A weekend road trip through Georgia, part two
Traveling is a remarkable way to experience new places and faces, but how often do you explore your backyard? Georgia is chock-full of alluring scenery, charming towns, and vibrant cities—and it’s possible to experience this in one weekend. Below is part two of our Georgia weekend road trip series, which you can do in three days through Southeast Georgia and the coast, starting with Albany as your home base.
Stop one: Valdosta
The first stop on our Georgia weekend road trip is a quick drive south to Valdosta. Although it’s a small town, Valdosta has plenty to offer, from a charming downtown filled with local shops and restaurants to a theme park, and everything in between. Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area is popular among both visitors and locals—there are thousands of acres filled with hiking and nature trails, fishing, canoeing, and more. A boardwalk meanders through the park, leading to a lookout tower that offers a birds-eye view of the surrounding wetlands.
Take a Civil Rights tour and visit the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, Lowndes County Historical Museum, and the Copeland African American Museum at Valdosta State University. All three sites chronicle the Civil Rights movement, important figures who impacted the movement, and African American contributions to South Georgia.
Finally, if theme parks are more your style, visit Wild Adventures—the park offers rides, a waterpark, and the ability to interact with wild animals, like giraffes and alligators. Plus, during the summer, the park hosts a concert series each Saturday that showcases award-winning artists.
Stop two: Jekyll Island
Head two hours east, and our second stop on the Georgia road trip is Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island is one of the Golden Isles along the Georgia barrier islands and is known for its unspoiled shoreline and natural beauty. Jekyll is a haven for those who love the outdoors, and there are plenty of outdoor activities for everyone. The island boasts more than 20 miles of biking paths and trails, so renting a bike is a fantastic way to explore Jekyll. Or, you can put your boots on and explore the island on horseback. There’s plenty of fishing for the avid fisherman, plus dozens of waterways for kayaking and paddleboarding.
If you want to kick your feet back and relax, there are plenty of beaches to lay out and bask in the sun. Driftwood Beach is Jekyll’s best-known beach, with driftwood lining the waterfront. Glory Beach and St. Andrew’s Beach are other popular spots—Glory Beach is a traditional beach with sea oats and dunes, and St. Andrew’s Beach faces the marsh if you’re looking for a change of scenery.
Lastly, if you’re a wildlife fanatic, Jekyll is home to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a marine wildlife rehabilitation center. There, you can experience hands-on exhibits, view sea turtle operations, and learn about the importance of the coastal ecosystem.
Stop three: Tybee Island and Savannah
Our final stop on our Georgia road trip is a two-hour drive north to Tybee Island and Savannah. Tybee is best known for its wide beaches—but there are plenty of activities to do besides visiting the beach. A popular stop on the island is the historic lighthouse—Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, dating back to 1736. It’s a fully functioning lighthouse, allowing visitors to climb to the top and enjoy a spectacular view of the island. If you’re a history buff, Fort Pulaski National Monument at Cockspur Island is for you. Fort Pulaski was a landmark Civil War site and was a turning point in military technology. In addition to the fort, there are various outdoor trails, wildlife viewing, and exhibits. And, for more wildlife viewing, dolphin cruises are one of the best ways to ensure you see the many bottlenose dolphins that swim just offshore of Tybee. Many dolphin cruises offer close-up views, sunset rides, and more.
Savannah is just 20 minutes away from Tybee, and it’s the perfect city for the historian and the foodie. In between the charming, historic homes and museums that line the streets, Savannah boasts phenomenal restaurants—you can’t go wrong with any of them. River Street is a popular attraction and for a good reason—there are more than 75 boutiques, restaurants, pubs, and art studios that line the street. Stroll along this historic street front and enjoy some of the best eateries Savannah has to offer, like Huey’s. If you want to explore from a different perspective, try a riverboat cruise. Besides being a historic city, Savannah is also known as one of the most haunted cities in America. Tour Savannah by candlelight and dive even deeper into its history by taking a ghost tour.
Another Savannah tradition is dinner at The Olde Pink House. This Southern landmark was home to key events—it hosted meetings that helped secure the 13 colonies’ independence and later became the Planter’s Bank, the first bank in Georgia. It also housed military generals during Sherman’s March to the Sea. Eventually, it was restored in 1992 and became the restaurant it is today. If you’re looking for classic, Southern comfort food, all while experiencing Savannah’s history, this is it.
This is a fun, effortless Georgia road trip itinerary that promises visits to bounding landscapes, lively cities, and more. Drive safe, and make unforgettable memories!