Things to do in Georgia
Discover 35 of the best things to do in Georgia, from Atlanta and Savannah to Blue Ridge, waterfalls, mountain hikes, beaches and family attractions
Discover the best of Georgia
Georgia changes dramatically from one end of the state to the other. Atlanta brings together Civil Rights history, food, arts and urban trails, while Savannah offers oak-shaded squares, cobbled waterfront streets and easy access to the Atlantic coast.
Travel north and cities give way to the Blue Ridge Mountains, where waterfalls, lakes, orchards, hiking trails and scenic mountain towns make outdoor adventures the main attraction. Farther south, Macon reveals Georgia’s musical and Indigenous history, while Columbus offers whitewater rafting directly through the city.
Spring and fall are particularly good for sightseeing and outdoor activities, with milder conditions and colorful landscapes, while summer works well for lakes, rivers and the coast. The experiences below cover some of the best things to do in Georgia by region and interest.
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Things to Do in Georgia: Atlanta Highlights
1. Explore Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
Location / Neighborhood: Sweet Auburn, Atlanta
Best for: History, families, Civil Rights heritage
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours
Cost / Entry: Free
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park preserves places closely connected with Dr. King’s life and work, including Ebenezer Baptist Church, The King Center and the neighborhood where he grew up.
Walk through Sweet Auburn rather than treating the visitor center as the whole experience. The wider site covers around 35 acres and helps put Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement into much clearer context. Entry to the national historical park is free.
2. Walk or Cycle the Atlanta BeltLine
Location / Neighborhood: Multiple Atlanta neighborhoods
Best for: Couples, families, cycling, food, street art
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours
Cost / Entry: Free
The Atlanta BeltLine turns former railway corridors into trails connecting parks, neighborhoods, restaurants and public art around the city.
The Eastside Trail is one of the easiest sections for first-time visitors, linking areas such as Old Fourth Ward with Ponce City Market and nearby parks. Walk if you want to stop frequently for murals and food, or rent a bike if you want to cover more ground.
3. Visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Atlanta
Best for: History, culture, adults, older children
Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours
Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights connects the history of the American Civil Rights Movement with wider struggles for human rights around the world.
Interactive exhibits and personal stories make this much more than a collection of historical objects. Give yourself a couple of hours and avoid squeezing it between too many other downtown attractions, as some of the exhibits are designed to be taken in slowly.
4. Relax in Piedmont Park
Location / Neighborhood: Midtown Atlanta
Best for: Families, couples, walking, picnics
Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours
Cost / Entry: Free
Piedmont Park provides a large green escape in the middle of Atlanta, with walking paths, lawns and views towards the Midtown skyline.
Walk around Lake Clara Meer, bring a picnic or use the park as a quieter break between sightseeing stops. It also connects conveniently with the BeltLine, meaning the two can be combined without needing another car journey.
5. Explore Ponce City Market
Location / Neighborhood: Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta
Best for: Couples, groups, food, shopping
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; individual activities vary
Ponce City Market occupies a huge converted historic building beside the BeltLine and has become one of Atlanta’s best-known places for food, shopping and socializing.
Browse the food hall before heading to the rooftop if you want city views and additional entertainment. It works particularly well as a lunch or evening stop after walking the BeltLine rather than as an isolated attraction.
6. Visit World of Coca-Cola
Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Atlanta
Best for: Families, brand history, rainy days
Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours
Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies
Atlanta is the birthplace of Coca-Cola, and the World of Coca-Cola explores the company’s history through memorabilia, interactive displays and exhibits.
One of the best-known parts of the experience is the chance to try different Coca-Cola products from around the world. It sits close to Centennial Olympic Park and several other downtown attractions, making it easy to combine into one sightseeing day.
7. Wander Through Historic Oakland Cemetery
Location / Neighborhood: Grant Park, Atlanta
Best for: History, architecture, walking, photography
Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; tours may charge
Oakland Cemetery is much more than a burial ground. The landscaped site contains ornate memorials, gardens and the graves of notable figures from Atlanta’s history.
Download a self-guided route or join a tour to understand more of what you are seeing rather than simply walking between monuments. The cemetery is close enough to Downtown Atlanta to fit naturally into a broader city day.
8. Explore Atlanta Botanical Garden
Location / Neighborhood: Midtown Atlanta
Best for: Couples, families, gardens, photography
Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours
Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies
Atlanta Botanical Garden sits beside Piedmont Park and adds landscaped gardens, conservatories and seasonal displays to a Midtown itinerary.
Allow time for both indoor and outdoor areas rather than heading only towards the most photographed installations. Because it sits right beside Piedmont Park, the two attractions work particularly well together and can fill an easy half day without much travel between them.
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Things to Do in Georgia: Savannah and Coastal Highlights
9. Wander Through Savannah Historic District
Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Savannah
Best for: Couples, families, history, architecture
Estimated Time Needed: Half day
Cost / Entry: Free to explore
Savannah’s Historic District is best experienced slowly. Streets lined with historic homes open into shady public squares beneath live oaks and Spanish moss, creating one of Georgia’s most recognizable cityscapes.
Start around the central historic district and wander without trying to tick off every square. Guided walking tours can add useful context, but simply exploring on foot is one of the best free things to do in Savannah.
10. Walk Through Forsyth Park
Location / Neighborhood: Savannah Historic District
Best for: Couples, families, walking, photography
Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours
Cost / Entry: Free
Forsyth Park covers around 30 acres at the southern end of Savannah’s historic district and is best known for its ornate fountain.
Walk beneath the oak trees, relax on the lawns or use the park as the starting point for exploring surrounding historic streets. Morning is especially pleasant before Savannah becomes busier and temperatures rise.
11. Explore River Street
Location / Neighborhood: Savannah Riverfront
Best for: Couples, families, food, shopping
Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours
Cost / Entry: Free to explore
Historic warehouses and cobbled streets line Savannah’s River Street, where restaurants, shops and waterfront views create one of the liveliest parts of the city.
Watch huge ships move along the Savannah River, browse local stores and stop for food before continuing into the historic district above. Evening brings a busier atmosphere, while mornings are better if you want to take in the architecture without the crowds.
12. Explore Bonaventure Cemetery
Location / Neighborhood: East Savannah
Best for: History, photography, architecture
Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours
Cost / Entry: Free
Bonaventure Cemetery is known for elaborate monuments, live oaks and a peaceful setting beside the Wilmington River.
A guided or self-guided tour helps reveal the stories behind the graves and sculptures rather than reducing the visit to photography. Treat it respectfully as an active cemetery and allow enough time to walk rather than driving between every landmark.
13. Spend the Day on Tybee Island
Location / Neighborhood: Tybee Island
Best for: Families, couples, swimming, beach days
Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day
Cost / Entry: Beach access is free; parking may apply
Tybee Island gives Savannah visitors an easy way to add an Atlantic beach day to a city trip. Swim, walk the shoreline, explore the small island community or stay later for sunset.
The island sits close enough to Savannah to visit on a day trip, but spending a few nights here gives you much more time for beaches, kayaking and the nearby historic sites. For a coastal base, browse our Tybee Island vacation rentals.
14. Climb Tybee Island Lighthouse
Location / Neighborhood: North Tybee Island
Best for: Families, history, views, photography
Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours
Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies
Tybee Island Light Station is one of Georgia’s best-known coastal landmarks. Climb the lighthouse’s 178 steps for elevated views across the island and Atlantic coast.
The surrounding historic complex adds context to the lighthouse itself, so leave time to look around once you come back down. Earlier visits can be more comfortable during hot summer months.
15. Explore Fort Pulaski National Monument
Location / Neighborhood: Cockspur Island, near Tybee Island
Best for: Families, history, walking
Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours
Cost / Entry: National monument entry fee applies
Fort Pulaski guarded the sea approach to Savannah and later became an important Civil War site.
Walk through the brick fortifications before exploring the surrounding trails and marsh landscape. Its position between Savannah and Tybee Island makes it particularly easy to add to a coastal day rather than requiring a separate long drive.
16. Explore Cumberland Island National Seashore
Location / Neighborhood: Cumberland Island
Best for: Hiking, beaches, history, wildlife
Estimated Time Needed: Full day
Cost / Entry: Ferry and park costs apply
Cumberland Island offers one of Georgia’s wildest coastal experiences, with maritime forest, historic ruins and more than 17 miles of undeveloped beach.
The island is reached by ferry, so reservations should be organized in advance. Wild horses roam parts of Cumberland, but they should always be viewed from a substantial distance. Bring what you need for the day because services are far more limited than on Georgia’s developed barrier islands.
Things to Do in Georgia: Blue Ridge and the North Georgia Mountains
17. Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Blue Ridge
Best for: Families, couples, mountain scenery
Estimated Time Needed: Half day
Cost / Entry: Ticket required
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway provides one of North Georgia’s most relaxing ways to see the mountain landscape. Trains travel beside the Toccoa River from Downtown Blue Ridge towards the towns of McCaysville and Copperhill.
Fall journeys are particularly popular when the surrounding forests change color, so book well ahead if foliage is the main reason for your trip.
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18. Spend the Day at Lake Blue Ridge
Location / Neighborhood: Blue Ridge
Best for: Families, couples, boating, fishing
Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day
Cost / Entry: Free to visit; boat rentals and activities cost extra
Lake Blue Ridge adds swimming, fishing, kayaking and boating to a mountain getaway. The forest-covered hills around the water make the scenery very different from Georgia’s coastal lakes and beaches.
Rent a pontoon if you want several hours on the water or simply visit one of the recreation areas for a slower afternoon. Summer is the obvious time for swimming, while fall brings particularly attractive shoreline scenery.
19. Visit Mercier Orchards
Location / Neighborhood: Blue Ridge
Best for: Families, couples, food, seasonal trips
Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours
Cost / Entry: Free to browse; individual activities vary
Mercier Orchards has been family-owned since the 1940s and grows a wide range of fruit across its North Georgia farm.
Depending on the season, visits can involve produce, baked goods and orchard activities, with apples a particular fall highlight. Go earlier on busy autumn weekends when the combination of apple season and changing leaves draws large numbers of visitors to Blue Ridge.
20. Cross the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge
Location / Neighborhood: Near Blue Ridge and Suches
Best for: Hiking, couples, families, photography
Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours
Cost / Entry: Free
The Toccoa River Swinging Bridge stretches roughly 270 feet across the river and is one of North Georgia’s most distinctive hiking landmarks.
Reaching it involves forest roads and a walk along the Benton MacKaye Trail, so check your route beforehand rather than relying on a last-minute phone signal. The bridge and riverside setting are particularly attractive during spring and fall.
21. See Amicalola Falls
Location / Neighborhood: Near Dawsonville
Best for: Families, hiking, waterfalls, mountain views
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours
Cost / Entry: State park parking or entry fee applies
Amicalola Falls plunges 729 feet through the North Georgia forest, making it the tallest waterfall in the state.
Several trails and viewpoints let you experience the falls without everyone tackling the same level of difficulty. Strong walkers can take on the steeper routes and stair sections, while easier viewpoints make the park suitable for a broader range of visitors.
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22. Hike Around Tallulah Gorge
Location / Neighborhood: Tallulah Falls
Best for: Hikers, couples, families, scenery
Estimated Time Needed: Half day
Cost / Entry: State park parking fee applies
Tallulah Gorge cuts roughly two miles through the North Georgia landscape, with steep cliffs, waterfalls and suspension bridges creating dramatic views.
Several rim trails offer excellent scenery without descending all the way into the gorge. More demanding routes can require permits and considerable climbing, so check trail conditions and access arrangements before arriving if you want more than the main overlooks.
23. Reach Georgia’s Highest Point at Brasstown Bald
Location / Neighborhood: North Georgia Mountains
Best for: Couples, families, scenic drives, views
Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours
Cost / Entry: Recreation fee applies
Brasstown Bald is the highest point in Georgia and offers wide views across the surrounding mountains from its observation area.
The final climb can be tackled on foot or, when operating, with visitor transport from the parking area. Clear fall days are especially impressive, although summer mornings can also provide excellent visibility before clouds build later in the day.
24. Explore Alpine-Style Helen
Location / Neighborhood: Helen
Best for: Families, couples, food, river activities
Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day
Cost / Entry: Free to explore
Helen is one of Georgia’s most unusual mountain towns, with Bavarian-inspired buildings lining streets beside the Chattahoochee River.
Walk through the compact center, stop for food or spend part of a warm-weather visit tubing along the river. The town becomes particularly lively during Oktoberfest and around seasonal celebrations, so expect a very different atmosphere depending on when you visit.
25. Explore Dahlonega and Georgia Wine Country
Location / Neighborhood: Dahlonega and surrounding mountains
Best for: Couples, groups, history, wineries
Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; tastings and tours cost extra
Dahlonega combines Gold Rush history with one of North Georgia’s main wine-producing areas.
Explore the historic town square before heading into the surrounding countryside for vineyards and tasting rooms. If several people in your group want to sample wines, arrange transportation rather than driving between wineries yourself.
26. Visit Ellijay’s Apple Orchards
Location / Neighborhood: Ellijay
Best for: Families, couples, fall trips, local food
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours
Cost / Entry: Individual orchard activities vary
Ellijay is known as Georgia’s Apple Capital, with orchards scattered across the surrounding North Georgia countryside.
Fall is the biggest season, when apple picking, cider, baked treats and the Georgia Apple Festival draw visitors from across the region. Outside peak apple season, hiking, river activities and Downtown Ellijay give you plenty of other reasons to stay in the area.
For a base nearby, browse our Ellijay cabin rentals.
Things to Do in Georgia: Macon and West Georgia
27. Explore Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
Location / Neighborhood: Macon
Best for: Families, history, Indigenous heritage, walking
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours
Cost / Entry: Free
Ocmulgee Mounds preserves thousands of years of Indigenous history on land that remains deeply significant to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Visitors can enter a reconstructed Earth Lodge containing an original roughly 1,000-year-old floor, climb the Great Temple Mound and explore miles of trails through forest and wetland habitat. The site is free and deserves considerably more time than a quick roadside stop.
28. Discover Macon’s Music Heritage
Location / Neighborhood: Macon
Best for: Music fans, history, couples
Estimated Time Needed: Half day
Cost / Entry: Individual museums and attractions vary
Macon has played an outsized role in American music, particularly soul and Southern rock. The city is closely associated with artists including Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band.
Explore museums, historic venues and landmarks connected with that musical history before spending time around Downtown Macon. It makes an excellent cultural contrast to Georgia’s mountain and coastal experiences.
29. Hike Through Providence Canyon State Park
Location / Neighborhood: Lumpkin, southwest Georgia
Best for: Hiking, families, photography, unusual landscapes
Estimated Time Needed: Half day
Cost / Entry: State park parking fee applies
Providence Canyon is sometimes nicknamed Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” because of its colorful gullies and exposed layers of soil.
Trails take visitors around the rim and into parts of the canyon floor, where the landscape looks completely different from North Georgia’s forested mountains. Wear shoes that can cope with mud and shallow water because canyon-floor conditions can remain wet even during dry weather.
30. Go Whitewater Rafting Through Columbus
Location / Neighborhood: Chattahoochee River, Columbus
Best for: Adventure, groups, older children, watersports
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours
Cost / Entry: Guided rafting fee applies
Columbus offers one of Georgia’s most unusual city adventures: whitewater rafting directly through the downtown area on the Chattahoochee River.
Trips range from calmer runs to much more energetic rapids depending on water releases and the chosen session. Afterwards, follow part of the RiverWalk or head into Downtown Columbus for food rather than immediately getting back in the car.
Things to Do in Georgia With Kids
31. Visit the Center for Puppetry Arts
Location / Neighborhood: Midtown Atlanta
Best for: Families, younger children, performing arts
Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours
Cost / Entry: Admission or performance fee applies
The Center for Puppetry Arts combines live performances with exhibitions exploring puppetry traditions from around the world.
Families can often pair a show with workshops or museum displays, making it much more interactive than a conventional theater visit. Check what is running before you travel, because performances and activities vary throughout the year.
32. Explore Tellus Science Museum
Location / Neighborhood: Cartersville
Best for: Families, science, dinosaurs, rainy days
Estimated Time Needed: 3–4 hours
Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies
Tellus Science Museum brings together dinosaurs, minerals, space and technology in a large family-friendly museum north of Atlanta.
Displays include an enormous Brontosaurus skeleton, a planetarium and hands-on science activities covering subjects such as magnets, sound and light. Its location close to I-75 makes it a useful stop when traveling between Atlanta and the North Georgia Mountains.
Unique and Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to Do in Georgia
33. Walk Among the Trees at Driftwood Beach
Location / Neighborhood: Jekyll Island
Best for: Couples, families, photography, unusual beaches
Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours
Cost / Entry: Beach access is free; island entry fee applies
Driftwood Beach looks unlike almost any other coastline in Georgia. Years of erosion have left large weathered trees scattered across the sand at the northern end of Jekyll Island.
Sunrise is especially atmospheric, when the shapes of the trunks stand out against the Atlantic. Explore carefully and leave the natural features where they are rather than removing shells or pieces of wood.
34. Paddle Through the Okefenokee Swamp
Location / Neighborhood: Southeast Georgia
Best for: Kayaking, nature, wildlife, adventure
Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day
Cost / Entry: Entry and boat or tour fees may apply
The Okefenokee is one of Georgia’s wildest landscapes, with dark waterways winding through wetlands, cypress trees and vast stretches of undeveloped habitat.
Explore by canoe, kayak or guided boat trip and keep a substantial distance from alligators and other wildlife. This is not somewhere to rush: slower travel gives you the best chance to appreciate how quiet and remote the swamp feels. Canoeing the Okefenokee is easily one of the state’s most standout outdoor experiences!
35. Explore Jekyll Island’s Historic District
Location / Neighborhood: Jekyll Island
Best for: History, couples, cycling, architecture
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours
Cost / Entry: District is free to explore; museums and tours may charge
Away from Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island has a fascinating historic district filled with grand buildings dating from the era when wealthy American families used the island as a winter retreat.
Walk or cycle beneath moss-covered oaks, explore the former club area and stop at the Mosaic museum if you want more detail. Jekyll Island has around 22 miles of bike paths, making cycling an especially enjoyable way to connect its historic and natural areas.
Seasonal Events
Savannah St. Patrick’s Day
Savannah hosts one of the country’s best-known St. Patrick’s Day celebrations each March, with a huge parade and events across the historic city.
The tradition stretches back more than two centuries, and Downtown Savannah becomes extremely busy around the main celebrations. If this is part of your trip, arrange accommodation and transportation well ahead.
International Cherry Blossom Festival
Each spring, Macon celebrates its famous flowering cherry trees with the International Cherry Blossom Festival.
Events spread across the city and can include concerts, family activities and community celebrations. Bloom timing naturally varies with the weather, so do not assume the trees will reach their peak on exactly the same dates each year.
Georgia Apple Festival
Ellijay celebrates its apple-growing heritage during the Georgia Apple Festival each October.
Hundreds of vendors, food, arts, crafts and demonstrations accompany peak fall season in North Georgia. It is one of the busiest times to visit Ellijay, so book mountain accommodation early if the festival is a major part of your plans.
Helen Oktoberfest
Helen’s Bavarian-inspired setting becomes especially lively during its annual Oktoberfest celebrations, with food, music and traditional festivities taking over the mountain town.
Because the event overlaps with popular fall foliage season, expect significantly more visitors than during an ordinary weekend. Combine it with hiking or scenic drives around North Georgia rather than making the festival your only stop.
Plan your Georgia trip
Georgia is much easier to enjoy if you choose neighboring regions rather than trying to cross the whole state repeatedly. Atlanta works naturally with North Georgia, making it possible to spend a few city days before continuing towards Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Jasper and Big Canoe.
Savannah and Tybee Island work best as a separate coastal stay, while Jekyll and Cumberland Island are farther south and deserve additional time. Macon fits naturally into a road trip between Atlanta and southern Georgia. Enjoy a memorable multi-center trip with a stay in our Georgia cabins and vacation rentals, placed in some of the best-loved destinations and offering an exclusive vacation base for year-round relaxation and exploration.
