Mama Mystic's "All the Things" Georgia Tourist Guide

Georgia, the "Peach State," offers a wealth of experiences for moms, families, friends, groups, organizations, and individuals who enjoy beaches, forests, national parks, museums, outdoor sports, hiking, surfing, fishing, hunting, driving, entertainment, dining, arts, and culture. This guide covers seasonal activities, tourist attractions, ticket rates, shows, children’s activities (including zoos and riverboat rides), holiday events, park activities, sporting events, conferences, major concert events (June 2025–March 2026), airport information, transit options, lodging, traffic patterns, alternate transportation, food scene, renowned personalities, major cities, interstates, backroads, and lake, hiking, and outdoor activities.

Beaches

Georgia’s Golden Isles and Tybee Island offer 100+ miles of coastline for water sports and relaxation.

Beach Location Activities Ticket Rates/Notes Tybee Island Near Savannah Surfing, dolphin tours, fishing Free access; parking $5–$10/day Jekyll Island Golden Isles Beachcombing, biking $8/vehicle (park entry) St. Simons Island Golden Isles Swimming, kayaking Free access; parking $5–$10/day Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island Photography, relaxing $8/vehicle (park entry) Cumberland Island South Georgia Wildlife viewing, camping $15/ferry ticket

• Surfing: Tybee Island’s North Beach offers waves averaging 2–4 feet in fall (Surfline). Lessons start at $40/hour (Tybee Surf School).

• Fishing: St. Simons Pier and Tybee Island are prime for flounder and redfish. Licenses start at $5/day (Georgia DNR).

Forests and National Parks

Georgia’s forests and parks provide diverse landscapes for hiking and camping.

• Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest: Offers 867,000 acres with hiking, fishing, and camping. Free entry; some sites require permits (USFS Chattahoochee).

• Cumberland Island National Seashore: Features pristine beaches and wild horses. Ferry fee: $15/adult (NPS Cumberland).

• Okefenokee Swamp Park: A unique wetland with boat tours and wildlife. Entry: $20/adult (Okefenokee Swamp Park).

• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park: Civil War site with 20 miles of trails. $5/vehicle (NPS Kennesaw).

Museums

Georgia’s museums cover art, history, and science, with many family-friendly exhibits.

Museum Location Admission Highlights Georgia Aquarium Atlanta $50/adult, $40/child Whale sharks, dolphin shows World of Coca-Cola Atlanta $22/adult, $18/child Coke history, tasting room National Center for Civil and Human Rights Atlanta $20/adult, $16/child Civil rights exhibits Georgia Museum of Art Athens Free Southern art collection Savannah History Museum Savannah $9/adult, $5/child Revolutionary War artifacts

Outdoor Sports and Activities

Georgia is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, offering hiking, surfing, fishing, and hunting.

• Hiking: Top trails include:

  • Appalachian Trail (Springer Mountain): 76 miles in Georgia, starting in Chattahoochee National Forest. Free entry.

  • Amicalola Falls: 8.5-mile trail to Georgia’s tallest waterfall ($5/vehicle, Amicalola Falls State Park).

  • Providence Canyon: 2.5-mile loop through “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” ($5/vehicle, Providence Canyon State Park).

• Surfing: Tybee Island’s North Beach is best for beginners (Surfline).

• Fishing: Lake Lanier and the Savannah River offer bass and catfish. Licenses start at $5/day (Georgia DNR).

• Hunting: Seasons include deer (September–January), turkey (March–May), and alligator (August–October). Licenses vary ($25–$100, Georgia DNR).

Driving and Scenic Routes

Georgia’s roads offer scenic drives through diverse landscapes.

• Peach Blossom Trail: A 70-mile route through peach orchards in Middle Georgia.

• Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway: 41-mile loop through Chattahoochee National Forest.

• Coastal Highway (US-17): 120-mile drive along marshes and historic towns.

Entertainment, Arts, and Culture

Georgia’s cultural scene includes theaters, music venues, and festivals.

• Theater:

  • Fox Theatre (Atlanta): Historic venue for Broadway shows ($50–$150, Fox Theatre).

  • Savannah Theatre: America’s oldest theater with musical revues ($40/adult, Savannah Theatre).

• Music Venues:

  • Coca-Cola Roxy (Atlanta): Concerts in The Battery ($40–$120, Coca-Cola Roxy).

  • Tabernacle (Atlanta): Intimate music venue ($30–$100, Tabernacle).

• Festivals:

  • Savannah Music Festival (March): Jazz and classical music ($25–$75).

  • Georgia National Fair (October, Perry): Rides, concerts ($10–$15).

  • Cherry Blossom Festival (March, Macon): Parades, street markets (free entry).

Seasonal and Holiday Activities

• Spring: Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon (March, free), Atlanta Dogwood Festival (April, free).

• Summer: Tybee Island fireworks (July 4th, free), Atlanta Jazz Festival (May, free).

• Fall: Georgia National Fair (October, Perry), Helen Oktoberfest (September–October, $10–$20).

• Winter: Christmas at Callaway Gardens (November–December, $30/adult).

• Holiday Events:

  • Savannah Christmas Market: Holiday lights and shopping (December, free).

  • Stone Mountain Christmas: Light shows and snow tubing ($35/adult, Stone Mountain Park).

  • Atlanta Holiday Lights: Botanical Garden displays ($25/adult, Atlanta Botanical Garden).

Local, State, and National Park Activities

• State Parks: 63 parks, including Amicalola Falls and Providence Canyon, offer camping ($15–$40/night), hiking, and fishing (Georgia State Parks).

• National Parks: Chattahoochee-Oconee and Cumberland Island provide kayaking and ranger-led programs.

• Activities: Birdwatching, whitewater rafting on the Chattooga River, and fossil hunting in Okefenokee.

Sporting Events and Conferences

• Sports:

  • Atlanta Braves (MLB): Games at Truist Park ($20–$100, MLB Braves).

  • Atlanta Falcons (NFL): Games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ($50–$200, NFL Falcons).

  • Masters Tournament (Augusta, April 2026): Golf’s premier event ($100–$500, Masters).

• Conferences:

  • Atlanta Comic Con (July 2025): Pop culture event ($30–$60, Atlanta Comic Con).

  • Dragon Con (August 2025, Atlanta): Sci-fi and fantasy convention ($50–$150, Dragon Con).

Major Concert Events (June 2025–March 2026)

Event Date Location Tickets Post Malone June 14, 2025 State Farm Arena, Atlanta $60–$150 The Killers July 12, 2025 Coca-Cola Roxy, Atlanta $50–$120 Maggie Rogers September 20, 2025 Tabernacle, Atlanta $40–$100 Chris Stapleton October 18, 2025 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta $70–$150

Check Ticketmaster or Songkick for updates.

Airport and Transit Information

• Airports:

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL): World’s busiest airport (ATL Airport).

  • Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV): Serves coastal Georgia (SAV Airport).

  • Augusta Regional (AGS): Serves east Georgia (AGS Airport).

• Transit Options:

  • Buses: MARTA in Atlanta, CAT in Savannah (MARTA, CAT).

  • Trains: Amtrak Crescent and Silver Meteor (Amtrak).

  • Taxis/Rideshares: Uber, Lyft, Savannah Pedicab.

  • Bikes: Relay Bike Share in Atlanta, Savannah Bike Share ($2–$5/ride).

  • Trolleys: Savannah Trolley Tours ($30/adult, Old Town Trolley).

Lodging

Hotel Location Type Rates The Cloister at Sea Island Sea Island Luxury $400–$800/night The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee Luxury $300–$600/night Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta Business $150–$300/night Hilton Savannah DeSoto Savannah Business $120–$250/night

Traffic Patterns

• Peak Hours: 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM in Atlanta and Savannah.

• Strategies: Use MARTA or bike share for city travel. Plan drives outside peak hours (GDOT).

• Evaluation: Monitor travel times and adjust schedules.

Food Scene

• Local Specialties: Peach cobbler, fried chicken, shrimp and grits.

• Notable Restaurants:

  • The Grey (Savannah): Southern fine dining, $30–$50/entree (The Grey).

  • Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Atlanta): Classic Southern, $15–$30/entree (Mary Mac’s).

  • Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Atlanta): Barbecue, $10–$25/entree (Fox Bros.).

  • Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (Savannah): Family-style Southern, $25/person (Mrs. Wilkes).

Renowned Personalities

• Historical Figures: Martin Luther King Jr., Jimmy Carter.

• Modern Celebrities: Ludacris (rapper, Atlanta), Julia Roberts (actress, Smyrna).

Major Cities and Attractions

• Atlanta: Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park.

• Savannah: Historic District, River Street, Forsyth Park.

• Athens: Georgia Museum of Art, State Botanical Garden, UGA football.

• Augusta: Augusta National Golf Club, Riverwalk.

Interstates

• I-75: North-south through Atlanta and Macon.

• I-85: North-south to Augusta.

• I-95: Coastal north-south through Savannah.

Backroads

• Peach Blossom Trail: Middle Georgia’s peach orchards.

• Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway: Mountain views.

• Coastal Highway (US-17): Marshes and historic towns.

Lake, Hiking, and Outdoor Activities

• Lakes:

  • Lake Lanier: Boating, fishing ($5/vehicle, Lake Lanier).

  • Lake Oconee: Water sports, camping ($5/vehicle, Lake Oconee).

  • Allatoona Lake: Kayaking, hiking ($5/vehicle, Allatoona Lake).

• Hiking Trails:

  • Appalachian Trail: Long-distance hiking.

  • Amicalola Falls: Waterfall views.

  • Providence Canyon: Colorful canyons.

• Outdoor Activities: Whitewater rafting on the Chattooga River, mountain biking in Ellijay, rock climbing in Tallulah Gorge.

Children’s Activities

• Zoo Atlanta: Features pandas and a petting zoo ($30/adult, $22/child, Zoo Atlanta).

• Savannah Riverboat Cruises: Scenic tours on the Savannah River ($40/adult, $20/child, Savannah Riverboat).

• Children’s Museum of Atlanta: Interactive exhibits ($15/adult, Children’s Museum of Atlanta).

• Stone Mountain Park: Skyride, dinosaur park ($35/adult, Stone Mountain Park).

Potential Barriers and Strategies

• Barrier: Crowded beaches in summer.

  • Strategy: Opt for St. Simons or Cumberland Island for fewer crowds. Visit in spring or fall.

  • Evaluation: Check crowd reports on Tripadvisor and adjust plans.

• Barrier: Traffic congestion in Atlanta.

  • Strategy: Use MARTA or Relay Bike Share for city travel. Plan drives outside peak hours.

  • Evaluation: Monitor travel times via GDOT and adjust schedules.

• Barrier: Limited event ticket availability.

  • Strategy: Book early through Ticketmaster or Songkick. Set alerts for new events.

  • Evaluation: Track ticket purchase success and event satisfaction via reviews.

Conclusion

Georgia offers a rich blend of coastal adventures, mountain escapes, and cultural immersion. Plan ahead to navigate crowds, traffic, and ticket availability for a memorable visit.