by Editor Kyle Tucker
Of course we want you to Visit Middle Georgia! However, we understand our beautiful state of Georgia has lots to offer. So, if you live or travel outside of Middle Georgia, we have just the list for you. Here’s our:
Top 10 Trips to Make in the Peach State
10. Atlanta – ATL
Any good understanding of Georgia culture, sights, and bites, starts in the state capital. Atlanta, once burnt down in General Sherman’s infamous March to the Sea, is now 160 years later, a thriving metropolis, still hot with some of the state’s best eateries and attractions.
Typical Tourist: Learn about the world’s most famous beverage company at the World of Coca-Cola. Make sure to try the international flavors! If you can drink Coca-Cola’s German beverage, Beverly, with a straight face or without gagging, more kudos to you! Don’t forget the Georgia Aquarium, the biggest in the Western Hemisphere. Braves games are a must. Atlanta Botanical Gardens and Stone Mountain are great for hiking and nature enthusiasts!
Off the Peach Path: The Beltline,Kennesaw Mountain, The Mall of Georgia, Shoot the Hooch Kayaking
Bites: To soak in the cultural diversity and ambience of Hotlanta, let your taste buds take a tour of the all the pleasantries at Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market. The East Village area of Atlanta is home to the metropolis’ most vibrant food scene. Be sure to check out, Banshee and/or The Octopus Bar!
9. Presidential Pathways: Americus, Plains, and Providence Canyon
The inner-perimeter (Atlanta) is not all that’s worth seeing in the Peach State, Georgian’s will tell you, this state has it all! Georgia is synonymous with farming, and it’s in the rural counties of South Georgia, where you’ll find some of its most picturesque landscapes. Like in Sumter County and the town of Plains, where U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, had his humble beginnings peanut farming.
Typical Tourist: Jimmy Carter home and Tourist Center. You can ride the S.A.M. Shortline from Cordele and enjoy its depot stops along the way.
Off the Peach Path: Head 15 minutes west down Highway’s 280 and 27 to Providence Canyon State Park. Known as the “Little Grand Canyon”, this canyon was formed due to erosion from poor farming practices in the early 20th Century. Thanks to their mistakes, travelers can now enjoy a short scenic hike along Georgia’s famous red clay.
Bites: Heading back to I-75? Be sure to plan a stop at Monroe’s! Americus’ famous hot dog spot is right across the street from the scenic Windsor Hotel. Monroe’s serves arguably the state’s best hot dog. (Shhh. Don’t tell folks in Macon that.) A Monroe dog will leave your taste buds buzzing and likely send you home with a mustard stain souvenir on your t-shirt.
8. West Georgia: Columbus and Callaway Gardens
Columbus just might be the red-headed step child of Georgia travel destinations. Yes, Savannah has its River St., Tybee Island its beach, and Atlanta its theme parks, aquariums, and sports teams, but only the Columbus area can lay claim to the state’s lone National Civil War Naval Museum and the best Christmas light show in the south!
Typical Tourist: National Civil War Naval Museum, Coca-Cola Space Science Center, Columbus River Walk. Pine Mountain’s Callaway Gardens and Wild Animal Safari. Be sure to visit Callaway Gardens during Christmas for their, Fantasy in Lights, Christmas light show extravaganza. This 8-million light display has been rated one the best in the country!
Off the Peach Path: The Lunch Box Museum, Pemberton House (Former private residence of Coke inventor, John Pemberton), On the way to Callaway from Columbus, stop at Pine Mountain Overlook. Antiquing in Pine Mountain. FDR’s Little White House Historic Site in Warm Springs.Bites: The Black Cow,Iron Bank Coffee Co.,The Bulloch House
7. The Heart of Georgia: Macon, Aviation and Peaches
Atlanta may be the business heart of the state, but there’s no denying that the center of the state, the Middle Georgia area, is the geographical heart! This area boasts of heritage trails, civil war history, pubs and taverns galore, peach farms, and an industry thriving due to the state’s largest employer, Robins Air Force Base.
Typical Tourist: Start off in Macon. This city, just 90 minutes south of Atlanta, has a rich music history. It was once home to Southern Rockers, the Allman Brothers, and was the place where Little Richard earned nickels, as a little boy shining people’s shoes. Be sure to visit, the Allman Brother’s The Big House. For more scholastic scenes, The Museum of Arts and Sciences, is a nerd’s nirvana!
Off the Peach Path: Late March and April are prime times to visit Macon, as its Cherry Blossom trees are in full bloom, and Macon holds its festival honoring the prestigious pink foliage. Spring weather permitting, also take a hike at the Ocmulgee National Monument, where you’ll find not only Native-American history, but one of the best views of Macon’s skyline! 25 minutes south, down Highway 247, you’ll discover the second biggest aerospace museum in the United States. Warner Robin’s Museum of Aviation, is nestled right next Robins Air Force Base and puts the U.S.’s aviation history on impressive display, while simultaneously advertising, RAFB, the areas chief economy source.
Bites: Did someone say burgers? Macon has a bevy of burger joints. The Rookery, on Cherry St., is the most popular, but locals will tell you that Bearfoot Tavern, Ocmulgee Brew Pub, or Macon Beer Company all rival the Rookery, and with shorter wait times to boot! Not far from the aviation museum, is Cuban Island Café, cooking up the best Cuban east of the Flint River! Don’t pass on dessert! Order some Cuban coffee and a piece of Tres Leche cake to share with your friends. Or, on second thought, maybe don’t share, it’s that’s good! After wandering Warner Robins, head 30 minutes west on Highway 96 to Lane’s Southern Orchards for peaches. There’s no better place to try Georgia’s fruit namesake than in Peach County! Tip: The peach cobbler is rich, save yourself a few dollars and order a small bowl, they pack it heavy. Also, be sure to try Macon’s hotdog staple, Nu-Way, which was once visited by Oprah.
6. Okefenokee Swamp
Georgia’s topography is very diverse, showcasing mountains, rolling piedmonts, far-stretching farmland and low-lying swamps. It’s the southeast’s most famous swamp, Okefenokee, that Georgia lays claim to. It’s a great pit stop when traveling to or from the Sunshine State. You’re sure to see massive gators, so tour with caution. Tip: Bring plenty of water, it’s often very humid in these parts. Also, don’t walk pets near the water!
Off the Peach Path: Head downtown to Memorial Stadium. This sports venue, with its 12,000 seating capacity is home to the former state champion Ware County Gators football team and is arguably the most impressive high school football stadium in the state! They take their football seriously in South Georgia!
Bites: Jerry J’s Country Café in Waycross provides a great taste of down-home cooking. There are two locations and both are great, so take your pick.
5. Augusta: Music, The Masters, and Medical Community
Ranking as the second biggest metropolis in the state, Augusta sits along the Savannah River on the Georgia/South Carolina border. Home to golf’s most prestigious tournament, The Masters, Augusta is also heralded for its medical schools, and musical history. Famous former residents include, soul singer, James Brown and 28th President, Woodrow Wilson.
Typical Tourist: The Augusta Riverwalk, Morris Museum of Art, The Augusta Canal, The Masters, James Brown Memorial, and The Partridge Inn Hotel.
Off the Peach Path: Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Imperial Theatre. The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson. Meadow Garden. Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History.
Bites: Sconyers BBQ is an Augusta staple. Frog Hollow Tavern. Abel Brown. The Boll Weevil Café and Sweetery
4. Cumberland Island
Credit: Trish Hartmann – flickr
This gorgeous barrier island is 36,000 acres of Georgia nature at its most raw and finest! A former slave plantation and home to steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie, Cumberland Island is full of diverse history and thumbprints of privilege and poverty. Even now, the island is home to descendants of former slaves.
Typical Tourist: Biking doesn’t get much better. Dungeness Ruins. If you stay at the, Greyfield Inn, you can get a Jeep tour. Land and Legacies, also offer great guided tours!
Off the Peach Path: You’re already off it. Georgia doesn’t get more secluded and natural than this!
Bites: Pack a lunch as there are no concessions on the island. In nearby Kingsland checkout: Angelo’s, Steffens Restaurant, and Malsons BBQ, and Ship 2 Shore.
3. Northeast Georgia: Helen, Dahlonega, Brasstown Bald
The little Bavarian city of Helen, is a childhood favorite from the memories of most Georgians. Cradled by the Blue Ridge Mountains, this tourist’s delight is like no other in the state. There’s plenty of restaurants, shopping, and put-putting to be had. During the summer, rent yourself a river tube and make the famous trek down the humble beginnings of the Chattahoochee River. Tip: Go early, it gets crowded in the afternoons! Just 20 minutes southwest, the former gold-mining town of Dahlonega also offers fantastic fooderies. Be sure to visit the Gold Museum. You can’t go to the mountains without hiking, so boogie on up to Brasstown Bald. Georgia’s highest peak provides an observation tower where you can take in an unforgettable panorama of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Note: The hike from the lower parking deck to the observation tower, is not for the faint of heart. If you have health impediments, take the bus.
Off the Peach Path: For an easier, yet still challenging hike, be sure to visit nearby Anna Ruby Falls. The view is worth the hike. The Cabbage Patch Hospital in Cleveland, offers a tour touting one the 80’s most famous toys.
Bites: Hofer’s Bakery and Café in Helen for a taste of German fare, Mully’s Nacoochee Grill for succulent Trout, and Jumpin’ Goat Coffee for that morning kick.
2. Athens: Go Dawgs!
You can’t take in Georgia, without witnessing SEC football. Tailgating and college football are a life-style all their own and no one does it finer than Athens! Home to the state’s first chartered university, the University of Georgia, and known for its eclectic dining, Athens is a foodie and football lover’s paradise.
Typical Tourist: UGA campus, the Arch and Sanford Stadium. State Botanical Garden. Bear Hollow Zoo. Athens Institute for Contemporary Art. Georgia Museum of Natural History
Off the Peach Path: Kayaking the Oconee River. (Big Dogs on the River). Birchmore Trail. Double-Barreled Cannon at City Hall. Clarke County Courthouse, architecturally one of the finest in the state.
Bites: Saturday Tailgates, Pulaski Heights BBQ. Five and Ten. Seabear. The National.
1. Chatham County: Savannah and Tybee Island
Our list ends, where Georgia begins! Georgia’s history, natural beauty, food cultural, and southern charm can all be found encompassed in the traveler’s gem that is Savannah. Discovered by Georgia founder, James Oglethorpe, in 1732, Savannah has aged beautifully. Just a walk down it’s cobblestone roads and tourists are treated with historical and architectural wonders. Tip: Wear tennis shoes, not sandals.
There’s plenty to enjoy from food tours, to ghost and historical tours. Tired from touring? Take a break on Tybee Island’s beaches and grab some good breakfast while you’re there! Savannah is home to the nation’s third largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration. However, COVID-19 has likely impacted the March festival. Contact the Savannah’s Visitor Center for more info on Covid-19 regulations.
Typical Tourist: River Street. River Street Sweets. Historic Downtown Savannah. Tybee Island. Fort Pulaski. Forsyth Park.
Off the Peach Path: Keller’s Flea Market. Kayaking from Tybee Island to Little Tybee Island. Cockspur Island Lighthouse Trail from Fort Pulaski.
Bites: Churchill’s serves up the best Shepard’s Pie! Sunrise Breakfast on Tybee. Boar’s Head Tavern. The Original Crab Shack is a family favorite. Don’t mind the occasional cat, they just want shrimp scraps. Cotton and Rye.
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