7 Best Attractions To Visit In Georgia

Georgia is a popular destination for travellers and regularly ranks as one of the most visited states in the country. But with so much to see and do in the southern state, it’s tough to know where to start. Below you’ll find a list of Georgia’s best attractions to help you plan and prepare for your visit. Each showcases a different part of the Peach State’s personality, highlighting its breathtaking natural attractions, historic legacy, modern amenities, and homegrown heroes. Whatever you’re looking for on your trip, the state’s unique attractions promise a vacation like no other.

Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain Park is a 3,200-acre preserve and adventure park situated around Stone Mountain, the world’s largest exposed granite outcrop. Located northeast of Atlanta, this natural wonderland is packed with family-friendly attractions and activities. Take in the breathtaking views from the summit of Stone Mountain by hiking the 1.3-mile trail to the peak or enjoying a leisurely ride up in the Summit Skyride cable car. Don’t like heights? No problem. There’s plenty to see and enjoy at ground level. Hop aboard the scenic railroad to take a five-mile trip around the mountain on a 1940s locomotive.

The park is home to two golf courses and a 363-acre lake with paddleboard and kayak rentals available. If you’re feeling brave, try the park’s newest attraction, the Lakeside Zip Line Adventure Course, which sends visitors soaring above the scenery. It’s worth checking the park schedule before planning your visit, as it hosts frequent seasonal events, including summer light shows, a Pumpkin Festival, and a Stone Mountain Christmas. While the park is open year-round, attractions are only available seasonally. Typical opening hours are weekends from March to May, daily from Memorial Day weekend to the end of July, and weekends in August and December.

Savannah Historic District, Savannah

Founded in 1733, Savannah is Georgia's oldest European settlement, so it's no wonder it's home to one of the best and largest historic districts in the country. This Historic Landmark District covers over 20 tree-shaded park squares and cobblestone streets lined with 18th and 19th-century homes. There are several ways to explore the district. You can walk and discover the sights at your own pace or book a tour with one of the many local operators offering Segway tours, carriage tours, and trolley tours.

If you’re wandering solo, start at Forsyth Park in the heart of the historic district. Created in 1851, the park has provided a picturesque backdrop for many movies, including Forrest Gump and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. You’ll also want to stop by the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, whose towering spires were completed in 1896, and the 1819 Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters, which is now a specialty museum.

Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta

Named one of the best aquariums in the United States by US News, the Georgia Aquarium is the largest in the Western Hemisphere. More than 500 marine species call the aquarium home and its fascinating exhibits bring the undersea world to life in a way that entrances both adults and kids.

From seasonal events to educational exhibits and displays, the aquarium has a lot going on but the real stars of the show are its animals. The Georgia Aquarium is the only aquarium in the United States that houses the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. It might be the largest, but it’s not the only famous fish in the tanks however. You can also see Tiger Sharks, Beluga Whales, and Bottlenose Dolphins. Other popular residents include playful penguins, lively sea otters, and elegant manta rays.

If you want to get up close with the incredible wildlife at the aquarium, book an animal encounter or catch a presentation. Encounters include a tour of the sea otter facility, a meet and greet with seals, and swimming with sharks and manta rays. Presentations include seeing a dolphin training session and a sea lion splash show.

The aquarium is open year-round. Peak periods are during the busy summer months and around holidays. If you’re visiting at those times, you may want to consider buying your tickets in advance and making reservations for encounters or presentations.

Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park

Established in 1980, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park protects the places where the iconic civil rights hero was born, lived, worked, and is buried. The 39-acre site contains 38 historic structures and welcomes around a million visitors each year. Highlights include the ‘Birth Home’, the 1895 Queen Anne Victorian-style house where Martin Luther King Jr. was born and lived until he was 12, and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was baptized and later began his ministry.

Call into the Visitor Center at the park's entrance for information on the buildings, a park map, and to reserve tours. Here, you’ll see several exhibits, including "Children of Courage," which tells the story of the children of the Civil Rights Movement; "Courage To Lead," which traces the journey of Martin Luther King, Jr. as he joined the movement; and "Freedom Road," which commemorates protest marchers. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is open daily, excluding January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25.

Rock City Gardens, Lookout Mountain

If you’re going to Rock City Gardens on Georgia’s Lookout Mountain, take your camera and a sense of whimsy. This unique attraction consists of a 4100-ft walking trail surrounded by dozens of natural wonders and attractions with quirky names like ‘Fairyland Caverns’, ‘Goblin’s Underpass’, and ‘Mother Goose Village’. Aside from the trail and gardens, the property also features several restaurants and gift shops.

One of the most popular destinations at the Gardens is the Seven States Flag Court, where, on a clear day, you can look far into the horizon over seven states. Enjoy more stunning vistas at Lover’s Leap, a sheer precipice where couples can get cozy while taking in the breathtaking panorama. Look out for tiny gnome guides on the trail and be sure to call into the Hall of the Mountain King, an ancient rock formation with modern-day sculptures and lighting effects. Kids will also love the Rainbow Hall, where a cavernous rocky corridor is lit in brilliant colors thanks to some dazzling stained glass windows. Rock Garden is open throughout the year, but operating hours change seasonally, so be sure to check the park’s current timetable before your visit.

Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta

In 1996, Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympic Games. While the world-famous tournament is long over, its legacy lives on thanks to Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre green space built for the games. Located conveniently in the heart of downtown, Olympic Park carries the iconic rings statue — a great place to pose for a photo — as well as the famous Fountain of Rings interactive fountain that puts on a vibrant display of color, lights, and music. Give yourself plenty of time to wander the park as there’s lots to see, from sculptures to commemorative displays, and lush gardens to walking trails.

Stop by the Visitors Center to pick up a map, then explore landmarks including the Water Garden, cascading water features that flow through five plazas, the Legacy Gardens Promenade, the Paralympic Plaza, and the Magnolia Tribute Garden. It’s also worth checking the park’s calendar before visiting, as there are often meetings, festivals, and events in its Southern Company Amphitheater.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Folkston

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in southern Georgia is a truly special place. Currently applying to become a World Heritage Site, the preserve is the largest, best-preserved precipitation-based freshwater wetland ecosystem in the United States. It’s also home to many rare and endangered species, including over 500-year-old pond cypress trees, gopher tortoises, and red-cockaded woodpeckers. Other residents include black bears, alligators, deer, and bobcats.

Begin your visit at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, located within the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area of the refuge. Here you can pick up maps of the preserve’s hiking and paddling trails, book a guided tour with a ranger, check on the latest wildlife sightings, and browse interactive and educational exhibits. The refuge contains around 5 miles of walking and bicycling trails and over 120 miles of paddling trails. Accessible from the Visitor’s Centre parking lot, the Swamp Island Drive is a 7-mile self-guided auto-tour that loops around trailheads, historic sites, observation areas, and other points of interest.

One of the most popular activities at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is paddling. Gliding through the swamp and wetlands brings visitors right into the heart of the preserve’s incredible biodiversity. Day-use paddling trails are accessible from the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, and visitors are welcome to bring their own canoes and kayaks or rent them on-site. If you’d rather let someone else do the work, book a trip with the refuge’s licensed operators, Okefenokee Adventures, who offer guided boat tours through the wilderness. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to either 5:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., depending on the season. The Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Seeing The Best Of Georgia

If you’re looking for fun in Georgia you don’t have to look very far. The Peach State is full of surprises, from its rich and biodiverse landscapes to its historic landmarks and heritage sites. Spend an afternoon hiking to the peak of the world’s largest granite outcrop, see where the civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr was born, pay tribute to Olympic athletes, or take the kids to a quirky gnome-filled outdoor adventure park. You probably won’t get to all the attractions on this list in one visit, but that’s a great excuse to plan a return trip.