What are some of the most popular places to visit in Georgia?

From urban cities such as Atlanta to age old historic cities such as Savannah and further to stunning coastal areas such as Cumberland Island and Jekyll Island, Georgia is a state of contrasts.

‘I have a dream,’ one of the most famous speeches of history by Martin Luther King Jr needs a special mention here, as the city of Atlanta was the former home of this famous leader and houses the National Historic Site which is the most visited historic site in the whole of Georgia. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site not only displays his boyhood home but also houses a museum, a church and a visitor center.

After exploring the realms of history in the Capital city, be ready to feel the vibrancy and fun at the world’s second largest Aquarium. Home to rare water animals such as Beluga whales, Bottlenose Dolphin, and Manta Rays with a thirteen-foot wingspan. A 20-minute dolphin show is also held, and annually millions of visitors visit this aquarium. The Atlanta Botanic Garden is another good way to enjoy the lush green environment of the area. One of the most popular attractions of Atlanta is the famed Atlanta Movie Tour, which takes you through the filming locations of some of the classic and most loved movies of Hollywood shot in the city. The highlight of the tour is the house visit of Margaret Mitchell where she wrote the Pulitzer Prize Winning Novel ‘Gone with the Wind.’

Invoking all senses, the city of Savannah appeals to every kind of traveler. From its quaint cobblestone streets with oak trees, to magnificent mansions to white sand beaches to historic art galleries and museums, the city has a bouquet of offerings for an avid traveler. Tybee Island is a 22 square-mile white sand beach with an old maritime forest. Sunbathing, fishing, sailing, boating, hiking, biking, eating & drinking…one can almost do anything at this beach island. The city is also famous for its many parks, of which the largest one is the Forsyth Park with a period fountain and interesting walking trails.
The Okefenokee Swamp in Southern Georgia covers 770 square miles, and is a maze of water courses, cypress swamps, and swamp grassland. The floating islands and the resident alligators (10,000 approximately) are the major highlights of this swampland.

Georgia also houses the largest inhabited barrier Island called the Cumberland Island. A ferry from St. Mary’s takes you to this island which is home to wild horses, raccoons, wild boars, alligators, whit-tailed deer and many rare species of birds. When here, one must also visit the ruins of Carnegie Dungeness mansion, which was built in 1884.

In Northern Georgia, adventurists can pay a visit to Chattahoochee National Forest and try their hand at various adventure activities such as camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking etc. This is a scenic area covering 750,000 acres of lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Check out this Chattahoochee National Forest Map for other related information about the national forest.

The Tallulah Gorge State Park is another scenic beauty one must visit when in Georgia. Six Tallulah Falls that drop the river level by 500 feet over a mile are the main attraction of the area.  Hiking trails, the suspension bridge, and The Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center are other highlights of this area.

If you wish to experience the feeling of living in a town while being in a city then you must head to Blue Ridge, nicknamed as the ‘Switzerland of the South.’ Art galleries, craft breweries, Blue Ridge City Park, and 1937 Fannin County Courthouse, and Mercier Orchards, are some of the major attractions of this small artsy town.

Known as the ‘Little Grand Canyon,’ and one of the natural wonders of Georgia, Providence Canyon State Park in southwest Georgia is a stunning place for photography, especially in the months of July and August, when the rare endemic plum leaf azalea is in full bloom. Hiking along the canyon’s rim offers magnificent views, and some of the gullies are popular among rock climbers.

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