Day Trips in Georgia

1. Day Trip to Athens

Athens is one of Georgia's most beautiful historic cities, located approximately 70 miles northeast of Atlanta's downtown district.

The city, which is located within the foothills of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, is part of the Civil War-era Antebellum Trail and is known for its impressive Antebellum-era architecture, including the 19th-century T.R.R. Cobb House and the Taylor Grady House, which are open to the public as living history museums.

Collegiate culture abounds thanks to the University of Georgia's North Campus, with a thriving alternative rock music scene producing nationally-renowned acts such as the B-52s, R.E.M., and Neutral Milk Hotel. Other things to you see include the Georgia Museum of Art, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, and Sandy Creek Park, with many specialty shops and restaurants offered within the city's Victorian-era downtown district.

Annual special events include the AthFest summer music and arts festival.

Quick weekend itinerary:

2. Day Trip to Thomasville

Packed with interesting indoor and outdoor attractions, Thomasville is an excellent choice for a fun day trip or weekend getaway. Established in 1826, Thomasville is steeped in history and there are several historic sites to explore including historic home, museums, and a history center. Visitors can also go shopping, visit the Birdsong Nature Center, enjoy biking, join a Food Tour or visit the Thomasville Rose Garden and Cherokee Lake Park. There are accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets and a long list of popular restaurants and bars.

3. Day Trip to Blackbeard Island

Blackbeard Island is a 5,618-acre island located in McIntosh County near Sapelo Island, named in honor of infamous 18th-century pirate Edward Teach, best known as Blackbeard, who is purported to have buried hidden treasure somewhere on the island.

Today, the island is protected as Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge, only accessible to the public via boat, kayak, or guided tour excursion.

As one of seven area refuges administered by the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge protects significant populations of native flora and fauna, including important populations of shorebirds and migratory birds.

The refuge is open to the public daily between sunrise and sunset throughout the year, with the exception of two three-day hunts hosted annually, open to licensed hunters with advance registration.

Popular visitor activities include hiking, biking, photography, and wildlife watching, with saltwater surf and creek fishing allowed with permits.

4. Day Trip to Madison

Madison is located within the greater Atlanta statistical area and home to a population of more than 3,600 residents. The town is home to one of the state's largest and oldest National Historic Districts, which preserves a wide variety of beautiful Antebellum homes, some of which are open to the public as living history museums.

Hundreds of boutiques, antique shops, and restaurants are offered within the city's downtown district, with dining options ranging from classic Southern-style barbecue joints to fine Mediterranean-style restaurants.

Outdoor hiking opportunities are offered at Hard Labor Creek, one of the state's largest state parks.

Annual special events include the Firefly Festival, the Chamber Music Festival, and the Madison in May Spring Tour of Homes and Gardens.

5. Explore Canton

Canton is a quaint city within Cherokee County, home to a population of nearly 23,000 residents. The city's historic downtown district is preserved throughout the Canton Main Street Program, offering a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions in an area bounded by North, Railroad, West Marietta, John T. Pettit, and East Main Streets.

The vibrant Blue Ridge Mountains river town is also home to many public parks and urban green spaces, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and outdoor recreational activities at sites such as Boling Park, Heritage Park, and the 58-acre Etowah River Park, which offers an outdoor amphitheater and connects to the Etowah River Trail. Public special events hosted throughout the year include the rain-or-shine Canton Farmers' Market, First Friday music and art events, and the city's annual Chili Cook-Off.

6. Relax on Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island is a lovely and largely undeveloped barrier island located off Georgia's southern coastline, donated to the National Parks Foundation in 1971 by heirs of the renowned Carnegie family.

The island, which has been designated as both a National Park and a National Seashore, is home to the remains of a number of estates formerly belonging to the Carnegie family, including the Dungeness Ruins and the Georgian Revival-style Plum Orchard.

The one-room First African Baptist Church is also housed on the island, which was the site of the 1996 wedding of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Ferries to the island board at nearby St. Mary's, Georgia and travel to the island's museum and visitor center, which details the island's natural and cultural history.

Undeveloped lands on the island are also available for a wide range of outdoor activities, including swimming, biking, hunting, boating, fishing, kayaking, and guided nature excursions.

7. Dahlonega

Dahlonega was the site of the United States' first major gold rush, with gold discovered in the area in 1828.

The charming northern Georgia city, located approximately one hour from Atlanta's city center, is centered around the historic 19th-century Public Square, which is home today to a number of tasting rooms for regional vineyards.

Visitors can explore the Dahlonega Gold Museum, located within the city's 1836 courthouse building, which details the chronology and impact of the 1828 gold rush, or tour an underground turn-of-the-century mine at Consolidated Gold Mine.

On the University of North Georgia campus, visitors can peruse the Bob Owens Art Gallery or see world-class concerts presented by the Department of Music.

Convenient nearby access to the Chattahoochee National Forest lets visitors travel to beautiful sites such as the immense Amicalola Falls.

8. Explore the attractions of Duluth

Duluth is a laid-back small town located near Atlanta, named as one of America's safest and most affordable suburbs by populations such as Bloomberg Businessweek and Movoto.

The city's historic downtown district is home to a wide variety of specialty merchants and delicious Southern-style restaurants, with sidewalks and bicycle paths connecting many of the city's attractions for easy pedestrian access.

Concerts and theatrical performances are offered at the Red Clay Music Foundry, and the Hudgens Center for the Arts, which also offers a sculpture garden and rotating art exhibitions.

At the Southeastern Railway Museum, visitors can learn about the history of railroading in the American Southeast and see historic preserved Pullman cars, cabooses, and locomotives.

Annual public special events include the Duluth Fall Festival and a free concert series hosted at the city's Town Green Park.

9. Learn about history in Fayetteville

Fayetteville is a progressive, lively community in Fayette County, home to a population of over 17,000 residents. The city, which is located approximately half an hour south of Atlanta's downtown district, is known for its quaint historic charm, designated as a Main Street City since 1996.

It is home to the state's oldest surviving historic courthouse, the Fayette County Courthouse, which was constructed in 1825.

Other historic attractions include the 1855 Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House, open to the public as a living history museum, and the Margaret Mitchell Library, which honors the American author and holds significant volumes related to the American Civil War.

Families can have a blast at the Fun Spot America Atlanta family entertainment center, which offers more than two dozen attractions for visitors of all ages, including the state's only multi-level go-karting track.

10. Have fun outdoors in Helen

Helen is a lovely mountain town located in northeastern Georgia along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, known for its unique Bavarian-style Alpine architecture and culture. The town is home to more than 200 specialty artisan shops, including candlemakers, glassblowers, and antique stores, with a wide variety of German and Southern-style restaurants serving up homestyle meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Outdoor recreational opportunities are offered at Unicoi State Park, including hiking and biking trails and opportunities for swimming at Unicoi Lake.

Wine tastings are available at Habersham Winery, with historic attractions on view at the 1870 Hardman Farm State Historic Site, which also preserves Nacoochee indigenous mound burial sites.

Ziplining, river tubing, and go-karting opportunities abound, along with scenic overlooks at the beautiful Anna Ruby Falls.