Looking Back and Looking Ahead: Towns County’s Favorite Moments of 2024 and What to Look Out For in 2025
A new year is here, and with it comes a new Towns County! This past year, Towns County was full of exciting events, activities, and attractions. Now that a new year has begun, we’d like to take a moment to look back at our favorite places and moments of 2024, and let you in on what you can expect to see as the year goes on. With that, let’s dive into some of our favorite things about Towns County from 2024.
Towns County’s Best Bites of 2024
In our Must Try Restaurants blog, we highlighted some of our favorite mouthwatering restaurants in Hiawassee, with cuisines ranging from BBQ to Mediterranean fusion to seafood. In case you missed it, here are some spots to check out:
HIR Gastro Lounge
Looking for a relaxing spot where you can enjoy live music, a beautiful outdoor view, and delicious Mediterranean fusion? The HIR (pronounced “here”) Gastro Lounge is the perfect place for foodies, families, and people looking to try something new. HIR Gastro Lounge, located at 757 Bell Creek Road Building #4, was named the Best Restaurant in Hiawassee of 2024 by Restaurant Guru, and it’s no surprise! The menu, in their own words, offers “a new level of taste” with menu items such as Carolina Coconut Shrimp, Beef Kofta, Sesame Seared Ahi, and homemade Zeppole. Don’t miss out on their entertainment, from Singo every Friday, to live music beginning at the end of March!
Young Harris Wing House
Located at 1149 Main Street in Young Harris, the Young Harris Wing House is the perfect place to enjoy feel-good, stick-to-your-ribs, comfort food. The Wing House offers a wide assortment of menu options, from sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and their famous chicken wings, which you can customize with a selection of over 20 (yes, 20!) different sauces. With choices like lemon pepper, mango habañero, teriyaki, and even reaper buffalo sauce, everyone’s bound to find their new favorite wing flavor! The Wing House even has outdoor seating so you can breathe in the fresh mountain air while you enjoy your meal!
The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen
At The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen, located at 3493 US-76, guests can enjoy the freshest of the fresh with food that comes from farm to table. Hiawassee locals and tourists alike are more than familiar with The Oaks, as it can be found at The Ridges Resort on the waters of Lake Chatuge. Enjoy an elevated dining experience with an unforgettable view and indulge in impeccable dishes, such as Honey Dijon Pork Belly Bites, Espresso Rub Ribeye, and Blackened Redfish. Plus, guests can enjoy a delicious craft cocktail to go along with their meal. Whether you’re looking to go more sweet with a Top O’ The Morning Latte, or more savory with a Sm-oaked Old Fashioned, there’s a drink for everybody. The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen is the perfect place to have a sophisticated dinner with a beautiful Hiawassee view.
Land, Air, and Sea: Towns County’s Best Outdoor Adventures
There’s nothing that’s more Towns County than scenic views of beautiful lakes and breathtaking mountains. At least, according to us. Throughout the year, we talked about a number of landmarks and hiking trails in our blogs for our more adventurous audience. Here are just a few of our favorite views from 2024:
Brasstown Bald: Georgia’s Highest Peak
You can’t talk about Towns County landmarks without talking about Brasstown Bald, the highest point in all of Georgia. Towering at a whopping 4,784 feet, this mountain is a popular attraction for hikers and families touring from all over the state and the country. Hiking this monstrous mountain isn’t as overwhelming as it sounds; though it’s a little steep, the trail to the summit is paved and only half a mile long. Once you reach the top, prepare yourself for a view that will leave you speechless. The summit offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding area, including views of Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina!
High Shoals Falls
Considered to be one of Georgia’s most beautiful waterfalls, High Shoals Falls is a fantastic family-friendly hiking spot. At only 2.4 miles round-trip, the High Shoals Falls hiking trail takes you through a lush, mossy creek valley and past Blue Hole Falls, a small, single-drop waterfall that gets its name from the deep turquoise pool that it drops into. The trail is moderately easy, perfect for families or new hikers, and in case you want a friend to hike with, the trail also welcomes dogs (just remember to keep them on a leash!).
Lake Chatuge
If you’re looking for a more relaxing landmark to hang out at, you can’t beat a leisurely stroll around Lake Chatuge. This lake sits between Georgia and North Carolina, and is the perfect spot to walk, picnic, or even kayak! The lake also houses an array of local restaurants that offer a picturesque lakeside view, including Marina Station and The Oaks Lakeside Restaurant. During the winter months, you can also go fishing for spotted bass, crappie, walleye, trout, yellow perch, and more!
Towns County’s Favorite 2024 Events
Last year, Towns County held a multitude of exciting events during every season and for every holiday. Listing them all would take us until 2026 to finish, so here are a handful of our favorite events from 2024!
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival
Last year’s Georgia Mountain Fall Festival at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds was two weekends of nonstop fun and adventure. One of the highlights was the Pioneer Village tour, where guests got to witness traditional Appalachian life firsthand as they traversed through the village to watch demonstrations for activities like blacksmithing, moonshine-making, and quilting. The festival also featured carnival rides, arts and crafts booths, all the food you can possibly eat, and night concerts from artists including Dylan Scott, Joe Nichols, Tracy Lawrence, and Three Dog Night!
Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
As one of the most anticipated events in all of Hiawassee, the Mountain Country Christmas in Lights at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds was certainly not an event to miss out on. An unforgettable maze of vibrant Christmas lights led guests along the shores of Lake Chatuge, transforming the fairgrounds into a magical winter wonderland. Guests also got to enjoy food, arts and crafts, photo opportunities, and even a visit with Santa Claus! This event definitely made Towns County a special place to be during the Christmas season.
Hiawassee First Friday Night Market
Taking place on the first Friday of every month, the Hiawassee Night Market is always something that Towns County residents can look forward to. Perfect for all ages, the Night Market featured an impressive array of artisans, vendors, growers, and plenty of food, games, and live entertainment for everyone to enjoy.
What to Look Out For in 2025
2024 had lots to offer, but we’re excited to see what 2025 can bring to the table! Here are a few upcoming events in Towns County that you might want to mark on your calendar:
February 19th – Wonderful Wednesday
Where: BodySense, 2226 Ridge Crest Circle, Hiawassee, GA 30546
When: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST – Every third Wednesday of the month
A night of excitement and connection! Whether you bring a friend or make new ones, this monthly after-hours event is the perfect way to unwind. Enjoy exclusive store specials, delicious food, and a fun atmosphere! For more details, call 706-896-6457 or head to http://bodysenseonline.com. Don’t miss out on this fantastic evening!
March 18th – ZZ Top
Where: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
When: 7:00 pm
Yeah, that ZZ Top. The “Little Ol’ Band From Texas” is heading to the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds for an unforgettable night of hard-hitting, bluesy, good old-fashioned rock. Presale tickets can be purchased here: https://georgiamountainfairground.thundertix.com/events/237360
April 12th—May 11th – The Rhododendron Festival
Where: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
When: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Friday through Sunday
Spend a day in the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds’ beautiful Hamilton Gardens for the Rhododendron Festival, where you can view the Gardens’ botanical garden featuring more than 1,500 rhododendrons and native azaleas! That’s the largest collection in the entire Southeast! In addition, guests can also peruse vendors selling plants and art, savor local wines, and kick back and watch live entertainment (every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-3pm).
June 7th—June 8th – Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games
Where: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
When: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Visit the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds for a taste of Scotland this summer with the Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games! This festival will be like traveling to Scotland without the need of a passport, featuring Highland dancers, family clans, bagpipes and drums, and tons of animals for the “wee lads and lassies” to enjoy! Plus, if you’re looking to bring a bit of Scotland back home with you, there will be plenty of vendors with traditional Scottish wares, including food, kilts, sporran, and jewelry!
Start Your Year Off Right with Towns County
Towns County is the perfect place for children and adults alike to experience an adventurous year. Whether you’re looking for a scenic hike, a new restaurant to try, or a fun festival for all ages, there’s no better place in Georgia than Towns County. Make 2025 the year of adventure with Towns County today!