Everyone In Georgia Should Check Out These 15 Tourist Attractions, According To Locals

With so many amazing tourist attractions in Georgia, it can be difficult to decide which ones to visit. We’ve all got limited time and money, and between all the parks, cities, historic sites, and museums, there’s simply too much to see in the Peach State! We asked our Only In Georgia readers what attractions they think belong on a can’t-miss list. Without further adieu, here are the readers’ choice recommendations that appeared most often:

Fort Mountain State Park, 181 Fort Mountain State Park Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705, USA

Mike Knight/Google Reviews

No matter what time of year you explore this place, it's absolutely beautiful, and it's also home to some of our favorite hiking trails in Georgia. You'll find beautiful views, plus a fascinating stone wall that was thought to be built by Native Americans around the year AD 500.

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GA 31527, USA

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Another highly-recommended spot was Jekyll Island's Driftwood Beach. This place is absolutely magical, and almost otherworldly in its beauty. The beach here is covered in eroded driftwood that was once part of a forest that stood here. This is one of the best places to go in the Golden Isles, and it's a sight you won't soon forget.

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Yonah Mountain, Georgia 30571, USA

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Yonah Mountain is located about halfway between Cleveland and Helen, and it's home to one of the state's most challenging hikes. It's the highest ridge within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, so, as you can imagine, the views from the top are pretty incredible.

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Forsyth Park, Savannah, GA 31401, USA

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As a Savannah native, I'll always have a soft spot for Forsyth Park. This beautiful green gem in the middle of the historic district is a lovely place surrounded by so many fascinating stories. The 30-acre park is home to a fountain that is one of the most-photographed sites in one of the state's most-photographed cities.

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, 110 Point Park Rd, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, USA

Mary Swalla Holmes/Google Reviews

This 9,500-acre site actually crosses over across the Tennessee state line, but it was one of our readers' most beloved historical sites. The military park preserves the site of both the Battle of Chickamauga and the Siege of Chattanooga, two of the most vital battles of the late Civil War. There are lots of trails to explore here, plus plenty of informative signs to help you learn about the history that occurred here. Check out the National Park Service website for more information.

Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738, USA

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Honestly, Cloudland Canyon State Park belongs on any list of natural wonders in Georgia, so it came as no surprise to me that it was highly-recommended by our readers. Y'all have great taste! The multitude of waterfalls, amazing trails, and pristine vistas all combine to make this one of the best state parks in Georgia.

Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia, USA

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This is a second destination that we share with another state: the mighty Okefenokee Swamp straddles the border with Florida. There are more than 438,000 acres of unique ecosystem here, providing habitat for countless animal and plant species. Exploring the landscape here in a kayak is the trip of a lifetime.

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Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573, USA

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Tallulah Gorge is the centerpiece of the state park that shares its name, and it's quite incredible to see in person. If you get to the park early, you can snag a free permit from the park office to hike along the gorge trail, but note that only a limited number of passes are given out each day.

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Providence Canyon State Park, 8930 Canyon Rd, Lumpkin, GA 31815, USA

Ronnie Honerkamp/Wikimedia Commons

Providence Canyon is nicknamed the "Little Grand Canyon of Georgia," and this place has a fascinating backstory. While it's often named among the most amazing natural wonders of Georgia, it's not actually natural. Much of the canyon's erosion was caused by decades of poor farming practices. In any event, this is an amazing place for a hike, and it's truly unlike anywhere else in the state.

Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA

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Cumberland Island is a pretty wacky destination, when you think about it. This place is only reachable by ferry, is home to a herd of wild horses, has stunning sandy beaches, and the ruins of an old mansion. The park here is comprised of more than 36,000 acres with a variety of landscapes: you'll find sandy dunes, marshes, lakes, and more.

Pasaquan, 238 Eddie Martin Rd, Buena Vista, GA 31803, USA

Mr. L. Byrd/Google Reviews

When we asked our readers "what is the strangest attraction in Georgia?", Pasaquan was a word that came up repeatedly. This outdoor art gallery near Buena Vista is all the work of one man, who allegedly was visited by three aliens who told him to create colorful artwork. The seven-acre site is truly something to behold.

Sanford Stadium, 100 Sanford Dr, Athens, GA 30602, USA

Natalie Blackburn/Flickr

Fans of football are well-familiar with Sanford Stadium. This massive structure is the home of the Georgia Bulldogs, and with a seating capacity of more than 92,000, it's one of the largest college stadiums in the country. Go Dawgs!

Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, USA

Peter Baker/fStop/Getty Images

Stone Mountain is quite an impressive display - not only is it a massive structure in its own right, but it's also the site of our very own Mount Rushmore. This is the largest bas-relief artwork in the world, and, depending on how you measure it, can actually be considered larger than Mount Rushmore. The hike up to the top of this mountain is magical, and the park is also home to an excellent campground and a fun train ride.

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Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia 30060, USA

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Another attraction in Georgia that combines history and natural beauty is Kennesaw Mountain. This mighty peak was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War, and the battlefield has been remarkably well-preserved. This is a popular destination for ghost hunters, nature lovers, and history aficionados, all of whom will find plenty to love here.

Gibbs Gardens, 1987 Gibbs Dr, Ball Ground, GA 30107, USA

Gibbs Gardens

Rounding out our list of readers' choice top tourist attractions in Georgia is the beautiful Gibbs Gardens. This 356-acre paradise is made up of meticulously-groomed gardens, and a visit here is a colorful reminder of everything that's great about our state.

Wow! There are so many amazing attractions in Georgia. Did we miss your favorites? Share yours in the comments!

If you’re planning on hitting the road to check out any of these incredible destinations, make sure you check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List first. It’s so important to be prepared for anything life can throw at you on a vacation!