Stuart Wade, Envision WebIf you are looking for a lifestyle change, whether it is retirement or just a new way of life, Clarkesville is the perfect location. Recently named "The Friendliest Town" by Blue Ridge Country Magazine, Clarkesville prides itself on its rich hospitality. A lively and friendly small town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains; Clarkesville is a thriving small town like the ones you remember from your childhood. Clarkesville is a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle and become part of a friendly community. Come for a visit and you may never want to leave! Unique shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants are all within walking distance on Washington Street's tree lined brick sidewalks in Downtown Clarkesville... Our historic buildings, relaxing benches and quaint charm make Clarkesville a thoroughly enjoyable place to live and visit. Numerous popular events and festivals take place downtown throughout the year. The heart of Appalachian culture and heritage, Clarkesville annually hosts the Mountain Laurel Festival - the oldest festival of its type in Georgia. From golfing to bird watching, Clarkesville's outdoor recreation includes two award-winning championship golf courses; the picturesque Sam Pitts Park and Mary Street Park, the Clarkesville Greenways Trail, hiking, biking and fishing. The scenic Soque River plays a unique role, as it is the only river in the state to begin and end in the same county. Stocked with trophy trout, the Soque River has been touted "The best fly-fishing east of the Mississippi" by fly fishing enthusiasts. Brigadoon Lodge and Blackhawk Fly Fishing have played host to visitors from all over the country- including celebrities! Arts and music abound in Downtown! Catch a live show at our Historic Habersham Community Theater, located downtown, which has been providing entertainment to our community for nearly 75 years. Dance the night away at the Grant Street Music Room, the live music venue located at the Old Clarkesville Mill, or grab a bite from our downtown restaurants and enjoy the live music offered weekly! If history is your passion, Clarkesville is certainly the place for you! With a rich and notable past spanning hundreds of years, Clarkesville is unique because of its historic homes and significant architecture. The Historic Mauldin House serves as the Visitors Center and is an example of the once common, now rare, Victorian cottages in Clarkesville. The small farmhouse, adjacent to downtown, includes a historic millinery shop and Big Holly Cabin, a one-room, hand-hewn cabin built in the early 19th century. One block away is the Old Clarkesville Cemetery, an outdoor museum recording Clarkesville history. Guided evening tours with theatrical reenactments are held on the third Friday of each month from April - November. For education, Clarkesville sits proudly in the middle of two colleges: Piedmont College and North Georgia Technical College. Founded in 1897, Piedmont College is a comprehensive liberal arts institution and also offers a variety of career-oriented majors, including education, business and nursing. Total enrollment is approximately 2,800 students on campuses in Demorest and Athens. North Georgia Technical College is a public, residential, multi-campus, two-year technical college whose mission is to provide quality technical education, adult education, continuing education, and business and industry training to individuals who can benefit from these programs and services. These efforts improve the quality of life of individuals by preparing them to succeed as literate and technically competent members of the workforce and by promoting the economic growth and development of the Northeast Georgia region. The college offers both traditional and distance learning courses that lead to the certificate, the diploma, and the associate degree.