Best Trips of 2025 in Georgia

1. Elevate Your Family Vacation at McLemore

Ready for some nonstop, adrenaline-pumping adventures on a mountaintop? Be prepared to immerse in nature and acquire new skills on your trip to Lookout Mountain in the heart of northwest Georgia. Wake up early, feel the morning mist, and be ready to push your limits with a different adventure each day. Go deep inside mysterious caves, or explore dozens of hiking and biking trails along the unique topography.

Want to know what a cloud tastes like? Soar high above the Appalachian Mountains on a thrilling tandem hang-glider or paraglider experience with Lookout Mountain Flight Park. Venture out to Lula Lake (reservations required) for a 4.2-mile-long hike through beautiful hardwood forests and impressive, 120-foot Lula Falls. Take an easy-to-moderate trail to cast your wishes at the three DeSoto Falls (where you can camp, too), and plan to spend a couple of hours at the enchanting Rock City Gardens. The leisurely trails will take you through 200-year-old rock formations, narrow caverns, and lush gardens. Get a panoramic view of the surrounding seven states and take a dramatic photo at Lover’s Leap on Lookout Mountain. You will have a spellbinding experience trying to recognize your favorite childhood characters at the Mother Goose Village and Fairyland Caverns.

During three weeks in June and July, you can pick your own lavender from family-run Lookout Lavender Farm, or visit the farm store through the summer to shop for homemade lavender products. No matter what your mountain adventure brings, you can rock it out completely with the entire family.

And when you are ready to get some rest, pamper yourself with a luxurious stay at the resort community of McLemore. Spread out at one of the homes or villa rentals, where you will find cute bunk beds, energetic game rooms, and mellow firepits. For the most amazing views of the canyon and surrounding valley, book one of the balcony rooms at Cloudland at McLemore Resort Lookout Mountain, Curio by Hilton. Spend the afternoon swimming in the dramatic, cliffside infinity-edge pool, indulge in a tranquil massage at Cloudland’s world-class spa, Selah, and cuddle up with a good book at the expansive resort library. There’s hardly a better place to perfect your swing than at one of the mountaintop, world-class golf courses – McLemore’s Highlands Course, The Cairn short course, and The Keep – each offering sweeping views of the Georgia mountains and cooler weather through the summer months.

When you’re hungry, you don’t need to go too far – dine at the hotel’s four outlets to sample unique flavors from locally sourced farm ingredients and take in unparalleled views of Cumberland Plateau and McLemore Cove. At Auld Alliance, you’ll find Scottish classics such as boudin blanc with lump crab and truffle butter, 12-hour braised venison, and orange-scotch pie served with a touch of French elegance. Enjoy a high-country picnic of pimento-cheese canape and oat biscuits at Croft, or grab fresh-baked pastries and coffee from The Pocket Café. Watch the sunset over the mountains with a handcrafted cocktail from the stylish, poolside, open-air Skyside. You’ll find yourself reliving a new definition of “elevated dining” at 2,300 feet above sea level at The Creag restaurant near the Highlands Clubhouse.

Did You Know?

Cloudland at McLemore Resort has a wide range of activities for every age and interest. From the Songwriter’s Series to Creature Connections with wildlife to holiday events and more, this picturesque Georgia getaway offers fun additions to your family’s vacation.

2. Camp on Cumberland Island

There is only one place on Earth where you can sleep among wild horses, retreat to secluded white beaches, and explore the skeletal remains of a once-grand mansion. The Cumberland Island National Seashore, the southernmost and largest barrier island on the Georgia coast, is just that place. Home to nearly 10,000 acres of Congressionally designated wilderness and historic sites ranging from a one-room church to early 20th-century mansions, Cumberland Island is one of the country’s most intriguing national seashores. Although you can get a taste of the island’s magic on a day trip, the best way to truly immerse yourself in the island’s beauty is on a multiday camping trip.

Being among the 300 visitors permitted on Cumberland Island daily is a treasured experience requiring some planning. That includes making reservations up to six months in advance for campsites and the ferry that leaves from St. Marys. As Cumberland Island remains mostly undeveloped, there is no store on the island and no camp host, so plan to pack in and pack out, including all your trash. Choose your campground from the island’s five options, which range in amenities from beginner-friendly to primitive, according to your skills and appetite for adventure. Sea Camp is great for families and novice campers, offering amenities like bathrooms with electrical outlets, showers, and access to a boardwalk through the dunes that leads to a truly secluded, pristine beach. Stafford Beach Campground, located a short 3.5-mile hike from the ferry dock, has 10 well-spaced-out sites sharing a bathhouse with electrical outlets, plumbing, and cold showers.

Or, choose to go off the beaten path and set up camp at one of three remote campgrounds located in the island’s designated wilderness: Hickory Hill, 5.5 miles from the ferry dock; Yankee Paradise, 7.5 miles from the ferry dock; or Brickhill Bluff, the island’s northernmost wilderness campground located 10.5 miles from the ferry.

Once on the island, more than 50 miles of trails and roads wait to be explored. Walk or bike in any direction, and you’ll uncover natural wonders, from salt marshes full of fiddler crabs to a vast maritime forest that serves as a migration stopover for more than 300 bird species. Plan to stop at Dungeness Ruins for a picturesque scene of wild horses against the backdrop of the Carnegie family’s Queen Anne-style estate.

To cover more ground, join the Lands and Legacies Tour, a guided tour shuttling visitors to some of Cumberland Island’s cultural and natural landmarks, including properties like Plum Orchard Mansion and First African Baptist Church, which was built in 1893 by the area’s Black residents and families – many of them formerly enslaved.

Round out your stay marveling at the nearly 18 miles of white, sandy beaches where you can find tons of seashells and, if you search hard enough, fossilized shark teeth. If your visit is during sea turtle nesting season, you might even spot a few hatching turtles at night.

When is the Best Time to Camp?

Pitch your tent on Cumberland Island for startling beauty and delightful temperatures during Georgia’s mild fall and winter seasons. All that perfect weather puts campsites in high demand, however – so reserve your spot early!

3. Score a Goal in Atlanta

Atlanta is the epicenter of soccer in the United States and will again take its place on the world stage during the biggest sporting event in history, the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In June and July 2026, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host eight matches – including five group-stage matches, a round of 32 match, a round of 16 match, and a semifinal match. With direct access to more than 40 countries, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers easy connectivity and a home base for sports fans from around the world. Plan a few days in the city to attend sought-after sporting events and follow your favorite teams to other destinations so you don’t miss a single game of the season.

Atlanta United FC has established itself as one of the most successful franchises in Major League Soccer’s history. The team holds nearly every attendance record and has won every major trophy in the league.

If you are in Atlanta, watch a home game at the state-of-the-art, retractable-glass-ceiling-covered Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For some fun and education, take a guided, 90-minute public tour of the stadium with stops at champion locker rooms, the playing field, Window to the City, Sky Bridges, and clubs. Then, head next door to The Home Depot Backyard for an ongoing calendar filled with free art, sports, and cultural events.

That’s not all when it comes to major sporting events happening in Atlanta. In addition to the College Football Playoff National Championship and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, there’s also an opportunity to watch the National Collegiate Athletics Association men’s basketball regional in March 2025 at State Farm Arena.

While visiting Atlanta for sports, you may be able to hobnob with some of the world’s greatest athletes at world-class venues, accommodations, and eateries. Stay at Signia by Hilton Atlanta, the city’s largest downtown hotel conveniently located next to the stadium. Snag a table overlooking stellar, city-skyline views at one of the hotel’s eight restaurants and bars. Grab beers, milkshakes, and short rib poutine at Nest on Four at Signia, which puts a unique twist on traditional ballpark favorites. With a view of 45 television screens at the bar and patio, as well as an impressive infinity screen that mimics the one at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, you’ll never miss a score.

Watch even more sports nearby at the multi-level STATS Brewpub, featuring 70 high-definition television screens and a constant flow of homemade brews. This ultra-large, 16,000-square-foot bar features a beer-tap system where you can pour your own glass. For a post-game nightcap, head to the neighborhood favorite, Park Bar, offering spectacular views of Centennial Olympic Park.

Take a Winning Bite

Mercedes-Benz Stadium isn’t only known for its thrilling sporting events – it’s also a top contender in the NFL food game. Recently named one of the best stadiums for delicious and affordable eats (think $2 classic hot dogs and $2 freshly popped popcorn), it’s also home to food stalls from Atlanta restaurateurs. You’ll love delicious bites from the likes of Chef Linton Hopkins of H&F Burger and Hop’s Chicken, as well as Bravo’s “Top Chef” alumnus Kevin Gillespie, the mastermind behind Gamechanger.

4. Relive Your Love Story at Barnsley Resort

Only an hour’s drive from the big city of Atlanta, you will find yourself in the midst of a charming, English-countryside setting at Barnsley Resort in Adairsville. The luxurious family estate was built two centuries ago as a testament of love by affluent Liverpool, England, native Godfrey Barnsley, for his beloved wife, Julia. Now, the resort and gardens are a popular destination among those who want to rekindle romance surrounded by Southern hospitality and peaceful nature. Walk around the 3,000-acre grounds while admiring the Manor House Ruins constructed with marble from Italy and France, decorated with furniture from around the world, and boasting modern plumbing ahead of its time.

Today, the museum at Barnsley Resort showcases photos, artifacts, and information about the Barnsley family. Learn about the resort’s historical past – which includes a few ownerships and tragedies – with a Guided History and Wine Tour, on which you can also sample the resort’s new, custom wine labels as you hear astonishing stories.

As you hold hands with your loved one and meander through cottage-style residences surrounded by symmetrical gardens modeled using the manuals of the father of American landscape architecture, Andrew Jackson Downing, make sure to stop and smell the many flowers. More than 200 types of roses were planted in 1988 by then-owner Prince Hubertus Fugger of Bavaria and made for fairytale wedding backdrops. There are plenty of outdoor activities to bond over, too, such as hiking, sporting clays, golf, and wing shooting. One of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Barnsley is on a guided horseback trail ride.

Rekindle the romance with a couple’s treatment at The Spa at Barnsley Resort. Or, if you want some quiet time to mentally reset, take a Forest Bathing Journaling Walk together and create your own nature-inspired art. Settle in with a Barnsley Tea-LC treatment designed exclusively for the resort in collaboration with the Atlanta-based tea company, The Chai Box. You’ll notice your skin glowing after a firming, tea-laced masque that’s nourished with creamy, tea-infused body butter. Sip on a harmonious Chai Box Barnsley Tea Blend of loose-leaf black tea, lavender, cardamom, and mint – inspired by the resort’s serenity – as you soak in the relaxing landscape and inhale the signature scent.

For dinner, grab a seat on the patio overlooking the surrounding hills and Fazio-designed golf course. The decadent pimento-cheese beignets with red-pepper-bacon jam, buttermilk-fried lobster, and Georgia-style pecan pie served at the resort’s keystone restaurant, Woodlands Grill, will surely warm your heart and soul. Finally, retreat into The Wine Library for an intimate nightcap in an old-world lounge.

Romantic Getaways Year-Round

Barnsley Resort often makes the top Valentine’s Day lists in magazines each year, but it’s the perfect retreat for writing your own love story no matter the date. Plus, its origin story is rooted in romance – Godfrey Barnsley built it for his beloved bride, Julia.

5. Cool Off on the Lake in Milledgeville

With a year-round mild climate, Lake Sinclair in Milledgeville offers a laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere perfect for a family vacation. Created by Georgia Power in 1953, the 500-mile scenic shoreline in the heart of Baldwin County offers travelers tons of options to hike, bike, fish, boat, Jet Ski, and play disc golf and pickleball. If you don’t have your own boat, simply head to Sinclair Wild Watersports to rent boats, kayaks, Jet Skis, and stand-up paddleboards. Sinclair Marina also drops off and picks up watercraft rentals from lakefront vacation rentals.

After a fun-filled day on the lake, enjoy modern Southern specialties like Southern gentleman rolls and pecan-crusted Carolina trout at Aubri Lane’s at the Club at Lake Sinclair. Or, for something more laid-back with a deck bar featuring live music, opt for brisket nachos and reel oysters at Taylor’s Cove. Stay at one of the lakeside vacation rentals that can accommodate large families and groups with docks, decks, and firepits. Or, if you want to be closer to town, reserve a room at the adorable and homey The Inn on North Jefferson.

Take a self-guided walking tour and visit more than 40 locations in downtown Milledgeville, or hop onboard a bright-red Historic Trolley Tour to learn about the small town’s rich cultural heritage and architecture. Along the way, you will hear local historians point out a variety of architectural styles, periods, and preservation styles, including Victorian, Greek Revival, and Federal. The tour stops at Statehouse Square, where you can see Georgia’s Old Capitol Building and the interior of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Also, take a guided tour of Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion for its regal facade and opulent interiors.

Milledgeville was home to famous author Flannery O’Connor, whose short stories and novels about religion and experiences in the American South are cornerstones of the Southern Gothic literary genre. O’Connor also inspired the 2023 movie “Wildcat.” At her former home, Andalusia Farm, you can see her personal belongings, learn about her work at the farm, and visit the remaining resident peacocks.

Make time to enjoy the diverse cuisines, music, and shopping in the revitalized downtown. The Local Yolkal Café is a staple for breakfast, serving the best homemade biscuits and gravy and buttermilk pancakes in town. For something truly unique, Bollywood Tacos is a must-visit for its colorful murals, top-notch margaritas, and Indian-Mexican fusion food. Also, check out their new sister restaurant, Metropolis Café, serving Mediterranean and Indian cuisine. Before you leave, shop for women’s fashions at Firefly Boutique and rustic clothing and gifts at Southern Roots.

Did You Know?

Andalusia Farm, the well-loved former home of Flannery O’Connor, boasts a unique pair of residents – Astor and Mrs. Shortly, a coupled peacock and peahen named in tribute to birds O’Connor cherished during her lifetime. The novelist’s love for birds was vast. At one time, she cared for more than 40 birds of different species.

6. Find Your Serenity at Serenbe

Imagine a place filled with green pastures along a granite outcrop, 15 miles of hiking trails, friendly farm animals, and the singsong of birds just 30 minutes from the world’s busiest airport. Tucked away in Chattahoochee Hills, the luxe, 1,000-acre countryside community of Serenbe literally translates to “be serene” – and it champions health, wellness, and wholesome living. Soak in the hot tub, dry off on a rocking chair while enjoying a good book, or spend the afternoon playing a game of croquet at The Inn at Serenbe. It’s not only a boutique bed-and-breakfast – it’s a place to sit back, relax, and soak in the calmness of the surroundings.

Walk or drive your personal golf cart around Serenbe’s many hamlets, each focusing on a different aspect of life. The wellbeing-focused hamlet, Mado, offers a state-of-the-art gym, fitness classes, a yoga studio, and a newly expanded 3,198-square-foot spa where you can detox and renew. Try a massage, body wrap, or facial using organic and holistic health care products, and feel your stress melt away at the Helo Infrared sauna and steam rooms. On Saturday mornings, enjoy connecting with Nigerian Dwarf goats at fun-loving goat yoga classes. The human-animal interaction will bring you lots of laughter and release endorphins. Also, a trail ride along the rolling hills and winding paths of Serenbe on horseback is a great way to get outside in nature, stretch your muscles, and bond with Serenbe Trail Riding’s gentle horses and skilled wranglers.

Kids ages 3-12 will find the programs at Camp Serenbe educational, entertaining, and socially stimulating. From animal feedings, scavenger hunts, hayrides, and nature walks to canoeing, archery, and building campsites, there are plenty of organized activities to keep young travelers busy all summer long.

At Serenbe, you will have plenty of ways to nourish yourself with certified organic foods sourced from Serenbe Farms and served at farm-to-table restaurants – The Farmhouse at Serenbe and The Hill Restaurant. Over 60,000 pounds of produce are harvested from the farm each year and thoughtfully incorporated into the restaurants’ menus by Celebrity Chef Nicolas Bour. Take a behind-the-scenes, guided farm tour on Saturday afternoons to learn about organic farming, pest and disease control, composting, cover cropping, crop rotation, and the importance of eating locally grown produce.

On Saturdays, from April to October, gather with community residents and visitors on the Grange Green for the weekly Serenbe Farmers Market. Here, you can purchase fresh vegetables and flowers, pasture-raised eggs, artisanal olive oils, jams and jellies, handmade arts and crafts, and eco-conscious products to take home.

Crème de la Crème of Zen

Retreat into tranquility at the Spa at Serenbe for indulgent self-care services, from Swedish massages and luxuriating facials to moisturizing seaweed wraps and the ancient art of reflexology.

7. Feel the Frights in Savannah

Savannah’s squares – shaded with live oak and magnolia trees interlaced with Spanish moss and antebellum architecture – make it an idyllic city for romance in the South. But don’t be fooled by the rosy backdrops of America’s most haunted city. Savannah is center stage for paranormal happenings, and – whether you believe in the paranormal or not – you will surely find some amusement in the intriguing stories centered around the city’s hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

Once the darkness settles in and night’s shadows deepen, tour Savannah’s haunted neighborhoods, cemeteries, and even a Revolutionary War battlefield with Ghost City Tours. The tour starts at Johnson Square, where you hear the story of Little Gracie who still greets visitors coming to Savannah long after her death in 1889. The guides weave in historical education, spooky thrills, and lively encounters to set a chilly tone for your trip. Most tours are open to all ages and even pets. If you are keen on chasing more aggressive spirits and darker hauntings, however, take the two-hour-long, adult-only ghost tour with more mature language and themes, or the Ghost City Haunted Pub Crawl, where the nerve-racking images may appear more vivid with an adult drink in hand.

Arrive early to visit the picturesque Madison Square, where the famous Battle of Savannah was fought and soldiers were buried en masse – many of whom were not dead when they were buried. Around the square are several of Savannah’s most haunted houses open for tours, including Sorrel Weed House and the Green-Meldrim House, where General Sherman stayed.

Also, visit Bonaventure Cemetery, located on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River east of Savannah. With elaborate statues and gravestones, this is considered to be one of the most photographed cemeteries in the country, made famous by the 1994 novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and the subsequent Georgia-lensed movie based on the book. Here, you will also find a life-sized statue of Little Gracie Watson, along with other departed inhabitants.

For a more realistic experience, take The Savannah Underground immersive and interactive tour, where you will be part of three grim-yet-true, dark, and terrifying stories. Be prepared for real frights during this 60-minute-long show that brings the hauntings of Savannah’s surroundings to life on a 360-degree set with real actors, surround sound, and strobing lights. Share your dinner with invisible ghoulish friends at The Pirates’ House, a gathering place for pirates and sailors in the 1700s, many of whom still linger in the Captain’s Room. You may see doors opening and closing mysteriously, or eerie apparitions, as you savor crispy-scored flounder and sip on signature cocktails at The Olde Pink House, a historic 1771 mansion where the expired owner’s presence makes a regular appearance.

If you can manage to get yourself to bed after all that fright, snuggle up at an elegant inn, The Marshall House, centrally located within walking distance to shopping and dining on Broughton Street. But, keep your eyes and ears open as the historic hotel, once used as a Union hospital during the Civil War and through two yellow fever epidemics, is often cited as one of the most haunted hotels in Savannah. Don’t be surprised if you hear children running through hallways and people screaming in the foyers, especially on the fourth floor.

Spooky, No Matter the Season

In Savannah, Halloween vibes aren’t limited to October. Spirit seekers can find year-round tours to hear about all the city’s eerie, spine-chilling, and uncanny happenings – and the destination’s haunted hotels always offer a ghostly good time for visitors.

8. Cozy Up for the Holidays in Dahlonega

With thousands of twinkling lights, brightly decorated Christmas trees, a main square bustling with festive parades, and North Georgia mountains as the backdrop in the cool midst of the winter, you are bound to get into a jolly-good holiday spirit in Dahlonega. With its quaint 1800s storefronts and charming local businesses, the picturesque town is worth a visit any time of the year, but it really sparkles during the holiday season. Each year, the town hosts a monthlong holiday celebration with an Old Fashioned Christmas entailing joyful caroling, an entertaining live nativity, and romantic carriage rides starting the day after Thanksgiving and lasting until mid-January. Watch a live performance of seasonal musicals like “Elf, The Musical” or “A Christmas Carol” at the restored Holly Theater, a community movie theater from the 1940s. You can also shop for artisanal products, homemade chocolates, and unique gifts during the Christmas Market on Candy Cane Lane and at Hancock Park.

To create your own cozy memories in Dahlonega, stay at one of many charming accommodations only steps away from the square. Choose from five well-appointed rooms with abundant historic charm and modern amenities at Hall House Hotel. Dating back to 1881, Hall House is the second-oldest building in Dahlonega’s historical square. The newly opened Dahlonega Inn on Main is a renovated Colonial inn from 1846 converted into a seven-bedroom bed-and-breakfast. You can interact with other guests in the welcoming common living room with inviting leather couches and a fireplace, recline with a good book in the rocking chairs on the patio, and admire the original heart-pine wood floors.

Delight in the heartfelt hospitality from local business owners as you make your way into Jethro’s Coffee & Public House for a cup of Golden Nugget espresso with turmeric and honey, or Picnic Café & Dessertery for a sweet Georgia peach chicken salad and a slice of decadent carrot cake. End your evening with a cup of hot Costa Rican coffee, a holistic yoga class in a serene glass studio, and live spoken word and music performances at the beautiful social venue Canopy + The Roots. Delight in Dahlonega Nuggets (pecans dipped in caramel and chocolate) at The Fudge Factory, and shop for sweet treats for everyone on your holiday shopping list at Paul Thomas Chocolates. There’s no better way to spend the holidays than with the comforts of a hot beverage and a warm and welcoming community.

On your way out, stop by the family-run Barn Hill Tree Farm to choose and cut your own Murray Cypress and Carolina Sapphire Christmas tree to take back from the North Georgia mountains. Gather around their open firepit and take some s’mores for the road.

A Perfect Backdrop for Christmas

Unsurprisingly, Dahlonega has been the setting for a few holiday-themed movies on the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. Get in the spirit of the season by watching movies like “Christmas in the Smokies,” “Christmas in Homestead,” and “A Taste of Christmas.”

9. Have a Crafting Good Time in Athens

If you are interested in learning about Southern approaches to craft beer making – or simply having a good time – head to Athens, the quintessential college town. Pick up the Athens Beer Trail Field Guide from the Welcome Center or any of the five breweries on the map and make your way along the Athens Beer Trail. You’ll earn a stamp for each visit and win a commemorative pilsner glass to remember your title as “a member of the #AthensBrewCrew.” If your small group prefers having a designated driver, hop on the Athens Beer Trail Trolley Tour (only on Thursdays and Fridays) that travels to each of Athens’ local breweries so you can sit back and sample all the beverages you want. Hobnob with the community at the sustainability-driven Creature Comforts Brewing Co. taproom downtown. Or, head to Athentic Brewing Company to sip the spirits of the creative and inclusive town with a draft or can of the Wide Open IPA – a collaborative brew between the brewery and the official destination marketing organization – Visit Athens.

There’s plenty of great food, music, and art along the Athens Beer Trail. Between sips, explore Athens’ diverse variety of Southern and international restaurants. At Dawg Gone Good BBQ, bite into lip-smacking pork ribs, chicken barbecue, mac and cheese, baked beans, and yams. The downtown spot was initially a salon but now looks like a football field decorated with tons of University of Georgia Bulldogs memorabilia. For breakfast, Mama’s Boy buttermilk biscuits and Georgia peach French toast will hit the spot. When you’re ready for a quick lunch, settle on a creative peanut-butter-and-bacon hamburger from the retro diner Clocked!

There are endless possibilities for entertainment well into the evening. Watch live punk, pop, country, and rock music almost every night of the week at the iconic 40 Watt Club. Soak in the view of the Classic City from the rooftop bar of the historic 1935 Georgia Theatre before heading to see an acclaimed band perform at the standing-room-only vibrant venue.

Stay at Rivet House – a 50-room, design-centric boutique hotel – the latest addition to the mixed-use Southern Mill development. Admire the purposeful details around the former denim mill converted into chic rooms, indulge in an elegant dinner at the hotel’s modern Italian restaurant Osterio Olio, and destress with a holistic treatment at The Spa at Rivet House. In the morning, fuel up with a cup of fresh roast at the hip Jittery Joe’s. Their small-batch roasts are unique in flavors, artistic covers, and blend names, such as Tour De Force, Widespread Panic Up All Night, and Monsoon Ghost Roast. With several locations around Athens, you will always find yourself a short distance from really good coffee.

On your way out of the city, take a break at Fort Yargo State Park – between Athens and Atlanta. Spend a full afternoon enjoying a wide variety of outdoor recreation and scenery, such as mountain biking and hiking around a 260-acre lake and a golf course.

10. Have the Perfect Beach Vacation on Jekyll Island

Pack your swimsuits, binoculars, and biggest smiles for the greatest trip to the beach. With an entire island of natural wonders at your fingertips, you'll have the chance to observe alligators and turtles in action, sculpt impressive sandcastles on the beach, challenge your family to outdoor games, and have tons of fun in the water. Once you cross the bridge to Jekyll Island, you’ll find that the island’s big and small creatures, marshes and beaches, as well as water parks and historical homes make it the perfect coastal playground.

Vie with your siblings to see who builds the sturdiest sandcastle; play a game of hide-and-seek around twisted tree skeletons at Driftwood Beach; or, embark on an epic seashell hunt at Glory Beach. Keep the competitive spirit going while you putt your way to victory at Jekyll Island Mini Golf as your golf ball takes unexpected turns along a pirate ship’s plank, under playful crab claws, and around tiny lighthouses.

Ready to make a splash? Beat the heat at Summer Waves Water Park with ultimate water escapades that you and your family can enjoy all day long. Take a plunge down the monster, five-story-tall Pirate’s Passage and catch a thrilling ride on the Frantic Atlantic. When you need a break from the roller-coaster slides, float around Turtle Creek lazy river and play with water cannons.

Earn your degree in “gatorology” with a gator eco-tour, where you can join Jekyll Island’s park rangers as a junior detective and learn about how they monitor alligators in their habitats. Find out myths and facts about these amazing creatures that have roamed the earth for millions of years – and how you, too, can help conserve alligators. Next, watch loggerhead sea turtle recovery in action! Ride with dawn patrol or take a turtle walk at night along with a field biologist, and you may be lucky to offer a helping hand surveying nests. Peek inside the secret underwater world at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, where you may even get to feed a healthy snack and make eye contact with the incredibly powerful creatures that swim for thousands of miles. They can even travel across the ocean on their own.

Ready to travel through time on a magical bus? Buckle up and hop on the Landmark Trolley Tour that will transport you to the roaring 1920s when rich and famous people built giant “cottages” on the island. You will actually get to step inside some of the historical homes and explore the grand hallways and fancy rooms as you hear cool stories of the people who once lived there. Many of the homes have secret doors!

After a day full of great discoveries, enjoy a hot dog under the shade of giant oak trees at Doc’s Snack Shop, a kids’ combo sub from Larry’s Giant Subs at Beach Village, or a pizza at Red Bug Pizza. For a lip-smacking sweet treat, order a soft-serve frozen yogurt or Italian gelato at Fuse Frozen Yogurt, and reward yourself for a day well spent with old-fashioned candy and hand-dipped ice cream from Island Sweets Shoppe.

Spread out with your family at the Courtyard & Residence Inn Jekyll Island, where the island’s largest pool is just steps away. Have a quick splash and dash before crawling into bed so you are ready for another day of epic adventures on Jekyll Island.

11. Eat Your Heart Out in Atlanta

Atlanta’s culturally diverse and dedicated chefs have been leading the way for culinary food in the South, but when the coveted MICHELIN Guide came to Atlanta in 2023, Atlanta became recognized as one of the most acclaimed culinary cities in the world. Atlanta was the seventh city in the U.S. and among 40 globally to be recognized by the guide, which rates restaurants based on five main criteria, including harmonious flavors and culinary techniques.

While it may be difficult to score a seat at one of the city’s five esteemed one-star MICHELIN-rated restaurants – Atlas, Bacchanalia, Hayakawa, Lazy Betty, and Mujo (make your reservations in advance) – there are plenty of Bib Gourmand-rated as “best value for money” eateries on the MICHELIN list, too. Some spots are helmed by iconic Southern chefs and take you on a culinary journey around the globe.

Dig into some of the best barbecue in the country at the standing-room-only Heirloom Market BBQ, indulge in a magazine-thick picture menu offering flavors from around Asia at Food Terminal, and taste award-winning Indian street food surrounded by colorful Bollywood posters at Chai Pani. Whether you are looking for Southern-style fried chicken and biscuits at Bomb Biscuit Atlanta, delicately roasted, shredded-pork-stuffed cornmeal arepas at Arepa Mia, or the most memorable cheeseburger at Fred’s Meat & Bread, Atlanta’s restaurants deliver the best in their game. The MICHELIN Guide mentioned 45 Atlanta restaurants that represent 23 cuisines, so you will definitely find something to match your taste buds.

When your dinner group simply cannot agree on a place, head to one of Atlanta’s food halls that have become incubators for restaurants and chefs to showcase their talent. Just walk around Chattahoochee Food Works, Krog Street Market, or Municipal Market and you will find a great variety of foods prepared by local vendors. Make sure to grab some cocktails, too, while you walk around the busy spaces filled with restaurants, bars, and shopping. JoJo’s Beloved – a 1970s-inspired cocktail lounge tucked away in the back of Politan Row at Colony Square – is a modern speakeasy serving classic cocktails in a retro interior that boasts cathedral ceilings and a pink marble bar.

If you need help sorting through the thousands of dining establishments around the city, take a guided food tour with a neighborhood expert from Food Tours Atlanta. The locally owned company offers walking tours through Inman Park, Atlanta BeltLine, and Ponce City Market, unraveling layers of historical, art, and cultural references while they introduce you to popular chefs and dishes.

Continue discovering culinary pleasures around Atlanta through the night with a stay at the culinary-themed Epicurean Hotel Atlanta, where you will find locally sourced snacks in your room. Linger on for interactive wine and food events at the Epicurean Theater, and dine at one of their three distinctive gastronomic outlets overlooking Midtown Atlanta.

12. Hike the Epic Appalachian Trail

If hiking the epic 2,200-mile-long Appalachian Trail (AT) is on your bucket list, you don’t have to go very far. The trail begins in Fannin County in North Georgia and goes up to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The nearly 79 miles of the AT in Georgia are among the most scenic, covering several iconic mountains. Depending on your fitness level, you can take an easier day hike or embark on a long-distance, life-altering trek. The AT has two main starting points: Springer Mountain in Blue Ridge and Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville.

Hike the approach trail from Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain, the southernmost terminus of the AT. When you begin at Amicalola Falls State Park, you will enjoy scenic views of the 729-foot cascading waterfall from paved staircases and viewing platforms. Spend the night at the mountaintop lodge, cottage, or campground, and wake up to cool breezes and misty clouds rising over the valley. 

After breakfast at the park’s Maple Restaurant, you can continue on a 5-mile hike across scenic ridges and small streams to Len Foote Hike Inn. The backcountry lodge nestled in the Chattahoochee National Forest offers modern-day comforts in its 20 furnished rooms, with a bathhouse, heaters, and a dining hall. With a hot shower and warm belly, you will be ready to approach the longer portion of the AT and camp overnight along the way. As an alternative, take the 300-mile-long Benton MacKaye Trail in reverse – from Springer Mountain through the wooded and wild Appalachian Mountains. Either way, your journey is bound to be unforgettable.

If you are not yet up to the multi-day adventure, spend a few days in Blue Ridge – a quintessential mountain town where you can access relatively easier day hikes. Blue Ridge doesn’t just offer a more comfortable way to get familiar with the AT, it is also a delightful small town for families looking for fun activities – such as apple picking and train rides – or couples wanting a quiet escape at a romantic restaurant and a stay in a cozy cabin.

From here, you can make your way to McCaysville – a town on the Tennessee and Georgia border, which is home to a 1911 steel bridge crossing the Toccoa and Ocoee rivers – a popular spot for tubing and kayaking. Take a break to shop and dine at the McCaysville Riverwalk Shops, and then continue your soft adventure with a swim, kayak, paddleboard, camp, or picnic along 65 miles of shoreline along the crystal-clear Lake Blue Ridge. Reward yourself with a pressed Cuban sandwich, homemade empanada, and chocolate-salted-caramel Bundt cake (make sure to pack a whole one for the road) from family-owned Rum Cake Lady Cuban Cafe.

Did you enjoy this feature from the 2025 Georgia Official State Travel Guide? Order your copy for more Georgia travel inspiration!