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GEORGIA TRAVEL GUIDE

Georgia Aquarium, Georgia Atlanta, Georgia sign Georgia Queen in Savannah, Georgia
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.

Author/Contributor: Greg Parsons

 OVERVIEW


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.

 TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN GEORGIA


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.

 5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN GEORGIA


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:  AL  |  FL  |  SC  |  TN

 BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN GEORGIA


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.

 WHAT IS GEORGIA FAMOUS FOR?


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.

 NATIONAL PARKS IN GEORGIA


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.

 STATE PARKS IN GEORGIA


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.

 BEST WATERFALLS IN GEORGIA


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.

 BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN GEORGIA


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.

 BEST OCEAN BEACHES IN GEORGIA


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

 BEST RAIL TRAILS IN GEORGIA


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.

 BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN GEORGIA


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

 BEST MUSEUMS IN GEORGIA


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

 BEST DAY HIKES IN GEORGIA


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.

 BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN GEORGIA


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

 CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN GEORGIA


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

 GEORGIA TRAVEL TIPS


For offbeat and unique Georgia attractions, visit one or both of these amazing websites: Atlas Obscura and Roadside America

 UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN GEORGIA


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.

 OTHER KEY GEORGIA INFORMATION


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.

mural at 300 Marietta Street in Atlanta, Georgia
mural at 300 Marietta Street in Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia peaches
Georgia loves its peaches

Peachoid in Gaffney, Georgia
Peachoid in Gaffney, Georgia

Georgia Queen boat in Savannah, Georgia
Georgia Queen boat in Savannah, Georgia

one of Savannah's beautiful founations
one of Savannah's beautiful fountains

historic buildings in Savannah, Georgia
historic buildings in Savannah, Georgia

Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain, Georgia
Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain, Georgia

Tybee Island Light Station & Museum on Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island Light Station & Museum on Tybee Island, Georgia

Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island, Georgia

the World's Largest Mattress in Jefferson, Georgia
the World's Largest Mattress in Jefferson, Georgia

Huge Safety Sawhorse in Tucker, Georgia
Huge Safety Sawhorse roadside attraction in Tucker, Georgia

 ROAD TRIP GUIDEBOOKS


In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any link to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com (affiliate).

Fodor's Bucket List USA (1st edition; 2021)
Moon USA State by State (1st edition; 2021)
Your Guide to the National Parks (3rd edition; 2022)
Road Trip USA (9th edition; 2021)

 MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES


Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:

Alabama Maryland Oregon
Arizona Massachusetts Pennsylvania
Arkansas Michigan Rhode Island
California Minnesota South Carolina
Colorado Mississippi South Dakota
Connecticut Missouri Tennessee
Delaware Montana Texas
Florida Nebraska Utah
Georgia Nevada Vermont
Idaho New Hampshire Virginia
Illinois New Jersey Washington
Indiana New Mexico Washington DC
Iowa New York West Virginia
Kansas North Carolina Wisconsin
Kentucky North Dakota Wyoming
Louisiana Ohio  
Maine Oklahoma  

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