8 Breathtaking Towns to Visit in Georgia
Georgia is a renowned southern state, where natural beauty abounds at every turn. From forests, lakes, and mountains to scenic rivers, waterfalls, and ranches, visitors will be thrilled by several breathtaking sights. A visit to the small towns of the Peach State reveals the best of these stunning sights and sets the stage for adventurous pursuits. For a sneak peek, Tallulah Falls has plenty of waterfalls to explore, Blue Ridge has the scenic railway worth touring, and Helen spots an irresistible Bavarian allure. Whether one is laid-back or enthusiastic about creating adventurous moments, there's always something for every type of traveler to do. Gear up and visit these eight breathtaking towns in Georgia today.
Milledgeville
Milledgeville glows in quaint small-town beauty on the banks of Oconee River, luring laid-back tourists and adventurers to its warm hospitality. Relish the beauty of nature here at the Oconee River Greenway Park and Riverwalk, where leisure walks along its bank to enjoy the river's sights and sounds are therapeutic for stress. Otherwise, immerse in the outdoor aura by fishing on the river or biking along the greenway. The Bartram Forest is an alternate outdoor option in this town, where imposing lush trees form canopies, and several hiking and biking trails abound to explore nature's beauty. Visit with the family and spend time at Lake Sinclair, boating in its pristine waters or fishing at the majestic T.D Cheek Fishing Pier. Elsewhere, visitors can get intimate with history and science at the William P. Wall Museum of Natural History featuring fossils curated around the world.
Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain is a small town located just an hour's drive from Atlanta that prides itself as the gateway to Georgia's magnificent Callaway Resort and Gardens. Ideally, this 2,500-acre garden and resort is the first port of call for visitors as it houses the world's largest azalea garden and hosts 750,000 visitors annually. The resort is also home to a lake, butterfly center, golf courses, hiking trails, a chapel, a zipline, and a vegetable garden. Next, proceed to the 9,000-acre F.D. Roosevelt Park, the largest state park in Georgia, and explore numerous hiking trails. The park also houses the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail that snakes through pines and creeks and features small waterfalls, a fishing lake, and cottages. Afterward, delve into the area's history at the Chipley Historical Center, where photographs and artifacts reflect a past era. For some wildlife visual indulgences, enjoy a drive-through experience at the Wild Animal Safari.
Dahlonega
Dahlonega is a mountain town within the North Georgia Mountains, defined by picturesque landscapes and numerous outdoor attractions. The Chestatee River is one of its prominent natural attractions for exciting recreational pursuits such as kayaking, boating, tubing, canoeing, and fishing. If chasing waterfalls sounds like an adventure, Dahlonega has more than a handful of them nearby some of which include Amicalola Falls, Raven Cliff Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, and Dicks Creek Falls. History buffs head to the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site to learn about the first gold rush in America. Meanwhile, the museum is housed in the Old Lumpkin County Courthouse, built in 1836, representing the oldest County Courthouse in Georgia. Wildlife lovers can kick back the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo to see over 100 native and rare animals.
St. Marys
The lovable town of St. Marys, just north of Jacksonville, is breathtakingly beautiful along the banks of its namesake river. This river provides boat access to one of the town's nearby stunning beauties, the Cumberland Island National Seashore. On this boat-only accessible island, visitors can explore gorgeous beaches, dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes on foot. Back on the mainland, the Cumberland Island Museum is a great place for history buffs to learn about the island's history via exhibits. More history is abundant at the Ice House Museum, once used to store ice shipped from New England. For adventurous visitors, head to the St. Marys Waterfront Park to rent kayaks and canoes and explore the river. Otherwise, go to the Crooked River State Park to hike through a maritime forest, camp, and enjoy picnics.
Blue Ridge
Get blown away by the spellbinding mountain scenery of Blue Ridge, a town in Fannin County, named after the iconic mountains of the same name in Georgia. Once here, natural and unsullied beauty unveils itself at the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, where a four-hour ride takes one through bewitching green mountain scenery and quaint towns. The ride runs through the Chattahoochee National Forest along the Toccoa River to Tennessee, with a two-hour stop over for lunch midway. Back in town, visitors can lose track of time at Lake Blue Ridge while enjoying boating, tubing, kayaking, rafting, and paddling adventures. For a burst of adrenaline and excitement, ride a zipline through an army of towering trees at the Blue Ridge Adventure Park. Hikers can hike on the outskirts of the town to see waterfalls such as Fall Branch Falls and Long Creek Falls.
Helen
Experience Germany in Georgia at the Bavarian-inspired town of Helen. This charming town lies at the foot of the North Georgia Mountains, with the Chattahoochee River flowing through it. Thus, river and mountain beauty combine to make this town breathtakingly adorable. The Chattahoochee River sets the stage for exhilarating tubing experiences, or visitors can just sit by a pub on its banks to admire the flowing river. More outdoor adventures await at the Unicoi State Park just outside the town, lavish with hiking and mountain biking trails. The park also features beautiful twin waterfalls, picnic areas, and a scenic lake for boating, tubing, swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Head downtown afterward to immerse in Bavarian architectural splendor, capturing views of quaint shops, cafes, and restaurants along the Chattahoochee River. After roaming downtown, kick back at Hofer's of Helen and enjoy delicious dishes in a Bavarian dining setting.
Tallulah Falls
Tallulah Falls is a small, breathtaking town near the border with South Carolina famous for being the waterfalls capital of Georgia. This picturesque gem town is a destination for nature lovers as it brims with stunning natural attractions. The Tallulah Gorge State Park is the foremost attraction here, featuring the famous Tallulah Gorge created by the Tallulah River. At two miles long and almost 1,000 feet deep, the gorge is magical and best seen from the Gorge Rim Trail which offers panoramic views of the Tallulah River and the series of waterfalls known as Tallulah Falls from scenic overlooks. These falls include the Bridalveil, Hurricane, Tempesta, and Oceana Falls, all along the Tallulah River and visible from charming lookouts, except Bridal Veil. Meanwhile, Lake Tugalo is also near the town and offers opportunities for fishing and boating. After the outdoor adventures, enjoy mouthwatering dishes at the Main Street Grill and BBQ.
Hartwell
Hartwell is a charming town on the border with South Carolina with incredible natural beauty. The town boasts the 56,000-acre Lake Hartwell which is a prime spot for fishing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, boating, and camping. Wildlife lovers can head to the Hart County Wildlife Management Area to see and hunt some animals including deer, bear, and turkey. Lake Hartwell Wildlife Safari is another exciting spot offering a drive-through wildlife viewing experience featuring animals like camels, wildebeest, ostrich, American bison, and water buffalo. Elsewhere, the Hart County Botanical Gardens is great for plant and nature lovers as it features colorful and diverse flora to admire.
The small towns of Georgia are breathtaking revelations of nature's best-kept secrets in the Peach State. Across these towns, visitors can listen to the soundbites of nature and enjoy the visual pleasures of mind-blowing scenery. With so many pleasant sights and things to do, they offer a perfect escape from the big cities like Atlanta. In addition, they are less crowded and the locals are warm and receptive. Just lace up, stuff a backpack, and head out to these off-the-beaten paths and be stunned at what lies beyond the big cities.
