There are so many wonderful attractions in Georgia that some tend to fall through the cracks and not get the attention they deserve. If your New Year’s resolution is to explore the Peach State a little more, we’ve gathered up a year’s worth of trips to hidden gems in Georgia. Some are better-known than others, but each is special in its own way and they’re all worthy of a visit.
January: Little Five Points
Pawel Loj/Wikimedia Commons Little Five Points is an artsy neighborhood that’s famous throughout Atlanta, but not as well known to those outside the perimeter. You’ll find tons of great shops here, plus charming cafes and coffee shops. It’s full of colorful art and has so much character. Little Five Points, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
February: Atlanta History Center/Cyclorama
Dave Rosselle/Google Local The Atlanta History Center’s 33-acre campus offers much to explore, with botanical gardens and both permanent and rotating exhibits. You’ll find plenty of information here on the history of Georgia and its capital city. One of the most underrated items on display here is the mighty cyclorama (cylindrical painting that the viewer stands in the middle of). This 360-degree painting is longer than a football field and measures 49 feet in height. The painting documents the Battle of Atlanta, a Civil War battle won by the Union Army. This is one of only two cycloramas in the United States. The Lloyd and Mary Ann Whitaker Cyclorama Building, 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
March: Chehaw Park and Zoo
Jackie Slappey/Google Local Albany’s Chehaw Park and Zoo is a wonderful space spanning 800 acres. It’s home to one of only two accredited zoos in Georgia, and has other fun attractions like nature trails and an RC track. Chehaw Park, 105 Chehaw Park Rd, Albany, GA 31701, USA
April: Rock Garden
Rock Garden, Calhoun/Google Local Calhoun’s Rock Garden is hidden away behind a church. The whimsical garden features a variety of miniature structures made of rock. You can find churches, castles, and more, all painstakingly crafted from rocks. Rock Garden, Calhoun, 1411 Rome Rd SW, Calhoun, GA 30701, USA
May: Etowah Mounds
D. Knapp/Google Local The Etowah Indian Mounds are one of many reasons to visit Cartersville in the northwest part of the state. This 54-acre archaeological site was home to several thousand Native Americans over a thousand years ago. The site is remarkably intact and you’ll find a museum with plenty of information about the mounds and cultures that once lived here.
June: Cumberland Island National Seashore
Lee Coursey/Flickr Cumberland Island is the only place you can see wild horses in Georgia. This is a pretty strange place - in addition to a herd of feral horses, the island has marshes, lakes, and the ruins of a mansion that burned down in the 1950s. This is a great spot for a weekend spent camping in the summer! Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA
July: Little Tybee Island
Joseph Gross/Google Local Summertime in Georgia means one thing: beach season! One of the most secluded and beautiful beaches in Georgia is Little Tybee Island. It’s off the coast of the much more popular Tybee Island and (despite its diminutive name!) actually dwarfs it in size. This peaceful paradise can only be reached by boat. Little Tybee Island, Georgia 31328, USA
August: Graveface Museum
Anthony Neff/Google Local Graveface Museum is an oddities and curiosities museum in Savannah that’s not as popular as some of the more famous museums in this historical city. You’ll find plenty of information on famous crimes, circus sideshows, taxidermy, and more: this place is wacky! Graveface Museum, 410 E Lower, Factors Walk, Savannah, GA 31401, USA
September: Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park/Google Local The Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is pretty notable because it’s a massive 1,100-acre swamp park right in Augusta, one of the largest cities in the state. This place is a must-visit for nature lovers: it’s got free admission and miles of boardwalk trails to explore. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, 1858 Lock and Dam Rd, Augusta, GA 30906, USA
October: Watson Mill Bridge State Park
Lisa Sammons/Only In Your State Watson Mill Bridge State Park is one of the most underrated state parks in Georgia. The sprawling oasis spans more than 1,000 acres and is home to the largest covered bridge in the state. You’ll find miles of trails, a campground, and plenty of fall foliage if you visit in October. Watson Mill Bridge State Park, 650 Watson Mill, Comer, GA 30629, USA
November: Lunchbox Museum
Lunchbox Museum There’s something so fun about small museums devoted to offbeat subjects. One of our favorites is the Lunchbox Museum in Columbus. There are over 3,000 lunchboxes here, with examples dating back to the early 1950s. There’s also a display of antique Coca Cola memorabilia. 318 10th Ave, Columbus, GA 31901, USA
December: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Anninditus Paulus - Realtor/Google Local The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a peaceful Hindu temple that’s open to visitors of all religions. This is perhaps the most beautiful palace in Georgia and many people don’t even know it exists. The architecture is incredible when viewed up close, and there’s an audio tour to give you more information on the temple’s history. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta, 460 Rockbridge Rd NW, Lilburn, GA 30047, USA
Did we miss your favorite hidden gem in Georgia? Share your suggestions in the comments!
Pawel Loj/Wikimedia Commons
Little Five Points is an artsy neighborhood that’s famous throughout Atlanta, but not as well known to those outside the perimeter. You’ll find tons of great shops here, plus charming cafes and coffee shops. It’s full of colorful art and has so much character.
Little Five Points, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
Dave Rosselle/Google Local
The Atlanta History Center’s 33-acre campus offers much to explore, with botanical gardens and both permanent and rotating exhibits. You’ll find plenty of information here on the history of Georgia and its capital city. One of the most underrated items on display here is the mighty cyclorama (cylindrical painting that the viewer stands in the middle of). This 360-degree painting is longer than a football field and measures 49 feet in height. The painting documents the Battle of Atlanta, a Civil War battle won by the Union Army. This is one of only two cycloramas in the United States.
The Lloyd and Mary Ann Whitaker Cyclorama Building, 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
Jackie Slappey/Google Local
Albany’s Chehaw Park and Zoo is a wonderful space spanning 800 acres. It’s home to one of only two accredited zoos in Georgia, and has other fun attractions like nature trails and an RC track.
Chehaw Park, 105 Chehaw Park Rd, Albany, GA 31701, USA
Rock Garden, Calhoun/Google Local
Calhoun’s Rock Garden is hidden away behind a church. The whimsical garden features a variety of miniature structures made of rock. You can find churches, castles, and more, all painstakingly crafted from rocks.
Rock Garden, Calhoun, 1411 Rome Rd SW, Calhoun, GA 30701, USA
D. Knapp/Google Local
The Etowah Indian Mounds are one of many reasons to visit Cartersville in the northwest part of the state. This 54-acre archaeological site was home to several thousand Native Americans over a thousand years ago. The site is remarkably intact and you’ll find a museum with plenty of information about the mounds and cultures that once lived here.
Lee Coursey/Flickr
Cumberland Island is the only place you can see wild horses in Georgia. This is a pretty strange place - in addition to a herd of feral horses, the island has marshes, lakes, and the ruins of a mansion that burned down in the 1950s. This is a great spot for a weekend spent camping in the summer!
Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA
Joseph Gross/Google Local
Summertime in Georgia means one thing: beach season! One of the most secluded and beautiful beaches in Georgia is Little Tybee Island. It’s off the coast of the much more popular Tybee Island and (despite its diminutive name!) actually dwarfs it in size. This peaceful paradise can only be reached by boat.
Little Tybee Island, Georgia 31328, USA
Anthony Neff/Google Local
Graveface Museum is an oddities and curiosities museum in Savannah that’s not as popular as some of the more famous museums in this historical city. You’ll find plenty of information on famous crimes, circus sideshows, taxidermy, and more: this place is wacky!
Graveface Museum, 410 E Lower, Factors Walk, Savannah, GA 31401, USA
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park/Google Local
The Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is pretty notable because it’s a massive 1,100-acre swamp park right in Augusta, one of the largest cities in the state. This place is a must-visit for nature lovers: it’s got free admission and miles of boardwalk trails to explore.
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, 1858 Lock and Dam Rd, Augusta, GA 30906, USA
Lisa Sammons/Only In Your State
Watson Mill Bridge State Park is one of the most underrated state parks in Georgia. The sprawling oasis spans more than 1,000 acres and is home to the largest covered bridge in the state. You’ll find miles of trails, a campground, and plenty of fall foliage if you visit in October.
Watson Mill Bridge State Park, 650 Watson Mill, Comer, GA 30629, USA
Lunchbox Museum
There’s something so fun about small museums devoted to offbeat subjects. One of our favorites is the Lunchbox Museum in Columbus. There are over 3,000 lunchboxes here, with examples dating back to the early 1950s. There’s also a display of antique Coca Cola memorabilia.
318 10th Ave, Columbus, GA 31901, USA
Anninditus Paulus - Realtor/Google Local
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a peaceful Hindu temple that’s open to visitors of all religions. This is perhaps the most beautiful palace in Georgia and many people don’t even know it exists. The architecture is incredible when viewed up close, and there’s an audio tour to give you more information on the temple’s history.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta, 460 Rockbridge Rd NW, Lilburn, GA 30047, USA
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