10 Amazing Georgia Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive In 2025
Georgia is renowned worldwide for its Southern hospitality, rolling mountains, and rich history that spans from the coast to the Appalachians. Not to mention peaches and pecans. It is also home to two world-class cities with international airports, Atlanta and Savannah, both convenient gateway cities for travelers embarking on any of the top ten amazing Georgia day trips worth the drive in 2025. So fill up the tank with gas, knowing you can’t take a wrong turn in the Peach State when you set off to explore charming small towns, sandy beaches, scenic state parks, big-city attractions, and a barrier island or two.
Starting City: Atlanta
Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta was the largest in North America when it opened in 2005. It is currently ranked among the biggest aquariums in the world, holding over 11 million gallons of water. Its star residents include the largest fish in the sea, whale sharks, as well as manta rays, beluga whales, and a wide variety of other marine life.
Only a 30-minute drive from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, it's easy to spend most of the day in this paradise for marine mammal lovers, wandering through galleries like Sharks! Predators of the Deep, Dolphin Coast, and Tropical Diver, peering into floor-to-ceiling viewing windows. Make it an extra memorable day trip by adding on an Animal Encounter with a beluga, penguin, or sea lion, or slip into a wetsuit and swim alongside a whale shark, manta rays, and more.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
This 30-acre urban oasis, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, lies in the heart of Midtown, a 40-minute drive north from Hartsfield-Jackson. The idea to locate a botanical garden in the heart of Atlanta began to take root in 1973, and by 1976, Atlantic Botanical Garden, Inc. had emerged. Since then, it has been a top destination for nature lovers, horticulturists, and green-thumbers from around the U.S.
There’s the award-winning Lou Glenn Children’s Garden, where kids of all ages can watch honeybees at work and learn about carnivorous plants; the 10-acre Storza Woods, where you can walk under a canopy of tulip poplars; and the 1.5-acre spectacular Skyline Garden. No food can be brought into the garden, but there are several nice dining options available in the park, including table service at Longleaf, grab-and-go lunches from the Longleaf Quick Café, and quick snacks.
World of Coca-Cola
You don’t have to leave Georgia’s capital city to see the World of Coca-Cola, a museum and interactive attraction dedicated to the history and culture of the world-famous soft drink. Only a half-hour from Hartsfield-Jackson, the original World of Coca-Cola was established at Underground Atlanta in 1990, and in its 17 years of operation, that building welcomed over 13 million visitors. In May 2007, the new World of Coca-Cola opened and continues to reinvent itself by introducing new exhibits, like Scent Discovery, the Beverage Lab, the Vault of the Secret Formula, and the Coca-Cola Theater, where you can watch the 6-minute feel-good film, “Moments of Happiness.”
The company has been a major supporter of several nearby Atlanta landmarks and institutions over the years. Consider combining a trip to the World of Coca-Cola with a visit to the Georgia Aquarium, which is built on land donated by Coca-Cola, as well as Centennial Olympic Park and Zoo Atlanta.
Pine Mountain
In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, approximately 75 minutes from Atlanta, Pine Mountain is a small town that serves as the gateway to two popular tourist destinations in Georgia: Callaway Gardens and Pine Mountain Wild Animal Safari Park. Callaway Gardens is a renowned resort and nature preserve spanning over 2,500 acres of lush gardens, as well as hiking and biking trails. Admission to the gardens includes access to the 35,000 square-foot Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center and its kaleidoscope of 1,000 butterflies, the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, home to 3,000 native and hybrid azaleas, and more.
The Pine Mountain Wild Animal Safari Park is less than 20 minutes by car from the gardens, making it a fun pit stop for younger travelers. Stay in the car for the Drive-Thru Safari to see over 300 wild animals like zebras, llamas, and giraffes roaming over 250 acres of trails, and then hop out of the car and step into the Walkabout Adventure Zoo and encounter tigers, spider monkeys, and black bears up close.
Toccoa Falls
Only 90 minutes from Atlanta, this nature lover’s paradise is home to Toccoa Falls, which, at 186 feet, is one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Taller than Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, which is about 167 feet, the spectacular natural wonder is actually located on the 1,100-acre campus of Toccoa Falls College, a private evangelical Christian liberal arts college founded in 1907. To access the falls, you have to drive past the college’s gatehouse until you reach the gift shop and parking lot. There is a small admission fee.
This day trip offers a fabulous short hike suitable for the entire family, including less mobile hikers and small children, with the trail to the falls and back being under half a mile round trip. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on the rocks, or drive into the small town of Toccoa and stop in at Shirley’s Soul Food Café, a Food Network favorite. Follow it up with a pit stop at the Paul Anderson Memorial Park, and take a picture next to the statue dedicated to the world champion, Olympic gold medalist, and Guinness Book of World Records-holding weightlifter. The strongman’s moving life story is told on plaques located in the park.
Helen
Put together a playlist of Bavarian folk songs, lively polka bands, and festive oompah music to keep you company and full of Oktoberfest spirit on the 120-minute drive from Atlanta to the alpine Helen, a small Bavarian-inspired village in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While October is an ideal time to visit, you can celebrate German-style cuisine and culture any time of year at landmarks like Hofbräuhaus Restaurant, Heidelberg, and Müller's Famous Fried Cheese Café. The Helen Oktoberfest is the longest-running festival of its kind in the U.S., and the 55th Annual Helen Oktoberfest takes place daily from September 25 to November 2, 2025, at the Helen Festhalle.
When you’re finished celebrating with food and drink in Helen, head outdoors and explore hiking opportunities. From easy walks to challenging treks, there’s a hike for every outdoor enthusiast in the family. Close to town, the 2-mile, round-trip Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail is a paved path suitable for walking, biking, and strollers, that connects Alpine Helen to Hardman Farm State Historic Site. For something a little more challenging, check out the scenic 1,050-acre Unicoi State Park, including the moderate 5.5-mile Unicoi to Helen Trail.
Springer Mountain
Located at the southern terminus of the storied 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, the iconic Springer Mountain is one of Georgia’s most popular hiking destinations and a must-hike on any outdoor lover’s list. Only 75 minutes from Atlanta, there are numerous routes to the Springer Mountain summit, varying in length and difficulty. Still, no matter what path you take, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views and one-of-a-kind photo ops of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. A few classic hikes up Springer Mountain include the 8.5-mile Appalachian Approach Trail, which can be accomplished in a day if climbing 2,200 feet sounds easy (lean-tos near the summit are available for camping). The Springer Mountain Summit trail is a less challenging 1.8-mile return hike. Finally, the Three Forks Loop is a 4.2-mile loop that crosses a confluence of three streams.
Starting City: Savannah
Wormsloe State Historic Park
A picturesque road lined with more than four hundred live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss welcomes you right to the heart of Wormsloe State Historic Park and plantation, about 20 minutes from downtown Savannah. An ideal day trip for nature lovers, history buffs, and fans of stunning Southern scenery, the park offers a glimpse into Georgia’s colonial past, complete with costumed interpreters demonstrating 18th-century skills like blacksmithing at various times throughout the year. There are 7 miles of nature trails through the park, featuring tabby ruins—a type of early concrete commonly used in forts, homes, and plantations in the early 18th to 19th centuries in states like Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida.
For anyone interested in old cemeteries, the nearby 100-acre Bonaventure Cemetery, about 15 minutes away from the state park, is a perfect place to explore during October. A popular tourist attraction, book a 2-hour guided tour to learn about the famous people buried there, including Johnny Mercer, who wrote the song “Moon River,” later made famous by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 iconic film, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Located at the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys rivers, the 353,981-acre Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge protects one of the largest intact freshwater ecosystems in North America, providing vital habitat for alligators, black bears, and hundreds of bird species. The blackwater swamp is enormous, so choose your adventure based on which entrance you prefer for your day trip.
Start your day trip in Folkston, about two hours from Savannah, at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, where you can book a naturalist-guided tour, anywhere from a 90-minute boat tour, a 2-hour paddle excursion to see alligators, fish, and other native wildlife, to a 4-hour motorboat trip. For experienced paddlers, you can even rent your own canoe or kayak from Okefenokee Adventures and set off on a DIY tour. Head to the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross, about 2.5 hours from Savannah, if you are looking for more family-friendly experiences, including strolling along boardwalks through the wilderness, encounters with reptiles, a train ride, and more.
Jekyll Island
It’s easy to want to turn a day trip from Savannah to Jekyll Island into an entire weekend with so many epic adventures to discover on one of the most beautiful barrier islands in Georgia. After a 90-minute drive, start your visit at the eerie, otherworldly Driftwood Beach, where weather-beaten driftwood lines the waterfront, making for the perfect photo opp to kick off the day. Rent a bike from Beachside Bike Rentals to head off along the island’s scenic trail system, and explore the historic Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District, once the exclusive retreat of the Vanderbilts, the Pulitzers, and J.P. Morgan. Enjoy a friendly round of mini golf at Jekyll Island Mini Golf, which offers two courses, one for beginners and another for advanced putters.
Georgia on Your Mind: 10 Day Trips You’ll Love in 2025
From chasing waterfalls at Toccoa Falls to strolling through the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Georgia offers easy escapes from its two major cities, Atlanta and Savannah. You can smell the flowers in Pine Mountain, dive into the underwater world at the Georgia Aquarium, or gasp at the depth of Tallulah Gorge. Slow things down with a picnic on Jekyll Island, or find your happy place on a Springer Mountain hike. History buffs can savor nostalgia at the World of Coca-Cola, and families can choose their adventure at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Whether you’re craving nature, culture, or a site for tourists, these 10 amazing day trips prove that Georgia really does have it all.
