This page is a
resource guide to some of my favorite places in the great state of Georgia.
There are so many things to do and see that it would be impossible to name
them all. I will highlight some and give links to others. Please check them
out.
*~*Please
note: I will always be adding to this page so please be sure to bookmark it
and check back often!*~*
Just when you
thought the only weather in Georgia was HOT, you find the Georgia Mountains,
home to some of the most spectacular fall scenery in the South. One of my
very favorites is Cloudland Canyon
in Rising Fawn, GA. We used to have our church youth group retreats there
and I absolutely loved the peaceful and awe-inspiring surroundings. It is
located near the northern end of Lookout Mountain and offers camping,
swimming, tennis, and some challenging hiking that I can personally attest
to! Below are some other great places to check out:
Chickamauga Battlefield and
Chattanooga National Military Park--Site of the bloodiest two-day battle of
the War Between the States (34,000 casualties)--The first and largest of the
four national military parks the park includes earthworks, entrenchments,
and artillery which have been restored to memorialize the men who died
there. Opened August 19, 1890, the park averages 845,037 visits a year.
Alpine Helen--This Bavarian village in
the heart of the Blue Ridge began in 1967 as an effort on the part of local
businessmen to revitalize the town. Oktoberfest is not to be missed (get
your reservations well in advance!).
Ok. One of my
very favorite parts of the state has to be the Georgia coast and Golden
Isles. As a child we spent many summers at Tybee, in Savannah, on Jekyll,
and I attended many summer camps at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island.
No trip to Georgia would be complete without a visit to the coast.
First,
Savannah. Having just returned from another excursion there, I can
honestly say that it would be my first choice of a place to live outside of
my home now. I love the moss in the trees, the azalea and tree-lined
streets, the antebellum homes, the downtown shopping,
River Street...I could go on and on. If you are into history, then look
no further than Savannah.
James
Edward Oglethorpe brought the first settlers with him from England on
the Anne in 1733 and the rest is history. The layout of the historic section
in squares makes it easy to find your way around--just watch out for one-way
streets! Things you have to do in Savannah? Walk around, shop, and eat on
River Street. Visit
Bonaventure,
Laurel
Grove, and
Colonial Cemetery. Absolutely breathtaking. Walk around the squares and
shop in the local specialty shops. Relax and take in the sites in
City Market. Don't forget
to eat at Lady & Sons while you're
there. A meal there will last you all day! For history buffs, take in the
history museum inside the Visitors Center, take one of the many tours that
are offered, and visit
Wormsloe, site of the first established plantation in Georgia. A
stunning Live Oak Tree-lined road takes you back in time and the visitors
center has artifacts on display for viewing.
Here's the part
of the state that I call home. The Historic South. We have a wide range of
things to do in this part of the state. We'll start with my hometown
Warner Robins. We are home
to:
Robins
Air Force Base, home of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. Itis the
largest industrial complex in Georgia, employing a work force of over 25,584
civilian, contractor, and military members. Begun in 1941 during World
War II, the base drew workers from all over the middle Georgia area and the
former town of Wellston became Warner Robins, named for General Augustine
Warner Robins. You can find out more information about the history of the
base, the town, and the US Air Force by visiting the
Museum of Aviation located
next to the Base. Be sure to click the link to visit their website. The have
a virtual tour of the 93 aircraft that can be found on the grounds outside
the museum.
In April we have
the Mossy Creek
Barnyard Festival. Come see local artisans and join in the jamboree!
Check out the website for more information.
Don't forget to
stop at the
White Diamond Grill and Barbecue for the best barbecue in the state!
Located on GA Hwy 247, the restaurant has been a popular eating
establishment since 1952. You can't beat the food!
Vidalia--Home of the World Famous
Vidalia Onion. The special nutrient-rich soil only found in this 20-county
area of the state gives the Vidalia Onion its sweet taste. Since the 1930's
they have been a Georgia favorite and in 1990 they became Georgia's State
Vegetable. You can get fresh Vidalia's beginning in April until as late as
mid-July in some stores. Plan your trip to Vidalia in Toombs County in the
spring so you can attend the Vidalia Onion Festival, which features onions
on parade, the crowning of onion queens, and onion-cooking seminars.
Claxton--Not
far south from Vidalia is the town of Claxton, in Evans County. Known as the
Fruitcake Capital of
the World the town produces millions of pounds of fruitcake each year.
You can also tour the factory while your visiting. But that's not all. Make
sure to attend the Rattlesnake Roundup in March and watch poisonous and
non-poisonous snake demonstrations. The venom is milked and used for
research and in the preparations of medicines. And yes, there is even the
crowning of a "Rattlesnake Roundup Queen". One of my roommates in college
had the honor (?) of being a former Queen.
Statesboro--Speaking
of college, I took an extended tour of Georgia Southern University--seeing
it reach University from lowly college status during my tenure there. Heck,
a LOT of changes occurred while I was in school there, but it was all great!
Statesboro is only a hop-skip-and-a-jump from Claxton and has grown
considerably in the past 18 years when I first started college down there. I
lived there for 7 years and though there were many days when I woke up with
those "Statesboro Blues", I made a lot of wonderful friends and have a lot
of wonderful memories of my time spent there. Plus, it's an awesome place to
further your education. Check out the
University website as well as the
official city website. Lots of interesting history.
Metter--"Everything's Better In
Metter" or so they say. Made a lot of great friends here, too. Lots of
memories...Anyway, home to the Michael Guido, known for his televised
inspiration messages "Seed From the Sower", Metter, in Candler County is a
great small town just minutes from Claxton and Statesboro with some of
the best hunting and fishing in the state. Though I don't speak from
personal experience, I guess you could say I speak from personal
"acquaintance". Make sure to check out their official website.
Boy. It would
be a whole lot easier for me to name things you
*can't* do in Atlanta. There is an endless array
of activities for people of all ages to take part
in. I'll just hit the highlights and direct you to
some links that can give you more info.
Amusement
Parks--Of course there is
Six Flags Over Georgia. An almost-annual
vacation event for my family growing up. The park
opened in 1968 (I believe) and we certainly gave
it a lot of business from ~1969 until I was out of
high school and then some. Try to avoid July and
August. It's almost completely unbearable in high
humidity. Especially if you have to wait in line
for an extended period of time (you can count on
it!). Check out the website.
Then there's
White Water. This is where you need to be in
July and August. 'Nuff said. (Both Six Flags and
White Water are in Cobb County. Just northwest of
Fulton.)
Stone Mountain--Another favorite family
vacation spot. My first camping trip was here
although 1) I don't remember much about it as I
was only 3 and 2) we didn't rough it too much--had
a pop-up camper. The "roughest" it got was when my
brother decided to shut off the propane and my
parents couldn't figure out why there was no hot
water or gas to cook with. {Wish I'd been old
enough to taunt him at the time.} Regardless,
they've added a slew of attractions there lately.
The Laser Show Spectacular is great! Also, lots of
great history presentations/displays. Again, check
the website for much more information. (Located in
Gwinnett County, northeast of Fulton County.)
For the
History Buff
*Looking for
Tara? Look a little further south to Clayton
County.
Jonesboro is home to the Antique Funeral
Museum and Margaret Mitchell Playhouse, at one
time located on the Fitzgerald Plantation which
once belonged to Mitchell's grandmother. And for
Civil War buffs, be sure to visit the Confederate
Cemetery. Most of those killed at the crucial
Battle of Jonesboro are interred there.
*Kennesaw
Mountain National Battlefield Park--site of
the 1864 Civil War campaign in which 4,000
soldiers were killed. There are 3
battlefield areas and some earthworks still
visible. A hauntingly moving place.
Fox Theatre--Slated for demolition so Southern
Bell could have more parking (!) a group of
concerned citizens jumped in and rescued a
spectacular theatre from certain death. I had
never been to the Fox until about 6 years ago and
I was like a little kid. It was unbelievable.
Originally built in the 1920's as the Shriner's
headquarters, it is lavishly decorated with onion
domes and minarets, an Arabian courtyard, a
striped canopy overhanging the balcony, and a
vaulted ceiling depicting the sky, complete with
twinkling lights, moving clouds, and even fog,
rain, or snow! According to the Fox Theatre
website, to build this theatre today would cost in
excess of US $100 million dollars! And the "Mighty
Mo"...I could go on and on about that organ. A
must-hear! Absolutely awesome! Visit the website!
Statesboro--Speaking
of college, I took an extended tour of Georgia Southern University--seeing
it reach University from lowly college status during my tenure there. Heck,
a LOT of changes occurred while I was in school there, but it was all great!
Statesboro is only a hop-skip-and-a-jump from Claxton and has grown
considerably in the past 18 years when I first started college down there. I
lived there for 7 years and though there were many days when I woke up with
those "Statesboro Blues", I made a lot of wonderful friends and have a lot
of wonderful memories of my time spent there. Plus, it's an awesome place to
further your education. Check out the 
