8 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions In Georgia (2024)
Do you know how does a dream holiday looks like? Spend one in Georgia, and your thoughts will come to life in the best possible way. The south-eastern U.S. State of Georgia offers unique adventures that are hard to find anywhere else. Georgia houses an ideal combination of everything that a vacationer craves, from the fast-pacing cosmopolitan cities to the majestic mountains and sun-splashed sandy coastlines. A trip to Georgia means you can learn about history, experience different cultural influences, enjoy a variety of weather, and basically make the most worth of your time.
Nicknamed the Peach State, Georgia is well popular for its fruits and food. The Peaches, of course, here are one of the best, but even their onions are considered the sweetest in the world. Though not to forget the splendid (maybe the best) Southern Classical dishes, Georgia is often visited for. In short, on your trip to Georgia, you will find a perfect blend of everything from subtropical climate to mountains, beaches, flatlands, history & culture, lip-smacking cuisine, and of course, the good locals. Enough for an exciting trip?
8 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions In Georgia
Ok then, have a look at our choicest picks for popular tourist attractions in Georgia. We hope it will help you build your own itinerary.
1. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta
One of the largest Aquariums in the Western Hemisphere, the Georgia Aquarium is a fabulous place to visit. This public aquarium is home to over hundreds of species and more than 100,000 aquatic animals. All of these are housed within 11 million U.S. gallons of water and one of the largest water tanks.
Some of the notable species at the Georgia Aquarium include beluga whales, bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, manta rays, and whale sharks (the only institution with them outside Asia). All the aquatic species here are housed within different theme exhibits, including Tropical Diver, Ocean Voyager, Cold Water Quest, Southern Company River Scout, Dolphin Coast, Trust Pier 225, and Aquanaut Adventure. Ocean Voyager being the largest of them all contains thousands of fishes and about 6.3-million-U.S.-gallon water. It is also the largest indoor aquatic habitat in the world. Apart from observing the aquatic animals, one of the unique experiences here includes diving and snorkeling into the shark tank. Whatever your interests are, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is something you should not miss visiting.
2. Atlanta Botanical Garden
With 30 acres of display gardens, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is probably the best tourist attraction in Georgia. Operating since 1976, it is home to a number of smaller themed gardens, each exhibiting a different landscape. The facility begins with Rose Garden and Japanese Garden and further expands with Children’s Garden, a Rainforest room, Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory, and endless unique and interesting features. What appeals the most here is the Fuqua Orchid Center which displays orchids of all shapes and colors. Atlanta Botanical Garden has so much stored that no two visit here is ever the same. Being a four-season garden, it has everything from autumn foliage, spring bulb display, summer greens, as well as winter wonders.
The attraction is also home to a 600-foot-long Kendeda Canopy Walk. This feature here allows individuals to explore one of the urban forests (amongst a very few) from around 40 feet in the air. Another crowd favorite here is the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights display featuring millions of LED lights throughout the ground. The attraction operates through the year, 9 am to 6/8 pm, depending upon the season.
3. Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain
If your trip to Georgia is all about reconnecting with nature, then do not miss visiting the Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain. This beautiful 2,500-acre garden is basically a retreat destination operating for several years now. It is home to the world’s largest azalea garden, the world’s largest man-made white-sand beach, ‘Robin Lake,’ and so many excellent features. There are trails for biking and hiking, making their way through almost all of the attractions inside. Visitors can choose to observe the wide variety of plants, explore the large butterfly center, observe the colorful birds, or simply walk-through different landscapes.
Apart from the obvious garden features, Callaway is also home to a unique set of attractions. The list includes two golf courses, 10 table tennis courts, an interactive discovery center, a horticultural center, a Zipline with an Obstacle Course, and multiple other gaming spaces. The small but mesmerizing Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel is also one of the highlights here. Callaway Gardens host multiple events, including the annual Master’s Waterski and Wakeboard Tournament, a major draw for enthusiasts. Besides that, the Christmas at Calloway draws thousands of visitors here for its incredible light display.
4. Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Swamp is the largest blackwater swamp in North America, covering a huge but shallow space of 438,000-acres. The Swamp straddles the Georgia- Florida line and is one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia. Outdoor enthusiasts who visit Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge ensure they do not miss entering the Okefenokee Swamp once. Every year over 600,000 visitors mark their presence here for enjoying the unmatched wilderness and, of course, the panoramic views of nature.
Okefenokee Swamp is basically a maze of watercourses, swampy grasslands, and cypress swamps. The region is home to several endangered species, of which 10,000 alone are the giant alligators. The centerpiece of the Swamp is the floating islands. The best way of exploring the Okefenokee Swamp is via guided boat tours. Though one can also go self-paced, guides are better since they know all about what, why, and how. Also, guides can recommend how to stay safe from alligators, which you may spot almost everywhere.
5. Savannah Historic District
The ones who have ever been here can agree with the claim that there is nothing better and more beautiful than the Savannah Historic District. These three-square miles preserve the downtown region and the old city similarly as it was during the Civil War days. It is by far one of the best-preserved and the largest historic districts in the United States. It also serves as an official National Historic Landmark that connects visitors with Savannah’s past. Visitors often grace the region by walking through the streets and admiring beautiful features on both sides.
The Savannah Historic District is all about stone-paved streets covered with feathery Spanish moss and several gracious mansions. Its north end features the spectacular Savannah riverfront, whereas the south end is known for Forsyth Park. The latter is one fine example of mid-1800s parks. The centerpiece of the park is a very graceful fountain with old trees and walking paths all around. Besides the scenery, the Savannah Historic District is enlightened with art, culture, and museums.
6. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Offering family-friendly fun, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is the top-rated tourist attraction in North Georgia. This heritage railroad offers a four-hour railway excursion along the beautiful Toccoa River. The journey begins from Blue Ridge, going all the way through McCaysville. The four-hour railway excursion includes the journey, two hours of exploring McCaysville and Copperhill towns, along with the return. The layover in between offers plenty of chances to eat the local and shop for antique and craft items, along with walking across the old bridge for the splendid river view. During the layover, visitors often choose to walk across the “Blue Line” on the street as just one step here makes you stand in Tennessee.
The train ride generally operates from late March to the last weekend in December, Friday through Monday. During summers and from October until Thanksgiving, it operates daily. Besides that, the ride comes to life during the spring break during the first week of April, except for one particular Wednesday. They also offer a special Christmas train excursion, one of the finest experiences here. For trains, passengers have multiple choices ranging from vintage ones to open-air rail cars and climate-controlled rail cars.
7. World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta
The finest museum in Georgia, the World of Coca-Cola, is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year. A visit here will educate you about everything related to this world-renowned soft drink. Since Atlanta is the Coca-Cola originating city (in 1886), one cannot miss the opportunity to sink into this splendid museum dedicated to the same. The museum exhibits the history and development of iconic Coca-Cola through colorful and entertaining exhibits. The exhibits here focus on displaying Coke logo items and an astonishing variety of advertising artifacts. The finest exhibit here is the Scent Discovery, all about sensing different smells. It allows visitors to test their sense of smell and the origins of various fragrances.
The world of Coca-Cola is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Georgia. Enthusiasts can explore the facility via guided tours from 10 am to 5/7 pm all throughout the day. It takes about 1 to 2 hours to visit all the nooks and corners of the museum. The facility also has a tasting room where one can taste different flavors of Coca-Cola products which are available all across the world. There’s even a coke store dealing with a variety of merchandise and souvenirs.
8. Tybee Island
One of the most beloved barrier islands in the State, Tybee Island is a popular tourist attraction in Georgia. It has been a popular vacation spot since the 19th century and is still functioning with the same enthusiasm. Tybee Island is known for its beaches, a pier, a pavilion, and incredible views. In addition, there are 3 miles of clean, wide, and sandy beaches where visitors choose to rest and play. With its exceptional vibes, the Tybee Island offers a variety of engagement options. The centerpiece of the region is the 144-foot-tall lighthouse which was built back in 1736. Moving forward is the Fort Pulaski National Monument, a 260-acre site known for its rich history.
Tybee Island is an adventure wonderland and outdoor enthusiasts’ favorite spot. Visitors can take a boat excursion to see the beautiful dolphins. Or, the tour to wildlife-filled salt marsh estuaries of Little Tybee Island is popular amongst paddleboarders. Adventure lovers also choose to kayak across the Cockspur Island Lighthouse and especially enjoy the North Beach surfing. The Tybee Island is also great for seafood, and the Sting Ray’s Seafood is the best place to try the same.
