YOUR Quick Guide to Jasper, GA

Known as The First Mountain City in Georgia, Jasper is a charming, small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Offering a relaxed atmosphere, a mild mountain climate, local boutiques, Appalachian eats, cozy cabin rentals, plus fun things to do year-round, Jasper, GA, is a great place to visit with family or friends. Start planning YOUR trip to experience Jasper with our quick guide.

A Brief History

Originally lands of the Creek and Cherokee people, Jasper, Georgia, was founded in 1853 as the county seat of Pickens County, became a town in 1857, and grew into a mountain city by 1957. Nestled near Gilmer County about 50 miles north of Atlanta, the City of Jasper was named after William Jasper, a distinguished soldier in the American Revolutionary War.

After much economic development over the years, the city is still only about 3.3 square miles, a typical North Georgia mountain town. Today, Jasper is home to the Marble Valley Historical Society, a group of locals dedicated to preserving the history of the area. While strolling around downtown Jasper, you’ll notice the classic brick buildings, marble touches, and friendly folk.

Marble Capital of Georgia

What is Jasper, GA, known for? Along with a rich history, marble mining is a big deal around these parts as Jasper is the Marble Capital of Georgia. Particularly curious is the rare pink marble found in Marble Valley — the largest deposit of marble in the world — which underlies the majority of Pickens County.

Historic Tate House
Along with renowned monuments in Washington DC, you can find Jasper marble at The Tate House. On the National Register of Historic Places as the Pink Palace, The Tate House is famous for its pink marble facade, which is quite exquisite to see in person. Today, this mansion with picturesque gardens and 6 fountains can be booked for romantic weddings.

Georgia Marble Festival
Held on the first weekend of October every year is the Georgia Marble Festival in Jasper, GA. This marble-lous event takes place at Lee Newton Park and features a road race, a parade, marble quarry tours, a range of booths with craft vendors, plus an art show — with carved marble, pottery, paintings, and photography displays.

Things to Do in Jasper, GA

Whether you’re looking for something fun to do with your partner, family, or friends, Jasper has it all. You can go horseback riding at a variety of stables, play at the 18-hole Bent Tree Golf Course, see a show at the Tater Patch Players community theater, or enjoy the great outdoors — hiking, biking, canoeing, river tubing, whitewater rafting, or spotting wildlife — in the Chattahoochee National Forest. And that’s not all!

Visit Unique Places
In Jasper, GA, there are unique places to check out that you won’t find anywhere else. A few of our favorite points of interest include the following.

Burnt Mountain Overlook — scenic views stretch 70 miles to Atlanta
Ed B’s Studio 54 — museum + art gallery + funhouse + antique shop
Kirby-Quinton Cabin — constructed before 1832
Old Pickens County Jail Museum — marble-front jailhouse

Go Wine Tasting + Beer
Get ready to relax with mountain and valley views, vino sips, and live music at local vineyards. Or try Appalachian wine and craft beer in downtown Jasper.

Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery
First Mountain Tasting Room
Pendley Creek Brewing Company
Sharp Mountain Vineyards
Waldmet Cellars

Play at Public Parks
Jasper, GA, has many parks to explore. Each public park has a unique vibe, offering townsfolk and visitors a chance to experience multiple sides of the city.

Doris Wigington Park — open spaces, picnic tables & 3½ miles of walking trails
Jasper City Park — pond, dog park, game courts, 2 playgrounds, obstacle course, tennis courts, trails & gazebos
Lee Newton Park — stage, creek, walking trail & veterans memorial park
Peace Park — brick pathways, gazebo, seasonal lights & artist area

Take Fun Day Trips
Surrounded by historic places and nearby mountain towns, it’s easy to take a day trip — only 30-60 minutes from Jasper — to experience so much more North Georgia has to offer your mountain retreat. Hop aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, shop for souvenirs, visit an array of museums, check out local arts and crafts, eat homemade fudge, experience the Ellijay Apple Festival, pick pumpkins, try authentic moonshine…the list goes on and on!

Blue Ridge
Dahlonega
Dawsonville
Ellijay
Helen
Marble Hill
Talking Rock

Shopping & Dining

Between hiking to waterfalls, sipping wine, picnicking at a park, and relaxing at your North Georgia cabin rental, Jasper offers places to shop and refuel on your getaway. From clothes, souvenirs, and antiques to home goods, gifts, and sweets, you can find it all. And the food here is no different! Jasper offers American, Asian, Mexican, Southern, and even seafood.

Top 10 Shops in Jasper

Antiques & Treasures Shop
Daisy Boutique
Designs on Main
Gypsy Roots Boutique
Cherokee Closeouts
Lollidrops Sweet Shoppe
Magnolia’s on Main
Mountainside Antique Mall
Pickens County Mercantile & Quilt Shoppe
Taylor’s Boutique & Gifts

10 Best Restaurants in Jasper

61 Main
Ably Asian Cuisine
Buffalo Luke’s
Coach Cuts Hoagies
The Last Catch
Mary Ann’s Country Cooking
Rocco’s Pub
Speed Burger
The Lunch Box
The Old Mulehouse

Relaxing Cabin Rentals

When planning your vacation in or near Jasper, GA, consider staying in a Blue Ridge Mountain cabin. With Georgia Cabins for YOU, you’ll get a real local experience and have bonus amenities to enjoy as well — including hot tubs, theaters, game rooms, fireplaces, firepits, indoor spa tubs, plus river/wooded/mountain views! And that’s only the beginning…

Big Canoe Community
For an extra special vacation in Jasper, GA, check out our vacation rentals in Big Canoe Community! This 8,000-acre gated community offers loads to do, making it a great escape in the North Georgia Mountains.