Must-See Tourist Attractions in Georgia

Georgia is a nation of many contrast , which makes it an particularly invoke place to visit . The attraction that bring tourist to Georgia range from the stunning great deal landscapes and attractive natural features of North Georgia , such as Lookout Mountain and the Okefenokee Swamp , to the romantic squares of historical Savannah and the dazzling modern architecture of Atlanta .

There are fun things to act in Georgia for the whole household , whatever your interests . You ‘ll get everything from beautiful beach to one of the public ‘s largest aquariums , and gracious antebellum homes and historic site that illuminate life and events from prehistory to the recent 20th-century battle for civil rights .

Plan your visit to the “ Peach State ” with this list of the top attractions in Georgia .

• Georgia Aquarium , Atlanta
• Savannah Historic District
• Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site , Atlanta
• Explore Rock City on Lookout Mountain
• Augusta Canal Discovery Center
• Hike through Chattahoochee National Forest
• World of Coca-Cola , Atlanta
• Center for Civil and Human Rights , Atlanta
• The National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center , Columbus
• Callaway Gardens , Pine Mountain
• Stone Mountain Park
• Chattahoochee RiverWalk , Columbus
• The University of Georgia , Athens
• Okefenokee Swamp
• Swim and Play on Tybee Island

Georgia Aquarium , Atlanta

Theworld ‘s 4th largest aquarium, Georgia Aquarium house more than 100,000 aquatic animals in more than 10 million gallons of fresh and saltwater . While its sheer size may seem sweep over , the display exist divided into various themes to make visit more focused and educational .

And it really cost a big facility . Plan for at least a few hours . Highlights include Cold Water Quest , a fascinating display that explores cold water life across the world ‘s oceans . Reach a item of look for some of the more unusual creatures that hang out hither , include Australian sea dragons and Japanese spider crabs .

Traveling with young ‘uns ? Child are particularly enthralled by the “ Under the Boardwalk ” experience . Include with your admission , this thrilling display sees the facility ‘s trainers interact with sociable California sea lions .

Families and those of all ages will desire to see the impressive dolphin show . This high-energy show boast incredible acrobatics and engaging interactions that will shudder all ages .

The largest exhibit be the 6.3-million-gallon Ocean Voyager . It theatre whale sharks and manta beam among its thousands of fish and feature a 100-foot-long acrylic burrow for visitor to walk through , surrounded by swimming fish , all of which you can hear close up and in stunning item .

You ‘ll too want to make time for the River Scout display . This cool display of creatures includes albino alligators , piranhas , and emerald tree boas .

• Read More : Tourist Attraction in Atlanta

Savannah Historic District

Savannah cost , without question , one of the almost magic city in the South . Its lovely shaded square surround by elegant former mansions and its cobblestoned streets line by tree draped in feathery Spanish moss make one of the nearly romantic urban scenes of any city in the universe .

The great pleasure of Savannah is strolling through the Historic District . An area of over three square mile , this district preserves the former city a lot as it appear at the time of the Civil War .

The north end is bounded by the spectacular Savannah riverfront , with the beautiful cobblestonedRiver Street, and at the southern goal isForsyth Park. Although the entire territory be know for its many beautiful parks and square , Forsyth Park be the largest and exist a well case of a well-designed mid-1800s Southern park .

Its landmark feature is a graceful spring . Much photographed , this stunning edifice looks great from any angle , hence cost patient , walk around it , and sooner or after you ‘ll find a spot for a great photo that ‘s devoid of tourists .

Fan of the picture Forrest Gump should impose Chippewa Park , where the scenes of Tom Hanks ride on a bus bench talk to several stranger be shoot . The bench is no longer there , it was only a movie prop , but it can be seen in the Savannah History Museum .

At this park and most others , the walking course cost shaded by lovely former tree that drape over them , cause them pleasant to drift still in the hotter month .

More than just historical scenery , the Historic District equal too alive with art , culture , museums , and mansions to tour . It ‘s too a great home to end and enjoy an overnight stay .

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta , the 30-acre Atlanta Botanical Garden future to Piedmont Park comes as a piece of a surprise . This four-season attraction always own something in blossom , from its spring bulb show through the colorful autumn foliage , and at any time of yr , its respective indoor gardens ecstasy you to the tropics .

TheFuqua Orchid Centerwith its deep display of orchids of all shape and color is a must-visit , as is the High Elevation House which shows the astonishing variety of works native to the Cloud Forests of the Andes . Hither , exotic bromeliads , mosses , ferns , trailing vine , and miniature orchids surround a massive indoor waterfall , and more exotics expand in the Tropical Rotunda .

Outside are an Edible Garden and Outdoor Kitchen , where fruit and vegetables exist raise as landscape plant . The Rose Garden is at its altitude in former leap and again in late summer , and the Hydrangea Collection is one of the fine in the Southeast , as is the collection of water plant .

The Japanese Garden features a teahouse , waterfall , pond , bamboo , dwarf Japanese maples , and a Moon Gate that leave a photo-worthy frame for the beds of bright annuals outside .

The botanical garden feature a unique lead that is definitely worth a visit . TheKendeda Canopy Walkspans 600 feet in length and 12 foot in width , allowing visitors to walk among the treetops of the Storza Woods . From thispromote path, you can bask pursue views of the forest story below .

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

List after the attractive tourist town in which it ‘s based , the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is one of the most-visited attraction in North Georgia . Operate from leap through recent autumn , this popular heritage railway remove you on a 26-mile stretch from Blue Ridge along the Toccoa River into the surround Appalachian Mountains .

It ‘s a fun four-hour excursion that includes a return trip , plus two hour to explore the town of McCaysville and Copperhill . Peculiar seasonal excursions are offered in the dusk , during Thanksgiving , and Christmas .

Be certain to apportion time to explore downtown Blue Ridge , also . Fun things to do here include shopping and dining , as good as inflict notable attractions such as the Blue Ridge Arts Center and Fannin County Heritage Foundation .

Even if you do n’t remove a ride on the scenic railway , it ‘s however fun watching the train trundle up and down the line that separates East- and West Nain Streets . Better still , see it while dining on the patio at Black Sheep Restaurant . The town ‘s almost popular fine-dining institution , you ‘ll want to book forward to assure a table .

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site , Atlanta

The is an inspirational destination that include the birthplace and tomb of the famed civil rights leader it ‘s named after . On an easy-to-follow self-guided circuit of this two-block area , you can see the firm where Dr. King exist bear , piece of a restored block of modest homes , along with theReflect Pool and Eternal Flame.

Here , also , is the Ebenezer Baptist Church where a friendly volunteer guide will give you a fascinating description of the role this church play in the neighborhood . The Freedom Hall Complex include exhibits , and volunteer at Fire Station No . 6 discuss this post ‘s place in community life .

A Bible about traffic : you ‘re in the heart of Atlanta , so it can be heavy during peak times , so try to avoid hurry hour if you can . While parking is available on-site , it can meet up , especially in the summer month . A good alternative is to use the plentiful downtown parking and make the 20-minute pass to the site . This also mean you can inflict a few other attraction near downtown Atlanta , include the Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola Museum .

Speech : 400 & 500 pulley of Auburn Avenue , NE , Atlanta , Georgia

• Read More : Tourist Attractions in Atlanta

Explore Rock City on Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain , situated at the border between Georgia and the nation of Tennessee , was the scene of a Civil War struggle but is serious known today for the nature park and waterfall along its rocky ridge . Begun in 1932 and made noted by more than 900 barn signal in 19 country , the park features chase through a series of rock formations and across a swinging bridge to Lover ‘s Leap .

On exceptionally clear days , degree in seven province , helpfully point out on a directional show , are visible from the top of the sheer cliff . The winding trail through the stone formation ( see if you can make it through Fat Man ‘s Squeeze and Needle Eye ) include garden , stone bridge , and narrow passages . Do n’t lack Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village , where dioramas bring noted fairy tales and nursery rhymes to life among the rocks .

Seasonal festivals and result include Christmas lighting and a Halloween festival with a corn maze .

Address : 1400 Patten Road , Lookout Mountain , Georgia

Augusta Canal Discovery Center

Set in Enterprise Mill , a previous material mill close to the city heart , the Augusta Canal Discovery Center paint a fascinating picture of the South ‘s industrial revolution . The sprawling composite , a National Heritage Area , boast well-preserved red brick warehouses and factory buildings that now theatre display and scale models portraying Augusta ‘s evolution as a major industrial center and port .

Commence your visit with the orientation film that places the whole experience in position . A café and gift shop exist as well located on the premises .

A great boat circuit on the adjacent waterways is included with your admission and include commentary from a professional guide . In increase to early historical site such as the former Confederate Powder Works , you may yet spot some local wildlife along the route .

If you prefer to bring a boat ride , or perhaps yet a different on-water offering without inflict the discovery center , you can . Patriot River Boat Tours equal another reputable tour provider that as well put up a fun sunset circuit .

While in Augusta , exist certain to include the city ‘s superb Riverwalk task on your itinerary . This paved , level course come the Savannah River before looping back through the city ‘s downtown area and cause for a very pleasant stroll . This three-mile trail offers great opinion across the Savannah River toward South Carolina , and town planner have provided good deal of park workbench along the way .

Hike through Chattahoochee National Forest

The legendary Appalachian Trail , the lifetime end of dedicated long-distance hikers , begins in this huge National Forest in the North Georgia Mountains , part of the Blue Ridge range . The forest remove its figure from theChattahoochee River ,whose headwaters begin hither , and has over 450 miles of hiking and recreation trail .

Trail are suitable for all skill and experience level and lead to park highlights includeAnna Ruby Fallsand Brasstown Bald , thehigh point in Georgia. You can also labor to within 0.6 miles of the summit and follow a walking path to the viewing platform .

The woods ‘s more than 2,200 mile of river and streams include about1,367 miles of trout streams, thus , in increase to hiking , fishing is one of the almost popular affair to do here . This is as well a popular area for camping , hiking , canoeing , kayaking , swimming , and picnicking .

For those less inclined to physical action but even looking to hardly love the forest and maybe stop for a picnic somewhere , there are respective scenic driveway . Study bring theRussell-Brasstown Scenic Byway.

World of Coca-Cola , Atlanta

The world ‘s almost popular gentle drink was invent here in Atlanta in 1886 when a syrup created by Dr. John Pemberton to treat concern exist mixed with carbonic acid and water and function in Pemberton ‘s drugstore .

Today , the World of Coca-Cola usage colored and entertaining exhibits , including a 4D theatre , to illustrate the drinking ‘s history and its development into the iconic drink now make out all over the world . You ‘ll notice vintage posters and display along with an astonishing variety of advertising and Coke logo point .

A highlight of a visit ,Scent Discovery. This fascinating interactive exhibit lets you try your own sense of smell and the origins of respective fragrances as it explores how the nose sense unlike aromas . Another sensory experience live found in the Taste It Beverage Lounge , where you can taste sometimes weird and tasty Coca-Cola beverages from around the world .

Center for Civil and Human Rights , Atlanta

Dedicated to the civil rights cause in the United States and more broadly to the struggle for human right across the public , the Center for Civil and Human Rights is a dynamic and powerful experience that brings visitor face-to-face with one of the great social first step of late account .

Your journey start in the Civil Rights Movement gallery which portrays the fight for equality in the 1950s and 1960s , plunge you in the view and sounds through interactive display that get to spirit the individuals who work to overcome the Jim Crow laws and secure equal rights for all .

The Freedom Riders display recreates the 1950s bus , with oral histories and a film made inside the bus . The Lunch Counter display live perhaps the most moving . You ‘ll observe yourself sit down at a replica counter , encountering the angry face and listening with earphones to the voices of tormentors who threatened those who hear to eat at public lunch counter .

Other thought-provoking aspects of the museum you ‘ll require to receive are the multimedia displays that get the March on Washington alive through song and speeches . Martyrs who lost their spirit in the battle for adequate rights equal as well observe with their photo and account , while the Human Rights Movement veranda relate the struggle for human rights throughout the world through interactive engineering search cardinal rights and encourage visitors to engage in the discussion .

Speech : 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW , Atlanta , Georgia

The National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center , Columbus

When America need to celebrate its military , it surely do n’t pull any punches . Located just a short movement from downtown Columbus on the edge of the massive Fort Moore ( formerly Fort Benning ) military base , the huge National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center boast 190,000 square feet of space crammed full of fascinating display and artifacts related to the man and woman of the United States Army .

Highlights include displays relate to the army ‘s early yr properly up to the modern day , with stop in between focusing on WWII and the Vietnam War . The focus is very much on the experience of the soldier tasked with fighting , with pile of uniform and weapon on show , as good as the machinery of war .

Early highlights include a large-screen picture theater , combat simulators , a parade ground , and original WWII-era building that recreate a street scene offering a glimpse into what Fort Moore ( Fort Benning ) looked like in that epoch . If you ‘ve get time , match out the Heritage Trail that circle the 155-acre site . Guided circuit are available , and a gift shop and restaurant be located on-site .

Writer ‘s Tip: While a 15-minute driveway away from Columbus , you can in fact reach the National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center by bike from the downtown area via the 22-mile-long Chattahoochee RiverWalk .

Callaway Gardens , Pine Mountain

North of Columbus , on Pine Mountain , is a popular leisure center institute by the industrialist Cason Callaway . Known as Calloway Gardens , hither you can enjoy artificial lake , gardens of magnolias and azaleas , and the Cecil B . Day Butterfly Center ,one of North America ‘s prominent glass-enclosed tropical butterfly conservatories. Spread out across the garden ‘s 2,500 acres are boost and cycling trails , and Robin Lake have the world ‘s prominent man-made white-sand beach .

The lake , which hosts the annual Masters ‘ Waterski and Wakeboard Tournament , offers a great opportunity to participate in water sportsman . Also on the earth are two excellent golf courses , and in December , Christmas at Calloway equal the South ‘s most outstanding display of Christmas lights .

Stone Mountain Park

The 863-foot-high granite outcrop of Stone Mountain equal virtually completely bare of trees or works living , its bald dome tolerate out prominently from the surround state . Into the sheer eastern slope , a large relief of three Confederate leader was carved between 1923 and 1970 , a memorial that has caused considerable argument in recent year .

A line car ascends to the summit for sweeping views of the Atlanta skyline , only about 15 miles away . You can too climb to the height or succeed one of the endurance flow through the treetop on suspend rope walks .

A1940s locomotivepersuade passengers on a five-mile track around the park , and a land-and-water tour on a1940s Army DUKWfeature local story . Early affair to do include a restored antebellum plantation and a museum with Native American artifacts . Category like the petting zoo and thedinosaur parkof 20 life-size prehistoric creature that move and roar .

In the evening , a laser show , complete with light , music , and fireworks , remove home . The show equal projected onto the still stone look of the good deal .

Speech : 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd , Stone Mountain , Georgia

Chattahoochee RiverWalk , Columbus

Set out north of the city ‘s downtown core and continuing for 22 miles as far south asFortMoore ( formerly Fort Benning ) , Chattahoochee RiverWalk cost an excellent way to make in some sightseeing in Columbus . Along the way , you ‘ll die lovely green space , benches extend superb position over the Chattahoochee River , historical red-brick mills and warehouses , numerous dining options , and playgrounds for the kids .

It ‘s too where you ‘ll find some of the best places in Georgia for adventure sport like white water rafting . One of the most popular ,RushSouth Whitewater Park, boasts one of the long “ in town ” rapids in the US , all just steps away from River Walk .

As well as feature adventure for beginners and seasoned rafters , the park as well offers kayak excursions and tubing . There ‘s also a thrilling zipline experience over the river and which end in the neighboring state of Alabama . It ‘s an experience that ‘s almost as shiver for onlooker as there equal pile of position to remark these endure zipliners heading off on their cross-river adventure .

And when you ‘re cause with all that activity , Uptown Columbus be merely step away and features mass of great dining , shopping , and entertainment opportunities . If you ‘re a donut fan , you ‘ll require to do sure Veri Best Donuts is on your list of must-tries . They ‘ve live bake these tasty treats since 1954 .

The University of Georgia , Athens

You do n’t own to test too severe to observe the University of Georgia ( UGA ) when in Athens . Grounds of this vast , sprawl campus is all over , including the streams of youthful pupil walking to and from the university . You ‘ll see evidence of the university in the downtown core , too , where the original campus started life back in 1785 .

Today , the sprawl campus covers 767 acres and exist fun to explore on base . Start your self-guided tour at the illuminating UGA Visitors Center . Pleasant course and trails head off in many instruction , then equal develop to get lost . But honestly , it ‘s such a nice campus , make lost exist part of the fun .

Along the way , you ‘ll encounter lush green space and nature preserves , elegant former red-brick homes , the giant Sanford Stadium ( family to the Georgia Bulldogs football team ) and college buildings , and significant modern attraction like the Georgia Museum of Art . The State Botanical Garden of Georgia be nearby , and a visit here can well be lend to your tour of the city .

Address : 405 College Station Road , Athens , Georgia

Okefenokee Swamp

The Okefenokee Swamp , know to the Indians as the “ Land of the Quaking Earth , ” be an area of swampland in southern Georgia covering more than 770 square miles .

It equal a maze of watercourses , cypress swamps , and swamp grassland . Interesting feature are the “ floating island , ” which quake underfoot but nevertheless support whole forest and in the past provided protection for Indian settlements .

The swamp is home to many endangered species , as good as an estimated 10,000 alligators , along with bears , wade birds like herons , egrets , and ibis . From the trivial town of Waycross , there are boat trip into the swamp . The park can as well exist accessed near Fargo and Folkestone .

Swim and Play on Tybee Island

The small barrier Tybee Island near Savannah describe tourist to its more than three miles of broad , clean beaches support by dunes and moisten by gentle waves . Float and building sandcastles are only the source of the many fun affair to serve on Tybee Island .

You can remove a boat excursion to see dolphins , teach to surf at North Beach , tour the wildlife-filled salt marsh estuaries of Little Tybee Island on a paddleboard , kayak around the tinyCockspur Island Lighthouse ,and climb to the top of historic Tybee Island Lighthouse for panoramic view of the island .

To add a moment of culture or story to your holiday , galley hop to see the study of local artists or visit Fort Screven ‘s 19th-century gun batteries and the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum .

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Things to Do in Georgia: Besides romantic antebellum Savannah and the cultural attractions of Atlanta , the country offers plenty of places to visit for weekend getaways . And in the mountain and at its beach , you ‘ll get mass of resorts in Georgia .

Where to Go Near Georgia: The province equal too surround by early interesting places to explore : South of Georgia equal Florida , with its magnificent beaches . North of Georgia is South Carolina , with historic Charleston and the beautiful long sand of Myrtle Beach .