Georgia On My Mind
Georgia’s golden coastline, wondrous wildlife, and historic hamlets create an enthralling escape that is sweetly Southern. Enjoy the natural beauty and one-of-a-kind history as you discover the wild and wonderful world of Georgia.
Coastal Excursions
From sea turtles to seafood to spectacular views of the Atlantic, an excursion along Georgia’s 110 miles of coastline is an adventure not to be missed.
Golden Isle’s Jekyll Island
One of Georgia’s 15 barrier islands, Jekyll Island is home to stunning sights, historic landmarks, and some incredible stays. The southernmost island in Georgia’s Golden Isles, Jekyll Island is known for its picturesque Driftwood Beach. Be amazed at the otherworldly feel of the gnarled, twisted, and weathered trees from years gone by. Swing away at a round of golf at the Jekyll Island Golf Club. The largest public golf resort in Georgia, the Jekyll Island Golf Club features four courses and 63 holes woven through the island’s pristine lakes, marshes, and forests. Learn about the harrowing and miraculous journey of the loggerhead sea turtle at the Sea Turtle Center, Georgia’s only sea turtle education and rehabilitation center. Explore the wonders of Jekyll Island with a guided Sunrise Turtle Walk or a moonlit walk along the shoreline led by the Center's staff in search of a nesting mother sea turtle or a recently excavated hatch. From traditional rooms at the Beachview Club to lavish high-end sleeping quarters at the Jekyll Island Club Resort to rustic wooded camping and RV stays at the Jekyll Island Campground, a stay on Jekyll Island is guaranteed to be a fun, eventful, and unforgettable trip.
jekyllisland.com
Savannah and Her Beach – Tybee Island
Lovingly referred to as Savannah’s Beach, Tybee Island on the northern edge of Georgia’s coastline, is a shining symbol of Georgia’s nautical past. One of America’s most well preserved and intact lighthouses, the Tybee Island Light Station lets visitors walk up its 178 steps for a truly astounding panoramic view of the island and the Atlantic. Savor the briny saltwater air while dining al fresco at one of Tybee Island's delectable restaurants. Offering freshly caught fish, straight from the dock shrimp, and decadent crab dinners, restaurants like Salt Fish and Beer and The Deck Beachside Bar and Kitchen satisfy a variety of palates in colorful style, just steps away from the beach. Back in Savannah’s hip and historic downtown, only 20 minutes from Tybee Island, grab a burger and a beer at Savannah’s oldest restaurant. A rich and colorful part of Savannah’s past, the Crystal Beer Parlor opened in 1933 and has delighted the tastebuds of locals and visitors for decades. A few blocks away and covering over 30 acres in the heart of Savannah, Forsyth Park is one of the most photographed locations in the city. The largest and oldest park in Savannah, the iconic fountain was installed in 1858 and a well-known gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. Home to towering oaks, a weekly farmer’s market, a variety of festivals, and a Garden of Fragrance, Forsyth Park is the perfect place to enjoy the sights, sounds, and fragrant aromas of Savannah.
visittybee.com
visitsavannah.com
The Historic West
Full of lavishly grand estates, iconic history, and rugged natural beauty, western Georgia is home to fascinating towns, poignant stories, and memorable treasures.
On the west side of La Grange in Troup County, take a step back in time at the Hills and Dales Estate, a Georgian treasure for more than 175 years. This 13,000 square foot Italianate home is perfectly situated on 35 acres of rolling hills and shady dales. Experience a living legacy as you wander through the lush gardens, verdant grounds, and the immaculately preserved Callaway family home.
Discover the charm and enduring history of FDR’s Little White House in Warm Springs. Built before his presidential inauguration in 1932, this Meriwether County attraction welcomes visitors to learn about the life and legacy of one of America's greatest presidents. Showcasing his hand-controlled 1938 Ford convertible, his unfinished final portrait, and his renowned Fireside Chats, a two-hour guided tour invites guests to explore the inspiring and challenge-filled times of Roosevelt's four-term presidency.
At the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center at Columbus State University, explore the rich ecological and biological diversity of West Central Georgia. With exhibits, displays, and trails throughout the Center’s vast grounds. With guided kayak tours down the Chattahoochee River and a treetop Canopy Trail suspended 35 feet in the air, the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center encourages visitors to embrace the plant and animal life of the Chattahoochee Valley.
Just down the road, Historic Westville invites you to be a part of history. Travel back in time at the pre-Civil War historic village. With demonstrations, costumed interpretations, and interactive exhibits, Historic Westville shares the inspiring and personal stories of the Pineywoods of Georgia. A museum of Southern history and culture, Historic Westville delves into the inextricably linked but incredibly diverse experiences of all Southern peoples, including European Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, and immigrants.
hillsanddales.org
gastateparks.org/littlewhitehouse
oxbow.columbusstate.edu
westville.org
Southern Wonders
One-of-a-kind adventures, jaw-dropping natural sights, and abundant wildlife make a visit to Southern Georgia a must for any outdoor thrill-seeker.
Sprawling across 2,824 acres near Townsend in McIntosh County, the Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge is a premier spot for a wide variety of flora and fauna, including over 350 species of birds as they nest, forage, and overwinter. Consisting of a mixed wood forest, tidal creeks of a saltwater marsh, wooded wetlands, wide-open fields, and six manmade freshwater ponds, the rich and diverse habitat of the Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge is the perfect home for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and bats, as well as rare birds, like the wonderous wood stork and the dazzling painted bunting.
Uncover the agrarian and cultural history of the Wiregrass region of Georgia at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village. This Tift County immersive experience into 19th-century living offers hands-on interactive exhibits with historic artifacts. Featuring a traditional farmstead consisting of six historic buildings dating back as far as 1870 and an operational blacksmith forge, visitors learn everything from subsistence farming to modern 20th-century farming technology. Be sure to visit the Country Store for a collection of local preserves, American-made toys, and Georgia-grown produce.
Marvel at the wonders of the swamp in the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross. Delight in nature’s most spectacular creations, as you wander through the swamps beautifully preserved wonderland. The park’s mirrorlike waters showcase the lily-filled water trails and transport visitors to a whole new world. From otters to alligators, water turkeys to ospreys, discover the remarkable wildlife of Georgia and Northern Florida. Nearly 500,000 acres, the Okefenokee Swamp Park is extravagantly beautiful, featuring interpretive exhibits, lectures, wildlife shows, and boat tours. Hop aboard the “Lady Suwannee” train and see the swamp from a whole new angle.
In Sylvester, the heart of Georgia’s quail country, the Samara Plantation is the state’s premier quail hunting lodge and preserve. A peaceful atmosphere with charming southern hospitality, Samara Plantation offers an intimate experience on 3,600 acres. A rustic quaint lodge with delicious Southern dining, the Samara Plantation is a wonderful place to kick back and relax in Southern Georgia.
fws.gov/refuge/Harris_Neck
gma.abac.edu
okeswamp.com
samaraplantation.com
From sea turtles to alligators, famous fountains to well-known hot springs, Georgia is full of important history, eclectic beauty, and natural splendor. Embrace the ever-evolving spirit of America, in the great state of Georgia.
