Central and North Georgia
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central and North Georgia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Brasstown Bald
In the Chattahoochee National Forest, Brasstown Bald reaches 4,784 feet, the highest point in Georgia. Below the bald is Georgia's only cloud forest, an area of lichen-covered trees often kept wet by clouds and fog. From the observation platform at the top of the bald on a clear day you can see Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. A paved but steep foot trail leads from the parking lot (where there are restrooms and a picnic area) to the visitor center, which has exhibits and interpretative programs. You also can ride a bus to the visitor center.
2941 GA 180 Spur, Hiawassee, Georgia, 30546, USA706-896–2556Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Mid-Mar.–late Nov., daily 10–5, Call ahead for winter closings -
2. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
A visit to this 9,000-acre military park could easily take all day—or multiple days. The park spans the borders of Georgia and Tennessee, with major sites at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Moccasin Bend, Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob, and Signal Point. Overall, there are more than 1,400 commemorative features throughout the park including monuments, markers, and tablets placed by veterans and by states whose citizens saw combat here. Start at Chickamauga Battlefield, the park's headquarters, which makes up the largest part of the park. It was here on September 19–20, 1863, that the Battle of Chickamauga was fought. The excellent visitor center and museum offers a film and exhibits about the battle. There's also a 7-mile self-guided auto tour through the park, and on weekends during the spring and fall, you can join a free two-hour auto caravan, led by a park ranger. During the summer, rangers offer the tours daily at 10 and 2. The rest of the park lies about 30 minutes north of Chickamauga: Lookout Mountain Battlefield and Point Park, a memorial park that overlooks the city of Chattanooga.
3370 LaFayette Rd., Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 30742, USA706-866–9241Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Daily 8:30–5 -
3. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Memorial/Monument/TombA visit to Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park could easily take all day—or multiple days. The park spans the borders of Georgia and Tennessee, with major sites at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob, and Signal Point. Overall, there are more than 1,400 commemorative features throughout the park including monuments, markers, and tablets placed by veterans and by states whose citizens saw combat here. Start at Chickamauga Battlefield, the park's headquarters, which makes up the largest part of the park. It was here on September 19–20, 1863 that the Battle of Chickamauga was fought. To the war-weary people and soldiers of the Confederacy, it was a morale-boosting victory on the heels of terrible losses at Gettysburg and Vicksburg only months before. To the equally fatigued Union states, it was an important test of their supply center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The battlefield contains monuments and markers that indicate significant places like Horseshoe Ridge and Snodgrass Hill in the story of the battle. About 30 minutes north of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain Battlefield and Point Park is a memorial park that overlooks the city of Chattanooga.
3370 LaFayette Rd., Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 30742 , USA706-866–9241Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free; $5 for Point Park -
4. Chief Vann House
This beautiful home with all the trappings of the wealthy planter lifestyle is fascinating because of the intermingling of cultures that took place here. Known as Diamond Hill, this historic site was home to a 1,000-acre plantation—the largest and most prosperous in Cherokee history. In 1804 James Vann, a Cherokee leader of mixed Scottish and Cherokee parentage, built the plantation’s stately redbrick mansion with the help of Moravian missionaries and enslaved workers. When Vann was murdered in 1809, his son Joseph took over the property until he was forcibly evicted in 1835. Diamond Hill and surrounding lands were then given away in a land lottery to white settlers, its Cherokee origins wiped away. Start your visit in the visitor center where you can view a short film and browse exhibits about the site’s history. Rangers lead tours of the home, but outdoor exhibits, such as a re-created Cherokee farmstead and plantation kitchen, are self-guided. The kitchen outbuilding also houses an exhibit focused on the daily lives of the 110 enslaved people who resided at Diamond Hill before Vann’s departure in 1835.
82 GA 225, Chatsworth, Georgia, 30705, USA706-695–2598Sight Details
Rate Includes: $7, Thurs.–Sun. 9–5, Closed Mon.–Wed. Closed Sun. Dec.--Mar. -
5. Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia
Located 4 miles southeast of Helen in the Sautee Nacoochee Center, this museum showcases a 200-year unbroken tradition of folk pottery in northeast Georgia (especially in nearby Mossy Creek and the Gillsville-Lula area). Part of the 5,000-square-foot facility outlines how pottery is made and how it was used for essential household purposes. Exhibits showcase a 200-piece collection donated to the museum, including the whimsical face jugs that have become an emblem of Southern folk art. Pottery-making demonstrations are frequently offered. Call ahead for dates and times.
283 GA 255, Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, 30571, USA706-878–3300Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Mon.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. 1–5 -
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6. Hay House
Designed by the New York firm T. Thomas and Son in the mid-1800s, Hay House is a study in fine Italianate architecture prior to the Civil War. The marvelous stained-glass windows and many technological advances, including indoor plumbing, make a tour worthwhile. The home's dining room has recently been restored to its 1870s appearance. Tours depart on the hour. For a small upcharge, you can do the Top of the House tour, which explores the soaring cupola and widow's walk.
934 Georgia Ave., Macon, Georgia, 31201, USA478-742–8155Sight Details
Rate Includes: $13, Last tour begins at 3 daily, Closed Mon. and Tues., Mon.–Sat. 10–4, Sun. 1–3 -
7. State Botanical Gardens of Georgia
Just outside the Athens city limits, you'll find this tranquil, 313-acre wonderland of aromatic gardens and woodland paths. It has a massive conservatory overlooking the International Garden that functions as a welcome foyer and houses an art gallery, gift shop, and café. There's also a 2½-acre children's garden with interactive elements designed to engage children through all their senses. New in 2021 is a porcelain and decorative arts museum featuring eight galleries of nature-inspired artwork.
2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, Georgia, 30605, USA706-542–1244Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Grounds: Apr.–Sept., daily 8–8; Oct.–Mar., daily 8–6. Visitor center: Tues.–Sat. 9–4:30, Sun. 11:30–4:30 -
8. Tallulah Gorge State Park
The 1,000-foot-deep Tallulah Gorge is one of the most impressive in the country. In the late 1800s this area was one of the most visited destinations in the Southeast, with 17 hotels to house tourists who came to see the roaring falls on the Tallulah River. Then, in 1912, to provide electric power, the "Niagara of the South" was dammed, and the falls and tourism dried up. Today the state of Georgia has designated more than 20 miles of the state park as walking and mountain-biking trails. There's also a 16,000-square-foot interpretive center, a suspension bridge with spectacular views, a 63-acre lake with a beach (open seasonally), a picnic shelter, and 50 tent and RV sites.
338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr., Tallulah Falls, Georgia, 30573, USA706-754--7981Sight Details
Rate Includes: Parking $5, Daily 8 am–dusk -
9. Amicalola Falls State Park
This is claimed to be the highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi, with waters plunging an eye-popping 729 feet through a cluster of seven cascades. The surrounding 829-acre state park contains a visitor center, lodge, and restaurant and is dotted with scenic campsites and cottages strategically situated near a network of nature trails, picnic sites, and fishing streams. The southern starting point of the more than 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail begins near Amicalola Falls.
418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Rd., Dawsonville, Georgia, 30534, USA706-265–4703Sight Details
Rate Includes: Parking $5, Daily 7 am–10 pm -
10. Andalusia
A picturesque farm with peacocks, a pond, and a lofty barn, Andalusia inspired much of Flannery O'Connor's work. Now a museum, the 1850s farmhouse has been preserved just as it was (original furnishings and all) in 1964 when O'Connor passed away from complications of lupus at the age of 39. A visit here provides incredible insight into the life of this prolific writer. Guided tours are offered of the home daily on the hour. A small gift shop sells her books and other memorabilia.
2628 N. Columbia St., Milledgeville, Georgia, 31059, USA478-445--8722Sight Details
Rate Includes: $7, Thurs.–Sun. 10–5, Closed Mon. -
11. Anna Ruby Falls
One of the crown jewels of the vast Chattahoochee National Forest, Anna Ruby Falls is actually the junction of Curtis and York Creeks as it forms Smith Creek. With a drop of 153 feet, the stunning twin falls are accessible via a paved 0.4-mile footpath from the visitor center to the base of the falls. For more of a challenge, try the 4.6-mile Smith Creek Trail, which leads from the base of Anna Ruby Falls to Unicoi State Park.
3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd., Helen, Georgia, USA706-878–1448Sight Details
Rate Includes: $3 -
12. Augusta Canal Discovery Center
Housed in a converted mill in the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, this museum traces Augusta's important role in developing Georgia's textile industry. The looms are still powered by the building's original turbines; they also provide the power to juice up the museum's Petersburg canal boats. Tours of the canal, usually one hour long, start here and are a fascinating trip through history. Guides are well versed in the passing sights, which include assorted wildlife, a working 19th-century textile mill, and two of Georgia's only remaining 18th-century houses.
1450 Greene St., Augusta, Georgia, 30901, USA706-823–0440Sight Details
Rate Includes: $6, with boat tour $14, Apr.–Jun. and Sept.–Oct., Mon.– Sat. 9:30–5, Sun. 1–5; Jul.–Aug. and Dec.–Mar., Tues.–Sat. 9:30–5., Closed Sun. and Mon. in the summer and winter -
13. Augusta Museum of History
This museum is a great first stop in understanding Augusta’s rich history. Begin your visit by taking a 12,000-year journey through the region's past by touring the permanent exhibit, Augusta's Story. Other exhibits explore the history of health care in Augusta, the role of the railroads, and of course, the Masters Tournament. Adults and kids alike will enjoy exploring the Transportation Corridor’s 1920s trolley car, a 1914 locomotive, and a reconstructed 1930s gas station. Another favorite is an exhibit devoted to native son James Brown.
560 Reynolds St., Augusta, Georgia, 30901, USA706-722–8454Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Closed Mon.–Wed. -
14. Augusta Riverwalk
The well-maintained pathways of the Riverwalk (between 5th and 10th Streets) curve along the Savannah River and are the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. The upper brick portion connects downtown attractions like St. Paul's Church and the Morris Museum of Art. There are a few shops and restaurants along the way, but not as many as you might expect. On Saturday mornings between April and November, look out for the Augusta Market at the 8th Street Plaza. The lower paths offer a close-up view of wildlife and a peek at the graceful homes of North Augusta, South Carolina.
5th to 10th Sts., Augusta, Georgia, 30901, USA -
15. Black Rock Mountain State Park
At more than 3,600 feet, Black Rock Mountain is the highest state park in Georgia. Named for the black gneiss rock visible on cliffs in the area, the 1,738-acre park has 10 miles of trails, a 17-acre lake perfect for fishing, 56 campsites, a pioneer group campsite, and 10 cottages. The park offers majestic overlooks and a trail that leads visitors along the Eastern Continental Divide, from which water flows south and east to eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean, and on the other side, north and west to the mighty Mississippi River.
3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy., Mountain City, Georgia, 30562, USA706-746–2141Sight Details
Rate Includes: Daily-use fee $5, Daily 7 am–10 pm, Closed mid-Dec.–mid-Mar. -
16. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Ride the rails on a four-hour, 26-mile round-trip excursion along the Toccoa River. The trip includes a stop in McCaysville, smack on the Georgia–Tennessee state line. Several restaurants, shops, and galleries are open during the two-hour layover. The train, which has open Pullman cars and is pulled by diesel engines, is staffed with friendly volunteer hosts. Premier class is available to those over 18 and includes snacks and a little extra TLC. The ticket office, on the National Register of Historic Places, dates from 1905 and was originally the depot of the L&N Railroad. Children of all ages enjoy the ride. In summer you may want to consider the air-conditioned coaches.
241 Depot St., Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513, USA706-632–8724Sight Details
Rate Includes: $45--$92, depending on season and ticket type, Mid-Mar.–late Dec. Call for hrs., No train Jan.–mid-Mar. -
17. Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson
The home where President Woodrow Wilson spent the formative years of his childhood still stands in downtown Augusta across the street from First Presbyterian Church, where his father served as minister. The Wilsons lived in Augusta during the Civil War and Reconstruction, from 1860 to 1870, which greatly shaped the future president’s point of view. You can take a guided tour of the carefully restored home that depicts life and boyhood in the 1860s. Exhibits provide insight into Wilson’s life and time as the 28th president of the United States.
419 7th St., Augusta, Georgia, 30901, USA706-722--9828Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Closed Sun.--Wed. -
18. Chieftains Museum
This historic home, now a museum, was built by Cherokee leader Major Ridge and is a part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The 1828 white clapboard plantation home is built around a two-story log cabin. Visitors can peek behind the plaster walls to see the original wooden foundation. Major Ridge and his family lived here and operated a successful trading post and ferry until 1837 when they were forced out to Oklahoma. Although several other families lived in the home and modified it over the years, it came to be known as "Chieftains" in honor of Ridge. The museum features displays detailing the history of the house, the Ridge family, and artifacts from archaeological digs on the property.
501 Riverside Pkwy., Rome, Georgia, 30161, USA706-291–9494Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Wed.–Sat. 10–5, Closed Sun.–Tues. -
19. Church-Waddel-Brumby House
The streets of Athens are lined with many gorgeous old homes, some of which are open to the public. Most prominent among them is the Federal-style Church-Waddel-Brumby House. Built in 1820, it is the town's oldest surviving residence. The museum is home to the Historic Athens Welcome Center, where you can pick up information and arrange for tours.
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20. Cloudland Canyon State Park
At this 3,538-acre park you can see firsthand the unusual geology of this remote part of northwestern Georgia. Hike down the canyon, which drops 1,100 feet from the rim, and you're literally walking through millions of years of geologic time. If you make it all the way to the bottom—the trail totals 4 miles—you'll be rewarded with sights of two waterfalls. There are great tent and RV camping sites here, as well as cottages and yurts.
122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd., Rising Fawn, Georgia, 30738, USA706-657–4050Sight Details
Rate Includes: Parking $5, Daily 7 am–10 pm
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