Georgia On Our Mind...

Georgia On Our Mind...
Explore a few of our favorite Georgia Destinations.
 From stunning mountain ranges in the north, to a sparkling eastern coastline, endless green pastures in the south, and of course the bustling city of Atlanta in the center, it’s no secret that the state of Georgia is unlike any other. We truly believe the state is packed with incredible places to visit, and we’re excited to share a few of our favorites with you in this issue! If you’re looking to dive into exquisite culinary scenes, unique shopping, and plenty of adventures, add these Georgia destinations to your travel list! We promise they won’t disappoint.

Liberty County, GA 
libertycounty.org

Liberty County is a trove of historic and natural treasures. With a little bit of something for everyone, you’re sure to enjoy yourself. Kayak along the coastal waterways at Dunham Farms, the oldest plantation in Georgia still remaining with its original family. They still have the original King’s grant paperwork! Explore beneath the sweeping Live Oaks and stroll through the camellias & azaleas at the Bacon Fraser house, an almost 200-year-old plantation plain style jewel in the heart of Hinesville. Dine on fresh, Wild Georgia shrimp or Ossabaw oysters--of course locally caught--at the Sunbury Crab Company, all while you take in the watercolor sunsets on the coast.

Experience the historic gems that lie within our borders dating back to Georgia’s Colonial times.  Stand where Revolutionary War soldiers, signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Martin Luther King Jr. once stood, all in Liberty County. Discover the forgotten town of Sunbury, the national telephone museum, and historic schools. Ride along tree-lined roads dating back hundreds of years. Your choices to explore are endless!

We’d love to show y’all around, or just have you come sit on the front porch and visit with us a while! We’ll have a glass of sweet tea and a nice comfy swing waiting for you!

Macon, GA 
visitmacon.org

Steeped in history and culture, Macon is a vibrant city filled with architectural gems, historical haunts, and a thriving downtown scene worth exploring. Only in Macon can you float down the Ocmulgee River, explore ancient Indian mounds, tour the 18,000 square foot mansion known as the “Palace of the South,” and discover the Southeast’s largest museum dedicated to African American art, culture, and history. 

See the sights that inspired music legends like The Allman Brothers Band, Otis Redding, Little Richard, and Jason Aldean. Stand in the room where Dickey Betts wrote the song Ramblin’ Man, see a show where Otis Redding wowed the audience in countless talent shows, and sip a martini in the restaurant where Little Richard sang Tutti Frutti. 

Experience Macon’s flourishing culinary scene from chef-owned restaurants and traditional fine dining to soulful Southern dishes that offer a contemporary twist on classic favorites. Pair your meal with craft beer from one of our local breweries or handmade cocktails infused with regional ingredients. 

Fill your evening with music at a concert located anywhere from the 9,000-seat Centreplex to an intimate acoustic set on a restaurant’s outdoor patio. Dance the night away to live DJ mixes, rock and roll jam bands, new country artists, and hip-hop throwbacks. At the end of the day, rest your head at a historic inn, cozy B&B, or modern hotel with all of the amenities. 

Visit Macon to experience something that can only be found in the heart of Georgia.

Madison, GA 
madisonga.com

A magical southern town and a gem of southern culture, Madison’s National Register Historic District is one of the state’s largest collection of 19th century architecture. Madison combines with nearby Rutledge to house more than 170 antiques dealers, 38 shops and boutiques, and 20 unique eateries.  Aristocratic from its 1807 founding, Madison definitely keeps its cultural edge with offerings from the visual and performing arts to epicurean delights served in an array of venues, from fine dining to riverside outings at area farms. And no matter the time of year, visitors are sure to find art, food, music, and agricultural festivals happening throughout the town.

Farmview Market, located just south of the historic downtown, offers a unique agricultural experience to those visiting Madison.  A beautiful retail complex built with reclaimed wood from barns built in the early 1800s, Farmview Market incorporates a grocery store, a specialty butcher shop, a farm to table café, and an open air farmers market—all featuring delicious, locally sourced offerings. It fuses elements of Georgia’s rich agrarian heritage with a sensible approach to sustainability to present a truly unique food and educational experience for guests.

When traveling through Madison, make the Historic Madison Welcome Center your first stop (located on the square downtown). Nestled in an 1887 firehouse, the ladies are always eager to show visitors all there is to see and do, including a neat audio tour that allows you to leisurely stroll through the historic district and listen to the stories of the people that made Madison what it is today.

Decatur, GA 
visitdecaturga.com

Recently voted best neighborhood by Creative Loafing readers, the city of Decatur invites you here for more “Best of Atlanta” experiences. Shop at “indie” boutiques, galleries, and salons including Little Shop of Stories (best book store) and Worthmore Jewelers (best jewelry store). Nibble and sip at culinary hot spots, among them The White Bull (best new restaurant) and Chai Pani (best Indian food). Make the after-hours scene for live music at Eddie’s Attic (best music venue), and hand-crafted cocktails at Kimball House (best oysters, best service), and small plates at The Iberian Pig (best Spanish food, best tapas). 

Enjoy the stroll in our walkable downtown and see the latest additions to our Artway sculpture series. (#decaturga for those Instagram selfies). A mural by Milagros Collective covers the MARTA overpass on the west side of the city to create a colorful and welcoming gateway. Decatur streets come alive with buskers bringing music, magic, dancing and fun. #LookUpDecatur for unexpected mini paintings on light poles overhead, and look down for Secret Doors Decatur, tucked into nooks and crannies at street level.

Hop on MARTA for a quick train ride to the Decatur station at our downtown square. Or stop by our Visitors Center for friendly tips and guides to all of the best that Decatur has to offer, 113 Clairemont Ave., Decatur 30030. | visitdecaturga.com.

Marietta, GA 
visitmariettaga.com

Everyone loves stories, and Marietta’s story includes a mix of modern and traditional, fresh and vintage. The variety is what makes Marietta a great place to visit and stay.

The culinary scene continues to flourish in Marietta. The Marietta food tours, run by two locals, provides visitors with an authentic experience and chance to taste test popular dishes from restaurants. Plus, it’ll provide an optimal opportunity to snap a perfect picture to share on Instagram! The Marietta Square Market, a newly opened food hall, is a great addition when trying to determine what to eat, especially if there are picky eaters in the group.

The traditions and sense of community unite both visitors and locals. One place that everyone loves to explore is Glover Park in the Historic Square. This beloved location is home to a variety of free events which bring in visitors from all around the Atlanta-metro area and beyond. 

The city’s proximity to Atlanta and the interstate make it easily accessible whether traveling by car or plane. Once you arrive in Marietta, ditch the transportation and set out on foot. The Historic Square is full of dining and shopping options. Take the Mountain to River (M2R) trail that will soon connect Kennesaw Mountain to the Chattahoochee River and discover the city’s emerging art scene. Murals can be found throughout the trail close to the Square.

Whether you meet a local artist or one of our craft brewers, you’ll hear personal stories on why Marietta is so unique. After you’re done visiting Marietta, you’ll have plenty of stories to share.

Alpharetta, GA 
awesomealpharetta.com

Come and explore Alpharetta, Georgia, where visitors from around the world experience what the locals live every day! Located just 22 miles north of Atlanta, Alpharetta is perfectly positioned between the metropolitan city and the enchanting North Georgia Mountains. It is a place you can stay, play, dine and shop, or take an adventure out to surrounding locations, only to return for vibrant evenings of nightlife and entertainment. Known as a family-friendly, outdoor destination, Alpharetta has eight award-winning parks, over 10 hiking and biking trails, four arboretums and plenty of free activities. The Big Creek Greenway is Alpharetta’s 8-mile-long, 12-foot-wide paved path for biking, walking, rollerblading and inline skating along the creek.

Savvy shoppers love this superb suburb with over 250+ shops all within a 5-mile radius. Stop by the American Girl Boutique and Lego Store at North Point Mall.

Everyone will have a happy palate because this culinary city has more than 200 dining options with locally-owned eateries and chef-driven restaurants. Pair that with multiple breweries and an array of rooftop locations to grab a glass of vino for a perfect alfresco evening. On any given weekend, visitors will find a concert at Brooke Street Park, farmers market, parade, or festival--there is always something fun going on in Alpharetta! And don’t forget to take a photo at “The Alpharetta A” – perfect for Instagram!