produce a good meal and the casual rustic mountain atmosphere makes it the perfect date night spot.
REID RIDGE LODGE
Since this was a last minute trip on a holiday weekend, many of the hotels I tried in town were already full. While this rugged little lodge is out a bit, it is still close enough for easy driving to the train station. Reid Ridge Lodge had a nice big double queen room available for a great price.
We had a good bathroom with plenty of counterspace and super shower with amenities. It had a table and chairs for eating breakfast that came with the room the next morning and a lounging area where I could catch up on some computer work that night.
We enjoyed the firepit with some others on that chilly evening and the only complaint I had was the ice machine was not working but the desk person saw to it that I got a bucket from their freezer after asking nicely.
Reid Ridge Lodge is a nice rugged hotel just a bit out of town
CONCLUSION
Blue Ridge is known as an antiques capital where all manner of shops offer finds, books, trinkets, furniture, accessories and more. Galleries abound along with restaurants and bars. It is always a great pick for a weekend trip with plenty of great places to stay offering you the chance for lovely date nights and some quality shopping. Don’t forget to add more adventure with a nice train trip as well. All aboard!
If you enjoyed what you read, you might also enjoy other posts under Edible Fare. There you will find restaurant reviews, recipes, foodie tips and best spots to eat in a variety of cities. I also put emphasis on food and art experiences in my travel posts under Explore the World. Until next time…
Cheers!
ArtsyChowRoamer
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