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Explore Your Georgia
Explore Your Georgia
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Add These Spots to Your Must-see List

Some of Georgia’s must-see places are worth a special trip because they can’t be experienced anywhere else. The largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, Atlanta's Georgia Aquarium, is one of the state’s signature attractions. Nearby, you can visit the headquarters of Coca-Cola, which was invented in Georgia, at World of Coca-Cola. In charming Savannah, the oldest city in the state, stroll one of the largest historic districts in the USA. The state’s energy can also be experienced through sports, whether you’re a participant or fan. This is the site of Olympic Games and multiple pro football Super Bowl championships. Feel the thrill at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and other professional sports venues, as well as minor league ballparks and top-tier colleges across the state.

 

Get Outside and Play

Beautiful landscapes make getting out and active come naturally in Georgia. There are trails to be wandered, lakes to be paddled and beaches to be strolled. Natural wonders such as Providence Canyon, Driftwood Beach and the Okefenokee Swamp should top itineraries for outdoor adventurers. If you’re happiest outdoors, you can plan a whole vacation’s worth of adventures at Georgia’s 47 state parks. Leave room in your itinerary to explore plentiful hiking trails, many of which include unique natural and historical features. In the northern region of the state, discover Civil War sites at Sope Creek Trail and Historic Banning Mills. In central Georgia, explore 64 kilometers of trails at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Warm Springs or marvel at ancient Indian mounds at Ocmulgee Heritage Trail in Macon. Coastal Georgia is full of treasures including Skidaway Island State Park, where a 4.8-kilometer path meanders through Civil War ruins and circa-1930s moonshine stills. For a less active excursion, delight at the wild horses roaming the pristine beaches of Cumberland Island National Seashore.

 

History Meets Contemporary Culture

Georgia showcases an intersection of history, current events and culture. The state is home to Indigenous American heritage, Revolutionary War sites, the birthplace of a president and the cradle of the civil rights movement. In Atlanta, discover the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and explore the civil rights movement at sites including Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and The Carter Center. Throughout Georgia, you’ll recognize backdrops for popular movies and TV shows. The music scene includes the original influencers – Ray Charles, James Brown, The Allman Brothers Band and R.E.M. – who laid the groundwork for today’s Georgia-grown stars such as Outkast, Lil’ Nas X, Zac Brown Band and Migos. Whether your artistic preferences include folk art, Southern literature, fashion or fabulous gardens, your passions will be satisfied in Georgia.

Explore Your Georgia
Explore Your Georgia
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Fun Fact

Hopper's Cabin featured in “Stranger Things” in Powder Springs, Georgia
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Georgia is a go-to filming site for many popular movie and TV show locations, including Hopper’s Cabin in “Stranger Things,” a riverboat in “Ozark” and a museum in “Black Panther.”

Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega, Georgia
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With an ideal climate for growing several grape varieties, wineries in northern Georgia’s Wine Country are earning praise from critics and wine lovers alike.

Walasi-Yi interpretive Center at Mountain Crossings in Blairsville, Georgia
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At its southern terminus in Georgia, the Appalachian Trail passes through its only man-made structure, the historic Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center at Mountain Crossings in Blairsville.

Must see places

Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin, Georgia

Providence Canyon State Park

In southwest Georgia, Providence Canyon State Park, one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders, stuns with its dramatic cliffs, deep gullies and rainbow-hued soil. Visitors will understand why its nickname is Little Grand Canyon. Although this beauty’s creation was caused by poor farming practices in the 1800s, today the park is home to more than 16 kilometers of hiking trails, campsites and stunning scenery for photographers.

Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia

Driftwood Beach

Explore an otherworldly sculpture garden on the north end of Jekyll Island, one of the barrier islands along Georgia’s 160 kilometers of coastline. Driftwood Beach, the ongoing result of erosion by sand and saltwater, acts as natural playground for kids and photographers alike. The weathered oak trees are perfect for climbing, hanging a hammock or grabbing the perfect shot for Instagram. Pro tip: Be sure to check tide schedules before visiting.

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia Aquarium

Everyone’s a kid at the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. Visitors embark on an aquatic adventure around the world, gaining a greater understanding of ecosystems and their inhabitants. The Atlanta attraction features thousands of amazing animals, including beluga whales, whale sharks, manta rays, penguins, sea otters, dolphins and sharks. Get up-close views in seven galleries.

Train tracks passing through downtown Plains, Georgia

Jimmy Carter National Historic Park

See key sites and buildings associated with the USA’s 39th president, Jimmy Carter, who still lives in the rural central Georgia town of Plains, where he was born and raised. The park preserves his life from boyhood to presidential candidate. See the official state school of Georgia, Plains High School, where Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter attended and graduated; the train depot that served as his presidential campaign headquarters; and the farm where he was raised.

Brasstown Bald Visitor Center and Recreation Area in Hiawassee, Georgia

Brasstown Bald Visitor Center and Recreation Area

Journey to the highest point in Georgia, rising 1,458 meters above sea level, in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Hike less than a kilometer to the top of Brasstown Bald, where an observation deck offers 360-degree views of four states – Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee – and on a clear day, the Atlanta skyline. Inside, watch a film and peruse interactive museum exhibits.

Kayaking in the Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Get outdoors in North America's largest blackwater swamp, which is one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders along the state’s southern border. The wildlife refuge near Folkston is perfect for paddlers. Near Waycross, get closer to birds, alligators and other wildlife with train and boat tours, hikes and nature shows in Okefenokee Swamp Park. Stargazers are in for a treat at Stephen C. Foster State Park, an International Dark Sky Park on the refuge’s western edge.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

The downtown Atlanta cultural attraction explores the U.S. civil rights movement in addition to today’s global human rights struggles. Its museum galleries reflect a combination of powerful imagery, compelling artifacts and poignant storytelling. In the Voice to the Voiceless Gallery, the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection features a rotating exhibit of the civil rights leader’s papers and personal items.

Amicalola Falls in Georgia

Amicalola Falls

Northern Georgia is home to the USA’s third-highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, the 222-meter Amicalola Falls. The waterfall is easily accessed, inviting picnickers and hikers alike to relax and listen the soothing sounds. The adjacent state park and lodge of the same name offer outdoor activities and overnight stays. This natural escape is just 1.5 hours north of Atlanta.

Mural art along the BeltLine in Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta BeltLine

Among the largest and most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the USA, the Atlanta BeltLine features family-friendly events, experiences and sights that showcase the city’s hidden gems. Wander seven spectacular parks and four trail segments open to the public – with many more to come through 2030 – that offer access to public art, fun neighborhoods and attractions like the Ponce City Market. There’s no wrong way to explore – bike, walk, skate, run, splash, shop, see, dine and enjoy.

The oak-lined entrance to Wormsloe State Historic Site in Savannah, Georgia

Wormsloe State Historic Site

Just a short drive from the city center of historic Savannah, visit Wormsloe State Historic Site, home to Savannah’s oldest standing structure, the ruins of a home made from tabby (a concrete mix of crushed oyster shells, lime, sand and water) that dates to 1745. The entryway alone, lined on both sides by more than 400 stately live oak trees draped with Spanish moss, is a photographer’s dream. But you can also wander interpretative nature trails, which offer stunning views of coastal Georgia.

Explore Georgia destinations

The Ace Hotel Rooftop in downtown Los Angeles, California
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Explore Georgia destinations

The oak-lined entrance to Wormsloe State Historic Site in Savannah, Georgia
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Sightseeing in Savannah, Georgia
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Sightseeing in Savannah, Georgia
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