Georgia is one of the most scenic states in America. It is the heart of the South, a center of technology and medicine, and a land of diverse history and culture. Visitors traveling for business or pleasure, alone or as a family, will find lots of exciting things to see and do all over the state. All you need is a map of Georgia to start your Southern adventure.
Athens, Georgia
This city is known as a center of the performing and visual arts. As the home of the University of Georgia, Athens is full of cutting-edge art, music, and dance. All kinds of artists live and work in the area. The many local galleries have something for every art lover. Look for the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, the Georgia Museum of Art, and the Georgia Theatre in particular.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is also located in Athens. This green space covers more than 300 acres and is used by the University of Georgia as a laboratory for horticultural and botanical research. It is open to the public and welcomes visitors from around the country. Locals enjoy the scenic walkways and jogging paths.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is a city full of fascinating history. Historic neighborhoods are full of preserved Southern homes, unique shops, and vintage theaters. Visitors should make a stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. This was the home of the great civil rights leader and his family. Today it stands as a testament to the struggles of Atlanta’s African American population. This historic site has free admission.
There are lots of things for kids to do in Atlanta, too. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta has hundreds of hands-on explorative activities for children of all ages. The Legoland Discovery Center is full of the world famous toys; it has numerous life-sized sculptures made from the tiny colorful bricks. And don’t forget to drop by Six Flags Over Georgia. This amusement park is the perfect family-friendly destination. Live music and magic acts, top rated roller coasters, and lots of great food are just a few of the things you’ll find here.
The Blue Ridge Mountains
If you prefer the wonders of nature to the lure of the city, then make certain to plan an excursion into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Long Creek Falls is a famous hiking trail that leads up to a spectacular waterfall; the path is lengthy but it’s rated as an easy hike. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway takes passengers along the same pathway traveled by trains for generations. This is a relaxing ride through the many of the most picturesque areas of the Blue Ridge region.
The whole family can take part in the Blue Ridge Mountains experience. Huck’s Lost Mine gives visitors the chance to try their luck at finding gems inside the active mine itself. The Lilly Pad Village also features a gemstone mine in addition to a miniature golf course, fishing pond, hiking trails, and gift shops.
Decatur
This charming city is where you’ll find the some of the finest examples of Southern cooking in the state. You can begin your culinary adventure with a visit to the Your Dekalb Farmers Market. This market is more than a handful of produce stalls; you can find produce, fresh seafood, exotic spices, and unusual ingredients all in the same place. Even if you’re not shopping for food, you’ll find plenty of interesting treasures in the flea market-style vendors’ stalls.
Ghost tours are a tradition in the Southern states that all visitors ought to experience and Decatur has one of the most well-known. The Decatur Ghost Tour is a walking tour given year-round. It introduces participants to the spookier side of historic downtown Decatur.
Jekyll Island
This is another top destination of nature lovers and is one of the most well-known island nature preserves in the country. Beautiful sandy beaches stretch beneath bright blue skies and local golfers enjoy the unique island course. Visitors can tour the island by boat or by old fashioned horse and carriage. The island waters are a haven for many species of sport fish; fishing enthusiasts come from all over to charter fishing trips from Jekyll Island. Historic sites, visitor centers, and museums can also be found on the island. Don’t miss out on the Georgia Sea Turtle Center! Jekyll Island is one of the few US locations where endangered sea turtle species can be found.
Article written by Charles Withers of the Two Guys Travel Blog. He is an independent travel writer who, when not traveling the world searching for the perfect shiraz, splits his time between a house in California and a home in Arizona. Follow him on Twitter @twoguyswine
