On the shores of Lake Chatuge, you'll find Hiawassee, one of two towns in Georgia's Towns County. While Hiawassee is small, the lake and the surrounding mountains draw visitors. Lake Chatuge features 132 miles of shoreline--boating is a popular activity at this lake with marinas offering pontoon, jet ski and ski boat rentals. The North Georgia Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains draw hikers. Tourists also visit attractions in and around the town.
Brasstown Bald, at 4,784 feet, is the highest point in Georgia. This attraction is about 20 minutes from Hiawassee. On clear days, those who hike to the top of the summit can see areas of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. The mountaintop has a visitor's center with a museum and presentations on forestry in this area. The Brasstown Bald Trail, leading up to the summit, is a half-mile trail; those unable to hike the trail can ride the onsite shuttle to the visitor's center.
Brasstown Bald
End of GA 180 Spur
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-6928
fs.fed.us
Hamilton Rhododendron Garden is in the Georgia Mountains Fairgrounds. This garden displays over 3,000 rhododendrons. Its namesake founder, Fred Hamilton, was a gardener and former executive who established the garden in 1982. Walking paths guide visitors through the garden.
Hamilton Rhododendron Garden
1311 Music Hall Road
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-4191
georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
ArtWorks Artisan Centre is a nonprofit organization featuring over 80 artists from areas in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Originally established in 1988, this organization started with 12 artists. The center includes a main gallery featuring jewelry, woodcarvings, pottery, stained glass, handmade baskets, fine art and photography. Also onsite is a nonprofit retail shop and a school for the arts, which offers classes for children and adults--established artists skilled in their craft teach all classes.
ArtWorks Artisan Centre
308 Big Sky Drive
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-0932
mtnregartscraftsguild.org
