10 Best Things to Do this Spring in Georgia
Spring in Georgia brings blooming flowers, warmer days and activities of all kinds. From outdoor adventures that take advantage of the great weather to favorite events that only happen once a year, here are some of the best things to do around the state this season.
Boardwalk to the beach on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones
1. Go to the beach
Georgia's beaches are among its best resources. Plan a getaway to explore some of Georgia's 15 barrier islands, including:
Golden Isles
Brunswick and its four barrier islands - St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island - are brimming with activities from deep-sea fishing to golfing and shopping. Seek out the otherworldly landscape of Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, hunt for tree spirits on St. Simons Island, and indulge in luxurious solitude on Little St. Simons. Explore all there is to see and do in the Golden Isles.
Tybee Island
Tybee Island is a family-friendly beach town that is a short drive from downtown Savannah. Rent a cute cottage, go on a dolphin tour, dig in to fresh seafood and much more. Find places to stay and things to do in the Guide to Tybee Island.
Cumberland Island
Adventurous types can camp at the beach at Cumberland Island, a National Seashore known for its wild horses and ruins of the Dungeness mansion. Catch the ferry to the island, and be prepared for a vacation experience like no other.
Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia
2. Attend a spring arts or sports event
Just as daffodils, dogwoods and azaleas flourish in the spring in Georgia, so do outdoor arts and sports events. Pick any city, and you'll likely find a spring event to enjoy!
International Cherry Blossom Festival
The International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon is a perennial favorite, held March 15-24, 2024, that features art exhibitions, rides and performances. Plan your trip with this Guide to Macon.
Savannah Music Festival
Savannah Music Festival March 28-April 13, 2024, is the state's largest, featuring artists from all genres, including classical, jazz, folk, country, and rock. Plan your trip with this Guide to Savannah.
Atlanta Braves
Take in an Atlanta Braves game at Truist Park. The Braves open at home on April 5, 2024, against Arizona. The Braves' first homestand of the season will continue with four games against the New York Mets. Plan your trip with this Insider's Guide to Atlanta Braves Games.
The Masters
Tickets to the legendary golf tournament in Augusta are hard to come by, but even if you don't have tickets, there is plenty to do off-course during Masters Week April 8-14, 2024. Follow these tips on how to make the most of your trip. Plan your trip with this Guide to Augusta.
Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia
3. Delight in spring blooms and talk about our gardens
Spring color pops out early in Georgia, especially sunny yellow daffodils and cheery pink cherry trees and tulip magnolias. Trace the season's progression through the rainbow of colorful flowers, trees and bushes that burst onto the scenery from their winter slumber. From the North Georgia mountains to the coast, you can explore a gorgeous array of gardens expertly created to showcase the season's best.
See the largest daffodil display in the nation at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground in early March. More than 200 varieties of early, mid and late bloomers cover 50 acres of hillsides and valleys.
Experience the beauty of 20,000 azaleas in bloom at Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain during Celebrate Spring March through April.
See Rock City Gardens in full bloom during the spring. The Enchanted Trail comes alive with color as blossoms open throughout the gardens.
Celebrate Mother's Day weekend at the annual Picnic in the Garden at Hills and Dales Estate in LaGrange, featuring a picnic spread contest, live music, pony rides, yard games and more. Explore the historic Ferrell Gardens, which are one of the best-preserved 19th-century gardens in America.
Find more gardens to visit in this list of 6 Botanical Gardens You Can't Miss this Spring.
Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Photo by @thatgrady_foodie
4. Take a culinary tour of the state
You can't say we don't eat well in Georgia! Go in search of fresh flavors this spring on a culinary trip across the state.
Food Festivals
Georgia's spring food festivals offer a huge menu of options. A few choices include:
- Vidalia Onion Festival, April 25-28, 2024
- Georgia Strawberry Festival, April 27, 2024
- Taste of Alpharetta, May 9, 2024
- Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival, May 11, 2024
Pick-your-own Farms
Grab a bucket and head to one of Georgia's many pick-your-own farms for a true Southern springtime tradition. The whole family will have fun picking their favorite springtime treats fresh from farms throughout the state.
Find where to pick strawberries in Georgia.
Food Tours
Check out one of the many food tours like Atlanta Food Walks, Taste of Thomasville Food Tours, Flavors Food Tours - Savannah or Savannah Taste Experience.
Okefenokee Swamp. Photo by @wandernorthga
5. Get out on the water
Enjoy the great outdoors around Georgia, especially the lakes, rivers and ocean.
Lake Life
Georgia's Lake Country boasts a number of lakes, including Oconee and Sinclair. Closer to Atlanta, Allatoona and Lanier welcome boaters and fishermen. Lakes Burton, Rabun, Hartwell and Blackshear are also worth exploring.
Whitewater Rafting
For high-octane whitewater rafting, visit the artificial rapids in Columbus. Clayton has some beginner-friendly rafting, as well.
Exploring the Okefenokee Swamp
Take a guided boat tour with knowledgeable naturalists to experience the mysterious Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, or rent a canoe or kayak and set out on your own. Reserve a camping platform to stay overnight for a truly unique outdoor adventure! Take advantage of the discounts on multi-day, multi-entrance passes to Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross and Okefenokee Adventures in Folkston, to experience boat tours, train rides, nature shows and the incredible scenery of the fascinating swamp environment.
Jesup Drive-In in Jesup, Georgia
6. Go see a drive-in movie
Drive-in movie theaters are making a comeback, and Georgia boasts five that have been going strong for decades. From the Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater in northwest Georgia, which boasts the largest outdoor movie theater screen in the world, to the Jesup Drive-In in south Georgia, which has 1950s-esque car hops, these theaters offer classic fun for the whole family. See what's showing at a theater near you!
Chickamauga, Georgia. Photo by @hogjowlroad
7. Plan a road trip
What's a better time to start planning a getaway by car? Decide what you want to see, whether it be coast or mountains, cities or small towns. Follow the 41-mile Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway through the mountains, drive along US-17 to coastal communities from Richmond Hill to Darien, or taste your way through the state on Georgia Grown Trail 37. Bring your own car, or hire a campervan from Live More Campervans, Scamper Van or Escape Campervans, which allows you to sleep in your wheels at one of the state's many campgrounds.
Atlanta's Little Five Points neighborhood. Photo by @wtfmymy
8. Hunt for murals
Looking for colorful walls to photograph? You're in luck. Atlanta has hundreds of murals in every corner of the city, especially around Cabbagetown and Old Fourth Ward. Savannah also has its own, usually commissioned by art galleries and non-profits to beautify their buildings. Macon also has upped its game in terms of public art, with murals, sculptures and Little Free Libraries around town. Don’t miss the mural in Dublin, which honors the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sweetwater Brewing Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by @riverandtheranch
9. Tour a brewery, cidery or distillery
The Peach State has a thriving scene for craft beverages as new breweries and distilleries are opening every year in every corner of the state. No matter where you go, plan on having a designated driver.
Breweries
Atlanta has the most craft breweries, including big-name ones like Sweetwater and those with multiple locations like Monday Night. But there are many breweries in other cities and towns, like Fall Line Brewing in Macon, Creature Comforts in Athens, and Eagle Creek Brewing in Statesboro. Grab a bite with your pint at a brewpub, like Good Word Brewing and Public House in Duluth.
For more great breweries, check out this list of The 21 Essential Breweries in Georgia.
Cideries
Gluten-intolerant people can rejoice, as there are also cideries around the state. Urban Tree Cidery is located on Atlanta's Westside with a taproom to sample their varieties. Treehorn in Marietta is another favorite, as is Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge. If you're looking for a low-alcohol option, Cultured South on Atlanta's West End brews the popular Golda Kombucha.
Distilleries
Distilleries are also open to visitors to glimpse how your favorite spirits are made. Atlanta has the ASW Distillery, Old Fourth Distillery and Independent Distilling distilleries. Dalton Distillery specializes in legal "white lightning." Richland Rum in Richland and Brunswick crafts the only single-estate rum in the United States.
Carrollton GreenBelt in Carrollton, Georgia. Photo by @san.captures
10. Bike the trails
Gear up with your helmet and two wheels to explore the state. There are plenty of paved bike paths for beginner or expert riders.
Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet Trail is a national treasure, running from Smyrna to Cedartown before crossing into Alabama.
Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is a popular path, looping around the city, but can be crowded on weekends. Also check out the lesser-visited sections of the trail like the Westside and Northside.
Carrollton GreenBelt
The 18-mile-long linear Carrollton GreenBelt is the largest paved loop trail system in Georgia. Explore Carrollton by pedaling to the University of West Georgia, numerous shopping centers and a number of city parks along the way.
Arabia Mountain PATH
The Arabia Mountain PATH runs 30 miles, linking cultural, scenic, natural and historic sites, including the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers.
Chattahoochee Riverwalk
The Chattahoochee Riverwalk in Columbus runs 15 miles alongside the water, offering views of the whitewater rapids and a connection to the National Infantry Museum.
