The Ultimate And Definitive Bucket List For Everyone In Georgia
By Amanda Northern|Updated on May 17, 2024(Originally published January 04, 2016)
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Amanda Northern
Author
Amanda Northern is a freelance writer, and creator/virtual assistant of The Proassists. Amanda is a Georgia native, GSU Panther, and blogger. More of her words can be found at amandanorthern.wordpress.com
Here is the list you’ve been waiting for–the ultimate list of things everyone must do in Georgia. If you’ve been wanting to travel and experience the best Georgia has to offer, then this is the year to do it. You’re definitely going to want to print this list out and get started right away. Here are 31 things everyone must do in Georgia before they die.
Restaurants
1. Mary Mac's Tea Room - 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Mary Mac's is a 1945-era southern food gem located in the heart of Atlanta. This restaurant is a local favorite for Atlanta residents and can be one of yours as well!
2. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room - 107 W Jones St, Savannah, GA 31401
If you don't go to any other restaurant in Georgia, visit this one. This is perhaps the most popular southern food restaurant in Savannah, and it's evident by the line that wraps around the corner every day! This family owned restaurant serves up southern favorites in a picnic style setting.
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3. Southern Soul BBQ - 2020 Demere Rd
Saint Simons Island, GA 31522
Southern Soull BBQ is an extremely popular southern BBQ spot on beautiful St. Simons Island. If you want some authentic southern coastal cuisine, this little spot is the place to visit!
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4. Wiley's Championship BBQ - 4700 Highway 80 East, Suite N, Savannah, GA 31410
Georgia is the second best place for wine next to Napa County. Our muscadine winerys here are to die for! Get a taste of Georgia's best wines on this southern-style wine tour.
This upscale resort just about an hour north of Atlanta is one of the best romantic getaways in Georgia. Visit their spa, amazing gardens, go horse back riding, or just relax.
7. The Lodge & Spa at Callaway - 4500 Southern Pine Dr, Pine Mountain, GA 31822
Visit the Callaway Gardens in style at this upscale resort. Go golfing or visit the gorgeous Callaway Gardens. This resort is set in 6,000 acres of natural pine forests and gardens with luxurious country-chic rooms, an outdoor pool, and a seasonal pool bar.
8. The Olde Savannah Inn - 217 E Gaston St, Savannah, GA 31401
This bed and breakfast is probably the best B&B in Georgia. This 1877 townhome is decorated in a French Renaissance style, and it's within walking distance from Forsyth Park and City Market.
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9. Atlanta Botanical Gardens - 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is one of the most popular nature spots in North Georgia. You can walk the trails, canoe, fish, or just sit outside and enjoy nature.
Of course hiking in our North Georgia Mountains had to make this bucket list! Our North Georgia Mountains are some of the most beautiful mountains the world has ever seen. There are plenty of mountain ranges, camping spots, and hiking for all levels and ages in the North Georgia Mountains.
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14. Cloudland Canyon - 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738
The Okefenokee Swamp is the largest swamp in North America, so it is one of Georgia's natural wonders as well. There are hundreds and hundreds of species of animals and plants in this thriving habitat. This place is definitely a must-see for Georgia residents!
Providence Canyon is another beautiful place to see in Georgia. It's considered to be the "Little Grand Canyon" of Georgia. Even though it is also considered to be one of Georgia's natural wonders, this canyon was created by bad farming practices in the 19th-century.
17. Tallulah Gorge - 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
Tallulah Gorge is amazing. It's two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Tallulah Gorge is a hot tourist attraction in North Georgia and anyone can see why!
18. Stone Mountain - 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Stone Mountain is a very popular place to hike for people in the Atlanta area. There's also an amusement/water park for kids, a resort, and a lake. Plus, there are always AMAZING firework shows during the holidays.
Warm Springs is a wonderful place that used to be the favorite location of the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medicinal waters of the warm springs helped with his polio symptoms. You can check out his home, the Little White House, the warm springs, Pine Mountain, and more!
Along the coast of Georgia are our beautiful barrier islands. There are eight in total and four of them are accessible by car (Tybee, Sea, Jekyll, and St. Simons Islands). These islands are the more popular ones and they have an assortment of attractions and lodging. The other four are accessible by boat or ferry. They are less developed but just as extraordinary! Pictured above is Driftwood Beach located on Jekyll Island.
Adventure
21. Banning Mills - 205 Horseshoe Dam Rd, Whitesburg, GA 30185
Visit the world's largest zipline at Banning Mills. Located on 300 acres of wooded land, Banning Mills also has aerial obstacle courses, adventure resort, and a bed and breakfast.
Lanier Islands is a sprawling vacation spot 30 minutes outside of Atlanta. Lake Lanier Islands is a group of islands on the largest lake in Atlanta. There are tons of activities, lodging, and adventures to get into!
Everyone in Georgia should visit the historic Savannah. There's ton to see, learn, and eat! visit River Street, take a tour, or cruise down the river on a river boat. This hot tourist spot is a favorite vacation destination for people all over the country.
Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and one of Georgia's main tourist spots. There's tons of things to do and see as the city really is set up to cater to tourists. Catch a game at the stadium, eat from one of hundreds of restaurants, visit Piedmont Park, or ride the Ferris Wheel. There are also tons of museums and the largest aquarium on this side of the world!
Blue Ridge is Georgia's favorite mountain town. On top of hiking in the mountains, couples and friends love to visit this town to lodge, shop, and just get away from it all!
Helen is another favorite mountain town in North Georgia. Check out Ruby Falls, go hiking, and shopping. Visitors love the fact that Helen is a re-creation of a Bavarian Alpine village. They quickly fall in love with the beauty and festivity of this town!
Athens is Georgia's favorite college town, home of the infamous University of Georgia. UGA is country's first charted university and home to one of our favorite collegiate teams, the Georgia Bulldogs. There's so much more to do in Athens besides hitting the local bar scene. They have their own zoo, botanical garden, theatre, and museums!
St. Marys is the best large little town in Georgia. This historic city is beautiful and storybook perfect. Ride a train, visit Cumberland Island, or eat some great southern coastal cuisine.