Ideas For Georgia Vacations

Georgia Vacations Idea #1: Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, at Fort Oglethorpe, is the country's first and largest military park. The Civil War Battle of Chickamauga was fought over the city of Chattanooga. You can learn about the battle with a 7-mile self-guiding auto tour, a 26 minute multi-media program and exhibits at the visitor center. Besides the monuments and historical tablets there are hiking trails and horse trails.

Georgia Vacations Idea #2: The town of Helen is known as "Bavaria in Georgia". This Blue Ridge Mountain mining town has been transformed into a Bavarian themed alpine village complete with cobblestone streets. They have a huge annual Oktoberfest, some 200 specialty shops and restaurants, and old-world towers.

Next door in Nacoochee Village you can tour the water-powered mill with its original 1,500-pound grinding stones. Visit the antiques shops or take a trail-ride on horse back.

Vacation Ideas in Georgia #3: "The Country Music Capital of Georgia." is Hiawassee in the north Georgia mountains with carnival rides, crafts and exhibits and lots of country music. See Pioneer Village with its one room schoolhouse, a log home, a smoke house, barn and corn crib, and a mercantile store. Watch the local folks demonstrate the fine old arts of cider squeezing, pork skin frying, quilting, blacksmithing and more.

Georgia Vacations Idea #4: Dahlonega has two old gold mines, The Consolidated Gold Mines and The Crisson Gold Mine. Tour the mines, see the gold processing mill, and pan for gold. While you are in town visit the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve with over 100 animals. Or stop by The Dahlonega Tasting Room where you can sample wines from the nearby wineries that make up North Georgia's own "Little Napa Valley".

Vacation Ideas in Georgia #5: Amicalola Falls State Park, east of Jasper, is home to the Amicalola Waterfall. These stunning falls are 729 feet high. At the top of the falls is the 57-room Amicalola Lodge with an observation deck and a path along the ridge top that is lit up at night. The park is also the start of the Southern Terminus Trail which provides access to the Appalachian Trail 8 miles away in Springer.

Georgia Vacations Idea #6: Callaway Gardens, in Pine Mountain, is a resort with 14,000 acres of gardens. Running through it is the 10-mile long Discovery Bicycle Trail. The huge Callaway Discovery Center serves as a visitors center and includes an orientation film, gift shop, museum, and art exhibits. There are 8 different walking trails, the Butterfly Center with live butterflies, a five-acre garden/greenhouse, and more.

Georgia Vacations Idea #7: Andersonville was the site of a Confederate prisoner of war camp during the Civil War. It became infamous because of the horrible conditions that killed 13,000 Union soldiers. The 515-acre Andersonville National Historic Site, with its National Prisoner of War Museum, is dedicated to honoring all the U.S. prisoners of war throughout our country's history.

Vacation Ideas in Georgia #8: Providence Canyon State Park is called Georgia's Little Grand Canyon because of the 16 beautiful canyons located here. The park is 1,108 acres and contains some 150 varieties of flowers. There are three miles of hiking trails and 7 miles of backpacking trails. Backpackers who set off before 4 p.m. can stay overnight along the backcountry trail.

Georgia Vacations Idea #9: The Georgia Music Hall of Fame, located in Macon, is 43,000 square feet of music exhibits representing over 450 artists. You will also find video, memorabilia, instruments, performance costumes and more. The The Billy Watson Music Factory, dedicated to young children, is full of interactive, hands-on music exhibits. There is a music library, music store and special events throughout the year.

Georgia Vacations Idea #10: The Annual October Apple Festival is held in Ellijay, Georgia's "Apple Capital". You will find apples in all forms from cider to pies to fritters. But it's not all about apples. Artists and craftsmen from across the state and beyond come to enjoy the apples and share their talent with you. Their crafts and works are displayed in the hundreds of tents that fill the festival.

Georgia Vacations Idea #11: Here's a fun Atlanta, Georgia vacation idea. The New World of Coca-Cola Museum is a place the whole family will enjoy. It's the largest collection of Coke memorabilia in the world. You can watch commemorative 8-ounce bottles of Coca­ColaŽ being produced on a fully functional bottling line. Sample over 70 different Coca­ColaŽ products. The Pop Culture Gallery shows off fun artwork by artists such as Andy Warhol and Steve Penley. You can also see the Coca­ColaŽ Polar Bear.

Georgia Vacations Idea #12: Contributed by Ron Strauss.

Atlanta, GA, USA is well known as a vacation destination, and has plenty of attractions (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke, CNN Center, ML King Jr. Memorial, Stone Mountain Park, to name a few.) But what's less known are the great day-trip attractions surrounding Atlanta: FDR's Little White House at Warm Springs, Callaway Gardens & Day Butterfly Center, Dahlonega Gold Rush Town, Amicalola Falls, Lake Lanier and Buford Dam, Brasstown Bald, river rafting trips, and many, many more.

Georgia Vacations Idea #13: If you enjoy the outdoors, you should plan a visit to the Altamaha River in Georgia. The Nature Conservancy has designated the Altamaha River as one of the world's 75 last great places. The river's watershed covers 1.2 million acres and it is one of the best canoeing spots anywhere. The scenery you will encounter over the 137 miles of the river's length is spectacular. Home to over 120 rare and endangered species of plants and animals, the Altamaha River is very popular with birdwatchers. This is one of the few unspoiled places left in the country and well worth a visit.