Lia Picard 2023-11-16 11:56:19
Head to one of these surprising destinations for immersive experiences off the beaten path. Pasaquan BUENA VISTA In 1957, visionary folk artist Eddie Owens Martin (known as St. EOM) began a 30-year transformation of his late mother’s house into a 7-acre art installation. Today, visitors are wowed by the Technicolor mash-up of Native American and African-influenced sculptures, murals, totems and painted structures, surrounded by more than 900 feet of brilliantly decorated masonry walls. Thoughtfully restored and maintained by Columbus State University, the site welcomes guests on weekends. Providence Canyon State Park LUMPKIN Known as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” this geological wonder formed as a result of poor farming practices in the 1800s. Over the years, water runoff created chasms, ravines and cliffs with stunning multicolored sediment. Streams flow along the canyon floors, and 9.5 miles of scenic hiking trails are adorned with magnolias, trumpet creepers and wildflowers. Pause and take in the views from the overlooks; there’s no shortage of breathtaking photo ops. East Palisades Trail Bamboo Forest ATLANTA Follow the East Palisades Trail through a peaceful oasis just a few miles northwest of the city’s core. The Chattahoochee River vistas along the approximately 4-mile loop are beautiful, but the most surprising feature is the enchanting bamboo grove. Listen as the towering, 30-foot stalks knock together in the breeze, creating a natural, soothing melody to accompany your exploration of this unexpected dreamscape. Smithsonian Museum Affiliates CARTERSVILLE This small North Georgia town lays claim to two Smithsonian affiliates—The Booth Western Art Museum and Tellus Science Museum—along with the Savoy Automobile Museum. The architecturally impressive Booth Western Art Museum contains the world’s largest permanent exhibit space for Western art, while Tellus is a playground for science buffs of all ages, displaying everything from dinosaur fossils to glittering gemstones. As the newest addition to the trio, Savoy’s extensive automobile collection will convert anyone into a car enthusiast. Cumberland Island It doesn’t get much more remote than this barrier island celebrated for its wild horses, undeveloped beaches and Dungeness Ruins (the remains of a once stately mansion built by Thomas Carnegie, brother of steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie). Travel the island’s unpaved roads via bicycle or guided walking tour, and spend hours combing the beaches for shells. For an overnight stay, book a room at the luxe Greyfield Inn or camp out beneath the moss-draped branches of Southern live oaks.
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HIDDEN GEMS
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