The Blairsville center point is about the area of Downtown Blairsville and the area of Union County Historical Soc.
Blairsville's location in the southeastern portion of the United States gives it a subtropical climate. That means that summers are hot and long, winters are short and moderate, and spring and fall are brief. The weather starts to heat up in May and doesn't start cooling off until the end of September. If you're coming into town to check out the Mountain Music Day Festival in the middle of September, bring along warm-weather clothes because it's still hot and humid at this time of year.
During the fall, temperatures cool off to a comfortable daytime average of 71 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions hold until early November, but you'll still want to bring clothes for cooler temperatures when hanging out at the Sorghum Festival or the Fall Festival in October.
Winter obviously brings the coolest temperatures of the year, but you can leave your rain gear at home because there's not a lot of precipitation during December, January, or February. It's better to be safe than sorry, however, so pack your warm clothes and bring along a raincoat or umbrella while you peruse the offerings at the Kris Kringle Mountain Market in December.
Temperatures start rising at the end of February, but so does the chance of rain. The average daily chance of rain between March and May is 30%, with a monthly average rainfall of around 4 inches. Make sure to bring what you need to stay dry if you're visiting the Spring Arts, Crafts and Music Festival in May.
One of the area's best hotels is Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, located about 16 miles north of Blairsville in Murphy, North Carolina. Rooms at the hotel feature amenities that include in-room safe, Wi-Fi (for which guests pay a fee), mini fridge, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, phone, and alarm clock. While the rooms aren't big on amenities, they are comfortable and nicely maintained, which is in keeping with the rest of the hotel property. Guests at the hotel can enjoy access to the casino, valet service, bowling alley, and arcade, and on-site coffee shop, bars, and restaurants.
The Hampton Inn Murphy, also located about 16 miles north of Blairsville, is another top hotel that offers guests a comfortable stay and a staff that is attentive to the needs of guests. Room amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV with cable channels, coffee/tea maker, desk with task chair, oversized chair, and private bathroom with branded shower head and curved shower rod. The hotel itself offers a business center, meeting rooms, free beverage and breakfast area, newsstand, coin laundry, safety deposit box, fitness center, outdoor pool and sun deck, and free parking.
About 15 miles north of Blairsville is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Murphy in Murphy, North Carolina. It offers discounts that include a senior discount for seniors who are 62 and over and have a valid ID or are members of a retired persons organization and a discount for members of AAA or CAA. There's also a military leisure discount for active or retired members of the military and their families and a government and military rate for active personnel.
Rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Murphy feature amenities such as blackout shades, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, stereo radio, phone with voicemail, DVD player, free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea maker with supplies, mini fridge and microwave, and a work desk with desk-level electrical outlet, lamp, and task chair. The hotel property amenities include a free hot breakfast served daily, heated indoor pool, fitness center, on-site laundry facilities, business center, and free coffee in the library.
The Days Inn by Wyndham Murphy is also about 15 miles north of Blairsville and offers discounts on hotel rooms for a variety of groups. Seniors 60 and older who present valid proof of identification can receive a discount. Members of AARP can receive 10% off the best available rate, members of an auto club can save 10% or more, and government employees can get rates that fall within the available per diem.
Rooms at the the Days Inn by Wyndham Murphy feature a microwave and mini fridge, flat-screen TV with cable channels, desk and chairs, alarm clock, landline phone, free Wi-Fi, and coffee/tea maker. The pet-friendly hotel also serves a free hot breakfast daily, and there's an outdoor pool and free parking.
The most popular thing to do in Blairsville is to summit Brasstown Bald Mountain. The mountain is about 4,874 feet above sea level and offers commanding views of the surrounding terrain. A parking lot is near the trailhead for ease of access, or visitors can take a shuttle from the visitors center. It should be noted that the trail to the top of the mountain consists of many staircases, so take that into consideration before doing the hike.
Vineyards are found all over Georgia, and Blairsville is no exception. Check out Odom Springs Vineyard, a highly rated winery that offers wine tastings and tours of its operation. The property is small, but it's well-run and full of character. There's a patio that overlooks a small pond for an atmospheric backdrop while you sample the fruits of the vineyard. The owners make it a point to give guests the best possible experience.
Come take a look at the history of Blairsville and Union County at the Union County Historical Society. It's located in the Old Courthouse, which was built in 1899 and was slated for destruction in the 1970s. The Union County Historical Society saved the building and now uses it as the main building for exhibits that depict the historical way of life in the area. There's a preserved courtroom and jury room, a historic schoolroom, and more.
The Society also operates the Mountain Life Museum, located a block away from the courthouse. The museum is a collection of restored historic buildings that are furnished with items and objects that were used in everyday life according to the period of the home or structure.
Blairsville, Georgia, is one of those small-but-mighty towns that are full of surprises. It has an active downtown with unique shops, lots of restaurants and cafes to suit everyone's appetite, and three golf courses that offer challenges to golfers of all levels. Come experience the modern and historic town of Blairsville, a place that keeps looking toward the future without forgetting its history.