Welcome to the bigroads.com travel guide to Georgia! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Georgia.
Take note that I build and maintain this website as both a hobby and public service. I take joy in performing travel research and sharing my experiences and adventures. I currently do not make a profit from this website, and you will see no invasive or annoying ads on it. Your constructive feedback about this site and its content is encouraged. Please email me if you have any suggestions or ideas for improvement.
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Georgia has two great cities, Atlanta and Savannah, but there's also so much more to the state. Northern Georgia offers beautiful forests, wild rivers, several outstanding state parks, and many natural waterfalls. The area around Atlanta is a cyclists paradise, with many excellent cycling paths and rail trails, including the famed 61.5-mile Silver Comet Trail. Southeastern Georgia has fine beaches, barrier islands, and lighthouses. For those interested in history, the state also has several sites of major Civil War and Civil Rights importance.
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN GEORGIA
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Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Georgia? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Georgia, in no particular order:
✮ Explore the beautiful historic district and waterfront areas of Savannah, one of the finest medium-sized cities in the country
✮ Visit the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, a top 5 aquarium in the U.S.
✮ Take cycling tour in and around Atlanta
✮ Go waterfall hunting in northern Georgia
✮ Tour the various beaches, islands, and lighthouses of Georgia's Atlantic coastline
✮ Rent a tube and float down one of Northern Georgia's scenic rivers (e.g. Chattahoochee, Chestatee, Cartecay, Toccoa, etc.)
✮ Cycle some or all of the excellent 61.5-mile fully paved Silver Comet Trail rail trail
✮ Attend the Masters Tournament golf event in Augusta
✮ Visit two Civil War battle sites at Chickamagua & Chattanooga National Military Park
✮ Go whitewater rafting on one of the most iconic whitewater rafting rivers in the Southeast: the Chattooga River
If I could select only one place to visit in Georgia, I would choose Savannah. Simply put, it's one of America's most attractive medium-sized cities. Just about anyone will appreciate its cobblestone streets and historic squares that are adorned with live oak trees that drip Spanish moss. There are fantastic day trips you can take from there as well, including Hilton Head Island just over the border in South Carolina.
For a list of 10 great attractions in each U.S. state, click here.
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN GEORGIA
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Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Georgia. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Georgia bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:
Northern Georgia (including Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Helen; see separate section below for Atlanta)
✮ Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville - see a beautiful, 729-foot waterfall; access to the Appalachian Trail; stay at Amicalola Falls Lodge
✮ Anna Ruby Falls, Helen - two scenic waterfalls (one is 153ft tall and the other is 50ft)
✮ Black Rock Mountain State Park, Mountain City - some of the best scenery in GA's Blue Ridge Mountains; roadside views and hiking trails
✮ Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville - contemporary Western art museum
✮ Brasstown Bald, Blairsville - drive or hike to the highpoint of Georgia where you will find scenic views
✮ Chattahoochee National Forest - hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails; loaded with waterfalls and dozens of campgrounds
✮ Chickamagua & Chattanooga National Military Park, Fort Oglethorpe - tour two Civil War battle sites
✮ Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn - several waterfalls and a scenic, deep gorge; awesome hiking and mountain biking trails
✮ Consolidated Gold Mine, Dahlonega - guided underground gold mine tours
✮ Dahlonega - a small city with gold/mining history, historic buildings, and wineries; has a quaint downtown; a popular holiday destination
✮ Georgia Mountain Coaster, Helen - 1-mile long mountain roller-coaster that travels up to 28mph
✮ Helen - a small mountain town designed like an "Alpine-inspired village"; famous for its Oktoberfest event; many boutique/tourist shops
✮ Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge - popular pick-your-own farm
✮ Mulberry Gap - a fantastic mountain biking camp for adults
✮ Nacoochee Adventures, Helen - outdoor adventure company offering zip-lining, aerial adventure parks, and more
✮ Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville - popular for lake activities (e.g. boating); has more than 15 miles of hiking trails
✮ River tubing on one of several rivers in Northern Georgia (e.g.
Chattahoochee, Chestatee, Cartecay, Toccoa, etc.)
✮ Rock City, Lookout Mountain - tourist attraction with impressive rock formations, gardens, and scenic views
✮ Sunburst Adventures, Clarkesville - an adventure center offering ATV/UTV tours, zip-lining, horseback riding, and more
✮ Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls - one of the most impressive canyons on the East Coast; "the Grand Canyon of the East"
✮ Tank Town USA, Morganton - tourist attraction where you can drive a tank and/or operate an excavator; you can also shoot machine guns
✮ Toccoa Falls, Toccoa Falls College - take an short and easy walk to a 186-foot beautiful waterfall
✮ Unicoi Zip Line and Aerial Adventure Park, Helen - excellent zip-lining and aerial adventure park tours
✮ Vogel State Park, Blairsville - great hiking trails and a swimmable lake that is surrounded by mountains
✮ Whitewater rafting on the Chattooga River - this is the river made famous by the movie Deliverance
✮ Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge - excellent zip-lining tours
Atlanta area (including Athens, Atlanta, and Marietta)
✮ Ameris Bank Amphitheater, Alpharetta - a great outdoor amphitheater / concert venue
✮ Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta - 30-acre botanical garden with a Japanese garden
✮ Atlanta History Center, Atlanta - excellent history museum
✮ Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton - famous NASCAR race track
✮ Bicycling in Atlanta - Atlanta is one of the most bike-able cities in the U.S.; there are also many rail trails nearby
✮ Big Chicken, Marietta - a KFC restaurant with a 56-foot tall steel-sided chicken; one of Georgia's best roadside attractions
✮ Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - public park in downtown Atlanta that was used in the 1996 Summer Olympics; several attractions on site
✮ Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta - one of the best museums focused on civil rights in the U.S.
✮ College Football Hall of Fame, Atlanta - excellent football museum; located next to Centennial Olympic Park
✮ Fox Theatre, Atlanta - excellent 1920s theater w/concerts & Broadway shows
✮ Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta - the largest and one of the very best aquariums in the U.S.
✮ Guided food tours in Atlanta - Atlanta is a foodie paradise and several companies offer guided food tours
✮ High Museum of Art, Atlanta - see world-class art and architecture
✮ Historic Banning Mills, Whitesburg - adventure center with zip-lining, aerial adventure park, and other outdoor activities
✮ Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, Atlanta - famous presidential attraction
✮ Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Kennesaw - famous Civil War battleground; the park has more than 22 miles of trails
✮ Marietta Square, Marietta - popular tourist area with shops, restaurants, and a water fountain
✮ Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta - football stadium; home of the Atlanta Falcons
✮ Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Atlanta - visit the birthplace of MLK
✮ National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta - magnificent museum focusing on the civil rights movement and human rights
✮ Piedmont Park, Atlanta - the most popular park/green space in Atlanta; great walking/hiking and cycling on roughly 5 miles of trails
✮ Road Atlanta, Braselton - excellent road racing course
✮ Sanford Stadium, Athens - college football stadium; home of the University Georgia Bulldogs
✮ Silver Comet - this is arguably Georgia's best rail trail; the trail continues into Alabama on the Chief Ladiga Trail
✮ State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens - large and excellent botanical gardens
✮ Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain - see the world's largest exposed granite monadnock; a sky-ride can bring you to the top
✮ Truist Park, Atlanta - famous MLB park; home of the Atlanta Braves
✮ World of Coca Cola, Atlanta - explore the history of the famous beverage company
✮ Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta - good zoo found within Grant Park
Central Georgia (including Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Pine Mountain)
✮ Callaway Resort & Gardens, Pine Mountain - famous resort that offers many outdoor activities (e.g. aerial adventure park, hiking trails, etc.)
✮ F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain - the largest state park in Georgia; offers more than 40 miles of trails; excellent backpacking
✮ Jimmy Carter Smiling Peanut, Plains - famous 13-foot peanut statue; one of Georgia's best roadside attractions
✮ Little White House Historic Site, Warm Springs - visit the personal retreat of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the U.S.
✮ Masters Tournament (event), Augusta - famous professional golfing event
✮ Museum of Aviation, Warner Robbins - visit the the second-largest aerospace museum of the U.S. Air Force
✮ National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center, Columbus - great exhibits depicting stories of U.S. Army Infantryman
✮ Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Macon - fascinating prehistoric American Indian site
✮ Pine Mountain Wild Animal Safari, Pine Mountain - animal park with a drive-through zoo
✮ Providence Canyon State Park, Lumpkin - unusual and colorful geologic formations; "Georgia's Little Grand Canyon"
✮ Whitewater Rafting the Chattahoochee River - excellent whitewater rafting (up to class IV/V)
Southwestern Georgia
✮ Kolomoki Mounds State Park, Blakely - visit the largest and oldest Woodland Indian site in the southeastern U.S.
Southeastern Georgia (including Jekyll Island, Savannah, St. Simons Island, and Tybee Island)
✮ Boat tours from Jekyll Island - several different types of tours are offered
✮ Boat tours from Tybee Island - several different types of tours are offered
✮ Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah - widely considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the U.S.; lots of live oak trees & Spanish moss
✮ Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah - religious attraction often called "Savannah's pride and joy"
✮ Cooking classes in Savannah - there are several outstanding cooking/culinary classes/workshops you can take while in Savannah
✮ Cumberland Island National Seashore, St. Marys - arguably the most pristine beaches in Georgia; wild horses and good sea-shell hunting
✮ Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island - scenic beach at the north end of Jekyll Island that has lots of driftwood; a very fun photography spot
✮ Dungeness Ruins, St. Marys, Cumberland Island - visit the large ruins of a mansion; part of the Cumberland Island National Seashore
✮ Forsyth Park, Savannah - "the Central Park of Savannah"
✮ Fort Frederica National Monument, St. Simons Island - guided and self-guided tours of a large British fort
✮ Fort Pulaski National Monument, Tybee Island - guided and self-guided tours of a historic Civil War fort; marsh scenery and hiking trails
✮ Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island - sea turtle rehab, research & education programs
✮ Guided food tours in Savannah - several companies offer great food tours in Savannah
✮ Historic Savannah Theatre, Savannah - one of the U.S.'s oldest continually-operating theaters
✮ Jekyll Island - a small town with 10 miles of beaches; popular for water sports and cycling; has a great turtle center; visit Driftwood Beach
✮ National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Pooler - exhibits on the "greatest air armada of all time"
✮ Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Folkston - excellent bird-watching, paddling, boat tours, canoe camping, and fishing in a huge refuge
✮ Old Fort Jackson, Savannah - visit a restored nineteenth-century fort on the edge of the Savannah River
✮ Paranormal/ghost tours in Savannah - several companies offer these spooky tours
✮ Savannah - a medium-sized city with lots of historic and southern charm; beautiful live oak squares; one of America's best mid-sized cities
✮ Savannah's Historic District, Savannah - walk around the best part of "America's best walking city"; this is probably my favorite area in GA
✮ St. Simons Island - a small town with beaches on a barrier island; popular for golfing and water sports; has a historic fort and lighthouse
✮ St. Simons Lighthouse & Museum, St. Simons Island - one of five remaining lighthouses in Georgia; at the southern tip of St. Simons Island
✮ Trolley tours in Savannah - companies like Old Savannah Trolley Tours offer various guided trolley tours of Savannah
✮ Tybee Island - a small town with beaches on a barrier island; popular for boating, fishing, and water sports; has a famous lighthouse
✮ Tybee Island Lighthouse & Museum, Tybee Island - one of five remaining lighthouses in Georgia
Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Georgia? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.
For a list of 5-star attractions in neighboring states, click on any of these links:
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TN
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN GEORGIA
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These towns and cities in Georgia are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:
✮ Atlanta - a major city with several great museums and Civil War & Civil Rights historical sites; has one of the best aquariums in the U.S.
✮ Dahlonega - a small city with gold/mining history, historic buildings, and wineries; has a quaint downtown; a popular holiday destination
✮ Helen - a small mountain town designed like an "Alpine-inspired village"; famous for its Oktoberfest event; many boutique/tourist shops
✮ Jekyll Island - a small town with 10 miles of beaches; popular for water sports and cycling; has a great turtle center; visit Driftwood Beach
✮ Savannah - a medium-sized city with lots of historic and southern charm; beautiful live oak squares; one of America's best mid-sized cities
✮ St. Simons Island - a small town with beaches on a barrier island; popular for golfing and water sports; has a historic fort and lighthouse
✮ Tybee Island - a small town with beaches on a barrier island; popular for boating, fishing, and water sports; has a famous lighthouse
I haven't been to Blue Ridge or Marietta yet, but it's very possible I will add one or both of those to the above list at some point.
My favorite large city in Georgia is Atlanta - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 2-3 nights there. Visit some of its excellent museums and ride some of its famous cycling paths. The impressive Georgia Aquarium is also there.
My favorite medium-sized city in Georgia is Savannah - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 2-3 nights there. You could easily spend more time than that if you also wanted to take some day trips (e.g. Tybee Island, Fort Pulaski National Monument, and/or Hilton Head Island in SC)
Click here if you'd like to see a complete list of towns and cities that I find interesting across the entire U.S.
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WHAT IS GEORGIA FAMOUS FOR?
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Here are some things that Georgia is famous or well-known for:
✮ Civil Rights history
✮ Civil War history
✮ Coca-Cola history
✮ film and television production
✮ golfing
✮ Gone with the Wind (movie)
✮ peaches
✮ peanuts
✮ pecans
✮ quail hunting
✮ southern hospitality
✮ sweet tea
✮ waterfalls
Click here if you'd like to explore what other U.S. states are famous for.
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NATIONAL PARKS IN GEORGIA
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While there are no official national parks in Georgia, there are many other great federally-managed parks and properties in the state, including:
National Monuments
✮ Fort Frederica National Monument, St. Simons Island - guided and self-guided tours of a large British fort
✮ Fort Pulaski National Monument, Tybee Island - guided and self-guided tours of a Civil War fort; pretty marsh scenery and several hiking trails
National Recreation Areas
✮ Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
✮ Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area
National Forests
✮ Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
✮ Andersonville National Historic Site
✮ Appalachian National Scenic Trail
✮ Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
✮ Cumberland Island National Seashore
✮ Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
✮ Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
✮ Marter Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
✮ Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
✮ Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
For more information on Georgia's national parks, visit the Georgia page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all U.S. national parks, click here.
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Georgia has more than 60 state parks. Many would agree that these represent Georgia's finest state parks:
Flagship / Premier State Parks:
✮ Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville - beautiful, 729-foot waterfall plus access to the Appalachian Trail; lodging at Amicalola Falls Lodge
✮ Black Rock Mountain State Park, Mountain City - some of the best scenery in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains; roadside views and hiking trails
✮ Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn - several waterfalls and a scenic, deep gorge; awesome hiking and mountain biking trails
✮ Providence Canyon State Park, Lumpkin - unusual and colorful geologic formations
✮ Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls - one of the most impressive canyons on the East Coast; "the Grand Canyon of the East"
Other Notable State Parks:
✮ Fort Mountain State Park
✮ F.D. Roosevelt State Park
✮ Kolomoki Mounds State Park
✮ Red Top Mountain State Park
✮ Vogel State Park
Many of Georgia's state parks offer great campgrounds and overnight lodging (e.g. lodges, cottages, yurts, etc.). A map of the Georgia state parks can be found here.
To see my list of the top 100 state parks in the country, click here.
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BEST WATERFALLS IN GEORGIA
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Georgia has more than 250 natural waterfalls, making it one of the best states for waterfall scouting on the East Coast. Here are some of the best waterfalls in state, all of which are located in northern Georgia.
✮ Amicalola Falls in Amicalola Falls State Park
✮ Anna Ruby Falls in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
✮ Cherokee Falls in Cloudland Canyon State Park
✮ DeSoto Falls in DeSoto Falls Recreation Area
✮ Denton Branch Falls in Southern Nantahala Wilderness
✮ Dicks Creek Falls in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
✮ Helton Creek Falls in Vogel State Park
✮ Minnehaha Falls in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
✮ Panther Creek Falls in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
✮ Raven Cliff Falls in Raven Cliffs Wilderness
✮ Tallulah Falls in Tallulah Gorge State Park
✮ Toccoa Falls in Toccoa Falls College
I am not personally aware of any significant waterfalls in central or southern Georgia. If you are aware of any, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.
For a listing of all known waterfalls in Georgia, visit the World Waterfall Database.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN GEORGIA
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Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Georgia:
✮ Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway - a 54-mile paved route using several different roads from Cohutta to Pleasant Hill Rd/GA-52 in Ellijay
✮ Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway - a 41-mile paved loop in northeast Georgia that includes the state highpoint (Brasstown Bald)
The Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway may also be worthy of inclusion in the list above, but I haven't driven it yet.
The Georgia Mountain Parkway may also have some nice sections of driving as well. This is an 83-mile paved route from Jasper to Hiawassee using GA-515 and US-76.
For a list of great scenic drives in each U.S. state, click here.
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BEST OCEAN BEACHES IN GEORGIA
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Southeast Georgia has some fantastic Atlantic Ocean beaches, some of which are only accessible via boat. Here are some of the best beaches in Georgia:
Northern coastline (near Savannah)
✮ Mid Beach, Tybee Island - often called "Savannah's beach"
✮ North Beach, Tybee Island - make sure to also visit the Tybee Island Light Station
✮ Wassaw Island, Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge - only accessible by boat
Southern coastline
✮ Cumberland Island National Seashore - only accessible by boat; e.g. Dungeness Beach, Stafford Beach
✮ Driftwood Beach,
Jekyll Island - famous for driftwood; popular with photographers
✮ East Beach, St. Simons Island
✮ Glory Beach, Jekyll Island
✮ Main Beach, Little St. Simons Island - a limited access private beach
✮ Sea Island Beach, Sea Island
✮ St. Andrew Beach, Jekyll Island
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BEST RAIL TRAILS IN GEORGIA
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Here is a list of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Georgia:
Atlanta area (including Athens, Atlanta, and Marietta)
✮ Arabia Mountain Trail
✮ Atlanta Beltline Trail
✮ Big Creek Greenway
✮ Carrollton GreenBelt
✮ Multi-Use Path System, Peachtree City
✮ Rockdale River Trail
✮ Silver Comet - this is arguably Georgia's best rail trail; the trail continues into Alabama on the Chief Ladiga Trail
Central Georgia (including Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Pine Mountain)
✮ Chattahoochee Riverwalk
✮ Columbus Fall Line Trace
Southeastern Georgia (including Jekyll Island, Savannah, St. Simons Island, and Tybee Island)
✮ Jekyll Island Bike Trail
As you can see above, the Atlanta area is packed with cycling trails, making it one of the very best cities in the U.S. for cycling.
Of all the Georgia rail trails, the Silver Comet Trail is usually considered the finest. The trail is fully paved and clocks in at over 61 miles long. The trail connects with Alabama's Chief Ladiga Trail, which can add another 33 miles. When you combine both of these trails, you have one of the longest and best paved cycling trails in the U.S.
For detailed information on all known rail trails in Georgia, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN GEORGIA
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There are several notable amusement parks in Georgia, including:
✮ Fun Spot America, Atlanta
✮ Lake Winnie Amusement Park, Rossville (near Chattanooga, TN)
✮ Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell
✮ Six Flags White Water, Marietta
✮ Splash in the Boro, Statesboro
✮ Summer Waves Water Park, Jekyll Island
✮ Wild Adventures Theme Park, Valdosta
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Georgia has many excellent museums. The best museums in Georgia include:
Northern Georgia (including Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Helen; see separate section below for Atlanta)
✮ Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville
✮ Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville
Atlanta area (including Athens, Atlanta, and Marietta)
✮ Atlanta History Center, Atlanta
✮ Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta
✮ College Football Hall of Fame, Atlanta
✮ Computer Museum of America, Roswell
✮ High Museum of Art, Atlanta
✮ Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, Atlanta
✮ Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Atlanta
✮ National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta
✮ World of Coca Cola, Atlanta
Central Georgia (including Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Pine Mountain)
✮ Lunch Box Museum, Columbus
✮ Museum of Aviation, Warner Robbins
✮ National Civil War Naval Museum, Columbus
✮ National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center, Columbus
Southeastern Georgia (including Jekyll Island, Savannah, St. Simons Island, and Tybee Island)
✮ American Prohibition Museum, Savannah
✮ National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Pooler
✮ Webb Military Museum, Savannah
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BEST DAY HIKES IN GEORGIA
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Georgia offers many hiking trails, many of which visit dramatic waterfalls or lead to scenic views. Most of the premier hiking areas in the state are found in northern Georgia. Here are some of the very best day hikes in Georgia:
Northern Georgia (including Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Helen; see separate section below for Atlanta)
✮ Amicalola Falls via East Ridge, Amicalola Falls State Park
✮ Anna Ruby Falls, Tray Mountain Wilderness
✮ Black Rock Mountain State Park trails
✮ Blood Mountain, Blood Mountain Wilderness
✮ Brasstown Bald Trail, Brasstown Wilderness
✮ Fort Mountain Overlook Trail
✮ Indian Seats Trail, Sawnee Mountain Preserve
✮ Minnehaha Falls Trail, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
✮ Mount Yonah, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
✮ Panther Creek Trail, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
✮ Rabun Bald via the Bartram Trail
✮ Tallulah Gorge State Park trails
✮ West Rim Trail, Cloudland Canyon State Park
Atlanta area (including Athens, Atlanta, and Marietta)
✮ Stone Mountain Walk-Up Trail, Stone Mountain Park
Central Georgia (including Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Pine Mountain)
✮ Providence Canyon State Park trails (e.g. Canyon Loop Trail)
Southeastern Georgia (including Jekyll Island, Savannah, St. Simons Island, and Tybee Island)
✮ Dungeness Southend Loop, Cumberland Island National Seashore
The highpoint of Georgia is Brasstown Bald (4,784'), located in northern Georgia. You can hike or drive to the summit.
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN GEORGIA
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Georgia offers several great backpacking opportunities, most of which are in northern Georgia. Some of premier backpacking routes in Georgia include:
✮ Appalachian Trail - hike some or all of the 78-miles of the A.T. that pass through Georgia
✮ Bartram Trail
✮ Benton MacKaye Trail
✮ Conasauga River Trail
✮ Cumberland Island National Seashore
✮ Len Foote Hike Inn, Amicalola Falls State Park
✮ Jacks River Trail, Cohutta Wilderness
✮ Pine Mountain Trail, F.D. Roosevelt State Park
✮ Pinhoti National Recreation Trail
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN GEORGIA
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Georgia offers many great adventures, including these classics:
✮ ATV/ORV-ing in Northern Georgia (e.g. Sunburst Adventures)
✮ Backpacking the Appalachian Trail
✮ Backpacking the Bartram Trail in Chattahoochee National Forest
✮ Backpacking the Benton MacKaye Trail in Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness
✮ Bouldering in Rock Town
✮ Canoe camping in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Altamaha River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Augusta Canal
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Chestatee River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Flint River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Ocmulgee River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Savannah River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Toccoa River
✮ Cycling the Atlanta Beltline
✮ Cycling the Jekyll Island Bike Trail
✮ Cycling the Multi-Use Path System in Peachtree City
✮ Cycling the Silver Comet Trail - this can be combined with the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama; this is the #1 rail trail in Georgia
✮ Cycling the Peachtree City Multi-Use Path System
✮ Kayaking the Altamaha River
✮ Kayaking the Broad River
✮ Kayaking the Cartecay River
✮ Kayaking the Chattahoochee River
✮ Kayaking the Chestatee River
✮ Mountain biking the Blankets Creek trails
✮ Mountain biking the Jake Mountain and Bull Mountain trails
✮ Mountain biking Jarrod's Place Bike Park
✮ Mountain biking Mulberry Gap
✮ Mountain biking the Pinhoti and Bear Creek trails in Chattahoochee National Forest
✮ Rock climbing on Mount Yonah
✮ Rock climbing in Tallulah Gorge State Park
✮ Skydiving in Cedartown, Monroe, Rockmart, Sylvania, and Thomaston
✮ Surfing on Tybee Island
✮ Tubing the Cartecay River
✮ Tubing the Chestatee River
✮ Tubing the Chattahoochee River
✮ Tubing the Toccoa River
✮ Whitewater rafting the Chattahoochee River
✮ Whitewater rafting the Chattogga River
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN GEORGIA
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Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Georgia:
✮ boiled peanuts
✮ brunswick stew
✮ chicken and dumplings
✮ cornbread cake
✮ fried apple pies (e.g. Mercier Orchards)
✮ peaches
✮ peach cobbler
✮ peach pie
✮ pecan pie
✮ pralines
✮ sweet tea
For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Georgia (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each of the 50 U.S. states, click here.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Georgia (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY GEORGIA INFORMATION
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Here is some helpful key information about Georgia:
State Capital:
Atlanta
Major Airports:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and to a much lesser extent, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
Largest Cities:
Atlanta (514,457), Columbus (210,330), Augusta (203,329), Savannah (150,078), Athens (129,687)
Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-16, I-20, I-59, I-75, I-85, I-95
State Highpoint:
Brasstown Bald (4,784'); you can drive (in season) or hike to the summit
Professional Sports Teams:
MLB: Atlanta Braves
NBA: Atlanta Hawks
NFL: Atlanta Falcons
WNBA:
Atlanta Dream
Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Climax, Cumming, Hopeulikit, Ideal, and Ty Ty
Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.
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mural at 300 Marietta Street in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia loves its peaches
Peachoid in Gaffney, Georgia
Georgia Queen boat in Savannah, Georgia
one of Savannah's beautiful fountains
historic buildings in Savannah, Georgia
Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain, Georgia
Tybee Island Light Station & Museum on Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island, Georgia
the World's Largest Mattress in Jefferson, Georgia
Huge Safety Sawhorse roadside attraction in Tucker, Georgia
In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any book cover to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com.
 
 
 
 
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MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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