20 Things To Do In Georgia: The Ultimate Bucket List

If you are thinking of taking a trip to the Peach State then you’ll love this list full of things to do in Georgia! Georgia is a gorgeous Southern state that has so much to offer. Whether you like big cities, small towns, or outdoor adventures, you can find it all at one of the many attractions in Georgia.

Georgia is one of our favorite states in the South to visit, and it’s easy to see why. It isn’t just all about peaches in Georgia, there are plenty of other things to see there. There are stunning examples of historic architecture, beatiful beaches, and mountain landscapes.

However, the state does have a dark history. We’ve made sure to include plenty of places that don’t directly share that dark history, so if you’d like to avoid places directly related to the sale and enslavement of humans, there are plenty of options to do so. But the entire state took part in the enslavement of people, so it is a hard piece of Southern history to avoid completely.

But Georgia has become more than its dark history, and it shouldn’t discourage you from getting to experience the state. Beauty can be found all throughout the Peach State and progress is frequently being made to recognize the actual builders of so many of the state’s iconic places. There are many places on this list that do just that. So, with all that in mind, let’s take a look at 20 things to do in Georgia to make the ultimate bucket list.

A woman in a floral maxi sundress standing in front of a black and floral mural in Georgia. The mural is on the side of an old industrial building.

20 Things To Do In Georgia: The Ultimate Bucket List

Providence Canyon State Park

Providence Canyon State Park is often called “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon”. It is a beautiful State Park that is full of different things to do and see while you explore. The park is mostly known for it’s canyons and gullies that give it it’s unique landscape.

Located in West-Central Georgia, it is a popular destination for those in Georgia, or just visiting, who are looking for some outdoor adventures. You won’t find a lot to do around the park necessarily, the closest city is 30 to 40 minutes away. So when you’re planning your day trip, keep that in mind. You’ll want to pack plenty of water and snacks to last you the whole day.

There is a $5 parking fee, but it is well worth it. You can expect decent crowds on particularly pretty days, but if you want to avoid the crowds, we suggest going on a cloudy day. The Canyon is still just as pretty, but you won’t face the same crowd size. With plenty of options for hiking, biking, and camping, Providence Canyon State Park is one Georgia activities year round.

A view of a canyon made of white red and orange rocks. The rock formations are covered in green trees and in the distance you can see trees for miles. It is sunset and one of the best things to do in Georgia.

The Bavarian Town Of Helen Georgia

If you want to experience a charming small town with a Bavarian feel, head to Helen. Helen is in the North Georgia Mountains and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into an Alpine village. This unique town is also full of fun activities.

You can spend hours strolling the charming streets in Helen, which is one of the reasons it’s one of the cutest small towns in the South. There are unique shops like the Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen and some great restaurants. There is even a coaster that is located in the middle of town and is open seven days a week. It is also perfectly situated near the river and mountains so that there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure.

The whole family can go tubing on the Chattahoochee River, white water rafting, or hiking on the Appalachian Trail. There are a few parks with trailheads nearby, a water park, and a Historic Farm Site. There are always things to do in Georgia’s little Bavarian Village.

A town in Georgia that is full of Bavarian architecture. It has cobblestone streets and antique style lamp lights.

Stroll Driftwood Beach At Jekyll Island

Just an hour away from Atlanta is the beautiful beach of Jekyll Island. On Jekyll Island, you’ll find one of the most pristine beaches in the South. The beach is part of the Golden Isles area of Georgia, which are popular for its stunning ocean views and sandy beaches.

While you are exploring Jekyll Island, you must stroll along the famous Driftwood Beach. When you’re there, it’ll be easy to see why it is named Driftwood Beach. All along the sandy shore, you’ll find large pieces of washed-up driftwood that creates a really beautiful sandy landscape. It is a must-see attraction in Georgia.

Large chunks of driftwood on a beach in Georgia. Some of the driftwood is the size of full trees. There are patches of water in the sand and it is sunset. A very cool thing to do in Georgia.

Admire The Covered Bridges Of Georgia

You don’t necessarily think of covered bridges when you think of Georgia. Typically everyone associates covered bridges with the Midwest. But Georgia has some of the prettiest covered bridges in the South. The covered bridges in Georgia range in age. Some were built within the last few decades while some were built over a century ago.

One of the best things about admiring the covered bridges of Georgia is that you can make a road trip out of it. You’ll head to different areas of the state, some you might not even think to visit. It’s a really cool way to get to see some of the hidden corners of Georgia. Finding the covered bridges is one of the best things to do in Georgia.

A long wooden covered bridge. It connects two pieces of grassy land across a river. The river has a small manmade waterfall not far from the covered bridge.

Explore Columbus

Columbus is Georgia’s second-largest city. Yet when most people think of Georgia, they almost always only think of Atlanta and Savannah. But Columbus is full of things to do and it shouldn’t be skipped. Located on the Chattahoochee River, Columbus has a vibrant mixture of outdoor activities and a thriving city life.

There are a few things that you won’t want to miss when you visit Columbus. Stop at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center to see Georgia’s largest collection of NASA shuttle artifacts. You’ll learn all about Georgia’s relationship with the space program and get to enjoy a really cool experience.

Columbus also has a wonderful restaurant and brewery scene for foodie visitors. Make sure you check out one of the many delicious restaurants in Columbus. Or take a brewery tour while you explore the city streets. There is just so much to do and see in Columbus that makes it one of the best places to visit in Georgia.

A view of the Columbus skyline from the water. There are old and new brick buildings, a walkway along the water, and a silver metal water tower. There are lots of fluffy clouds in the sky and it's very sunny.

Apple Picking

If you plan on visiting Georgia in the Fall, you’ll want to consider going apple picking. Georgia isn’t just the land of the peaches. It also has a ton of apple orchards that open up in the early Fall for visitors. Many of the orchards in Georgia are over 100 years old and have been providing delicious apples for decades to both locals and travelers.

The different orchards will all have different varieties of apples. So if there is a type of apple you prefer, make sure to research which orchard has it and when during apple season they will be ripe. Not all apple varieties are ripe at the same time, so keep that in mind. Apple picking in the Fall is easily one of the best activities in Georgia.

Baskets of big red apples laying on a crate and a pile of grass. The baskets are made of whicker and red apples are overflowing from them.

Explore Savannah’s Plant Riverside District

Savannah is one of the top cities in Georgia to visit, mainly because of its historic districts, gardens, and buildings. But Savannah is not afraid of new things, and one of those is the new Plant Riverside District. The area is made up of a once fully functional power plant that has been restored to a new purpose.

Now there is something for everyone to enjoy in the revitalized district. There are unique shops, up-and-coming restaurants with cool atmospheres, and so much more. On a beautiful night, head to one of the rooftop bars for cocktails with friends and gorgeous views of the river and Downtown Savannah. When visiting Georgia, make sure one of your stops is the Plant Riverside District!

A man and a woman standing in the lobby of a new hotel in Savannah. The hotel lobby is very colorful with a metal dinosaur skeleton hanging from the ceiling, glass cases full of items, and a massive window in the ceiling. It is one of the coolest things to do in Georgia.

Admire Fall Foliage

The South is a beautiful place to see the Fall foliage if a little bit unexpected. What makes it so nice is that the weather is still fairly warm compared to other parts of the country that get vibrant Fall colors. Georgia Fall foliage is some of the best in the South, thanks a lot to the mountains in Northern Georgia.

One of the best places to experience Fall foliage in Georgia is at one of the many State Parks. There are a ton to choose from and each offers a unique experience. Whether you’re looking for challenging trails, beautiful waterfalls, or just a leisurely stroll through the woods, Georgia has it. Another fun option is to spend a weekend at a whimsical cabin in the Georgia woods to fully immerse yourself in the Fall colors.

Fall foliage surrounding the Tallulah Falls in Georgia. The leaves on the trees are green, yellow, orange, and red. The water from the falls is very blue.

Explore Film Locations In Georgia

Georgia might as well be the Hollywood of the South. In the last decade or so, Georgia has become an increasingly popular filming location for large corporations. Movies like the Marvel Universe series, The Hunger Games, and Baby Driver were all filmed in some part of Georgia. But even before the recent surge of film producers coming to film in Georgia, there were plenty of big-name films that were made there.

Classics like Forrest Gump, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Footloose were also filmed in Georgia. And many Walking Dead fans recognized Georgia landmarks in the show. You can find tours of famous filming locations or you can visit ones that just pertain to the movies or shows you love. Many of the smaller towns where filming occurred have local museums dedicated to the film and the town’s involvement. It’s a super fun thing to do in Georgia that is also very unique.

A Greek Revival mansion in Georgia that is a popular spot for filming. It is a cream color with lots of square windows and a stretch of green grass surrounded by shrubs in front of it. Behind it is dense trees.

Visit Cumberland Island National Park

Georgia is home to many cool National Parks, like the Cumberland Island National Park. Cumberland Island offers you the opportunity to experience a truly untouched seashore. You wont find any large seaside condos, whimsical piers, or restaurants with ocean views. Instead, you’ll find a pristine beach that looks almost exactly how it looked thousands of years ago.

There are over 10,000 acres of natural untouched wilderness just waiting for you to explore. You can go biking, hiking, and of course enjoy water sports. One of the things that makes Cumberland Island so unique is it’s wild horses.

The horses were originally brought to the island in the 1500s as livestock and then later by the Carnegie family in the 1880’s for recreational usage. Now there are herds of wild horses roaming the park, along with alligators, armadillos, and even the occasional sea turtle. If you are looking for things to do in Georgia that are more unique, Cumberland Island is a great option.

Two horses, one that is brown and one that is cream, nibbling on grass under live oak trees covered in Spanish moss. They are wild horses on Cumberland Island.

Go On A Ghost Tour In Savannah

One of the most fun things to do in Georgia is also a super popular option in Savannah. That is of course a ghost tour through Savannah. A ghost tour in Savannah is one of the options on this list that will absolutely deal with the history of enslaved peoples. So if that is something you’d like to avoid, keep that in mind. Savannah was a major city in the United States slave trade, and that dark history is now the source of many ghost stories in the city.

There are a few options when taking a Savannah ghost tour. There are some that are walking tours and some that are in trolleys or one specific building. Make sure you do your research and pick the ghost tour that works best for you and your comfort level. If you are comfortable diving into Savannah’s dark history, a ghost tour is a cool way to see the city.

The front of a historic building in Savannah at night. The front of the building is lit up and there are two light trails, one red and one white, streaking in front of the building across the whole picture.

Hike To Gorgeous Waterfalls

With Georgia’s varied landscape there are plenty of beautiful features, from the mountains to the shore. All throughout the state and in that varied landscape are gorgeous waterfalls. You’ll be able to find waterfalls in the mountains, near the shore, and even around some of the major cities, like Atlanta.

The waterfalls in Georgia almost always require a hike, but many of them are fairly easy. There are a few hiking trails that lead to waterfalls that may prove a bit difficult to beginner hikers or those with a disability. Its always important to make sure you research the trail that leads to the waterfall before you get there. That way you’ll be able to know if it is a hike you can safely make.

For those more difficult hikes, you will be greatly rewarded. So they are worth the effort if it’s in your range of abilities. Hiking the gorgeous waterfalls of the peach state is easily one of the best Georgia activities. They are also beautiful all year round, so it’s a great activity no matter what time of year you visit.

The multi cascading Ana Ruby Falls in Georgia. The falls are surrounded by trees with yellow, green, and orange leaves. They cascade over several large rock formations and pool into a river with large rocks on either side of it. There are people standing at a viewing platform in front of the falls.

Spend An Amazing Three Days In Savannah

Savannah is one of, if not the most popular city in Georgia to visit. When you step into the city you’ll quickly understand why everyone who goes there absolutely loves it. You could spend an entire week just exploring the city streets, but if you don’t have that much time, you can still experience an amazing Savannah vacation in three days.

You’ll spend three days on your feet, so pack your comfy shoes. But when you come back to the hotel wiped out every night, it will be from having such a good time. Sample the local fare at one of the amazing restaurants, take the perfect Instagram photo, or spend hours shopping on the cobblestone streets. Start your morning at one of the charming coffee shops or breakfast spots with lovely views of the city.

If you are planning to stay for a few days in Savannah, there are a bunch of different options. You can enjoy a luxurious stay in a historic Bed & Breakfast or one of the many beautiful hotels. If you want to feel like a local, there are also plenty of VRBOs you can choose from, and many of them are right in the heart of some of the best neighborhoods in Savannah.

A woman in a white dress and sun hat with long hair running barefoot down a dirt road. On either side of the road there are live oak trees that create a tunnel. The trees are covered in Spanish moss.

Go Glamping

If you are looking for a cool thing to do in Georgia, consider taking a glamping vacation. Glamping in Georgia is a really unique way to experience the state and its beautiful landscape. For those who may not know, glamping is a step above your standard camping.

Many glamping sites have electricity, an actual bed, and other amenities you might not be used to with standard camping. Because the sites are permanent, they are often very cozy and sometimes even luxurious. Classic glamping structures include a yurt, vintage campers, canvas tents, and even treehouses. This is definitely a Georgia activity that is for the more adventurous traveler, but it is a ton of fun.

A luxury tent lit up with fairy lights and lanterns on a wooden platform in the woods. There are nice wooden chairs, a wooden coffee table, and several lanterns on the platform as well. The sky is a dark blue.

Visit The Small Town Of Macon

With so many cute small towns in Georgia, it’s hard to pick just one to visit. However, if you have to choose one, Macon is a great option. The town has a diverse history that it celebrates. It is the home of the Tubman Museum, which is the largest museum in the South dedicated to Black history, art, and culture. The town also has a monument to honor it’s Native American heritage.

The Ocmulgee National Monument is an ancient Native American monument that is believed to be from at least 1000 A.D., which makes it one of the oldest structures in Georgia. Make sure you visit when you stay in Macon as it is important to remember the peoples who once lived in the area before colonization.

In the Spring the town also has a Cherry Blossom Festival and the streets are full of beautiful blooming trees. There are also boutiques, wonderful restaurants, and historic homes and architecture for you to admire. Macon is one of the best small towns to visit year round because there is always something to do or see.

Looking down a street in Macon that leads to a large fountain. On either side of the street are large Cherry Blossom trees in full bloom. Under the trees are shrubs with pink flowers.

Take The Epic Nature Of Georgia Road Trip

Georgia is an awesome Southern state to take a road trip in as there are so many cool things to see. One of our favorite Georgia road trips is the Epic Nature of Georgia Road Trip. On this road trip, you get to see some of the best natural wonders in Georgia. They are all different but very cool to visit.

Start at the Okefenokee Swamp which is almost half a million acres of swamp land. It is also the largest swamp in the United States. Along your drive you’ll also see the Stone Mountain State Park, Providence Canyon, and Radium Springs. Each of the stops offers a unique view of Georgia and that’s what makes it one of the coolest Georgia activities.

A view of the Okefenokee Swamp. It is full of dense trees with green leaves and a calm river in the swamp. Part of the photo is dark because the trees are so dense, but you can see light coming through in some spots.

Enjoy A Romantic Weekend Getaway

If you only have a weekend to spend in Georgia, don’t worry. That is plenty of time to enjoy one of the great weekend getaway options in Georgia. From outdoor adventures to major cities, Georgia is a city that has it all. It is also especially great for a romantic weekend getaway.

Head to the Château Élan Winery & Resort with your partner for a weekend spent relaxing. You can sample local wines, enjoy chef-curated meals, and even play a round of golf. The Resort is one of the most romantic things to do in North Georgia and is surrounded by beautiful mountain views.

Enjoy a morning at the spa, take a cooking class with your partner, or just relax in your luxurious room. No matter how you choose to spend your romantic weekend getaway in Georgia you’ll have a wonderful time.

The view of the Château Élan Winery & Resort. It is a large classic style building that is kind of peach in color. In front of it there is a large pond with green algae, trees around it, and a gazebo on the shore. — Credit: chateauelan.com

Take A Three Day Adventure In Atlanta

Atlanta is the State Capital of Georgia, so it naturally is full of Georgia activities. You can easily see all the best Atlanta has to offer in three days. Enjoy breakfast at the Atlanta Breakfast Club, tour the World of Coca-Cola, and walk around Centennial Olympic Park. While in Atlanta you’ll absolutely want to go to the Georgia Aquarium, which is actually the largest aquarium in the world.

In Atlanta you will also find a lot of historical sites. Make sure spend some time at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights or admire the many historical buildings in the city. There are also beautiful parks, botanical gardens, and fun markets and restaurants to sample. A tour of the Capital city is easily one of the best things to do in Georgia.

An aerial view of Atlanta's skyline. You can see large towers, a Ferris wheel, and some smaller buildings. The buildings are all lit up and it is twilight. It is one of the best things to do in Georgia.

Head To Tybee Island

Tybee Island is known as ‘Savannah’s Beach’ because it is just 20 minutes away from Downtown Savannah. It’s one of the best day trips from Savannah, and definitely one of the best places to visit in Georgia. Tybee Island has five beaches and they are all beautiful.

You can obviously have some fun swimming, boating, or you can even rent a jet ski. But the island also has a lighthouse you can explore, dolphin watching cruises, and other boat tours. Tybee Island also has a wonderful town where you can find great restaurants, shops, and even a Marine Science Center. You won’t regret spending the day at Tybee Island on your next trip to Georgia.

The lighthouse on Tybee Island. It is a small white house with black shutters and a front porch. Behind it is the striped black and white light tower. It is sunset and the sky is pink, blue, purple, and orange.

Stay In A Treehouse In The North Georgia Mountains

If you are looking for a super cool thing to do in Georgia, you might want to consider staying in a treehouse in the North Georgia mountains. Staying in a treehouse is a really fun way to get to enjoy the North Georgia mountains. Depending on where you stay, you’ll be close to towns like Helen but still get to be surrounded by nature.

By staying in a treehouse in the mountains, you’ll also be close to tons of outdoor adventures. From hiking, water sports, and mountain biking, you’ll find plenty to do. There is no bad time to stay in the North Georgia mountains, because there is something to do every season.

In the Fall, enjoy the changing leaves. In the Summer take advantage of the long days and fill your days with outdoor activities. Winter stays will be magical and Spring getaways will be cozy as well. A treehouse stay is definitely one of the coolest things to do in North Georgia.

A wooden treehouse on a platform in the woods. It has a ramp leading to a large porch that wraps around the treehouse. You can see trees coming through the deck and the house.

Georgia is one of our favorite states in the South to explore because there is just so much to do or see. No matter what kind of vacation you want to have, there is guaranteed to be a Georgia activity for you. We hope you found something to pique your interest and inspire you to plan an awesome trip to the Peach State.