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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18 Recommendations
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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. 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 -
3. 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 -
4. 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 -
5. 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. -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. 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. -
7. Consolidated Gold Mine
Take a guided tour of a real mine, which ceased operations in 1904. With 5 miles of underground tunnels, Consolidated is said to be the largest gold mine east of the Mississippi. Enter the mine (which has been reconstructed for safety), pass through a breathtaking stone passage, and then begin a descent of 120 feet into the mine's geological wonders. Knowledgeable guides expound on historical mining techniques and give demonstrations of tools, such as the "widowmaker," a drill that kicks up mining dust and caused lung disease in many miners. After the tour, guests are invited to pan for gold, prospector style, from a long wooden sluice. Gemstone mining is also available for an additional fee.
185 Consolidated Gold Mine Rd., Dahlonega, Georgia, 30533, USA706-864–8473Sight Details
Rate Includes: $20, Daily 10–5 (last tour at 4:30) -
8. Crisson Gold Mine
Dahlonega’s oldest gold mining establishment open to the public, Crisson offers the opportunity to get serious about gold prospecting. There’s indoor and outdoor gold panning and gem grubbing as well as outdoor exhibits that guide guests through the gold mining process. You can also see mining equipment in action, including a 130-year-old stamp mill that's still used to crush gold-bearing quartz. Wagon rides take you by the old tunnels and a functional open pit mine. The gift shop is worth a stop for the gemstone jewelry and unique gold gifts.
2736 Morrison Moore Pkwy. E, Dahlonega, Georgia, 30533, USA706-864–6363Sight Details
Rate Includes: $12.95 per person (ages 4 and up) -
9. Fort Mountain State Park
This 3,712-acre state park has a 17-acre lake with sandy beach, 14 miles of hiking trails, and 27 miles of mountain-biking trails. The gem of the park is a mysterious wall of rock, 855 feet long, thought to have been built by Native Americans around AD 500. Walk-in tent and premium tent/RV sites ($18–$36) as well as two- and three-bedroom cottages ($175–$200) are available. The park also offers a unique primitive site for camping with horses.
181 Fort Mountain Park Rd., Chatsworth, Georgia, 30705, USA706-422–1932Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, parking $5, Daily 7 am–10 pm -
10. Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center
Set on the slope of Black Rock Mountain, this outdoor museum re-creates life in Appalachia before the days of electricity and running water. The museum features a collection of authentic and reconstructed log cabins, a gristmill, a blacksmith's shop, and an operating weaving workshop, along with tools and displays about life in daily life and mountain culture. The Foxfire organization was born in 1966 when students at the Rabun Gap--Nacoochee School wrote articles for a magazine based on generations-old family stories. Their excitement in chronicling life in the Appalachians has led to more than a dozen Foxfire books, which have sold nearly 9 million copies.
200 Foxfire La., Mountain City, Georgia, 30562, USA706-746–5828Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Mon.–Sat. 8:30–4:30 -
11. Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
Designed to resemble a turn-of-the-century ballpark, sports enthusiasts will appreciate this shrine to Georgia sports and its Hall of Fame honoring over 400 inductees. Exhibits, though dated, include a variety of artifacts and interactive, touch-screen kiosks and honor sports—including baseball, golf, track and field, and football—at all levels, from prep and college teams to professional.
301 Cherry St., Macon, Georgia, 31201, USA478-752–1585Sight Details
Rate Includes: $8, Tues.–Sat. 9–5 -
12. Hillcrest Orchards
Buy freshly picked apples (usually early September to late November) at this 80-acre farm. Homemade jellies, jams, breads, and doughnuts are available at the farm's market and bakery. On September and October weekends, the Apple Pickin' Jubilee features live music, wagon rides, apple picking, and other activities. There's also a petting zoo and a picnic area.
9696 GA 52 E, Ellijay, Georgia, 30536, USA706-273–3838Sight Details
Rate Includes: $8–$12 for special events, including Apple Pickin\' Jubilee, Sept.–Oct., daily 9–6; Nov., daily 9–5, Closed Dec.–Aug. -
13. Lake Burton
One of the six lakes built by the Georgia Railway and Power Company, this 2,800-acre lake is in the Chattahoochee National Forest. On the lake, at Georgia State Route 197, is the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery, alongside Moccasin Creek State Park, which offers a boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic spots, and shady campsites. It also has trout raceways (used to raise trout from fingerlings) and a kids-only trout-fishing area. In extremely hot weather, the hatchery is sometimes closed.
3655 GA 197 N, Clarkesville, Georgia, 30523, USA706-947–3194Sight Details
Rate Includes: Park parking $5, hatchery parking free -
14. Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences
Displaying everything from a whale skeleton to fine art, this museum appeals to adults and children alike. The Discovery House, an interactive exhibit for children, is modeled after an artist's garret. There's also a mini-zoo and the Mark Smith Planetarium on-site.
4182 Forsyth Rd., Macon, Georgia, 31210, USA478-477–3232Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Tues.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. 1–5., Closed Sun. and Mon. -
15. Museum of Aviation
This museum at Robins Air Force Base has an extraordinary collection of 85 vintage aircraft and missiles, including a MiG, an SR-71 (Blackbird), a U-2, and assorted other flying machines from past campaigns. For a small fee, you can also take a ride on a virtual reality simulator as you navigate through outer space.
1942 Heritage Blvd., Warner Robins, Georgia, 31098, USA478-926–6870Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Daily 9–5 -
16. New Echota State Historic Site
Made up of a dozen original and reconstructed buildings, this significant historic site allows visitors to explore the capital of the Cherokee nation on the land where the city once stood. It was here that the Treaty of 1835 was signed by a small group of Cherokee leaders, setting into motion the Trail of Tears. The only original building remaining is the Worcester House, a home and Presbyterian mission station. The Cherokee Council House and Supreme Court are reconstructions, as is the print house, where thousands of books translated in Cherokee and the weekly Cherokee Phoenix were published. Other buildings, including the 1805 Vann Tavern, were relocated to the site. A museum and film provide more insight on the rich history of the Cherokee in Georgia.
1211 Chatsworth Hwy., Calhoun, Georgia, 30701, USA706-624–1321Sight Details
Rate Includes: $7, Wed.–Sat. 9–5, Closed Mon. Also closed Sun. Dec.--Mar. -
17. Swan Drive-In Theatre
Originally opened in 1955, this is one of only five drive-in movie theaters operating in Georgia. You can take in a movie under the stars and fill up on corn dogs, onion rings, funnel cakes, and popcorn from the concession stand.
651 Summit St., Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513, USA706-632–5235Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Closed Mon.–Thurs.; call ahead in winter, Cash only -
18. Uncle Remus Museum
Eatonton is the birthplace of celebrated novelist Joel Chandler Harris, of Br'er Rabbit and Uncle Remus fame. This museum, built from authentic slave cabins, houses countless carvings, paintings, first-edition books, and other artwork depicting the characters made famous by the imaginative author. It's on the grounds of a park. Note the museum closes for lunch from noon until 1 daily, so plan your visit accordingly.
214 Oak St., Eatonton, Georgia, 31024, USA706-485–6856Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Mar.-Oct., Mon.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. 2–5; Nov.-Feb., Mon.–Sat. 10-4, Sun. 1-4
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