Seeing the sights in Georgia
February 27, 2006 11:14 PM Subscribe
TouristFilter: I'll have 4-5 days in Georgia, suggest me something...
...It's about time for Spring break and some friends and I are headed down to Florida for a few days to do some couch crashing and sun catching. On the way back up, we're going to spend a few days in Georgia doing...well, we're not sure. The back up plan is to do camping and the like, but I was hoping some well-traveled MeFites might have some suggestions. Don't worry about distance, we're willing to zig-zag across the state in pursuit of some silly objective. I'd just like to really see something special/beautiful/unique.
Things to keep in mind!: We've got $$, but not a ton, so try to keep it low budget. Silly roadside attractions or special natural wonders are a plus.
We're all vegetarians, so if there's a great steak somewhere, you can probably save it for someone who'd love it.
We're all 21+, so if there's a special watering hole, that's a nice bonus.
BONUS Q: What are the associated dangers with running a car for 10+ hours at a go? It's only about two years old.
...It's about time for Spring break and some friends and I are headed down to Florida for a few days to do some couch crashing and sun catching. On the way back up, we're going to spend a few days in Georgia doing...well, we're not sure. The back up plan is to do camping and the like, but I was hoping some well-traveled MeFites might have some suggestions. Don't worry about distance, we're willing to zig-zag across the state in pursuit of some silly objective. I'd just like to really see something special/beautiful/unique.
Things to keep in mind!: We've got $$, but not a ton, so try to keep it low budget. Silly roadside attractions or special natural wonders are a plus.
We're all vegetarians, so if there's a great steak somewhere, you can probably save it for someone who'd love it.
We're all 21+, so if there's a special watering hole, that's a nice bonus.
BONUS Q: What are the associated dangers with running a car for 10+ hours at a go? It's only about two years old.
You should hike up north, see Tallulah Falls or Panther Creek (and the Foxfire houses) if coming down 441, or if you're coming down I-75, visit the Conasauga River and Jack's River Falls.
the drive down 441 isn't as nice as it was 5 months ago, since they've started widening the highway (for no good reason); but if you stick to the 'historic' route you can see all the 'antique' stores and old shops full of old junk, the old towns deserted as the rail-based economy has dwindled. You can count all the abandoned textile factories. There are also many aging barns by the roadside, if you like to contemplate the rural landscape.
Come to Athens! if you're coming down hwy 441 or I-85, come eat at the Grit, a fine southern-style vegetarian restaurant that will fill you up.
There are also too many bars in Athens, so the watering hole thing won't be a problem. I recommend the Go Bar myself, but you can stumble around to many of them in search of a good live show.
south of Athens on 441 again is Oconee National Park, a good birdwatching spot, though perhaps not at this time of year.
I'm not so hot on South Georgia, myself, but you might like to go east to savannah and the coast, and drive highway 17 along the marshes. The barrier islands are quite beauiful, and I recommend jekyll island or sapelo if you can make the ferry.
after that, you're pretty much in florida. I also recommend seeing some part of the Flint River valley in the southwest part of the state, or the okefenokee before the mosquitoes come out.
posted by eustatic at 12:12 AM on February 28, 2006
the drive down 441 isn't as nice as it was 5 months ago, since they've started widening the highway (for no good reason); but if you stick to the 'historic' route you can see all the 'antique' stores and old shops full of old junk, the old towns deserted as the rail-based economy has dwindled. You can count all the abandoned textile factories. There are also many aging barns by the roadside, if you like to contemplate the rural landscape.
Come to Athens! if you're coming down hwy 441 or I-85, come eat at the Grit, a fine southern-style vegetarian restaurant that will fill you up.
There are also too many bars in Athens, so the watering hole thing won't be a problem. I recommend the Go Bar myself, but you can stumble around to many of them in search of a good live show.
south of Athens on 441 again is Oconee National Park, a good birdwatching spot, though perhaps not at this time of year.
I'm not so hot on South Georgia, myself, but you might like to go east to savannah and the coast, and drive highway 17 along the marshes. The barrier islands are quite beauiful, and I recommend jekyll island or sapelo if you can make the ferry.
after that, you're pretty much in florida. I also recommend seeing some part of the Flint River valley in the southwest part of the state, or the okefenokee before the mosquitoes come out.
posted by eustatic at 12:12 AM on February 28, 2006
I've never been but apparently Georgia has the largest kangaroo collection outside of Australia.
Also, Roadside Georgia, one of my favorite sites when I'm looking for quick weekend excursions.
posted by SoulOnIce at 5:22 AM on February 28, 2006
Also, Roadside Georgia, one of my favorite sites when I'm looking for quick weekend excursions.
posted by SoulOnIce at 5:22 AM on February 28, 2006
The Kangaroo Farm is really there, although really rather inconspicuous. Depending on when you will be here in the spring, there may be some of our numerous "festivals" going on -- there's a list here. Unfortunately, the insanity of Dahlonega Gold Rush isn't until October. I've heard the Cherry Blossom Festival is fun.
posted by Medieval Maven at 5:33 AM on February 28, 2006
posted by Medieval Maven at 5:33 AM on February 28, 2006
The kangaroo place is awesome, I've been there twice. You need to book your visit several weeks ahead of time, if not months.
Cumberland Island is not to be missed, if you're on the I-95 corridor. It'll take up a whole day. And is dirt cheap!
I'll try to remember to come back later and post more. Spring in Atlanta is gorgeous, and in fact is about to start busting out any day now (the Japanese magnolias in particular).
posted by intermod at 6:23 AM on February 28, 2006
Cumberland Island is not to be missed, if you're on the I-95 corridor. It'll take up a whole day. And is dirt cheap!
I'll try to remember to come back later and post more. Spring in Atlanta is gorgeous, and in fact is about to start busting out any day now (the Japanese magnolias in particular).
posted by intermod at 6:23 AM on February 28, 2006
I'll second Cumberland Island. The roads are paved with sharks' teeth!
posted by saladin at 6:38 AM on February 28, 2006
posted by saladin at 6:38 AM on February 28, 2006
Cumberland Island - seconded. But you might be beached out. But it's remote and beautiful and has wild horses.
Savannah has a very nice (very old and european) downtown. It's expensive to stay in Savannah (at least in the nice parts), but there are great bars and lots of art galleries. And Water Street.
You'd need to call in advance, but the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum is totally rad. It's in Madison, GA, between Aug and Atlanta (one could hop to it on the way back from Savannah / Cumberland Is. Looks like hours are Tue, Wed, Thurs 1-4. Best roadside attraction *ever*! Madison is also, um, quaint.
posted by zpousman at 7:03 AM on February 28, 2006
Savannah has a very nice (very old and european) downtown. It's expensive to stay in Savannah (at least in the nice parts), but there are great bars and lots of art galleries. And Water Street.
You'd need to call in advance, but the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum is totally rad. It's in Madison, GA, between Aug and Atlanta (one could hop to it on the way back from Savannah / Cumberland Is. Looks like hours are Tue, Wed, Thurs 1-4. Best roadside attraction *ever*! Madison is also, um, quaint.
posted by zpousman at 7:03 AM on February 28, 2006
Right on the GA-FL line is the Okefenokee Swamp. It's a really unique, beautiful area. And while you are there you can zip over to Waycross and see Stuckie, the petrified dog!
If you are tired of the beaches, north GA has some nice places to go in the mountains. It has been a mild winter here and springtime should be very nice.
The microcar museum looks like a great day trip for me to take. I have lived in Augusta since 1969 and had no idea it was there.
posted by TedW at 8:00 AM on February 28, 2006
If you are tired of the beaches, north GA has some nice places to go in the mountains. It has been a mild winter here and springtime should be very nice.
The microcar museum looks like a great day trip for me to take. I have lived in Augusta since 1969 and had no idea it was there.
posted by TedW at 8:00 AM on February 28, 2006
My wife recently returned from Atlanta and could not stop raving about their new aquarium. I think she paid over $20 to get in, but she loved the place.
posted by booth at 10:06 AM on February 28, 2006
posted by booth at 10:06 AM on February 28, 2006
#1) aquarium. world's best.
#2) Athens, baby. Good food, good folk, good music. A shit ton of bars concentrated in a 4 block radius Also, I live here. For a reason.
#3) Savannah is a beautiful town.
#4) If you're coming up 75, stop in Macon. The houses along College Ave. are stunning if you're into cool old southern architecture. Also, Edenz is an awesome veggie restaurant with an East African theme.
#5) Sapelo Island is one of the most amazing places in the world. I don't know what it's like in the spring, but it's a great place to camp. Hell, any of the Barrier Islands are gonna kick ass. Well worth checking out.
posted by TheGoldenOne at 10:22 AM on February 28, 2006
#2) Athens, baby. Good food, good folk, good music. A shit ton of bars concentrated in a 4 block radius Also, I live here. For a reason.
#3) Savannah is a beautiful town.
#4) If you're coming up 75, stop in Macon. The houses along College Ave. are stunning if you're into cool old southern architecture. Also, Edenz is an awesome veggie restaurant with an East African theme.
#5) Sapelo Island is one of the most amazing places in the world. I don't know what it's like in the spring, but it's a great place to camp. Hell, any of the Barrier Islands are gonna kick ass. Well worth checking out.
posted by TheGoldenOne at 10:22 AM on February 28, 2006
Hmm. If you're planning a stop in Atlanta, the CNN tour and the Coke factory are cheesy tourist fun.
My boyfriend swears up and down that the aquarium is supposed to be mindblowing.
And a couple good-for-veggies ATL restaurants: Eclipse di Luna (tapas & paella) and Madras Saravana Bhavan (South Indian).
posted by anjamu at 1:05 PM on February 28, 2006
My boyfriend swears up and down that the aquarium is supposed to be mindblowing.
And a couple good-for-veggies ATL restaurants: Eclipse di Luna (tapas & paella) and Madras Saravana Bhavan (South Indian).
posted by anjamu at 1:05 PM on February 28, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cali at 11:56 PM on February 27, 2006