If you’re planning a trip to the South and are looking for fun things to do in Georgia, then you’ve come to the right place! Read on for a list of 10 fun things to do with your family or friends during your visit!
10. Catch a Show at the Historic Savannah Theatre
Opened in 1818, the Historic Savannah Theatre is one of the country’s oldest continually-operating theaters. In its past, it’s hosted both live performances and has served as a movie theater. Currently, the theatre hosts live performances, typically music revues. Become a part of the theatre’s history and be sure to stop in for a show!
9. Stroll Around Savannah’s Historic District
If you want to shop, eat, drink, and see a historic side of Georgia, then Savannah’s Historic District needs to be added to your itinerary. Featuring 22 park squares, museums, monuments, 18th century homes, trees draped in Spanish moss, boutiques and over 100 restaurants, there’s truly something for everyone. Take a tour by trolley, or for those more daring, try a ghost tour. This is one of the most haunted areas in the country, after all.
8. Dive into Georgia Aquarium
For seven years, the Georgia Aquarium was the largest aquarium in the world. Though it no longer holds that distinction, it’s still our country’s largest aquarium and certainly a must-see if you’re in Atlanta. The aquarium is home to more than 100,000 animals, several thousand species, and 10 million gallons worth of marine and salt water. A 6.3 million gallon tank will allow you to see whale sharks, manta rays (as well as several other species of rays), reef and zebra sharks, and over 50 other species.
7. Explore Atlanta Botanical Garden
Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses. Where better to do so than the Atlanta Botanical Garden . This 30-acre oasis has nine permanent sculptures (see photo above) that combine art and natural surroundings. There’s also indoor plant collections, water features, and the largest orchid center in the United States. This is certainly one of the more beautiful things to do in Georgia.
6. Go Hiking at Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
If nothing soothes your soul better than a walk in the woods, then go for a hike in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. There are over 450 miles of hiking trails in this forest. And the forest is actually comprised of two national forests – Chattahoochee and Oconee. In total, there’s almost a million acres worth of land to explore with a variety of animals: hawks, owls, black bears, coyotes, bats, beavers, deer, bobcats, foxes, the blue ghost firefly, and many fish and amphibians.
5. Go for the Goal at the College Football Hall of Fame
If you love college football, boy have we got thing to do in Georgia for you – the College Football Hall of Fame. The facility features 50,000 square feet of exhibits. They’ve even got a 45-yard indoor football field for your own reenactments of famous plays. Inside, you can expect a mix of traditional museum goodies like memorabilia and lots of great information. If there’s particular school you follow, a RFID-enabled All-Access Pass will pull and display information about your school throughout the tour. As far as museums go, this one is certainly a touchdown (sorry, we had to).
4. Experience the Wild at Zoo Atlanta
If you’re looking for things to do in Georgia that gets in touch with your wild side, then take a trip to Zoo Atlanta! They have over 1,000 animals from around the world, including the largest population of great apes in the country. They also are just one of four zoos in the United States to house giant pandas! Other attractions include a replica of an 1863 locomotive, a carousel featuring 38 hand-carved wooden animal figures, and much more.
3. Consolidated Gold Mine
Did you know that gold was discovered in Georgia two decades before the Gold Rush in California hit? Discover more about Georgia’s gold mining history at Consolidated Gold Mine in Dahlonega, the largest gold processing plant east of the Mississippi. Consolidated offers underground mine tours, gold panning experiences, gemstone mining, and more! They even have a lapidary studio on site, where they’ll take your rough gems and polish them up nicely so that they’re ready to display at home! You don’t have to hit the motherlode to enjoy this family fun attraction.
2. Get Your Wings at Museum of Aviation
Georgia’s Museum of Aviation is the Air Force’s second largest museum and houses over 90 aircraft across its 51-acre property. There’s plenty of cool planes to look at, such as the P-51 Mustang, B-25 Bomber, MiG-17, B-17 Flying Fortress, and a F-15 Eagle. However, there’s one that certainly stands out – the SR-71 Blackbird that went 2,193.2 miles per hour, becoming the world’s fastest plane. In addition to the planes themselves is a bevy of information from the Air Force’s history and interactive exhibits that’s sure to please the whole family. And here’s the best part – this thing to do in Georgia is FREE.
Photo: K1 Speed
1. Experience Authentic Indoor Go Kart Racing at K1 Speed
K1 Speed is not your typical go karting experience, but a redefinition of your expectations of a go kart track. First off, their locations are all indoors, which means you can escape that summer heat and humidity in Georgia for this fully air-conditioned location. The karts are also all-electric, which means you won’t be breathing noxious exhaust fumes or stinking like a gas station when you leave. And because the karts are electric, they deliver instant torque and are actually faster than the gas karts you may be accustomed to. They also go up to 45mph, which is pretty quick, especially when sitting just inches off the ground!
Inside, the premises are immaculate with museum-quality racing memorabilia, leather couches, and TVs throughout the building. Meeting rooms are available for group events such as birthday parties and company functions. Junior karts are available for children 48” or taller, but an arcade is also available for those not tall enough. If you’re looking for an exciting experience, look no further than K1 Speed in Atlanta/Duluth!