The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Georgia

 

Week in and week out, we fill you in on some of the coolest events and happenings in Atlanta, but when all else fails, you can’t go wrong with going outside and getting some fresh air. Thanks to the BeltLine and a long list of public parks, the city has a bunch of great outdoor spaces for you to explore, but why limit yourself to the confines of Atlanta? As you’re about to see, Georgia is a gorgeous state with more lakes, rivers, trails, and parks than you can imagine, so don’t let your time here pass without experiencing the Peach State’s natural wonders firsthand—you may even be able to use it as an excuse for a scenic weekend road trip. Here’s your guide to some of the most beautiful places in Georgia.

Flint River

Various Cities
The Flint River is the second-longest river in Georgia, and it stretches from Clayton County to Decatur County in Southeast Georgia. The 344 mile-long river makes for a gorgeous waterfront picnic or cookout, and for those who know how to swim, the Flint can be the perfect destination for a scenic kayaking or canoeing trip as well. Either way, the Flint River is a lot more stunning than its name would suggest.

Cloudland Canyon State Park

Rising Fawn
In the northwestern corner of Georgia, near the Alabama border is Rising Fawn, and there, you will find the Cloudland Canyon State Park. With over 3,500 acres, Cloudland Canyon is a sprawling open-air space that features far more than your typical state park—we’re talking thousand-foot deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, caves, waterfalls, cascading creeks, dense woodland, and plenty of wildlife. If there’s one place in Georgia where you can be certain that you’ll be able to reconnect with nature, Cloudland Canyon State Park is it.

Driftwood Beach

Jekyll Island
Even though temperatures are gradually decreasing as we enter the final stretch of 2021, a trip to Jekyll Island’s Driftwood Beach, one of Georgia’s most stunning beaches, may be exactly what you need. Yes, it’s nearly five hours from Atlanta, but its iconic driftwood and tree-clad shores are definitely worth the drive. Driftwood Beach’s unique, otherworldly scenery will make for some pretty great photos and some truly unforgettable memories.

Gibbs Garden

Ball Ground
If you’re a fan of the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown, then you have got to visit Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia, which is just an hour north of the city. Gibbs Gardens is a 300+ acre property that is composed of 16 gardens—with the three featured sections being Manor House Gardens, Japanese, and Waterlily Gardens—that boast gorgeous designs and architecture such as ponds, bridge crossings, and waterfalls. Gibbs Gardens does require visitors to purchase tickets online in advance, but for just $20 (or $18 if you’re 65 years old and up), you’ll be able to spend hours at one of the biggest and prettiest gardens in Georgia.

Rock City Gardens

Lookout Mountain
Right near the border of northwest Georgia and Tennessee is Lookout Mountain, and one of its prized locations is Rock City Gardens, which rests atop the mountain. There, visitors can marvel at ancient rock formations, lively gardens, and breathtaking panoramic views. In light of COVID-19, timed-entry tickets are available for patrons, making for a safer and more social-distanced experience for those witnessing the wondrous beauty of Rock City Gardens.

Carrollton Greenbelt

Carrollton
If you love the BeltLine but desperately need a switch of scenery from the city, head west to enjoy Carrollton. There, you’ll find the Carrollton Greenbelt, an 18-mile shared-use path designed for pedestrians, bikers, and skaters. It claims the title of Georgia’s largest paved loop trail system, and—like the BeltLine—the Carrollton Greenbelt brings together neighborhoods, commercial areas, city parks, and even the University of West Georgia’s campus, making it easy to explore the rest of what Carrollton has to offer as well.

Little Tybee Island

Tybee Island
About four miles south of Tybee Island is a secluded nature preserve called Little Tybee Island. In addition to being so close to one of Georgia’s most beloved barrier islands, this gorgeous getaway is twice Tybee Island’s size with far fewer tourists. Little Tybee Island is only accessible by boat, but once you make it there, you’ll be wowed by its serenity and natural beauty.

Radium Springs Garden

Albany
You probably weren’t thinking about taking a road trip to Albany prior to this, but the southwest Georgia city boasts one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia: Radium Springs Garden. This magnificent landmark is one of the state’s largest springs, and it’s known for pumping out tens of thousands of gallons of strikingly blue water every minute from an underground cave. There’s also plenty of history surrounding Radium Springs Garden, so a trip there would be both awe-inspiring and educational.