Georgia attractions

Sitting next to Liberty Plaza in downtown Atlanta, this gold-domed capitol celebrated Georgia’s emergence after the American Civil War. A National Historic Landmark, the neoclassical building features a statue of Lady Freedom holding a sword and lanterns atop the dome, plus a museum about art and state history.

Built in the mid-19th century for shipping merchant Francis Sorrel, Sorrel Weed House became a State Historic Landmark in 1954, one of the first in Georgia. It’s also believed to be one of the most haunted buildings in Savannah, and has been featured on TV shows likeGhost Hunters and Travel Channel’sMost Terrifying Places in America.

Live oaks draped in Spanish moss greet you at Wormsloe State Historic Site. Delve into the history of early Georgia settlers at this Savannah-area historic colonial estate by walking the ruins and watching live reenactments. Learn about founder Noble Jones, explore hiking trails, and enjoy views of the Isle of Hope.

Among the largest urban redevelopment projects underway in the US, the Atlanta BeltLine is a multipurpose trail that occupies a former railway corridor. Poised to transform the city upon its projected completion in 2030, the circular route will link 45 intown neighborhoods, creating an extensive path for pedestrians and cyclists.

More than just Atlanta’s oldest cemetery, dating back to 1850, Oakland Cemetery’s large grounds serve as a tranquil sanctuary from the urban bustle. Take a quiet moment to meander past stunning mausoleums, grand oaks, and notable graves including those of Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell, and Maynard Jackson.

Though much of the epic Pulitzer Prize–winning novelGone with the Wind takes place in famously grand houses, author Margaret Mitchell penned the tome from a tiny Atlanta apartment. Today her home is the Margaret Mitchell House, which serves as a tribute to where the author lived and worked while writing the novel from 1925 to 1932.

Mature oak trees and a central fountain are charming features of Columbia Square, one of Savannah’s more peaceful historic squares. Beautiful preserved buildings and luxurious bed-and-breakfasts lure visitors to this neck of the woods, and the square offers plenty of park benches for people-watching or picnics. Shaded paths offer a place to relax during a wider exploration of the Savannah Historic District.

The brick, Italian-villa style Andrew Low House was built for wealthy cotton farm Andrew Low in 1847. Now a timepiece preserved in Savannah’s Historic District, the mansion provides today’s visitors with a look into the opulent lifestyle of a wealthy 19th-century Georgia household. You can visit parlors, dining rooms, and bedrooms that are decorated as if frozen in time.

The Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the United States. It houses over 500 species of aquatic animals, that live in over 10 million gallons of water. Thankfully, bite-sized exhibits help organize your trip and make it possible to see the best of the aquarium in one day.

Located in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood, Ebenezer Baptist Church is where Martin Luther King, Jr., the most prominent figure of the American civil rights movement, was baptized, grew up, and served as pastor until his death. Part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park, the church is a memorial to King and has been restored to look as it did when King and his father were ministers.

A premier destination for arts enthusiasts, the Jepson Center (one of Savannah's Telfair Museums) is a cultural hub devoted to showcasing contemporary art. See diverse exhibitions that span genres, and visit TechSpace, a gallery devoted to digital art. Family days, talks, and guided tours are offered regularly.

Set within the elaborate Greek-revival style William Scarbrough House, the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is a tribute to Savannah’s role in maritime history. Visitors can browse exhibits on 1800s shipping, model ships, the Civil War, and William Scarbrough—once president of the Savannah Steamship Company. Surrounding the museum, expansive gardens offer a nice place for a stroll or private event.

Housed in a restored cast iron stove factory, Krog Street Market is a colorful food hall in the heart of the Inman Park neighborhood. Stalls showcase southern and international cuisine, featuring artisan food, local bakeries, produce, and gourmet specialties. A ‘living room’ offers a communal space for you to dine and relax.

Constructed as a family home in 1820, Savannah’s Davenport House Museum is one of the city’s notable buildings. Listed on the US National Register of Historic Landmarks and restored to its original 19th-century glory, this house-turned-museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Savannah’s storied past.

Once a popular hangout for sailors and pirates, the Pirates’ House is now a historic restaurant with a rich seafaring history. Built in 1794, the structure is known as the oldest—and allegedly most haunted—building in Savannah. It garnered fame when it was featured in Robert Louis Stevenson's 1881 adventure novel Treasure Island.

Founded in 1889, Zoo Atlanta is among the country’s largest zoos. Based in Grant Park, the zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals from around the world, including one of the country’s largest population of great apes. Plus, it’s one of very few American zoos to house giant pandas.

A welcome swath of green in Atlanta’s urban core, Piedmont Park is where Atlantans come to play outside, catch cultural events, and shop for produce at the weekly Green Market. You’ll also find the Atlanta Botanical Garden in the Olmstead-designed park, along with playgrounds, paths, and photogenic Lake Clara Meer.

Adjacent to Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden comprises a stunning 30 acres (12 hectares) of indoor and outdoor themed gardens, woodland areas, brooks, fern glades, and walking paths. A highlight is the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory, a massive collection of plants from tropical rainforests and deserts from around the globe.

Get a comprehensive introduction to Savannah’s history at the Massie Heritage Center. Georgia’s oldest public school building is now home to interactive exhibits that bring the stories of Savannah over the centuries to life. With educational opportunities for kids, occasional special events from lectures, and guided walking tours.

One of Savannah's 22 historic squares, Reynolds Square was one of the city's first six squares and a center point for the colonial government. Built in 1734, it was renamed from Lower New Square to honor the first Royal Governor of Georgia, John Reynolds. The leafy square contains a bronze statue of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

One of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the US, the Historic Savannah Theatre today is a buzzing performing arts venue with a schedule full of live theater, music performances, and special holiday shows. With a convenient location on Chippewa Square in the heart of the Savannah Historic District, this theater is a destination for visitors looking to discover the city’s thriving arts and culture scene.

Opened in 2014, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum and human rights center in Downtown Atlanta. Housed in a modern building designed to resemble two cupped hands, its exhibitions focus on the Civil Rights Movement and modern struggles for human rights; Martin Luther King, Jr’s papers and artifacts are also on display.

The College Football Hall of Fame—also called the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame—is a modern museum honoring the greatest players of college football in the US, past and present. Anchoring the center of Atlanta’s Centennial Park District, the museum holds dozens of interactive exhibits featuring players, teams, uniforms, and history—plus virtual reality games and an indoor football field.

A regency style mansion that dates back to 1819, the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters give visitors a look into the lifestyles of Savannah’s early 19th-century residents. Now a National Historic Landmark, the mansion is one of America’s best-preserved examples of regency architecture. The museum’s interactive exhibits highlight the dynamic historic relationships between Georgia’s free and enslaved

If sampling Southern food classics in a historic mansion sounds like your kind of evening, make a reservation at the Olde Pink House. Located in Savannah’s historic district, this Colonial- mansion-turned-restaurant offers a chance to combine an elegant dining experience with a glimpse into local history. Didn’t plan ahead? Go for a drink in the cellar tavern instead, which often offers live music.

The eclectic Atlanta neighborhood, Little Five Points, has been described as the Haight-Ashbury of the south and is known for its fringe culture, music, food and residents. Visitors who venture to this popular spot can jam out to the indie radio station, WRFG, that’s a hit among locals, while combing through the stacks at two of the area’s independent bookstores. Lined with skate shops, coffee shops, health food stores, local food joints and off-beat retailers, Little Five Points makes for a fun and versatile way to spend an afternoon.For a more structured tour of the neighborhood, consider visiting Five Points on a shopping tour or as part of an Atlanta city tour including stops in Midtown, Poncey Highlands and Castleberry Hills.

Melding culture, history, and architecture, the Fox Theatre is Atlanta’s performing arts hub, hosting everything from Broadway-style plays to rock concerts. The opulent theater was built in the 1920s and boasts mosque-like minarets, an Egyptian ballroom, and a ceiling made to resemble the night sky with twinkling stars.

Situated on Atlanta's Westside, on the former Atlantic Steel Mill site, Atlantic Station is a popular spot for dining, shopping, and people-watching. The neighborhood also has plenty of entertainment options, with a movie theatre, a bowling alley, and live events ranging from sports games to Cirque du Soleil performances.

A classic field-trip experience for local kids, the Fernbank Museum holds dinosaur skeletons and natural science exhibits in the heart of Fernbank Forest, a restored old-growth forest in northeast Atlanta. Highlights include a saltwater aquarium, live animal habitats, a giant-screen theater showing science-based documentaries, and outdoor features including an elevated forest walkway called WildWoods.

The Atlanta History Center is an interactive educational complex devoted to sharing the history of Atlanta and the Southeast. The center includes four historic buildings, a research center, and a museum with one of the world’s largest collections of American Civil War artifacts. Its large grounds offer walking trails and lovely gardens.