7 Bucket-List Small Towns In Georgia

Georgia is no longer just a favorite getaway for locals; it has drawn travelers from across the globe. In 2024, the state broke tourism records once again, generating an economic impact of $82 billion and welcoming more than 174 million visitors from both the U.S. and around the world. If you have had Georgia on your radar for a while, you are not alone! The following seven towns offer a great starting point for your Georgia adventure, highlighting the state’s variety through destinations like Bavarian-style villages, its wine country, and islands rich in wildlife. They should definitely be on your bucket list!

Dahlonega

Dahlonega is famous for two prized treasures: its wine and its gold. As one of the earliest sites for the U.S. gold rush, visiting its historic gold mines is a must. The Consolidated Gold Mine is one of the most immersive tours to experience, offering guided tours that descend 200 feet below ground and share stories of the miners who worked there over a century ago. To see authentic gold mining equipment, make sure to stop by the Crisson Gold Mine as well, which has an open-air museum with historic machinery, a giant rock and mineral shop, and the opportunity to pan for gold! After a day at the gold mines, head over to one of the many wineries in the area to relax. Accent Cellars provides tastings seven days a week and hosts occasional special events, including farmers' markets, art classes, and comedy shows.

Helen

Helen is a Bavarian-inspired village in northern Georgia that feels more like Germany’s Lindau or Bamberg than anywhere in the South. If you have been craving some German grub, you will find it here! Bodensee Restaurant is a wonderful option, led by a master chef who spent much of his career in Germany. A few dishes on the menu include Homemade Garlicwurst, Grilled Bratwurst, and Pork Schnitzel. Helen is also home to the country’s oldest running Oktoberfest, which takes place each fall with a parade, live music, and, of course, plenty of food and drink. The mountains that surround the town are equally worthy of attention, with outfitters like Nacoochee Adventures providing the perfect way to explore them. Here, visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences, including ziplining, biking, and camping.

Tybee Island

Heading to the coast, you’ll find some adorable islands worth checking out for a beach vacation, with Tybee Island being the perfect example. This town, just a half hour from Savannah, has been a favorite spot for vacationing since the 19th century. If you are looking for a quiet and remote beach experience, Little Tybee Island is an excellent choice, an uninhabited nature preserve that is popular for camping, fishing, and birdwatching. Travelers hoping to see some dolphins while on the coast can sign up for an excursion with Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure Tours, which has both daytime and sunset dolphin tours. And of course, you need to try some of the island’s seafood while in town! The Deck Beach Bar and Kitchen is the only beachfront restaurant on the island, serving a delicious menu of oysters, shrimp, fish tacos, and more.

Jekyll Island

About two hours south of Tybee Island, travelers will find Jekyll Island, which is home to the only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility in the state. Travelers wanting to learn more about these aquatic creatures should plan a few hours at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, which has a variety of interactive exhibits, experiences, and programs throughout the year. The island is also well-known for its beautiful golf courses, which are part of the Jekyll Island Golf Club. Each course in the club is unique, giving you the chance to play across marshes, lakes, and forests. You are also just in time for the annual Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival! Taking place on October 24th and 25th this year, this event celebrates this classic Southern dish through live music, an artist market, food, and a variety of other activities.

Blue Ridge

Ranked as one of the South’s Best Mountain Towns in 2022 by Southern Living, Blue Ridge is surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest and has over 300 miles of hiking trails to explore. The Aska Trails is a great trail network to check out, spanning a total of 17 miles, offering trails for all levels of hikers, with some sections being fairly strenuous. Want to get out on the water? Blue Ridge Tubing, which operates seasonally, is just outside of Blue Ridge and provides tubing rentals within the Aska Adventure Area. To relax after a day of hiking or tubing, grab a craft beer from Grumpy Old Men Brewing, which has been operating for over a decade and offers up to 25 varieties of beers on tap.

Hiawassee

Hiawassee is another beloved mountain town, perhaps most notably known for being home to the state’s tallest peak. This peak, Brasstown Bald, towers at an elevation of 4,784 feet, from which visitors can admire the surrounding Appalachian mountains and valleys from a cloud-level observation deck. Plant lovers, meanwhile, can check out the Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens, a massive botanical garden that features over 3,000 plants and 400 varieties of rhododendron. A good meal in Hiawassee is just around the corner, as well. Lakeview Tavern, for example, serves a variety of mouthwatering dishes, including jumbo shrimp, rainbow trout, ribeye, and shrimp and grits.

Ellijay

Despite being in the Peach State, Ellijay has earned the title of "Georgia’s Apple Capital." This town is the ultimate destination to visit in the fall, home to sprawling apple orchards and farms. BJ Reece Orchards offers a variety of fall activities until October 26th, including apple picking, cow milking, a petting zoo, and wagon rides. Right next door, you can grab some fresh apple cider from Reece’s Cider Co., which offers sixteen cider varieties and live music nearly every weekend. Want to get some exercise during your visit? Head out to Tumbling Waters Nature Trail, located within the Carters Lake Recreation Area, which offers excellent views of tumbling cascades from above.

An Unforgettable Trip To Georgia

Georgia locals know that there is always more to see in their state. However, if you are looking to see some of its most incredible destinations, these seven towns provide a wonderful roadmap for your adventure. Not only do they showcase different aspects of the state’s culture through food festivals and historic gold mines, but they also provide a solid glimpse into its natural beauty, including mountain hikes and coastal nature preserves. So take this article as your opportunity to begin planning the ultimate Georgia vacation!