Mid October - Ellijay, GA

Ellijay wood-fired pizza is pretty good. River Street Tavern had decent food as well, but I don't think you can bring the 6-year-old. The rest of the places I recommend are the Blue Ridge area. Black Sheep in BR was fantastic (reservations needed in Oct). Grace Prime is also another really good place to eat, but you will need reservations. For lunch, grab a table outside at Toccoa Riverside restaurant; it should be beautiful in October. Lastly, the Tavern at Old Toccoa Farm is decent as well for lunch, it is on a golf course. Ellijay is limited on food, but BR is about a 20-25 min drive.
We have been 3 times to this area and Black Sheep and Toccoa are always on our list.

Also, you can download the Blue Ridge app, and there will be a list of all the waterfalls in the area, and it has the difficulty level on each one. Close to Ellijay, there is Fall Branch Falls, which is of moderate difficulty. Amicalola Falls is beautiful and is very easy to walk; it is a paved trail. There are so many others; the app will be your best bet.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

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Helen obv isn't too far

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If you make it to Helen go over to Anna Ruby Falls. Fairly easy trail to the falls overlook and great picnic area downstream.

Also, Cleveland is about equidistant from Elijah as Helen is. It's home to Babyland General, home of Cabbage Patch Kids.

Thank you all so much! This is VERY helpful. I will download the app.

Yes, Anna Ruby Falls was beautiful as well. If you like Bourbon, Black Sheep has an amazing old-fashioned that is paired with candied bacon. I thought it was weird, but I ordered it anyway, and it was fantastic.
Do not limit yourself to just Ellijay; that area is so pretty, especially that time of year. The third week of October should be peak fall color season.
Another place that was a nice stop if you are driving around, enjoying the scenery, was Vogel State Park. There was a waterfall in the park where you can do an easy hike around the lake, and the waterfall is located on the east side of the lake on that trail.
If you guys like apples, there is an orchard called Mercier in Blue Ridge where you can pick your own apples, depending on the time that you go. They had a huge selection of apples and many other treats in there as well.

Going to BR at end of next week & hoping it cools off. Have N GA travel magazine & plan on doing breweries & wineries, apple cider, u pick orchards & veggies, festivals, hikes, waterfalls & hopefully hike Tallulah Gorge down & up again. Whew!! Thanks for restaurant suggestions.