Official State Travel Guide - 2025 Georgia Official State Travel Guide

THIS LIST OF 8 BEST TRIPS WILL BE YOUR TRAVEL CHECKLIST STARTING ON PAGE 10.

1. Elevate Your Family Vacation at McLemore

2. Camp on Cumberland Island

3. Score a Goal in Atlanta

4. Relive Your Love Story at Barnsley Resort

5. Cool Off on the Lake in Milledgeville

6. Find Your Serenity at Serenbe

7. Feel the Frights in Savannah

8. Cozy Up for the Holidays in Dahlonega

There’s more to see! SCAN CODE to unlock the full list of our 12 best trips of 2025.

DID YOU KNOW?

Cloudland at McLemore Resort has a wide range of activities for every age and interest. From the Songwriter’s Series to Creature Connections with wildlife to holiday events and more, this picturesque Georgia getaway offers fun additions to your family’s vacation.

1.ELEVATE YOUR FAMILY VACATION AT MCLEMORE

Ready for some nonstop, adrenaline-pumping adventures on a mountaintop? Be prepared to immerse in nature and acquire new skills on your trip to Lookout Mountain in the heart of northwest Georgia. Wake up early, feel the morning mist, and be ready to push your limits with a different adventure each day. Go deep inside mysterious caves, or explore dozens of hiking and biking trails along the unique topography.

Want to know what a cloud tastes like? Soar high above the Appalachian Mountains on a thrilling tandem hang-glider or paraglider experience with Lookout Mountain Flight Park. Venture out to Lula Lake (reservations required) for a 4.2-mile-long hike through beautiful hardwood forests and impressive, 120-foot Lula Falls. Take an easy-to-moderate trail to cast your wishes at the three DeSoto Falls (where you can camp, too), and plan to spend a couple of hours at the enchanting Rock City Gardens. The leisurely trails will take you through 200-year-old rock formations, narrow caverns, and lush gardens. Get a panoramic view of the surrounding seven states and take a dramatic photo at Lover’s Leap on Lookout Mountain. You will have a spellbinding experience trying to recognize your favorite childhood characters at the Mother Goose Village and Fairyland Caverns.

During three weeks in June and July, you can pick your own lavender from family-run Lookout Lavender Farm, or visit the farm store through the summer to shop for homemade lavender products. No matter what your mountain adventure brings, you can rock it out completely with the entire family.

And when you are ready to get some rest, pamper yourself with a luxurious stay at the resort community of McLemore. Spread out at one of the homes or villa rentals, where you will find cute bunk beds, energetic game rooms, and mellow firepits. For the most amazing views of the canyon and surrounding valley, book one of the balcony rooms at Cloudland at McLemore Resort Lookout Mountain, Curio by Hilton. Spend the afternoon swimming in the dramatic, cliffside infinity-edge pool, indulge in a tranquil massage at Cloudland’s world-class spa, Selah, and cuddle up with a good book at the expansive resort library. There’s hardly a better place to perfect your swing than at one of the mountaintop, world-class golf courses – McLemore’s Highlands Course, The Cairn short course, and The Keep – each offering sweeping views of the Georgia mountains and cooler weather through the summer months.

When you’re hungry, you don’t need to go too far – dine at the hotel’s four outlets to sample unique flavors from locally sourced farm ingredients and take in unparalleled views of Cumberland Plateau and McLemore Cove. At Auld Alliance, you’ll find Scottish classics such as boudin blanc with lump crab and truffle butter, 12-hour braised venison, and orange-scotch pie served with a touch of French elegance. Enjoy a high-country picnic of pimento-cheese canape and oat biscuits at Croft, or grab fresh-baked pastries and coffee from The Pocket Café. Watch the sunset over the mountains with a handcrafted cocktail from the stylish, poolside, open-air Skyside. You’ll find yourself reliving a new definition of “elevated dining” at 2,300 feet above sea level at The Creag restaurant near the Highlands Clubhouse.

WONDERING WHEN TO CAMP?

Pitch your tent on Cumberland Island for startling beauty and delightful temperatures during Georgia’s mild fall and winter seasons. All that perfect weather puts campsites in high demand, however – so reserve your spot early!

2.CAMP ON CUMBERLAND ISLAND

There is only one place on Earth where you can sleep among wild horses, retreat to secluded white beaches, and explore the skeletal remains of a once-grand mansion. The Cumberland Island National Seashore, the southernmost and largest barrier island on the Georgia coast, is just that place. Home to nearly 10,000 acres of Congressionally designated wilderness and historic sites ranging from a one-room church to early 20th-century mansions, Cumberland Island is one of the country’s most intriguing national seashores. Although you can get a taste of the island’s magic on a day trip, the best way to truly immerse yourself in the island’s beauty is on a multiday camping trip.

Being among the 300 visitors permitted on Cumberland Island daily is a treasured experience requiring some planning. That includes making reservations up to six months in advance for campsites and the ferry that leaves from St. Marys. As Cumberland Island remains mostly undeveloped, there is no store on the island and no camp host, so plan to pack in and pack out, including all your trash. Choose your campground from the island’s five options, which range in amenities from beginner-friendly to primitive, according to your skills and appetite for adventure.

Sea Camp is great for families and novice campers, offering amenities like bathrooms with electrical outlets, showers, and access to a boardwalk through the dunes that leads to a truly secluded, pristine beach. Stafford Beach Campground, located a short 3.5-mile hike from the ferry dock, has 10 well-spaced-out sites sharing a bathhouse with electrical outlets, plumbing, and cold showers.

Or, choose to go off the beaten path and set up camp at one of three remote campgrounds located in the island’s designated wilderness: Hickory Hill, 5.5 miles from the ferry dock; Yankee Paradise, 7.5 miles from the ferry dock; or Brickhill Bluff, the island’s northernmost wilderness campground located 10.5 miles from the ferry.

Once on the island, more than 50 miles of trails and roads wait to be explored. Walk or bike in any direction, and you’ll uncover natural wonders, from salt marshes full of fiddler crabs to a vast maritime forest that serves as a migration stopover for more than 300 bird species. Plan to stop at Dungeness Ruins for a picturesque scene of wild horses against the backdrop of the Carnegie family’s Queen Anne-style estate.

To cover more ground, join the Lands and Legacies Tour, a guided tour shuttling visitors to some of Cumberland Island’s cultural and natural landmarks, including properties like Plum Orchard Mansion and First African Baptist Church, which was built in 1893 by the area’s Black residents and families – many of them formerly enslaved.

Round out your stay marveling at the nearly 18 miles of white, sandy beaches where you can find tons of seashells and, if you search hard enough, fossilized shark teeth. If your visit is during sea turtle nesting season, you might even spot a few hatching turtles at night.

TAKE A WINNING BITE

Mercedes-Benz Stadium isn’t only known for its thrilling sporting events – it’s also a top contender in the NFL food game. Recently named one of the best stadiums for delicious and affordable eats (think $2 classic hot dogs and $2 freshly popped popcorn), it’s also home to food stalls from Atlanta restaurateurs. You’ll love delicious bites from the likes of Chef Linton Hopkins of H&F Burger and Hop’s Chicken, as well as Bravo’s “Top Chef” alumnus Kevin Gillespie, the mastermind behind Gamechanger.

3. SCORE A GOAL IN ATLANTA

Atlanta is the epicenter of soccer in the United States and will again take its place on the world stage during the biggest sporting event in history, the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In June and July 2026, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host eight matches – including five group-stage matches, a round of 32 match, a round of 16 match, and a semifinal match. With direct access to more than 40 countries, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers easy connectivity and a home base for sports fans from around the world. Plan a few days in the city to attend sought-after sporting events and follow your favorite teams to other destinations so you don’t miss a single game of the season.

Atlanta United FC has established itself as one of the most successful franchises in Major League Soccer’s history. The team holds nearly every attendance record and has won every major trophy in the league.

If you are in Atlanta, watch a home game at the state-of-the-art, retractable-glass-ceiling-covered Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For some fun and education, take a guided, 90-minute public tour of the stadium with stops at champion locker rooms, the playing field, Window to the City, Sky Bridges, and clubs. Then, head next door to The Home Depot Backyard for an ongoing calendar filled with free art, sports, and cultural events.

That’s not all when it comes to major sporting events happening in Atlanta. In addition to the College Football Playoff National Championship and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, there’s also an opportunity to watch the National Collegiate Athletics Association men’s basketball regional in March 2025 at State Farm Arena.

While visiting Atlanta for sports, you may be able to hobnob with some of the world’s greatest athletes at world-class venues, accommodations, and eateries. Stay at Signia by Hilton Atlanta, the city’s largest downtown hotel conveniently located next to the stadium. Snag a table overlooking stellar, city-skyline views at one of the hotel’s eight restaurants and bars. Grab beers, milkshakes, and short rib poutine at Nest on Four at Signia, which puts a unique twist on traditional ballpark favorites. With a view of 45 television screens at the bar and patio, as well as an impressive infinity screen that mimics the one at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, you’ll never miss a score.

Watch even more sports nearby at the multi-level STATS Brewpub, featuring 70 high-definition television screens and a constant flow of homemade brews. This ultra-large, 16,000-square-foot bar features a beer-tap system where you can pour your own glass. For a post-game nightcap, head to the neighborhood favorite, Park Bar, offering spectacular views of Centennial Olympic Park.

4.RELIVE YOUR LOVE STORY AT BARNSLEY RESORT

Only an hour’s drive from the big city of Atlanta, you will find yourself in the midst of a charming, English-countryside setting at Barnsley Resort in Adairsville. The luxurious family estate was built two centuries ago as a testament of love by affluent Liverpool, England, native Godfrey Barnsley, for his beloved wife, Julia. Now, the resort and gardens are a popular destination among those who want to rekindle romance surrounded by Southern hospitality and peaceful nature. Walk around the 3,000-acre grounds while admiring the Manor House Ruins constructed with marble from Italy and France, decorated with furniture from around the world, and boasting modern plumbing ahead of its time.

Today, the museum at Barnsley Resort showcases photos, artifacts, and information about the Barnsley family. Learn about the resort’s historical past – which includes a few ownerships and tragedies – with a Guided History and Wine Tour, on which you can also sample the resort’s new, custom wine labels as you hear astonishing stories.

As you hold hands with your loved one and meander through cottage-style residences surrounded by symmetrical gardens modeled using the manuals of the father of American landscape architecture, Andrew Jackson Downing, make sure to stop and smell the many flowers. More than 200 types of roses were planted in 1988 by then-owner Prince Hubertus Fugger of Bavaria and made for fairytale wedding backdrops. There are plenty of outdoor activities to bond over, too, such as hiking, sporting clays, golf, and wing shooting. One of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Barnsley is on a guided horseback trail ride.

Rekindle the romance with a couple’s treatment at The Spa at Barnsley Resort. Or, if you want some quiet time to mentally reset, take a Forest Bathing Journaling Walk together and create your own nature-inspired art. Settle in with a Barnsley Tea-LC treatment designed exclusively for the resort in collaboration with the Atlanta-based tea company, The Chai Box. You’ll notice your skin glowing after a firming, tea-laced masque that’s nourished with creamy, tea-infused body butter. Sip on a harmonious Chai Box Barnsley Tea Blend of loose-leaf black tea, lavender, cardamom, and mint – inspired by the resort’s serenity – as you soak in the relaxing landscape and inhale the signature scent.

For dinner, grab a seat on the patio overlooking the surrounding hills and Fazio-designed golf course. The decadent pimento-cheese beignets with red-pepper-bacon jam, buttermilk-fried lobster, and Georgia-style pecan pie served at the resort’s keystone restaurant, Woodlands Grill, will surely warm your heart and soul. Finally, retreat into The Wine Library for an intimate nightcap in an old-world lounge.

DESTINATION STEALS HEARTS YEAR-ROUND

Barnsley Resort often makes the top Valentine’s Day lists in magazines each year, but it’s the perfect retreat for writing your own love story no matter the date. Plus, its origin story is rooted in romance – Godfrey Barnsley built it for his beloved bride, Julia.

5.COOL OFF ON THE LAKE IN MILLEDGEVILLE

With a year-round mild climate, Lake Sinclair in Milledgeville offers a laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere perfect for a family vacation. Created by Georgia Power in 1953, the 500-mile scenic shoreline in the heart of Baldwin County offers travelers tons of options to hike, bike, fish, boat, Jet Ski, and play disc golf and pickleball. If you don’t have your own boat, simply head to Sinclair Wild Watersports to rent boats, kayaks, Jet Skis, and stand-up paddleboards. Sinclair Marina also drops off and picks up watercraft rentals from lakefront vacation rentals.

After a fun-filled day on the lake, enjoy modern Southern specialties like Southern gentleman rolls and pecan-crusted Carolina trout at Aubri Lane’s at the Club at Lake Sinclair. Or, for something more laid-back with a deck bar featuring live music, opt for brisket nachos and reel oysters at Taylor’s Cove. Stay at one of the lakeside vacation rentals that can accommodate large families and groups with docks, decks, and firepits. Or, if you want to be closer to town, reserve a room at the adorable and homey The Inn on North Jefferson.

Take a self-guided walking tour and visit more than 40 locations in downtown Milledgeville, or hop onboard a bright-red Historic Trolley Tour to learn about the small town’s rich cultural heritage and architecture. Along the way, you will hear local historians point out a variety of architectural styles, periods, and preservation styles, including Victorian, Greek Revival, and Federal. The tour stops at Statehouse Square, where you can see Georgia’s Old Capitol Building and the interior of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Also, take a guided tour of Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion for its regal facade and opulent interiors.

Milledgeville was home to famous author Flannery O’Connor, whose short stories and novels about religion and experiences in the American South are cornerstones of the Southern Gothic literary genre. O’Connor also inspired the 2023 movie “Wildcat.” At her former home, Andalusia Farm, you can see her personal belongings, learn about her work at the farm, and visit the remaining resident peacocks.

Make time to enjoy the diverse cuisines, music, and shopping in the revitalized downtown. The Local Yolkal Café is a staple for breakfast, serving the best homemade biscuits and gravy and buttermilk pancakes in town. For something truly unique, Bollywood Tacos is a must-visit for its colorful murals, top-notch margaritas, and Indian-Mexican fusion food. Also, check out their new sister restaurant, Metropolis Café, serving Mediterranean and Indian cuisine. Before you leave, shop for women’s fashions at Firefly Boutique and rustic clothing and gifts at Southern Roots.

DID YOU KNOW?

Andalusia Farm, the well-loved former home of Flannery O’Connor, boasts a unique pair of residents – Astor and Mrs. Shortly, a coupled peacock and peahen named in tribute to birds O’Connor cherished during her lifetime. The novelist’s love for birds was vast. At one time, she cared for more than 40 birds of different species.

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME OF ZEN

Retreat into tranquility at the Spa at Serenbe for indulgent self-care services, from Swedish massages and luxuriating facials to moisturizing seaweed wraps and the ancient art of reflexology.

6.FIND YOUR SERENITY AT SERENBE

Imagine a place filled with green pastures along a granite outcrop, 15 miles of hiking trails, friendly farm animals, and the singsong of birds just 30 minutes from the world’s busiest airport. Tucked away in Chattahoochee Hills, the luxe, 1,000-acre countryside community of Serenbe literally translates to “be serene” – and it champions health, wellness, and wholesome living.

Soak in the hot tub, dry off on a rocking chair while enjoying a good book, or spend the afternoon playing a game of croquet at The Inn at Serenbe. It’s not only a boutique bed-and-breakfast – it’s a place to sit back, relax, and soak in the calmness of the surroundings. Walk or drive your personal golf cart around Serenbe’s many hamlets, each focusing on a different aspect of life. The wellbeing-focused hamlet, Mado, offers a state-of-the-art gym, fitness classes, a yoga studio, and a newly expanded 3,198-square-foot spa where you can detox and renew. Try a massage, body wrap, or facial using organic and holistic health care products, and feel your stress melt away at the Helo Infrared sauna and steam rooms.

On Saturday mornings, enjoy connecting with Nigerian Dwarf goats at fun-loving goat yoga classes. The human-animal interaction will bring you lots of laughter and release endorphins. Also, a trail ride along the rolling hills and winding paths of Serenbe on horseback is a great way to get outside in nature, stretch your muscles, and bond with Serenbe Trail Riding’s gentle horses and skilled wranglers.

Kids ages 3-12 will find the programs at Camp Serenbe educational, entertaining, and socially stimulating. From animal feedings, scavenger hunts, hayrides, and nature walks to canoeing, archery, and building campsites, there are plenty of organized activities to keep young travelers busy all summer long.

At Serenbe, you will have plenty of ways to nourish yourself with certified organic foods sourced from Serenbe Farms and served at farm-to-table restaurants – The Farmhouse at Serenbe and The Hill Restaurant. Over 60,000 pounds of produce are harvested from the farm each year and thoughtfully incorporated into the restaurants’ menus by Celebrity Chef Nicolas Bour. Take a behind-the-scenes, guided farm tour on Saturday afternoons to learn about organic farming, pest and disease control, composting, cover cropping, crop rotation, and the importance of eating locally grown produce.

On Saturdays, from April to October, gather with community residents and visitors on the Grange Green for the weekly Serenbe Farmers Market. Here, you can purchase fresh vegetables and flowers, pasture-raised eggs, artisanal olive oils, jams and jellies, handmade arts and crafts, and eco-conscious products to take home.

SPOOKY, NO MATTER THE SEASON

In Savannah, Halloween vibes aren’t limited to October. Spirit seekers can find year-round tours to hear about all the city’s eerie, spine-chilling, and uncanny happenings – and the destination’s haunted hotels always offer a ghostly good time for visitors.

7.FEEL THE FRIGHTS IN SAVANNAH

Savannah’s squares – shaded with live oak and magnolia trees interlaced with Spanish moss and antebellum architecture – make it an idyllic city for romance in the South. But don’t be fooled by the rosy backdrops of America’s most haunted city. Savannah is center stage for paranormal happenings, and – whether you believe in the paranormal or not – you will surely find some amusement in the intriguing stories centered around the city’s hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

Once the darkness settles in and night’s shadows deepen, tour Savannah’s haunted neighborhoods, cemeteries, and even a Revolutionary War battlefield with Ghost City Tours. The tour starts at Johnson Square, where you hear the story of Little Gracie who still greets visitors coming to Savannah long after her death in 1889. The guides weave in historical education, spooky thrills, and lively encounters to set a chilly tone for your trip. Most tours are open to all ages and even pets. If you are keen on chasing more aggressive spirits and darker hauntings, however, take the two-hour-long, adult-only ghost tour with more mature language and themes, or the Ghost City Haunted Pub Crawl, where the nerve-racking images may appear more vivid with an adult drink in hand.

Arrive early to visit the picturesque Madison Square, where the famous Battle of Savannah was fought and soldiers were buried en masse – many of whom were not dead when they were buried. Around the square are several of Savannah’s most haunted houses open for tours, including Sorrel Weed House and the Green-Meldrim House, where General Sherman stayed.

Also, visit Bonaventure Cemetery, located on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River east of Savannah. With elaborate statues and gravestones, this is considered to be one of the most photographed cemeteries in the country, made famous by the 1994 novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and the subsequent Georgia-lensed movie based on the book. Here, you will also find a life-sized statue of Little Gracie Watson, along with other departed inhabitants.

For a more realistic experience, take the Savannah Underground immersive and interactive tour, where you will be part of three grim-yet-true, dark, and terrifying stories. Be prepared for real frights during this 60-minute-long show that brings the hauntings of Savannah’s surroundings to life on a 360-degree set with real actors, surround sound, and strobing lights.

Share your dinner with invisible ghoulish friends at The Pirates’ House, a gathering place for pirates and sailors in the 1700s, many of whom still linger in the Captain’s Room. You may see doors opening and closing mysteriously, or eerie apparitions, as you savor crispy-scored flounder and sip on signature cocktails at The Olde Pink House, a historic 1771 mansion where the expired owner’s presence makes a regular appearance.

If you can manage to get yourself to bed after all that fright, snuggle up at an elegant inn, The Marshall House, centrally located within walking distance to shopping and dining on Broughton Street. But, keep your eyes and ears open as the historic hotel, once used as a Union hospital during the Civil War and through two yellow fever epidemics, is often cited as one of the most haunted hotels in Savannah. Don’t be surprised if you hear children running through hallways and people screaming in the foyers, especially on the fourth floor.

A PERFECT BACKDROP FOR CHRISTMAS

Unsurprisingly, Dahlonega has been the setting for a few holiday-themed movies on the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. Get in the spirit of the season by watching movies like “Christmas in the Smokies,” “Christmas in Homestead,” and “A Taste of Christmas.”

8.COZY UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN DAHLONEGA

With thousands of twinkling lights, brightly decorated Christmas trees, a main square bustling with festive parades, and North Georgia mountains as the backdrop in the cool midst of the winter, you are bound to get into a jolly-good holiday spirit in Dahlonega. With its quaint 1800s storefronts and charming local businesses, the picturesque town is worth a visit any time of the year, but it really sparkles during the holiday season. Each year, the town hosts a monthlong holiday celebration with an Old Fashioned Christmas entailing joyful caroling, an entertaining live nativity, and romantic carriage rides starting the day after Thanksgiving and lasting until mid-January. Watch a live performance of seasonal musicals like “Elf, The Musical” or “A Christmas Carol” at the restored Holly Theater, a community movie theater from the 1940s. You can also shop for artisanal products, homemade chocolates, and unique gifts during the Christmas Market on Candy Cane Lane and at Hancock Park.

To create your own cozy memories in Dahlonega, stay at one of many charming accommodations only steps away from the square. Choose from five well-appointed rooms with abundant historic charm and modern amenities at Hall House Hotel. Dating back to 1881, Hall House is the second-oldest building in Dahlonega’s historical square. The newly opened Dahlonega Inn on Main is a renovated Colonial inn from 1846 converted into a seven-bedroom bed-and-breakfast. You can interact with other guests in the welcoming common living room with inviting leather couches and a fireplace, recline with a good book in the rocking chairs on the patio, and admire the original heart-pine wood floors.

Delight in the heartfelt hospitality from local business owners as you make your way into Jethro’s Coffee & Public House for a cup of Golden Nugget espresso with turmeric and honey, or Picnic Café and Dessertery for a sweet Georgia peach chicken salad and a slice of decadent carrot cake. End your evening with a cup of hot Costa Rican coffee, a holistic yoga class in a serene glass studio, and live spoken word and music performances at the beautiful social venue Canopy + The Roots. Delight in Dahlonega Nuggets (pecans dipped in caramel and chocolate) at The Fudge Factory, and shop for sweet treats for everyone on your holiday shopping list at Paul Thomas Chocolates. There’s no better way to spend the holidays than with the comforts of a hot beverage and a warm and welcoming community.

On your way out, stop by the family-run Barn Hill Tree Farm to choose and cut your own Murray Cypress and Caroline Sapphire Christmas tree to take back from the North Georgia mountains. Gather around their open firepit and take some s’mores for the road.