Day Trippin' › Georgia
136 places worth the drive, from Savannah and the Golden Isles to the North Georgia mountains, Atlanta and the Okefenokee, region by region, plus places to eat, stay and catch a movie. Want to know what's within 2 hours of home?
Enter your ZIPHike · DeKalb County
Bare granite outcrops, rare plants and a long paved path for walking and biking east of Atlanta.
Bike trail · Fulton County
A paved rail trail loop project linking city parks, food halls and public art. The Eastside Trail is the busiest stretch.
Garden · Fulton County
A big Midtown garden with a canopy walk, orchid house and seasonal light shows. Next to Piedmont Park.
Museum · Fulton County
Big history museum with a historic house, gardens, farm animals and the Cyclorama painting in Buckhead.
Museum · Bartow County
A large museum of Western art, presidential letters and a kids' gallery in downtown Cartersville.
Wildlife · Fulton County
Riverside boardwalks, rescued birds of prey and gentle trails in Roswell.
National park · Fulton County
A string of river parks inside the metro area with flat riverside trails, paddling and tubing on the cool Chattahoochee.
Historic site · Bartow County
Climb a large earthen mound built by Mississippian people and see artifacts from the town that stood here.
Museum · DeKalb County
Huge dinosaur skeletons, hands-on science and an outdoor forest trail make this a great rainy-day pick for families.
State park · Barrow County
A lake park in Winder with a 1790s log fort, beach, mountain bike trails and paddling.
Aquarium · Fulton County
One of the largest aquariums in the world, with whale sharks, manta rays, beluga whales and a dolphin show. Easy to pair with other downtown sights.
Museum · Fulton County
The Southeast's leading art museum, with a striking white building in Midtown.
National park · Cobb County
Civil War battlefield with a summit road and steep trails to sweeping views over metro Atlanta. Popular for weekend hikes.
Lake · Hall County
A lake resort area with beaches, boating, golf and holiday lights on Lake Lanier.
Historic site · Fulton County
Walk the Sweet Auburn blocks where Dr. King was born, preached at Ebenezer Baptist Church and is laid to rest. Moving and free.
Museum · Fulton County
Powerful exhibits on the civil rights movement and human rights today, including a lunch-counter simulation.
State park · Rockdale County
A protected granite mountain with guided hikes to the summit plus easy nature trails and paved paths.
State park · Bartow County
A wooded peninsula on Lake Allatoona with lake views, swimming beach and trails.
Bike trail · Cobb County
A long paved rail trail that runs west from Smyrna toward Alabama through woods, trestles and small towns.
Theme park · Cobb County
Big roller coasters, kids' rides and seasonal events just west of Atlanta.
Water park · Cobb County
Wave pool, lazy river and tall slides in Marietta for a hot-day escape.
Family fun · DeKalb County
A giant granite dome with a walk-up trail, lake loops and family attractions on the east side of Atlanta. The summit views reach the city skyline.
State park · Douglas County
Walk a creek trail to the brick ruins of a Civil War era textile mill, with rapids below the bluffs.
Museum · Bartow County
Fossils, gems, a planetarium and a dig-for-fossils area in Cartersville. Great for curious kids.
Museum · Fulton County
A playful museum on the soda's history with a tasting room of drinks from around the world.
Zoo · Fulton County
A walkable city zoo in Grant Park with gorillas, elephants, giant pandas history and a kids' farm area.
Waterfall · Dawson County
Home of one of the tallest waterfalls in the Southeast, with stair climbs, a lodge and the approach trail to the Appalachian Trail.
Waterfall · White County
Twin waterfalls at the end of a short paved trail near Helen.
Viewpoint · Rabun County
Georgia's highest state park, with overlooks over four states on clear days.
Small town · Fannin County
A mountain town with shops, restaurants, apple orchards and nearby lakes and rivers.
Family fun · Fannin County
A vintage train ride along the Toccoa River to the twin towns of McCaysville and Copperhill.
Viewpoint · Towns County
The highest point in Georgia at 4,784 feet, with an observation deck and huge views.
National park · Catoosa County
America's oldest national military park, with driving tour stops, monuments and trails.
Historic site · Murray County
A brick mansion built by a Cherokee leader, one of the best-kept homes of the Cherokee era.
State park · Dade County
A big canyon on Lookout Mountain with waterfall stairs, rim views and bike trails.
Small town · Lumpkin County
A gold rush town with a historic square, wineries and gold panning.
Museum · Lumpkin County
The old courthouse on the town square tells the story of the north Georgia gold rush.
Waterfall · White County
A short descent to a viewing deck for a tall falls in a lush gorge near Helen.
State park · Murray County
A mountaintop park with a mystery rock wall, a fire tower, lake beach and mountain bike trails.
Garden · Cherokee County
A large private garden in Ball Ground known for daffodils, Japanese gardens and water lilies.
Small town · White County
A Bavarian-style mountain town with river tubing, German food and a lively Oktoberfest.
Food town · Fannin County
A big family apple orchard near Blue Ridge with a market, bakery and seasonal pick-your-own.
Historic site · Gordon County
The former capital of the Cherokee Nation before removal, with historic buildings.
Waterfall · Habersham County
A creek trail through rhododendron to a wide falls and swim pool.
Waterfall · White County
A creekside trail past small falls to a waterfall that splits a rock face.
Garden · Walker County
A cliff-top garden path through rock formations to the "See 7 States" overlook on Lookout Mountain.
Scenic drive · White County
A mountain loop through national forest, past Brasstown Bald and Helen.
State park · White County
A quiet conservation park on Dukes Creek with trout fishing rules, easy roads for biking and walking.
Hike · Fannin County
The southern start of the Appalachian Trail, with a plaque and view at the summit.
State park · Rabun County
A deep river gorge with rim trails, a swinging bridge and waterfall overlooks.
Waterfall · Stephens County
A tall waterfall a short flat walk from the gift shop on a college campus.
State park · White County
A lake park next to Helen with trails, a lodge, zip lines and a mountain bike trail.
State park · Union County
A classic mountain park at the foot of Blood Mountain with a lake, beach and a loop trail around the water.
Historic site · Chatham County
A hauntingly beautiful old cemetery with moss-draped oaks and carved statues on the river.
State park · Camden County
Marsh trails, river fishing and tabby sugar mill ruins near St. Marys.
National park · Camden County
A wild barrier island with feral horses, mansion ruins and empty beaches, reached by ferry.
Beach · Glynn County
Bleached tree trunks on the sand make this one of Georgia's most photographed beaches.
National park · Glynn County
Ruins of a 1730s British colonial town under live oaks on St. Simons.
Historic site · McIntosh County
A rebuilt early British frontier fort on the river in Darien.
State park · Bryan County
Earthwork fort and river marsh park south of Savannah, with camping and trails.
National park · Chatham County
A brick Civil War fort on Cockspur Island with moats, cannons and marsh views.
Wildlife · Glynn County
A working sea turtle hospital on Jekyll Island where you can see patients recover.
Historic site · Glynn County
A rice plantation site with a museum and marsh views near Brunswick.
Island · Glynn County
A state-owned island with beaches, a historic club district, bike paths and a sea turtle hospital.
Museum · Chatham County
A big museum on WWII bomber crews, with a restored B-17.
Wildlife · Chatham County
Wolves, bison, birds of prey and native animals along a wooded trail outside Savannah.
Island · McIntosh County
A quiet barrier island with the Reynolds Mansion, a lighthouse and the Gullah Geechee community of Hog Hammock.
Historic site · Chatham County
Stroll 22 leafy squares, old homes and church spires in one of America's best walking cities.
Wildlife · Chatham County
A drive through old rice fields full of gators and wading birds just across the river from Savannah.
State park · Chatham County
Salt marsh trails, boardwalks and an observation tower near Savannah.
Small town · Camden County
A small waterfront town that is the gateway to the Cumberland Island ferry.
Island · Glynn County
A relaxed island with a village pier, lighthouse, beaches and live oak streets.
Historic site
Climb to the top of a working lighthouse for island views, with a small museum below.
Water park · Glynn County
A family water park on Jekyll Island with a lazy river and slides.
Museum · Chatham County
Three Savannah art and history sites, including the Owens-Thomas House and slave quarters.
Beach · Chatham County
Savannah's beach town, with wide sand, a pier and a laid-back vibe.
Historic site · Chatham County
A historic lighthouse with a museum in an old gun battery.
Historic site · Chatham County
A mile-long avenue of live oaks leads to colonial tabby ruins.
Historic site · Baldwin County
The farm home of writer Flannery O'Connor outside Milledgeville.
Food town · Clarke County
A college town with a big music scene, great restaurants and the UGA campus.
Historic site · Richmond County
A historic canal with a towpath trail and boat tours through Augusta's mill district.
Museum · Richmond County
Local history including a James Brown exhibit.
Zoo · Clarke County
A small free zoo of native animals in Athens.
State park · Lincoln County
Lakeside park with a log cabin museum and lake beach.
Museum · Clarke County
The official state art museum on the UGA campus.
State park · Morgan County
A lake park with a beach, trails and a well-known golf course.
State park · Monroe County
Cascades on the Towaliga River with a short trail and lake.
Springs · Butts County
A long-loved park with a mineral spring, lake beach and old stone buildings.
Historic site · Jones County
A farm site that shows a century of rural Georgia life.
Small town · Morgan County
A handsome small town with antebellum homes and a walkable downtown.
Springs · Jenkins County
Clear springs, a boardwalk and a Civil War prison site near Millen.
Garden · Macon County
Camellia gardens and the home of the American Camellia Society.
State park · Columbia County
A lake park on Clarks Hill Lake with trails, beach and cottages.
Museum · Houston County
Huge collection of military aircraft at Robins Air Force Base.
National park · Bibb County
Ancient earth mounds in Macon, with trails along the river.
Wildlife · Richmond County
Boardwalks and trails through swamp and wetlands near Augusta.
Wildlife · Jones County
Pine forests, ponds and quiet trails with good bird watching.
Garden · Clarke County
Woodland trails, a tropical conservatory and themed gardens in Athens.
Museum · Bibb County
The band's old house, packed with guitars, records and music history.
Museum · Bibb County
A Macon museum of African American art, history and culture.
State park · Oglethorpe County
A long historic covered bridge over river shoals.
National park · Macon County
A Civil War prison site and the National Prisoner of War Museum.
Wildlife · Grady County
Trails and bird watching windows near Thomasville.
Garden · Harris County
A big garden resort with a butterfly house, a lake beach, a chapel and a 10-mile bike trail.
Bike trail · Muscogee County
A long paved river path through Columbus past urban whitewater.
Museum · Muscogee County
Planetarium and space exhibits in Columbus.
State park · Harris County
A big park on Pine Mountain with the long Pine Mountain Trail, a lake and overlooks.
Aquarium · Dougherty County
An aquarium in downtown Albany focused on the Flint River.
State park · Stewart County
A marina park on Lake Walter F. George.
State park · Crisp County
A Lake Blackshear park with a military museum, beach and golf.
National park · Sumter County
The small-town home of the 39th president in Plains.
State park · Early County
Ancient mounds and lake fishing near Blakely.
Museum · Muscogee County
A large museum honoring the US infantry soldier, near the Army post in Columbus.
Historic site · Thomas County
A grand estate home near Thomasville with tours of house and grounds.
State park · Stewart County
Colorful eroded canyons with rim and floor trails.
Historic site · Meriwether County
The small house where FDR stayed and died, with a museum.
Family fun · Crisp County
A vintage excursion train through small towns between Cordele and Plains.
State park · Seminole County
Lakeside park on Lake Seminole with fishing and gopher tortoise trail.
Small town · Thomas County
A Victorian town with a brick downtown and big rose festival.
Museum · Dougherty County
Museums and a planetarium in Albany's old train depot area.
Historic site · Muscogee County
A living history village of 1800s buildings in Columbus.
Zoo · Troup County
A drive-thru safari park in Pine Mountain with a walkabout zoo.
Wildlife · Lanier County
A cypress lake for paddling and birding near Lakeland.
State park · Coffee County
River swamp trails, a heritage farm and camping near Douglas.
State park · Emanuel County
A cypress pond park with a historic mill, great for paddling.
Museum · Tift County
A historic village and farm museum in Tifton.
Wildlife · Bulloch County
Raptor shows and native wildlife in Statesboro.
State park · Tattnall County
A lake park in Reidsville with golf and boating. Formerly Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park.
Historic site · Irwin County
The site where the Confederate president was captured at the end of the Civil War.
State park · Ware County
A lake park near Waycross with golf and trails.
State park · Wheeler County
A lake park with a lodge, golf and a splash pad.
Wildlife · Charlton County
Vast blackwater swamp with gators, cranes and boardwalks.
State park · Charlton County
The western entrance to the swamp, with boat tours and dark skies. Formerly Stephen C. Foster State Park.
Wildlife · Ware County
Boat tours, a train ride and wildlife shows at the swamp's north entrance near Waycross.
State park · Cook County
A lake park near Adel with boardwalks and good birding.
Theme park · Lowndes County
A theme park and zoo in Valdosta with rides, animals and a water park.
Southern · Athens
A long-running Athens restaurant known for seasonal Southern cooking.
Southern · Athens
A downtown Athens favorite for Southern-leaning dinner and weekend brunch.
Southern · Athens
A busy Athens spot for Southern breakfast and brunch.
Food hall · Atlanta
A food hall right off the BeltLine Eastside Trail, good for a group with mixed tastes.
Southern · Atlanta
An Atlanta dining room since 1945, serving made-from-scratch Southern plates.
Bakery · Augusta
A riverfront cafe known for huge cakes and desserts.
Southern · Augusta
A farm-to-table dinner spot on Augusta's Broad Street.
Southern · Blue Ridge
Farm-to-table mountain cooking in downtown Blue Ridge.
BBQ · Columbus
A local barbecue joint with a Columbus location.
Southern · Dahlonega
Family-style Southern dining just off the Dahlonega square.
Bakery · Helen
A German bakery and cafe in Bavarian-style Helen.
Southern · Macon
Southern dinner with local ingredients in downtown Macon.
Diner · Macon
A Macon hot dog institution serving for over a century.
Diner · Savannah
A classic Savannah breakfast and lunch spot.
Ice cream · Savannah
A beloved Savannah ice cream parlor with old-fashioned flavors.
Southern · Savannah
Shared tables piled with Southern home cooking in a historic district house.
Southern · Savannah
Upscale Southern dinner in a historic pink mansion downtown.
Seafood · Savannah
A rambling old tavern building with seafood and pirate lore.
BBQ · St. Simons Island
A well-known coastal Georgia smokehouse.
Seafood · Tybee Island
Casual crab and seafood boil platters on a marsh-side deck.
Live music · Athens
A historic Athens concert hall with a rooftop bar.
Brewery · Athens · 21+
An Athens brewery taproom with a big outdoor space.
Live music · Atlanta
A grand historic theater that hosts Broadway shows and concerts.
Market · Atlanta
A huge historic building with a food hall, shops and events.
Live theater · Columbus
The State Theatre of Georgia, a historic opera house with plays and musicals.
Tour · Dahlonega
Go underground in an old gold mine, then pan for gold.
Market · Savannah
A riverfront district with dining, shops and live music.
Brewery · Valdosta · 21+
A downtown Valdosta brewery and taproom.
Movie theater · Americus
A restored historic theater near Plains that hosts film screenings and shows.
Movie theater · Athens
Athens' independent art-house cinema.
Movie theater · Atlanta
A historic neighborhood cinema showing indie films and cult classics.
Movie theater · Atlanta
A classic multi-screen drive-in open since 1949, with double features.
Movie theater · Augusta
A restored historic downtown theater with a movie series plus live shows.
Movie theater · Blue Ridge
A classic mountain drive-in operating since 1955.
Movie theater · Macon
A historic theater with films, music and community events.
Movie theater · Marietta
A restored historic theater on the Marietta Square with film nights and shows.
Movie theater · Tybee Island
A restored historic theater with film series, holiday movies and concerts.
Typical ticket prices from each theater's own site, with the date we checked; prices and showtimes change, so tap See showtimes for today's.
Campground · Adel
Lakeside camping a short drive from Valdosta.
Hotel · Atlanta
A revived landmark hotel on Ponce de Leon Avenue near the BeltLine.
Hotel · Augusta
A historic hotel with a rooftop bar in Augusta.
Resort · Buford
A lake resort with lodging, golf, a spa and holiday lights.
Inn · Dahlonega
Historic inn rooms steps from the Dahlonega square, run with the family-style restaurant.
Lodge · Dawsonville
A mountaintop lodge near the top of Amicalola Falls.
Resort · Dillard
A mountain resort known for family-style Southern meals.
State park cabins · Fargo
Stay inside the swamp at the park formerly called Stephen C. Foster.
Lodge · Helen
A state park lodge next to Helen with trails and a lake.
Campground · Jekyll Island
A wooded island campground close to Driftwood Beach.
Resort · Jekyll Island
A historic resort in the island's historic district, with a second oceanfront building.
B&B · Macon
A boutique inn and bed and breakfast with nineteen rooms.
Lodge · McRae-Helena
A state park lodge with golf and a lake.
State park cabins · Rising Fawn
Cabins, yurts and camping on the canyon rim.
B&B · Savannah
A romantic Victorian bed and breakfast on a historic square.
Hotel · Savannah
A historic downtown hotel on Savannah's main shopping street.
Resort · St. Simons Island
A classic beach and golf resort on St. Simons.
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Facts checked against official sites; each spot shows when. Passes and hours change, so check before you go.