The Most Interesting Places to Visit in the State of Georgia

Are you looking for some great educational places to visit in the state of Georgia?

We know that homeschool families are often adventurous and love the opportunity to learn from the world around them. A road trip is the perfect way to do just that! To help you get the most out of your travels, we are searching for the must-see educational spots in each state so that we can share them with you! 

Georgia is often known for its peaches and Southern hospitality. However, this original-colony state has a very rich history and is home to many diverse landmarks including the buzzing metropolis of Atlanta, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and numerous barrier islands.  Here are some of the most interesting places we think you absolutely must see on an educational trek through Georgia!

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is the capitol city of Georgia and offers a large and unique metropolitan area with a variety of things to do and see! When in Atlanta, be sure to check out:

The Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States (and the second largest in the world)!  It is home to  hundreds of thousands of animals, including creatures that you might not usually find in other aquariums, such as: Whale Sharks, Beluga Whales, and Bottlenose Dolphins. This aquarium is also very educator-friendly. It is divided into five distinct, habitat-based galleries so that visitors can learn about animals’ environments as part of the experience.  There are also multiple activities offered every day, with options that will interest all ages. They are even homeschool-friendly with a special program for homeschooled students on Tuesdays !

The World of Coca-Cola

After you visit the Georgia Aquarium, you can head right next door to visit The World of Coca-Cola.  Many don’t know that the classic American beverage hails from Atlanta, GA ! Even if you and your family aren’t big soda-drinkers, The World of Coca-Cola is still a fascinating place to learn about the history of this drink and its role in American culture and economy. If you do like soda (or are willing to splurge on some sugar in the name of education), then you will enjoy the tasting room, which offers over 100 different sodas from all around the world!

The Margaret Mitchell House

Gone with the Wind, anyone? The Margaret Mitchell House is a must-see in Atlanta for anyone with an interest in literature or history. Here you can learn about Atlanta’s history, about Gone with the Wind, and (of course) about the reclusive, Pulitzer Prize-winning author who wrote it!

The High Museum of Art

If high-culture is your scene, then The High Museum of Art is definitely for you! This renowned gallery offers a constant rotation of world-class art. At the same time, it is very family/visitor friendly, with fun events and programs for toddlers and adults alike!

Northeast Georgia

Just an hour northeast of Atlanta, you can visit some of the natural wonders of Georgia and explore the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains. This part of Georgia is gorgeous!

Dahlonega, Georgia

The small town of Dahlonega, Georgia, is surrounded by beautiful mountains and was once the site of the first U.S. Gold Rush! Today, it offers scenic views, a charming downtown square, and a vibrant local community with numerous festivals throughout the year. There is a Gold Museum in the downtown courthouse. And, if you want to learn more about the process of actually mining for gold, you can try your hand at the Consolidated Gold Mine. 

Tallulah Gorge State Park

For the active, outdoorsy family, Tallulah Gorge State Park offers incredible views, a variety of outdoor activities, and a stunning view of the 1000 gorge in Georgia’s earth. Of course,  adventurers are also welcome to hike down to the bottom of the gorge. (It’s the hike back up that will get you!) This site provides a great opportunity to talk about geographical events.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests

This huge national forest makes a gorgeous place to hike. It was once the home to Cherokee and Creek Native Americans, which would be an important thing to discuss while hiking.

Rock City

I have so many fun memories of the family trips and us seeing the “See Rock City” signs on the barns along the route headed to Rock City. My boys absolutely loved visiting Rock City when they were little. And honestly, they still like going there!  It is on Lookout Mountain which is just 6 miles from downtown Chattanooga. It has a breathtaking “See 7 States” panoramic view, a swinging bridge (that I didn’t even walk on), and Fairyland Gardens.

Central Georgia

Just a little bit south of Atlanta, there are some other exciting and educational places to visit in Central Georgia, including:

Roosevelt’s Little White House

In Warm Springs, GA, you can visit the home where President Franklin Delano Roosevelt went to find relief for his paralysis. He also found inspiration for many of the programs that he founded during his presidency. The home now features a small but impressive museum about  The Great Depression, President FDR, and his New Deal programs.

Callaway Gardens 

In Pine Mountain, GA (not far from Warm Springs), you can visit the incredible Callaway Gardens and learn all about the variety of blooms and butterflies you see there! And don’t miss the Chapel… it is stunning!

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia, is especially unique because it is an antebellum city that escaped devastation in the Civil War. As such, it gives visitors a real sense of the antique South.  It’s a beautiful town with a great deal of history as well as contemporary culture! Here are some educational suggestions for a trip to Savannah:

Wormsloe Historic Site 

 

This scenic site of Savannah’s oldest plantation offers the opportunity to learn about early colonial life through touring the ruins of the estate, visiting the museum, and watching demonstrations.

Savannah Trolley Tours

A Savannah Trolley Tour is an awesome way to get a big-picture idea of Savannah’s history! This company offers several different types of historical tours, depending on your interests! The On/Off tour offers guests the chance to hop off at stops for a closer look at historical sites.

Genteel and Bard’s Savannah History Tour

For a more up close-up view, this walking tour takes you on a more personal historical experience with a local author and historian as your host.

First African Baptist Church 

As the name implies, this church was the first African Baptist congregation known to exist. It was established in 1773, before America itself! It is still active as a church body, but there are also tours available with historical information.

River Street

River Street is a bustling hub of fun things to see and do in Savannah. It also offers a great view of the river and demonstrates Savannah’s history as a port town. The warehouses once used for trade now offer shelter to the many shops and eateries there.

Coastal Georgia

The many barrier islands of Georgia offer beautiful sights, unique wildlife, and plenty of history. While there are many more to choose from, here are our top picks for families:

Tybee Island

If you’re already in Savannah, you are close to this island. Tybee Island played an important role in the Civil War and hosts salt marshes as well as Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse.

Cumberland Island

This barrier island is home to both some incredible history, dating all the way back to 2,000 B.C. It also claims some amazing, unique wildlife, such as the wild horses that roam its shores.  This is a popular place for campers!

Amelia Island

You don’t need to take a ferry to reach this island, which hosts many beautiful old homes, pirate history, and Fort Clinch (a Civil War era military fort in excellent condition!).

Do you have suggestions to add to the list?

Do you have more suggestions for educational (or just plain fun) places to visit in the state of Georgia? If so, please share them with us in the comments! We hope that you have an excellent time discovering new things on your road trip through Georgia! If you visited any of the places we suggest here, please let us know how it went.

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