Tourist Attractions In Georgia

Georgia offers a variety of activities for every individual–from cultural to sporting, to entertainment–it’s all within minutes or hours of wherever you are in Georgia. Let’s begin 16 miles east of downtown in the capitol city of Atlanta. Stone Mountain Park is easily accessed from US Hwy 78, and is a more than a bargain. In fact, at $8 per vehicle per day, it’s more like a dream! The only problem you will encounter there is deciding what to do first. There are 15 miles of hiking trails, a golf course, tennis center, fishing, boating (no motorboats faster than 10 mph), and more. You’ll find families picnicking at the grist mill or near the covered bridge. Sightseeing is a hoot when you “Ride the Ducks.” Actually, the amphibious vehicles are circa 1945 Army DUKWs that have been converted to transport visitors through the park on an unforgettable adventure through nature. Other attractions at the park include a carrillon, riverboat cruise, and scenic train rides. The perfect way to finish your visit to Stone Mountain is to view the laser show, which lasts 45 minutes and is wheelchair accessible. [Special viewings are available for conferences and other large groups. Call 770-498-5700 or 800-401-2405 for more information.] Moving on to Macon, we find the Georgia Music Hall of Fame featuring Otis Redding, Little Richard, the Allman Brothers, R.E.M., and Trisha Yearwood. Other attractions include the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Grand Opera House, Custom Tours of Historic Macon, Hay House, Historic Downtown tour, Historic Macon Intown Trolley Tour, and Ingleside Village Shopping and Arts District. Within a short distance of town, you can take in any or all of several golf clubs, Rose Hill Cemetery, Ocmulgee National Monument, Lake Juliette, and Jarrell Plantation. If you find yourself in or near Helen, GA, be sure to take in a play at the Black Bear Theater on the outskirts of Helen. For more information, call (706) 865-0093, or checkout the website at http://www.helenblackbearresort.com/theatre.html. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, is a 313-acre preserve in Athens, that was set aside by the University of Georgia to foster appreciation, understanding,

and stewardship of plants and nature through collections and displays, horticultural gardens, educational programs, and research. The Garden is truly a living laboratory, and provides a vital resource for the University of Georgia’s many teaching, research, and public service missions. African-American Heritage is celebrated in Georgia’s Springfield Baptist Church, which is the oldest African-American Church in the United States, and an example of the determination of African-Americans to be independent during the slavery era. Many historical events are tied to Springfield Baptist Church, including the founding of the Georgia Republican Party and the founding of Morehouse College.