Halloween 2026 Georgia ghost tours: 20 tours in Savannah, Atlanta and Augusta, with prices and ages → Oakland Cemetery’s Halloween tours run Oct 15–25
Skip to main content
Find a place
  1. Home
  2. Destinations

Destinations

Where to go in Georgia: region-by-region guides with drive times, parking, and the logistics families actually need.

52guides

Atlanta MetroCoastal GeorgiaHistoric SouthNorth Georgia
Showon this page
Historic SouthColumbus, GeorgiaA West Georgia river city on the Alabama line, built around a 2.5-mile urban whitewater run on the Chattahoochee, a 22-mile RiverWalk, and free-entry museums led by the National Infantry Museum — with Providence Canyon and Callaway Gardens within an hour.Updated Sep 29, 2026Historic SouthAugusta, GeorgiaGeorgia’s second-oldest city, on the Savannah River at the South Carolina line: a working 1845 power canal you can tour by boat, kayak or towpath, a cluster of small museums priced $5–$10, a free swamp park, and the Masters every April.Updated Sep 29, 2026 Coastal GeorgiaCumberland Island vs Tybee Island: Ferry, Cost, Dogs and Which to ChooseTybee is a drive-on beach town with $25 day parking and lifeguards in season; Cumberland is a ferry-only National Seashore with 17 miles of wild beach, feral horses and nothing for sale. Cost, dogs and logistics compared.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 29, 2026DestinationsWhich Georgia Christmas Town Is Worth the Drive?There is no single “best” Georgia Christmas town — Helen, Dahlonega, Senoia, Marietta, Thomasville and Savannah each suit a different kind of trip, and it comes down to how much time you have and whether you want spectacle or quiet. This page answers by scenario instead of picking a winner; each line is pulled from […]Updated Sep 23, 2026Coastal GeorgiaWhich Georgia Beach Should I Visit?There is no single “best” Georgia beach — Tybee, Jekyll, St. Simons and Cumberland Island each suit a different kind of trip. Only three are a straight drive: Tybee, St. Simons and Jekyll; Cumberland is a 45-minute ferry ride. This page answers by scenario instead of picking a winner; each line is pulled from our […]Updated Sep 23, 2026Atlanta MetroStone Mountain vs Kennesaw Mountain: Which Atlanta Day Trip Fits You?Choose Stone Mountain for a bigger day out — a free summit hike plus a paid Attractions Ticket for the cable car, laser show and theme-park-style rides, budgeting at least $20 just to park; choose Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park for a quieter Civil War battlefield hike where a single $5 entrance fee covers parking, […]Updated Sep 23, 2026Atlanta MetroThings to Do at Kennesaw Mountain: Fees, Hours and Dog RulesKennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a Civil War battlefield in Cobb County, about a 32-minute drive from Atlanta. Entry is $5 a day (or $40 a year) per person or per vehicle. That one pass covers all 10 parking lots, the 2.2-mile round-trip trail to the summit and the free shuttle bus. One big […]Updated Sep 29, 2026 North GeorgiaHelen vs Gatlinburg: Which Mountain Town Fits Your Trip?Choose Helen for the short drive from Atlanta, free downtown parking, and a walkable Bavarian-village day of tubing and waterfalls; choose Gatlinburg, Tennessee for direct access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a much bigger, more commercial strip of aerial trams, sky bridges and aquariums — budget more than double the drive time each […]Updated Sep 23, 2026 DestinationsGeorgia Mountains vs Georgia Coast: Which Trip Fits You?Choose the Georgia mountains for fall color, cabins and a trip built around one signature activity — a gold-mine tour, a scenic railway, Oktoberfest or apple picking; choose the Georgia coast for historic squares, barrier-island beaches and warm water into early fall. The drive is the other real difference: even the closest coastal hub, Savannah, […]Updated Sep 23, 2026Coastal GeorgiaSavannah vs Charleston: Which Historic Southern City?Choose Savannah for the shorter drive from Atlanta, free historic squares, and a walkable weekend-sized core; choose Charleston, South Carolina for plantation tours, harbor history at Fort Sumter, and a bigger city to pair with a Lowcountry beach trip — budget an extra hour or so of driving each way. Charleston is the one stop […]Updated Sep 23, 2026North GeorgiaEllijay, GeorgiaGeorgia’s self-declared Apple Capital and Mountain Bike Capital: two U-pick orchards, a two-weekend Apple Festival every October, and the Cartecay River running tubers through town every summer. The closest of the North Georgia apple towns, and the only one built around a working river. Ellijay at a glance Drive from Atlanta 78.1 mi, about 1h […]Updated Sep 28, 2026North GeorgiaThings to Do in Ellijay, GA: Apple Orchards, the Apple Festival and Tubing the Cartecay RiverEllijay is Georgia’s Apple Capital: two big U-pick orchards, a two-weekend Apple Festival every October, and a downtown square built around gold-rush-era Gilmer County history. It’s also the state’s self-declared Mountain Bike Capital, with the Cartecay River running tubers and kayakers through town every summer. Ellijay sits about 78 miles north of Atlanta, roughly 1 […]Updated Sep 28, 2026North GeorgiaWhich Georgia Mountain Town Should I Visit?There is no single “best” North Georgia mountain town — Blue Ridge, Helen and Dahlonega are built around three different signature activities. This page answers by scenario instead of picking a winner; each line is sourced to our own verified guide for that town. Pick by what matters on your trip Closest to Atlanta Dahlonega, […]Updated Sep 23, 2026North GeorgiaDahlonega vs Blue Ridge: Which North Georgia Mountain Town?Choose Dahlonega for the shortest drive from Atlanta, free downtown parking, gold-mine tours and a cluster of wineries; choose Blue Ridge for a scenic-railway day and cabin-weekend base with the Toccoa River on its doorstep. Dahlonega vs Blue Ridge, at a glance   Dahlonega Blue Ridge Drive from Atlanta 65.6 mi, about 1h 24m free-flow […]Updated Sep 23, 2026 Historic SouthMacon, GeorgiaA Middle Georgia city built around Ocmulgee Mounds, antebellum house museums, and the Cherry Blossom Festival each March — with free entry at the Mounds and paid tickets at the house museums. Macon at a glance Drive from Atlanta 83.6 mi, about 1h 37m free-flowno traffic model · full drive-time table Typical costs Free (Ocmulgee […]Updated Sep 29, 2026Historic SouthAthens, GeorgiaA University of Georgia college town about 70 miles east of Atlanta, where most of the top sights — the Botanical Garden, campus, downtown murals — are free, and parking decks are free for the first hour. Athens at a glance Drive from Atlanta 73.2 mi, about 1h 31m free-flowno traffic model · full drive-time […]Updated Sep 29, 2026Atlanta MetroStone Mountain, GeorgiaMetro Atlanta’s closest mountain day trip: a free hiking trail to the summit plus a separate paid Attractions Ticket for the cable car, laser show and theme-park-style rides. Parking is a flat daily fee, not per-attraction. Stone Mountain at a glance Drive from Atlanta 16 mi from downtownour Stone Mountain guide Parking $20/vehicle daily ($40 […]Updated Sep 30, 2026Coastal GeorgiaTybee Island, GeorgiaSavannah’s closest beach, 18 miles east of downtown. Metered parking, a 178-step lighthouse with no elevator, and a year-round dog ban on the beach itself — but leashed dogs are welcome on the streets and at a dedicated dog park. Tybee Island at a glance Drive/ferry from Savannah 18 mi, about 25–30 minour Tybee Island […]Updated Sep 23, 2026Coastal GeorgiaJekyll Island, GeorgiaA state-owned barrier island reached by causeway, with a single $10/day parking fee covering every beach, the Sea Turtle Center, and 24+ miles of paved bike paths. Quieter and less developed than Georgia’s other beach towns. Jekyll Island at a glance Drive from Atlanta 290.5 mi, about 6h 00m free-flow (real driving closer to 5h […]Updated Sep 23, 2026 Coastal GeorgiaSavannah, GeorgiaA historic coastal city built around 22 free public squares, with paid museums and house tours clustered downtown. Most of what makes Savannah worth visiting — the squares, parks, Bonaventure Cemetery, the river shuttle and ferry — is free. Savannah at a glance Drive from Atlanta About 250 mi, 3h 45m–4h in real driving conditionsour […]Updated Sep 24, 2026North GeorgiaDahlonega, GeorgiaA walkable North Georgia square town built on gold-mining history, with two working mine tours, a cluster of wineries, and free downtown parking. The closest of the North Georgia mountain towns to Atlanta. Dahlonega at a glance Drive from Atlanta 65.6 mi, about 1h 24m free-flow via GA-400no traffic model · full drive-time table Downtown […]Updated Sep 23, 2026North GeorgiaHelen, GeorgiaA Bavarian-themed North Georgia mountain town built around Oktoberfest, river tubing and easy access to Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park. Leashed dogs are welcome at most nearby parks and on both tubing runs, but not on the Mountain Coaster or in buildings. Helen at a glance Drive from Atlanta 87.6 mi, about 1h […]Updated Sep 23, 2026North GeorgiaBlue Ridge, GeorgiaA walkable North Georgia mountain town built around a working scenic railway, with free street parking downtown, a $5–$10 paid lot, and cabin rentals rather than hotels as the default place to stay. Strollers are fine on Main Street and on the train; dogs are not allowed on the train at all. Blue Ridge at […]Updated Sep 29, 2026Historic SouthThings to Do in Columbus, GA: Whitewater Rafting, the National Infantry Museum, the RiverWalk and Providence Canyon, With Prices (2026)Columbus rafting runs year-round from $49.95; the National Infantry Museum and 22-mile RiverWalk are free. Prices, hours and closures checked Sept. 21, 2026.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 29, 2026Historic SouthThings to Do in Augusta, GA (Beyond the Masters): Canal Boat Tours, the Riverwalk, Museums and Masters Ticket Facts, With PricesAugusta Canal boat tours cost $14 and include the Discovery Center; the Riverwalk and Phinizy Swamp are free; the Morris is free Sundays. The 2027 Masters lottery is closed.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 29, 2026Coastal GeorgiaTybee Island Visitor Guide: Parking Rates, Which Beach, the Lighthouse and Dog RulesTybee parking is $4 an hour, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. every day, or $25 for a day pass. Dogs are banned from the beach ($300 fine). The lighthouse is $14 and closed Tuesdays.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 23, 2026North GeorgiaThings to Do in Blairsville and Hiawassee, GA: Brasstown Bald, Vogel State Park, Lake Chatuge and the Mountain Festivals, With PricesBrasstown Bald is $10 (16+, shuttle included, free Sept 26), Vogel is $10 a car but Lake Trahlyta is drained, and Track Rock is closed. Plus the Oct 2026 festival dates.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 28, 2026Historic SouthPine Mountain and Warm Springs, GA: Callaway Gardens, FDR’s Little White House, Wild Animal Safari and State Park Prices (2026)Callaway Gardens is $19.99 online, Wild Animal Safari from $32.99, FDR State Park $10 a car. The Little White House is closed for renovation; its museum is open.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 30, 2026 Coastal GeorgiaCumberland Island Guide: Ferry, Fees, Day Trips, Camping and Wild Horse RulesThe Cumberland Island ferry is $44 round trip plus a $15 park pass, leaves St. Marys at 9 and 11:45 a.m., and books six months out. Nothing is sold on the island.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 28, 2026Coastal GeorgiaJekyll Island Visitor Guide: The Parking Fee, Beaches, Sea Turtle Center and What’s FreeJekyll charges $10 per car per day, covering every beach including Driftwood. Sea Turtle Center $10–$12, Mosaic $10, 24+ miles of bike paths, and the dog rules by beach.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 23, 2026North GeorgiaThings to Do in Dahlonega, GA: Gold Mines, Wineries, the Square and Nearby Waterfalls, With PricesConsolidated’s mine tour is $24.95, Crisson $19.95, the Gold Museum $10. Downtown parking is free, and two wineries publish tasting prices: $22–$26 and $25.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 23, 2026 North GeorgiaThings to Do in Helen, GA: Prices, Parking, and What’s Worth It (Plus the Nearby Parks)Tubing in Helen is $14–$16 (Cool River runs Fri–Mon after Sept 21), Anna Ruby Falls is $6 for 16+, Unicoi is $10 a car. Plus parking rules and the Dec 12 parade.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 28, 2026 Atlanta MetroThings to Do in Atlanta: Attraction Prices, CityPASS Math, MARTA From the Airport and ParkingAtlanta attraction prices run $19.50–$69.99 per adult, MARTA from the airport is $2.50 with tap-to-pay, and CityPASS ($106) pays off at the Aquarium plus two more.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 30, 2026Coastal GeorgiaSavannah, GA for Visitors: What Things Cost, Where to Park, and What’s FreeSavannah meters top out at $2.50/hr and aren’t enforced Sundays, weekend garages are $5–$10 flat, and the DOT shuttle and ferry are free. Admission for 8 top sites.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 23, 2026 Coastal GeorgiaGeorgia Beaches and Barrier Islands: Every One You Can Actually Visit, ComparedGeorgia has 14 barrier islands but only 3 public beaches you can drive to: Tybee ($4/hr), Jekyll ($10/car) and St. Simons (free). How to reach the rest.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 27, 2026 North GeorgiaTallulah Gorge State Park: Gorge Floor Permits, Suspension Bridge, Fees and Which Trail to PickTallulah Gorge parking is $10 a car. Gorge floor permits are free but capped at 100 a day, with none on release days. Trails, dogs, strollers and 2026 release dates.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 28, 2026Small TownsMadison, Georgia Day Trip: Museum Prices, Hours and the “Too Pretty to Burn” StoryMadison is 60 miles east of Atlanta. Its historic district is free to walk, and four museums charge $3–$15 and are closed on Mondays. Plus the truth about Sherman.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 21, 2026 Atlanta MetroChattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Fees, Hours and DogsA national park inside metro Atlanta: 15 units along 48 miles of river. $5 a car per day or $40 a year, cashless, open dawn to dusk, with dogs on a 6-foot leash, even in the water.Dogs welcomeStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 20, 2026North GeorgiaBlue Ridge vs Helen: Which North Georgia Mountain Town?Blue Ridge is built around a scenic railway, a lake and cabins; Helen is a walkable Alpine village with Oktoberfest and two state parks next door. Drive, parking, dogs and fall color compared.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 23, 2026Coastal GeorgiaTybee Island vs Jekyll Island: Parking, Dogs and Cost ComparedTybee is closer and livelier but charges by the hour and bans dogs on the beach; Jekyll charges $10 once and lets leashed dogs on the sand. A side-by-side on parking, dogs and family cost.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 29, 2026 North GeorgiaNorth Georgia Fall Foliage: When Color Peaks and Where to See ItAbove 4,000 feet color usually peaks mid-October; below 3,000 feet late October into early November. No official 2026 forecast exists yet - Leaf Watch 2026 starts October 1.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 21, 2026 DestinationsChristmas Towns in Georgia: 11 Towns Compared for 2026A town-by-town comparison of where Georgia actually does Christmas well, with confirmed 2026 dates, drive times from Atlanta, costs, and whether each is a stop or a full day.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 28, 2026Historic South17 Things to Do in Athens, GA: Prices, Hours and Game-Day Rules (2026)Athens’ top sights are mostly free, including the Botanical Garden and Georgia Museum of Art. UGA has four 2026 home games left, and downtown decks charge $50 flat on those days.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 30, 2026Historic South17 Things to Do in Macon, GA (2026): Prices, Hours and What’s FreeMacon is 84 miles from Atlanta. Ocmulgee Mounds is free; Hay House and the Big House are $20. Hours, prices and closed days for 17 stops, plus Middle Georgia day trips.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 23, 2026Atlanta MetroStone Mountain Park Guide 2026: Parking Fee, Hours, Tickets, Trail and DogsStone Mountain parking is $20 a day or $40 a year per vehicle; gates open 5 a.m.–midnight; Attractions Tickets are $39.99 adult. Plus the Walk-Up Trail, Skyride, dog rules and 2026 events.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 30, 2026Atlanta MetroFree Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids (Verified Prices & Parking)A verified list of genuinely free Atlanta activities for families: parks, trails, splash pads, and one reservation-only museum, with every parking fee and exception called out.Dogs in partsStroller-friendlyUpdated Sep 28, 2026Coastal GeorgiaJekyll Island vs St Simons: Which Golden Isle Fits Your TripA head-to-head comparison of Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island covering verified parking fees, attractions, dog rules, bike paths, and lodging character to help you choose.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 23, 2026Coastal GeorgiaTybee Island with Kids: The Complete Family Beach GuideA verified guide to visiting Tybee Island with kids, covering which beach section fits families, current parking and lighthouse costs, the year-round dog ban, and stroller realities on the sand.No dogsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 21, 2026 North GeorgiaAmicalola Falls State Park: Hours, $10 ParkPass, 604 Stairs, Trails and Lodge (2026 Guide)Amicalola Falls State Park is open daily during daylight hours; the Visitor Center is open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Parking is $10 a car. The falls are 729 feet, with 604 stairs to the top.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 19, 2026North Georgia17 Best Things to Do in Blue Ridge, GAA logistics-first guide to the best things to do in Blue Ridge, GA, covering the scenic railway, downtown, the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, Mercier Orchards, and nearby trails and waterfalls.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 21, 2026 North GeorgiaWhere to Stay in Helen, GA: 14 Places Compared by Area, Pets and ParkingDowntown hotels, mountain cabins or Unicoi’s 96-room lodge? 14 Helen, GA places to stay compared on location, pet fees, parking and Oktoberfest booking rules.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 28, 2026Destinations25 Best Small Towns in Georgia for a Weekend Getaway (2026 Guide)From Blue Ridge mountain cabins to Tybee Island beaches, here are the 25 best small towns in Georgia for a weekend getaway, with drive times, things to do, and verified places to eat and stay.Dogs in partsStrollers in partsUpdated Sep 21, 2026