Georgia is among the most illustrious southern states in the nation. The state is known for its festivals, amazing fall colors, and rural atmosphere. Travelers come by land, air, and even to the small coastal region of the state and there is really no bad time of the year to visit. Georgia has something to offer everyone from the mountains in the north to the coast and southern regions connecting Florida. Take a tour through Georgia and see what can be seen.
For a good portion of travelers, Atlanta is the likely first stop. As the State Capital, it is by far the largest city with well over 500,000 residents. Atlanta is home to a bustling travel scene with 3 major interstates intersecting at I-295. Interstates 20, 75, and 85 all run directly through the center of the city, but it also has the busiest international airport in the nation. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport sees approximately 300,000 travelers on a daily basis and currently employs 60,000 individuals to ensure everyone is properly taken care of.
Atlanta is a very traveler friendly city. No matter where you are within the metro area, you have access to MARTA busses and trains. MARTA is the metro transit system and if you want to avoid endless rush hour traffic, the trains tend to run on time and are amazingly efficient. For travelers coming from the airport, MARTA has a railway that runs right into the airport terminal. Most hotels are located on rail and bus lines and shopping centers have also been built around these busy locations.
When visiting Atlanta, never neglect the chance to see a show. Among the most popular destinations for tourists is the classic FOX theater. Various plays and performances come to this historic location, but if you are looking for a more modern arena, Phillips Arena, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, and the Atlanta Symphony Hall are a few of the many excellent entertainment options.
The kids can also enjoy Atlanta. It is home to Six Flags Over Georgia located just off I-20 in Cobb County. Spend the day or a weekend enjoying this Looney Toons themed amusement park. Other attractions that you should not miss are the World of Coke, Atlanta Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
While on your trip to Atlanta, do not neglect to check out a bit of its history. The city was home to Civil Rights Activist, Martin Luther King Jr. His home is among the national landmarks in the city and is something you should certainly visit.
Augusta, Ga is generally among the last or first cities you will come to in Georgia depending on the direction you are coming from. Augusta, GA is located on the Georgia side of the Savannah River and is the last city before leaving the state for South Carolina. This city is home to almost 200,000 people, so it is certainly not a simple dot in the road.
Augusta is one of the most recognized cities in the golf world as the Masters Tournament location. It is also known as the Garden City. Golf is king here and finding a green to play on is not a difficult task. If you have ever wanted to learn the game of golf or play on greens where masters of old have swung their clubs, Augusta, GA is the place to go. The Royal Golf Club, Augusta National Golf Club, and Forest Hills Golf Club are just a few of the illustrious greens that simply cannot be missed.
Travelers to Augusta, GA will be pleasantly surprised to find out there is a public transit system. If you want to avoid the potential for getting stuck in traffic or having to use your personal GPS, the Augusta Transit offers bus service throughout the city. However, no matter when you visit this spectacular city, you will be happy to know that Augusta is not congested. The city is laid out to be very walkable, bike friendly, and people rarely complain about traffic woes felt in other similar sized cities.
Augusta, GA is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. It has a variety of parks including Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. However, in this city, you will not simply walk around the park. Activities abound here and opportunities to get involved with nature and adventure are everywhere. For the true adventure enthusiasts, check out the Savanah Rapids Visitors Center and get set up with a thrilling ride down the Savannah River.
Once you have enjoyed the thrills and excitement of the big city of Atlanta and the encapsulating fun of Augusta, move down to the coast of the state in Savannah, GA. This location is perfectly perched on the Georgia coast and has stunning beauty running through its historic streets. One of the first things visitors notice is the mossy pines lining streets filled with classic plantation style homes. These aspects are all original and highly celebrated in the city.
Savannah, GA is not just about historic places, but also a food lover’s dream. Southern hospitality is praised here and it can be felt when you walk into any of Savannah’s many restaurants. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, Old Pink House Restaurant, and Vik’s on the River are just a few of the many restaurants available for some local food. However, the best kept secret in Savannah is not actually located in the city.
Just outside of Savannah is Tybee Island. Here is where locals and tourists enjoy the surf and sand, but tucked away, off the beaten path is a place called the Crab Shack. It does not look like much when you arrive, but once you are seated either on the inside during rainy weather or out on the patio over looking the bay, you begin to see its charm. The Crab Shack offers fresh seafood. Among their most popular offerings is the low country boil. The dish is served by the number in your party and presented on a huge round pan placed in the center of the table. Only the freshest crab legs, crawfish, sausage, corn, potatoes, and shrimp find their way to the table and you always leave with leftovers. Definitely visit the Crab Shack.
Food is great, but Savannah is known for something a bit more sinister. Ghost stories are around every corner in this historic city. Stories of pirates, war heroes, and murder date back centuries leading to goose bumps and uneasy feelings. Although you can search out the history of Savannah ghost stories on your own, various ghost tours are available as well. For those that love a good ghost story, Savannah, GA is the best place to enjoy a bit of a fright.
Augusta may be among the largest cities on the eastern side of Georgia, but Columbus remains king city of the western side of the state. Columbus borders Alabama and is home to 206,000 Georgians. Columbus, GA is also a military base city. Ft. Benning is located within the city and is home to 120,000 active duty soldiers. The base offers a variety of different activities soldiers and families, but once each year, they open to the public for the annual 4th of July celebration. If you find yourself in Columbus, GA around this time of the year, it is a celebration that should not be missed. All day festivities are concluded with an epic fireworks show.
Traveling to Columbus, GA is relatively easy. It is just an hour south of the Atlanta airport and the city, itself is home to 3 airports. Metra is the city metro offering bus terminals throughout the city, so you are never far from the ability to travel. Traffic is not a substantial issue in Columbus as both surface streets and interstates make it easy to get where you need to be.
Columbus, GA has a variety of different attractions to choose from. Naturally, being situated on the Chattahoochee River, the city offers plenty of outdoor and water related options such as boating and kayaking. For the land based traveler, the Coca-Cola Space Science Center is a lot of fun if you have children and for history buffs, Andersonville is known as one of the largest military prisons during the Civil War. Tours are offered every day.
Columbus may not be known for its restaurants, exclusively, but there are some hidden gems you will want to try. Among the top restaurants in Columbus, GA is Ezell’s Catfish. This place opens in the evening and serves the regions best seafood. They also offer complementary jalapeno hush puppies which are highly addictive. Other notable restaurants are The Loft, The Cannon Brew Pub, and Country’s Barbeque.
Georgia is a great place to visit. There is so much to see and do here, visitors never get bored. Accommodations throughout Georgia are comfortable and come with a little extra bit of southern charm. Plan your trip to Georgia and discover what all the fuss is about!
