Sunflower Farm Georgia: + 6 More Incredible Ways To Enjoy Fall in the Georgia Mountains

There’s nothing a like a crisp, cool Georgia fall season.  And the best place to experience the joys of the fall season is in the North Georgia Mountains.

In the mountains, you’ll find the best sunflower farm Georgia has to offer, along with apples and pumpkins galore. Not to mention waterfalls, leaf peeping, and all kinds of family fun!

Here are 7 reasons to make the trek into the mountains right now!

Sunflower Farm Georgia: + 6 More Incredible Ways To Enjoy Fall in the Georgia Mountains

SUNFLOWER FARM GEORGIA: TAKE PHOTOS WITH THE SUNFLOWERS

Say Cheese!  Visit Fausett Farms Sunflowers in Dawsonville, and see the more than 900,000 flowers they’ve got on display. The farm’s located just south of Burt’s Pumpkin Farm and Amicalola Falls State Park (more on both below).

Fausett Sunflower Farms has been a family owned farm since 1858. For 60 years, the farm’s business was poultry farming, but they’re now focused on the beautiful yellow flower. You’ll find 30+ acres of beautiful sunflower fields for photos and your enjoyment. It’s truly one of the best sunflower farms Georgia has to offer!

The farm is open 7 days a week from 8am – 7pm during sunflower season, which is approximately 5 weeks, and the cost is $6/person. Kids under 5 are free.

The sunflowers usually bloom in late September and into October, but it’s all weather-dependent, so check their social media and Facebook page for updates. This year they opened on September 7, 2024, and they expect to be open through much of October.

(If you love sunflowers, consider a trip to Sunflower Fest at Copper Creek Farm in Calhoun. It’s held every summer.)

VISIT A PUMPKIN PATCH

It’s that time of year — and you need a pumpkin to celebrate! There are multiple pumpkin patch farms in the North Georgia Mountains, but we always gravitate to Burt’s Farm because of its proximity to Amicalola Falls — located at the Georgia state park up the road.

On the weekdays, you can pick out a pumpkin, take photos, and find a treat in the store.

On weekends, the farm also offers hay rides, concessions, and even more things to do. Honestly, the hay ride line can get long, but it is a special treat for little ones that you have to do at least once before they grow up!  It’s one of our favorite fall adventures.

Read More: Pumpkin Patch Georgia: 15+ Best Patches for a Smashing-Good Time (2024)

PICK APPLES

Apple pies, apple cookies, apple cider…apple fun is one our favorite things to do around Atlanta!

On weekdays, head to BJ Reece Orchards in Ellijay.  It’s one of the only orchards that offers U-pick on weekdays. Entrance to the orchard Monday-Friday is $8 per person, and includes the farm slide, corn box, duck races and petting farm play time. Apple picking bags are separate, and start with 1/2 peck bags at $10 and go up from there.

On weekends, you can choose from three different admission packages — each one offers access to different farm activities. The packages start at $13 and go up. You’ll find everything from a wagon ride around the farm, admission to the pig races, and a cow train to a pony ride, a corn maze, and a new mega slide.

Another good weekday U-pick choice is also in Ellijay — Hillcrest Orchards.  For the weekday admission price of $12, you get access to the petting farm, wagon rides, and all the playgrounds. The playgrounds include giant slides, a kiddie corn maze playground, a jumping pillow, and more. On weekends, the price goes up to $18, and includes even more entertainment.

Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge is another amazing choice. You’ll experience U-pick apple opportunities, a bakery and deli, the Market Store, and a Farm Winery. Don’t miss the Georgia Grown Hard Cider.

Read More: Apple Picking Georgia: Your Essential Guide to All the Best Spots in 2024

VISIT A WATERFALL

There tends to be more rain in the fall, and with more rain you see more water at the waterfalls!  Visit Amicalola Falls, Anna Ruby Falls, or any number of great waterfalls in the mountains.

You can’t think about visiting an amazing Georgia waterfall without immediately thinking about Amicalola Falls at Amicalola Falls State Park.

Amicalola Falls is a 729-foot waterfall located in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Dahlonega.  It’s the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. These falls are magnificent and beautiful anytime of the year, but especially in the fall with the changing leaves all around.

The approach trail to the southernmost point of the Appalachian Trail starts at the crest of this waterfall — giving hikers either a magnificent beginning or ending to their epic hike.

Anna Ruby Falls near Helen is truly one of the best waterfalls in Georgia. The easy paved path will take along the creek and to an amazing viewing platform that gets you close to the magnificent double falls formed by Curtis and York creeks. Round-trip, the hike is 0.9 miles. This hike is stroller- and dog-friendly.

We love Helton Creek Falls because the kiddos can splash in the water (never mind the temps)!

Read More: 33+ BEST WATERFALLS IN GEORGIA YOU’VE JUST GOT TO SEE

GO FOR A HIKE

Hiking is a great fall escape, and hiking affords families the opportunity to unplug and unwind. Checking out the fall foliage is one of the best parts of fall in Georgia!

Here are 125 hikes that are all under 2 miles and great for the kids, and the best Georgia State Parks for fall color. My favorite thing to do is hike a vista and look out over the rim at the gorgeous fall color.

Want to check out the fall colors on a Georgia mountain?  Blood Mountain is one of our favorite family hiking adventures.

Brasstown Bald is another great place to visit in the fall for epic fall foliage. You can either hike to the lookout, or take the shuttle to the top.

Read More: 7 Reasons Blood Mountain Is Our Favorite Family Hike

ENJOY A FALL FESTIVAL

Fall festivals are one of the best seasonal traditions around.  You can feel the crisp air, try amazing food, and enjoy the beautiful colors of the season.

Try out the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay for all things apple, the Gold Rush Days Festival in Dahlonega, or the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee! 

Read More: 2024: The 50+ Best Fall Festivals in Georgia That You’ll Love

TAKE A RIDE ON THE BLUE RIDGE SCENIC RAILWAY

Southern Living magazine ranked the Fall Foliage trip on Blue Ridge Scenic Railway as one of the top five attractions for experiencing fall color — and we agree!

We traveled on the BRSR in the fall as well, and it was gorgeous. We opted for the open-air car — although we wore jackets — and it was perfect. The oranges, reds, and yellows in the trees danced in the background as we sat back and enjoyed the view.

The Fall Foliage rides start in late September and run through early November. You’ll enjoy the 26 mile trip along the beautiful Toccoa River and through the Chattahoochee National Forest. The first part of your ride will take you to the quaint sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee — located in the Copper Basin. Here you’ll have a 2 hour layover, so you can snack on ice cream, shop for unique crafts and antiques, or snap a picture of yourself standing in two states at the same time!

They also offer a Fall Express train ride that’s just 2 hours, omitting the 2-hour layover in McCaysville. If you’re just interested in the train ride and the views, the Fall Express ride is a great choice.

Read More: Your Essential Guide to Spring and Fall on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR FALL ADVENTURES

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