Often considered to be a perfect example of Southern American culture, the state of Georgia is not only big, it’s geographically diverse as well. From snow-clad mountains to swampy marshes, there’s no shortage of places to see in the state. If you have just moved into the state, or if you are a passing by, you will find the following list to be very useful.
Noah’s Ark Rehabilitation (Locust Grove)
The 250 acre wildlife rehabilitation center is a popular place for educational trips in the area. You will need to walk for about a mile along the trail to get a look at all the different species of animals housed in here but it’s well worth it.
Callaway Gardens
A relaxing little manmade sanctuary, the Callaway Gardens can be found on Pine Mountain, to the north of Columbus. The gardens are home to a range of exotic and beautiful plants and when the flowers bloom during the spring and early summer, it looks stunning. Robin Lake is a hotspot for watersports and there are even two top of the line golf courses here. Other attractions in the area include a butterfly house and several walking trails for a relaxing stroll amidst the beautiful gardens.
Chattahoochee National Forest
While both the locations above are basically artificial structures, the Chattahoochee National Forest is the exact opposite. Spread over 750,000+ acres, the forest is home to multiple natural lakes, rivers and waterfalls. The scenery is brilliant and the area is perfect for canoeing, hiking, swimming, kayaking and camping.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
If you are even remotely interested in the civil rights movement and the great Martin Luther King Jr. you need to visit his birthplace and grave at this historic site. As a bonus, you will also get to see the Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Freedom Hall Complex.
Okefenokee Swamp
“The Land of the Quaking Earth” as Native Americans used to call it, the Okefenokee Swamp is the ultimate place if you want to see the American Alligator while floating around on a boat. The 770+ sq. mile swamp has multiple islands and each one of them is covered with cypress swamps and swampy grassland. The prehistoric terrain inspires both respect and fear in the mind of the onlooker. Just keep in mind that if you are looking for a swim, the Okefenokee Swamp should not be on your list of places to visit for the day!
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta
A place for marine research and conservation, the Georgia Aquarium is host to literally thousands of fish, dolphins, whales, sharks, jellyfishes, eels, seals and so much more. Everyone who lives in the state or is visiting anywhere near Atlanta should definitely check it out. The only thing is that it is advised that you book with Marriot first before actually getting to Atlanta as it can get very crowded during the peak seasons in the city.
If you have time for more once you are done with these, be sure to visit Savannah, Tybee Island and Jekyll Island. Unfortunately, a lot of awesome locations such as the gorgeous Tallulah Gorge State Park and the Blue Ridge (Switzerland of the South) could not be detailed because then this list would be far too long. Nevertheless, nothing is stopping you from seeing them if you have the time!
