A weekend road trip through Georgia
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, we have the perfect Georgia road trip that you can do in three days, starting with Atlanta as your home base.
Stop one: Augusta
To start your Georgia road trip, head two hours east, and you’ll find a city filled with history and culture: Augusta. It’s where musician James Brown started his career, and it’s the birthplace of the world’s most prestigious golf tournament. Even President Woodrow Wilson once called Augusta home. Augusta offers various attractions that are sure to entertain everyone, no matter what piques their interest.
Located in a former textile mill, the Augusta Canal Discovery Center informs visitors on the Industrial Revolution’s impact on the South and how Augusta used its waterways to its advantage. Then, take a walk along the banks of the Savannah River on the Augusta Riverwalk. You can enjoy museums, like the Augusta Museum of History, restaurants, and more—all while getting some fresh air. If you want to venture into nature, visit Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Stroll through the wetlands and woodlands and take in some of Georgia’s most breathtaking scenery—wildlife included.
Stop two: Savannah
Our next destination on the Georgia weekend road trip is a short drive south to Savannah—Georgia’s oldest city. Savannah is the perfect city for the history buff 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 historical 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.
Stop three: Macon
The final stop on our Georgia weekend road trip is Macon—known as the hometown of the Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard, Otis Redding, and other noteworthy musicians. It’s only appropriate that your first excursion in Macon is a visit to the Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House. The Big House is where the band, their families, roadies, and friends lived until 1973 and transformed Macon into the city it is today. The museum is home to the largest collection of Allman Brothers Band memorabilia. After visiting the Big House, venture to the Rose Hill Cemetery, where you can view the final resting place of Gregg and Duane Allman, plus other notable Georgia figures.
The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park is also a hallowed ground where the American Indians who first occupied present-day Macon built burial mounds for elite tribal members. The park has eight miles of trails, a museum with artifacts dating back to 10,000 B.C., and more. Finally, step back in time and visit the Hay House, an Italian Renaissance Revival-style home. This stately, 18,000 square foot manor was completed in 1859, with construction beginning in 1855, and was occupied by three prominent families before becoming a museum.
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!