Georgia Travel Guide
Gracious columned mansions, pretty girls, and handsome soldiers
is the image the southern state of Georgia conjures up for most,
thanks to the enduring fame of the classic movie
Gone with the Wind, based on Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer
prize-winning novel. As sure as having hot buttered grits for
breakfast is the fact that Georgia did not really need a movie to
put it on the map. The state took a heavy toll during the American
Civil War, particularly the capital, Atlanta, which was largely
laid waste. Georgian determination, however, has ensured that a
phoenix arose from those ashes, and today Georgia's lively towns
and the thriving cosmopolitan city of Atlanta are a force to be
reckoned with.The coastal region, from lovely historic Savannah southwards, is
a treasure-trove for nature lovers, still largely unspoilt and
undiscovered by mainstream tourism. It offers beaches, offshore
barrier islands filled with indigenous flora and fauna, wetlands,
walking and biking trails, and quaint shrimping villages to
explore.Whichever region of Georgia one chooses to visit, from the
Atlanta metropole, northern mountains, plantations of the Deep
South or the coast, there is one common denominator: everywhere
visitors are received and hosted with traditional southern
hospitality. This is the cherry on the top for the state that
claims in one promotional slogan: 'You can do anything in
Georgia'.
Georgia Travel Guide
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Georgia Travel Guide
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Description:
Set in nine hectares (23 acres) of beautiful gardens, the
Atlanta History Center is the ideal place to soak up the rich
history of the state. The main attractions are two historic homes,
open to the public offering informative guided tours. The Tullie
Smith House originally stood outside the city limits but has been
relocated to the History Center, along with its outbuildings. The
house was built in the 1840s and survived the near-total
destruction of Atlanta in 1864 when General William Sherman burned
almost every business and more than two thirds of the city's homes
during his infamous 'March to the Sea'. It was once the home of
yeoman farmer Robert Smith and his family, who owned 11 slaves and
farmed on about 324 hectares (800 acres). The farmhouse is typical
of most in Georgia at the time, despite popular belief that not all
Georgians owned large plantations and mansions. The Swan House,
built in 1928, is a grand Italianate mansion that is an Atlanta
landmark, once the home of Edward and Emily Inman, heirs to a
cotton brokerage fortune. The History Center also features several
other historic buildings and exhibitions.
Address:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 814 4000
Email:
Website:
www.atlantahistorycenter.com
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Description:
In January 1929 a baby boy was born in an upstairs bedroom of a
house in Atlanta. Today the Victorian house is the centre of a
protected site dedicated to the memory of that baby, Martin Luther
King, who grew up to become America's Nobel prize-winning Civil
Rights leader. A half-mile stretch of Auburn Avenue, including
King's birth home, the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached,
and the memorial tomb at the King Center where he is buried, has
been designated a historic site, drawing hundreds of visitors every
day. The exhibits contained within provide insight into the life
and times of this much-revered man.
Address:
450 Auburn Avenue
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 331 5190 or 331 6922 for recorded
information
Email:
Website:
www.nps.gov/malu
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Description:
In 1886 Jacob's Pharmacy, a small drugstore in Atlanta, began
selling a new headache and hangover tonic called 'Coca-Cola'. In
1891, entrepreneur Asa Candler paid $2,300 to acquire the rights of
what is now the world's most valuable brand. The following year he
founded the Coca-Cola Company. The new, environmentally-friendly
construction houses more than just a museum dedicated to Coca-Cola;
it is an entire soft-drink experience. Thousands of Coke objects,
trivia and memorabilia are contained among the interactive exhibits
in this building, backed up by commercials, radio jingles, a 4-D
theatre, tasting and a Pop Culture Gallery.
Address:
121 Baker Street, Pemberton Place
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 676 5151
Email:
Website:
www.woccatlanta.com
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Description:
In 1864 Kennesaw Mountain was the scene of a bloody Civil War
battle when General Sherman led his Union forces against the
entrenched Confederate forces at the site, resulting in the death
of more than 67,000 soldiers. The park consists of several thousand
acres of protected land, covered with more than 17 miles (27km) of
interpretive walking trails. The trails encompass historic
earthworks and cannon placements, and notable markers and memorials
have been provided to commemorate the event. A small museum at the
site displays Civil War artefacts, and a visitor's centre provides
information about the battle on the site. This popular park is
visited by more than a million people each year, many of whom come
to picnic and enjoy the views afforded across Atlanta.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
(770) 427 4686
Email:
Website:
www.nps.gov/kemo
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Description:
A highlight of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is the Fuqua
Conservatory, a giant greenhouse enclosing different
climate-controlled eco-systems that was financed by an Atlanta
businessman in memory of his wife. A walk through the conservatory
takes visitors from a desert into a steamy tropical jungle.
Outdoors the gardens are criss-crossed with dedicated nature walks,
bypassing many quiet spots designed for peaceful contemplation, as
well as tasteful garden sculptures.
Address:
1345 Piedmont Ave
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 876 5859
Email:
Website:
www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org
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Description:
As one of the South's pre-eminent museums, Fernbank Museum of
Natural History is a gateway for discovery and exploration,
unfolding the story of the earth's history, the physical universe,
the environment and human culture through exhibitions, programs and
films in the IMAX Theatre. Opened in 1992, Fernbank is accredited
by the American Association of Museums and is 'Atlanta's Home to
Dinosaurs,' a reputation highlighted by
Giants of the Mesozoic, a distinctive permanent
exhibition which features the world's largest dinosaurs.
Address:
767 Clifton Road
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 929 6300
Email:
Website:
www.fernbankmuseum.org
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Description:
Stone Mountain is situated about 20 minutes from Atlanta and
features numerous man-made and natural attractions. Most awesome of
these is the huge relief carving of the three Southern heroes of
the Civil War, which has been etched into the mountainside. The
images of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and Generals
Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson cover an area
larger than a football field and are part of the largest relief
sculpture in the world. Three sculptors worked in succession on the
carving, beginning with Gutzon Borglum in 1915. He later became
famed for his carvings at Mount Rushmore. Subsequently two other
artists pursued the work that was completed finally in 1972.
Visitors can either walk up the mountain or take the Skylift to the
top from where the views of Atlanta and the Appalachian Mountains
are incredible. Stone Mountain also features a restored Antebellum
Plantation featuring a colonial mansion, slave cabins, coach houses
and barns. The park also contains several lakes and hiking trails,
a wildlife reserve and petting zoo.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
For 24-hour Park information call (770) 498 5690 from
within the metro Atlanta area; or 1-800-401-2407 from outside metro
Atlanta
Email:
Website:
www.stonemountainpark.com
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Description:
About 15 miles (24km) south of Atlanta in Clayton County is the
town of Jonesboro, a not-to-be-missed destination for movie fans
and those hankering for a taste of the real 'Deep South'. Jonesboro
was the setting for Margaret Mitchell's acclaimed novel, and later
film,
Gone with the Windand devotees come to see the local
historic plantation houses and learn about the real people whose
lives inspired the fictional characters of the novel. In Main
Street, the Road to Tara Museum is housed in the Jonesboro Depot
Welcome Centre, containing original props, costume reproductions,
doll collections and an extensive photo gallery associated with the
making of the movie,
Gone with the Wind. The Welcome Depot is also the
departure point for daily tours, starting at 1pm (except on
Sundays), that take in the local scenes where the film was shot and
offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the true life stories on
which the book was based. In Carriage Drive, a beautiful Greek
Revival plantation home dating from 1839 is open to the public
along with its authentic outbuildings.
Address:
104 N. Main Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(770) 478 4800
Email:
Website:
www.visitscarlett.com
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Description:
Northern Georgia is hilly and mountainous, dotted with numerous
small towns, fascinating historic sites, national parks and
forests. Most of the towns and attractions are within an hour's
drive of Atlanta. Among the highlights of an exploration of this
region are the New Echota State Historic Site (the last capital of
the Cherokee nation); Chickamauga at Fort Oglethorpe, which is the
oldest and largest Civil War military park; Jasper, where the
marble quarries produced the marble used in the Capitol in
Washington, DC; the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, at the end of the
Appalachian Highway; and the spectacular Tallulah Gorge near the
town of Clayton. The northwestern Georgia region is a paradise for
nature lovers, offering hundreds of wooded hiking trails, sparkling
trout streams, scenic lakes and camp sites.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
www.ngeorgia.com
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Description:
This beautiful characteristic pink homestead at the heart of
Savannah's historic district was the first of the city's
architectural treasures to be saved for posterity. It was the
threatened demolition of this house that goaded the city's
residents to form a fund to preserve Savannah's historic heritage.
The house was built between 1815 and 1820 by Isaiah Davenport, a
master builder. It features a semi-circular staircase with
wrought-iron trim leading up to the recessed front door. Inside the
polished hardwood floors gleam and the mansion is furnished
befitting the period with Hepplewhite, Chippendale and Sheraton
pieces.
Address:
324 East State Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(912) 236 8097
Email:
Website:
www.davenporthousemuseum.org
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Description:
The majestic Regency town house that stands in Savannah's
historic district was the birthplace of Juliette 'Daisy' Low,
founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Visitors learn about the
Girl Scouts movement and experience a taste of Victorian family
life. The house, which was built in 1821, is a National Historic
Landmark and is furnished with many original pieces and also
features the artwork of Juliette Gordon Low.
Address:
10 East Oglethorpe Avenue
Postcode:
Telephone:
(912) 233 4501
Email:
Website:
www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org
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Description:
The Savannah History Museum gives an excellent introduction to
the city, its exhibits reflecting the city's history from her
founding to the present day. The museum is housed in a restored
railway station that dates from before the Civil War and is one of
Georgia's 43 National Historic Landmarks. Beneath the building are
the graves of Polish Count Pulaski and his fellow colonists, killed
on this spot in 1779 while trying to drive off the British
soldiers.
Address:
303 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Postcode:
Telephone:
(912) 651 6825
Email:
Website:
www.chsgeorgia.org
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Description:
The Telfair Museum of Art is the oldest public art museum in the
South, fittingly housed in an important historic building, the
Owens-Thomas House. The house, overlooking Oglethorpe Square, was
designed by William Jay, a young English architect, who introduced
the British Regency style to America. It was built in 1818 for
Alexander Telfair, son of the Governor of Georgia. The art museum's
permanent collection includes paintings, works on paper, sculpture
and decorative arts by both American and European artists. The
museum encompasses the art gallery, restored rooms in the historic
house, and the Jepson Center for the Arts. Guided tours are offered
daily, included in the admission price.
Address:
124 Abercorn Street, Oglethorpe Square
Postcode:
Telephone:
(912) 790 8800
Email:
Website:
www.telfair.org
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Description:
A short distance to the east of central Savannah stands
Georgia's oldest standing fort, surrounded by a deep tidal moat.
The fort was preceded by a mud battery, the brick fort having been
built in 1808. It was the headquarters for the Confederate river
defences during the Civil War, when it was enlarged and
strengthened. The fort today contains numerous exhibits pertaining
to the war. Living history demonstrations are staged in spring and
summer.
Address:
1 Fort Jackson Road
Postcode:
Telephone:
(912) 232 3945
Email:
Website:
www.chsgeorgia.org/home.cfm/page/OldFortJackson.htm
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Description:
The mysterious Okefenokee Swamp comprises 700 square miles
(1,813 sq km) of wet, green wilderness stretching across the
southern part of coastal Georgia. The largest peat-producing bog in
North America, Okefenokee is a national treasure because it
provides a refuge for a vast number of animals and plants that
thrive in its lakes, islands and wetlands. The park consists of
different environments, from towering cypress stands in still
waters to vast prairie grasslands in other areas. Visitors have
four parks to choose from when pursuing an Okefenokee experience:
three of the parks are on the east side of the swamp and one on the
southwestern side. All three offer sightseeing, boating and fishing
opportunities. The southwestern park is Stephen C. Foster State
Park, featuring cypress swamps, at the headwaters of the Suwannee
River, near Fargo. Laura S. Walker State Park is near Waycross, on
the swamp's margin. South of Waycross Okefenokee Swamp Park has
some alligators, snakes and other swamp wildlife in easy-to-see
captivity for a quick swamp experience, while Suwannee Canal
Recreation Area near Folkston provides access to the prairie
environment of the swamp, offering nature boardwalks and historic
sites.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
(912) 283 3744 (Waycross Tourism Bureau)
Email:
waycrosstour@accessatc.net
Website:
www.swampgeorgia.com
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Description:
A short drive south of Savannah lies the charming old town of
Darien, established in 1736 on the banks of the Darien River as a
military outpost. Today it is a favoured tourist town; its historic
shopping enclave specialises in unique gifts and antiques, and the
picturesque waterfront is lined with shrimp boats. A series of
walking and bike paths, lined with Spanish moss-draped oak trees,
connect the downtown waterfront with Fort King George, which houses
a museum and plays host to living history pageants. Other
diversions include paddling the river and tidal creeks in kayaks or
canoes and dining on delicious shrimp. The area around Darien in
McIntosh county is extremely scenic, dotted with quaint fishing
villages like Valona and Shellman Bluff. Just offshore, accessible
by ferry across Doboy Sound, is the pristine barrier island of
Sapelo, which boasts one of Georgia's most beautiful beaches and a
restored lighthouse.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
www.mcintoshcounty.com
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Description:
The small barrier island of Tybee, 18 miles (29km) east of
Savannah, is a popular seaside resort for locals and visitors
alike. The three-mile (5km) long beach has rolling sand-dunes, and
at the south end of the island a pier and pavilion offer a pleasant
stroll, usually accompanied by live band music. Apart from swimming
and sun worshipping, the island also has sightseeing opportunities
including Fort Screven, a historic Tybee lighthouse dating to 1773,
an intriguing museum and Fort Pulaski. There is a selection of
restaurants, hotels, motels, inns and cottages available.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
www.tybeeisland.com
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Description:
Originally built for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Turner
Field was converted after the event to serve as the home of major
league baseball team the Atlanta Braves. Affectionately known as
'The Ted', the attractive open-air stadium is a great place to
spend a hot summer night in Atlanta, the stadium is also home to
the Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum and Hall of Fame, with exhibits on
famous Braves players like Greg Maddux, Bobby Cox, and Hank Aaron,
as well as Braves owner (and stadium namesake) Ted Turner.
Address:
755 Hank Aaron Drive
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark
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Description:
The impressive Georgia Aquarium is the largest of its kind and
boasts over 100,000 animals from 500 species. A range of different
environments play host to fascinating animals from around the
world, from belugas and African black-footed penguins, to sea lions
and sea otters, stingrays, sharks and a riot of colourful fish. The
Aquarium also has a 4-D theatre that features an animated 3-D film,
interactive seats and live actors; a café and the Ocean Ballroom
for special events.
Address:
225 Baker Street, Pemberton Place
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 581 4000
Email:
visitorservices@georgiaaquarium.org
Website:
www.georgiaaquarium.org
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Description:
Atlantas's High Museum of Art is home to 11,000 pieces in its
permanent collection and includes 19th and 20th century American
and decorative art, important and visiting European collections, as
well as contemporary art and photography, and African folk art.
Address:
1280 West Peachtree Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 733 4444
Email:
Website:
www.high.org
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Description:
Located in downtown Atlanta, and home to the law firm in the
Matlock TV series, the Flatiron Building is officially known as the
English-American Building. It was completed in 1897, five years
before New York's Flatiron Building, and shares the same unique and
prominent flatiron shape. Designed by Bradford Gilbert, the
building has 11 storeys and is the city's second and oldest
standing skyscraper, listed in the National Register of Historic
Places. While the building is occupied by tenants ranging from
architectural firms to law offices, its exterior is an impressive
site.
Address:
84 Peachtree Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
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Description:
The Woodruff Arts Center, originally known as the Memorial Arts
Center, opened in 1968 and is one of the largest arts centres in
the United States. The Woodruff uniquely combines four visual and
performing arts divisions on one campus and is home to the Alliance
Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High Museum of Art,
Young Audiences and the 14th Street Playhouse.
Address:
1280 West Peachtree Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 733 5000
Email:
Website:
www.woodruffcenter.org
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Description:
Atlanta's Fox Theatre, which is often promoted as the Fabulous
Fox, is one of the magnificent movie palaces built in the United
States during the 1920s. The theatre's unique beginnings and
Moorish design set it apart from other theatres of that period.
Today it hosts an array of artistic and cultural events, including
a summer film series, the Atlanta Ballet and performances by
national touring companies of Broadway shows.
Address:
660 Peachtree Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 881 2100
Email:
Website:
www.foxtheatre.org
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Description:
The Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta is one of the most
fascinating places parents on holiday in the city can take their
younger kids for a day of exploring, learning and discovering. With
exciting galleries such as the Curious George Gallery or exploring
trees, children also get the opportunity to paint the walls, crawl
through a playground or even don a raincoat and play in a forest
stream.
Address:
275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 659 5437
Email:
Website:
www.imagineit-cma.org
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Description:
Home of the author Joel Chandler Harris, who wrote of the sly
fictional characters Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox, Wren's Nest has
been open to the public since 1913 after Harris's widow sold it to
the Uncle Remus Memorial Association. A great place to visit for
any child who knows the Uncle Remus tales, there is even
storytelling on Saturday afternoons.
Address:
1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 753 7735
Email:
Website:
www.wrensnestonline.com
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Description:
Zoo Atlanta features around 1,000 animals representing 250
species from around the world and sees over 1 million tourists
every year. Children will absolutely love discovering all the
animals and even some slightly more exotic ones such as the giant
pandas, the 24 western lowland gorillas, Sumatran tigers and
Sumatran orangutans. For smaller children there is a petting zoo
which allows kids to interact with goats, pigs and sheep.
Address:
800 Cherokee Ave
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 624 9453
Email:
Website:
www.zooatlanta.org
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Description:
A great day out for kids of all ages, Six Flags Over Georgia is
a fantastic amusement park filled with rides and thrills for just
about every child to enjoy. Try the Acrophobia, the Superman, the
Batman or the Goliath for the really adventurous, while younger
tots will enjoy the Thomas the Tank Engine ride, Up UP and Away and
the River Carousel.
Address:
275 Riverside Pkwy, Austell
Postcode:
Telephone:
(770) 948 9290
Email:
Website:
www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia
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Description:
Although it doesn't sound like much of a tourist drawcard,
visitors to the Federal Reserve Bank are unanimous in their
enthusiasm about the fascinating Monetary Museum found there.
Whether part of a guided group tour (recommended for scholarly
types), or just perusing the exhibitions on one's own, a visit to
the Federal Reserve Bank is bound to instil in visitors a renewed
appreciation for the rich history that informs present-day money
use in America. Tour highlights include an extensive 'History of
Money' exhibition, displaying antiquated currency from all over the
world; interactive, multimedia displays that teach you how to spot
counterfeit money; the opportunity to lift a $450,000 gold bar; and
a free bag of shredded money to take home as a souvenir. Visitors
are guaranteed to leave the tour with a better understanding of the
role that money plays in their everyday lives.
Address:
1000 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 498 8500
Email:
Website:
www.frbatlanta.org/about/tours/visitors_center.cfm
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Description:
Though small, Ebenezer Baptist Church has played a large role in
America's history. Founded in 1886, the church functioned as the
epicentre of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Martin Luther
King Jr acted as co-pastor from 1960 to 1968, and worked toward
equal rights for African-Americans during this time. The church has
a new premises across the street, but visitors can still tour the
old sanctuary where King preached.
Address:
407 Auburn Avenue
Postcode:
Telephone:
(404) 688-7300
Email:
info@ebenezerchurch.us
Website:
new.historicebenezer.org
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