From its coastal beaches to farmland and mountains, the state of Georgia offers all types of adventure. With so much to see, we broke down the “Empire State of the South” into different four regions: North, Central, South and Coastal Georgia. Explore the various cities and attractions within each region. Whether you’re looking to take in mountain views while sipping on a glass of wine, or you want to experience the hustle and bustle of city life, the state offers something for everyone. Start exploring Georgia with the video below — and then start planning a trip of your own!
Take a Virtual Tour of Georgia
NORTH GEORGIA
CITIES
Atlanta
World-class restaurants, festive nightlife, professional sports teams, and an abundance of attractions and events help make Atlanta the center for entertainment in the South.
Centennial Olympic Park, located in the heart of Atlanta, offers stunning views of the surrounding city. Image: Ralph Daniel
Blue Ridge
Fall in love with Georgia’s Blue Ridge, where upscale shopping and dining meet small-town charm. Blue Ridge is filled with great restaurants, stylish shops and galleries, orchards, farm wineries and breweries, beautiful mountains and friendly people.
Blue Ridge offers some of the best waterfront views in Georgia. Image: Ralph Daniel
Dahlonega
Known for its wine country, mountain vistas and performing arts community, Dahlonega is full of things to do, places to stay, great restaurants and events year-round.
Take in the views as you sip on a glass of wine in Dahlonega. Image: Instagram / @garretldav
Dalton
From the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to the Gateway of the Civil War in Georgia, Dalton abounds with adventure.
Helen
Helen, a Bavarian village in the heart of Northeast Georgia, is a popular destination for travelers seeking outdoor adventures, seasonal festivals and tubing on the Chattahoochee River, which flows through the center of town.
ATTRACTIONS
Cloudland Canyon State Park
122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd., Rising Fawn, GA 30738 • (706) 657-4050
Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon State Park is one of the most scenic parks in the state, offering rugged geology, waterfalls and beautiful vistas.
Georgia Wine Country
Clustered around the North Georgia mountains, Georgia Wine Country is home to a variety of wineries with spectacular views, cozy tasting rooms and award-winning wines.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd., Tallulah Falls, GA 30573 • (706) 754-7981
Overlooking Tallulah Gorge, a 1,000-foot chasm carved over millions of years by the Tallulah River, Tallulah Gorge State Park‘s hiking and biking trails, suspension bridge, kayaking and waterfalls offer some of Northeast Georgia’s most spectacular sights.
Gibbs Gardens
1987 Gibbs Dr., Ball Ground, GA 30107 • (770) 893-1881
Every season is a gorgeous display at the 300-acre Gibbs Gardens in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains. The gardens include water lily gardens that mimic a Monet painting, Japanese gardens that turn brilliant in the fall, and millions of daffodils that cover the hillsides in the spring.
Yonah Mountain
1900 Chambers Road, Cleveland, GA 30528 • (770) 297-3000
Located near Helen in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, hike the 2.1-mile trail from the Mount Yonah Trail Head for spectacular views.
CENTRAL GEORGIA
CITIES
Athens
Take a hip trip to Athens! The eclectic college town is 61 miles northeast of Atlanta, nestled just below the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Downtown Athens is an eclectic city with a small-town feel, offering live music, historic architecture, shopping and rooftop dining. Image: Instagram / @efernphoto
Macon
Visit Macon for an adventure that is sure to be good for your soul! Rich history, incredible architecture, stunning Southern charm and a soulful musical heritage have branded Macon “Where Soul Lives.”
With a rich musical history, Macon is home to the Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House. Image: Ralph Daniel
ATTRACTIONS
Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 • (404) 581-4000
See beluga whales, whale sharks, manta rays, penguins, sea otters, dolphins and many more at the Georgia Aquarium.
High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 • (404) 733-4400
Fascinating inside and out, the High Museum of Art, the Southeast’s leading art museum located in Midtown Atlanta, boasts an extensive permanent collection and a variety of exhibitions and educational programs.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
1 Georgia Dome Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30313 • (678) 686-4400
Home to the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United, Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts sports and entertainment events year-round.
Music Midtown
Piedmont Park, 400 Park Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Held in September in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, Music Midtown is one of the state’s largest music festivals, featuring some of the industry’s biggest names.
Piedmont Park
1071 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309 • (404) 876-4024
The 211-acre Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta hosts major festivals, such as the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in April, and is open year-round to athletes, nature lovers and anyone who enjoys a good stroll through a beautiful green space.
World of Coca-Cola
121 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 • (404) 676-5151
Experience the history of the world’s most famous soft drink at the dynamic World of Coca-Cola — the multimedia home of the 125-year-old secret formula for Coca-Cola.
SOUTH GEORGIA
CITIES
Columbus
Located on Georgia’s western border, Columbus offers adventure for the whole family. Enjoy a lazy river ride in the morning and a wild adventure with class V rapids in the afternoon on the longest urban whitewater course in the world. Take a high adventure on the zip line that crosses the Chattahoochee River from Georgia to Alabama.
Head to Columbus to brave the rapids on the longest urban whitewater course in the world. Image: Instagram / @whitewaterexpress
Thomasville
Set apart from many tourist destinations because of its award-winning downtown and preserved historical fabric, Thomasville is worth the trip. Stroll the brick-paved streets or visit one of the many museums, and you will find the history of Thomasville is still very much alive.
With its beautiful downtown district and rich history, it’s no wonder Thomasville is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Image: Instagram / @whighamimages
ATTRACTIONS
Providence Canyon State Outdoor Recreation Area
8930 Canyon Rd., Lumpkin, GA 31815 • (229) 838-6202
The pink, orange, red and purple soils of Providence Canyon State Outdoor Recreation Area, Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” with massive gullies as deep as 150 feet, make some of the prettiest photographs in the state.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
2700 Suwannee Canal Rd., Folkston, GA 31537 • (912) 496-7836
Go fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, wilderness camping, canoeing and more in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge — a pristine 680-square-mile ecological wonder.
COASTAL GEORGIA
CITIES
Savannah
The Spanish moss-draped live oaks stand stately over the streets and squares of Savannah, like the cover of a great book. Walk below them and unlock the many stories of Georgia’s oldest city, while writing one of your own.
Hip and historic, robust and refined, Savannah is where you’ll find amazing architecture, spooky cemeteries and rich history, along with global sophistication, funky nightlife and fabulous food. Image: Ralph Daniel
St. Simons Island
Relax and unwind on the beautiful beaches of St. Simons Island. St. Simons captivates visitors with remarkable scenery and fascinating history. Lovely beaches, 99 holes of golf, acres of tennis courts, miles of bike trails, and countless shops and restaurants.
The largest of Georgia’s Golden Isles, St. Simons Island captivates visitors with its beaches, shops, restaurants and historical remnants, including a working lighthouse. Image: Ralph Daniel
Tybee Island
Located 20 minutes from historic Savannah, Tybee Island‘s beaches, outdoor adventures, historic lighthouse and pier have a charm all their own.
Jekyll Island
Home to picturesque Driftwood Beach, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and a 250-acre Historic Landmark District, development on Jekyll Island is limited to just 35 percent of its available land, making it a unique escape for visitors.
ATTRACTIONS
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island, GA 31558 • (912) 882-4336
Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island, Cumberland Island National Seashore is home to pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes that whisper the stories of both man and nature.
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Check out more amazing Southern destinations in our “Virtual Vacation” series. Click HERE!
