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28 Top Things to Do in Georgia

From historical sites to hot dogs, the Peach State offers something for every type of traveler.

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Wherever your Georgia vacation takes you, you'll find incredible scenery.

Situated smack-dab in the middle of the South, Georgia boasts plenty in the way of Southern charm. But beyond its mouthwatering comfort food and warm hospitality, the Peach State offers visitors tons of attractions to explore. Spend a trip to this Southern gem visiting a recreated Bavarian village, traversing historic battlefields and sampling some of the tastiest hot dogs you can imagine. Read on to discover the top things to do in Georgia.

Centennial Olympic Park

Once host to the 1996 Summer Olympics, Centennial Olympic Park is an iconic destination in downtown Atlanta. Travelers will find playgrounds, tons of green space, Fountain of Rings Plaza, and numerous statues and commemorative markers across the park's 22 acres. Recent visitors said the area is clean and great for kids, adding that there are plenty of places to sit down and even have a picnic. Centennial Olympic Park is also conveniently located among a slew of other attractions within a half-mile, so when you've finished exploring the grounds, head to the popular museums in the Attraction District plaza or check out the College Football Hall of Fame and the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel .

Address: 265 Park Ave. W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

See more of Atlanta:  Things to Do  |  Tours  |  Hotels

Callaway Resort & Gardens

Courtesy of Callaway Resort & Gardens

No matter the time of year, there's something to see at Callaway Gardens. Located about 40 miles north of Columbus in Pine Mountain, this roughly 2,500-acre destination features gardens, trails for hiking and biking, a large lake, the visitor-favorite butterfly center and more.

During the winter, the gardens draw locals and travelers alike to view the annual Fantasy in Lights display, explore a holiday village, shop for snacks at the Christmas Market and enjoy photo-ops with Santa, among other festive activities. Spring brings vibrant azalea blooms amid the Spring Flower Fest, while summer offers days at Robin Lake Beach, fireworks displays, zip lining, fragrant magnolias and a hot air balloon festival for Labor Day. With fall comes colorful foliage, blooming chrysanthemums and the Steeplechase horse races. Guests can stay right on the property in the main lodge, a cottage or an upscale villa in the woods, though some past visitors cautioned the lodge and cottages need an update.

Address: 17617 U.S. Route 27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822

Andersonville National Historic Site

History buffs won't want to miss the Andersonville National Historic Site. Situated about 60 miles east of Columbus in Andersonville, the site is home to the most well-known Civil War prison camp. Travelers can listen to an hourlong self-guided audio tour while driving through the property or explore parts of the nearly 27-acre site on foot. While there, take a walk through Andersonville National Cemetery, a final resting place for U.S. soldiers who died in combat dating back to 1864. Reviewers also recommend the National Prisoner of War Museum and say hiring a guide can be helpful if you want to learn more. Nearby lodging options include Best Western and Hampton Inn outposts in the small town of Americus; a wider variety of accommodations can be found in Columbus.

Address: 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, GA 31711

Explore the village of Helen

If you're seeking a Georgia getaway with lots of charm, look no further than the replica Bavarian village of Helen. In addition to its cobblestone streets and quaint shops, Helen offers plenty of spots to explore. Sip wine at Habersham Vineyards & Winery (one of the oldest and largest wineries in the state), hike through Unicoi State Park & Lodge, float along the Chattahoochee River and savor German food at local restaurants.

The town also hosts Oktoberfest every year in September and October. Weekdays during the festival tend to be more family-friendly, while weekends play host to college students and tour groups; Sundays offer free admission for everyone. Be sure to book your accommodations – which range from cozy cabins to quaint inns to chain hotels – early, as they do fill up. The luxurious Valhalla Resort Hotel and riverside Loreley Resort are two traveler favorites.

Staying in this tiny alpine town will also give you time to explore the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, a 40-mile loop full of beautiful mountain views that starts just northwest of Helen and winds through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.

Read: The Top Things to Do in Helen, Georgia

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Courtesy of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Atlanta's 42,000-square-foot National Center for Civil and Human Rights is conveniently located across from Centennial Olympic Park, in the same plaza as the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. This museum promises a deep dive into the U.S. civil rights movement and an overview of other human rights struggles worldwide, making it one of the most informative and impactful things to do in Georgia.

The museum is grounded in the history of Atlanta – the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and home base of two vital civil rights organizations – and its civil rights gallery explores African Americans' fight for racial equality across the nation. Interactive exhibits on the entrance level and upper level allow you to participate in a simulated lunch counter sit-in, watch King's "I Have a Dream" speech and hear oral histories from the Freedom Riders on a reconstructed bus that was firebombed in 1961. The upper level also houses a gallery designed to walk visitors through various human rights campaigns and activists, while the lower level is dedicated to displaying King's personal artifacts and papers.

Visitors marvel at the multimedia experience of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, where news reels and other primary sources bring history to life, and recommend spending around two hours there. Travelers caution, however, that some content – indicated by signage in certain exhibits – may not be appropriate for young children.

Address: 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30313

Stone Mountain Park

At more than 3,200 acres, Stone Mountain Park , the most-visited attraction in Georgia, offers fun for visitors of all ages, including adventure courses, the world's longest-running laser show, a 5-mile railroad excursion, two golf courses and a Swiss cable car that takes travelers to the top of the mountain. The park is particularly known for its massive Confederate Memorial Carving, a 3-acre sculpture of three Civil War figures from the South that measures larger than Mount Rushmore. Amid calls for the monument to be removed, the park board has approved the creation of an on-site museum exhibit, set for completion around 2025, to provide context about the history of the world's largest Confederate monument and its ties to the Ku Klux Klan.

Visitors say they love the park's picturesque hikes and Historic Square, a collection of original 19th-century buildings, but warned there are separate fees for entering the park and enjoying its various attractions. You will have multiple choices for lodging in or near the park, including Stone Mountain Inn, the Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort or a campground, but since Stone Mountain Park is less than 20 miles northeast of Atlanta, you can also opt to stay in the city and drive to the attraction.

Address: 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is yet another gem nestled across from Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. With more than 11 million gallons of water, this aquarium is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and home to more than 100,000 aquatic animals, including penguins, whale sharks, manta rays and more. Travelers can even get up close and personal with beluga whales during a training session or suit up to swim with sharks. The aquarium has seven permanent galleries and a 4D theater that plays films about the ocean's magnificent creatures.

Previous visitors raved about this attraction and advised reserving your place at its various shows when you arrive and allowing plenty of time for parking. The aquarium requires you to buy your tickets online in advance. To save some coin, purchase an Atlanta CityPASS and get admission to five city attractions for one set price. Additionally, several hotels offer packages that include tickets to the aquarium, including Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park, Hilton Atlanta , the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and the Hyatt Regency Atlanta .

Address: 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

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Stroll through Savannah

It's no surprise that Savannah, one of the oldest U.S. cities – and perhaps one of the most haunted – is a traveler favorite on any trip to Georgia. This quaint Southern destination is guaranteed to charm visitors with the ubiquitous landmarks and cobblestone streets of its renowned Historic District, complete with 22 park squares including the lively 30-acre Forsyth Park .

While you explore museums and restored 18th-century homes on a walking tour , you can learn about Savannah's antebellum past at North America's oldest continuous Black church or head 15 miles east of downtown to the Fort Pulaski National Monument on Cockspur Island, a former stop along the Underground Railroad. Amid absorbing all this history, take advantage of mouthwatering restaurants like Sisters of the New South, amble through the open-air City Market , stop by the Victorian-era Bonaventure Cemetery and complete your visit to Savannah with a ghost tour .

Consider staying at Andaz Savannah in bustling Ellis Square or The Cotton Sail Hotel Savannah, Tapestry Collection by Hilton , a former cotton warehouse from the 1800s. For a spookier experience, book a room at The Marshall House , a reportedly haunted inn that once housed a Civil War hospital. Past visitors appreciated the property's haunted atmosphere without finding it too creepy to enjoy, with some swearing the lights occasionally turn on and off on their own.

See more of Savannah:  Things to Do  |  Tours  |  Hotels

World of Coca-Cola

Courtesy of Coca-Cola

Learn the history behind one of the world's most beloved drinks at World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta. Inside, you'll see the Coca-Cola bottling process and the vault where the secret drink recipe is stored. You can also taste Coca-Cola beverages from around the world – a perpetual visitor favorite – and buy soda-themed souvenirs in the gift shop. The museum recommends visitors purchase tickets in advance; the cost of admission increases slightly at the gate. Noteworthy hotels less than half a mile of this attraction, which is located right next to the Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Olympic Park, include the Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown and the Hotel Indigo Atlanta Downtown .

Address: 121 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Sip vino in north Georgia's wine country

Did you know that Georgia has its own wine region? The northern part of the Peach State is home to acclaimed wineries like Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, which sates visitors' appetites for more than just wine with its on-site cafe and Sunday brunch buffet, and Tiger Mountain Vineyards, known for varietals like malbec, cabernet franc and viognier. Many venues – such as Cane Creek Vineyards every Friday – even host live music performances showcasing local artists.

After a wine tour that includes sipping and savoring the wines of northern Georgia, which tend to be on the sweeter side, settle into your cozy abode at Glen-Ella Springs Inn & Restaurant, located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or at Château Élan Winery & Resort , which features a spa, golf and tennis clubs, and other amenities. Visitors describe the latter as a "hidden treasure" with top-notch food and lodging.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

Visit MLK's birthplace and childhood home at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in downtown Atlanta. During your visit this free park, you can see the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church – the location of King's baptism, ordainment and funeral – as well as the Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have a Dream" World Peace Rose Garden. To secure a free ranger-led tour of King's Birth Home, you'll need to arrive early in the day to sign up at the Visitor Center, which features informative exhibits, and be prepared to wait several hours. According to previous visitors, the park offers a tranquil and moving atmosphere, especially in its rose garden and by the Eternal Flame and Reflecting Pool, where the crypts of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, are located.

The best options for accommodations close to this historical park, by far one of the most poignant things to do in Georgia, are in central Atlanta. Consider bedding down at Sugar Magnolia Bed & Breakfast or the Home2 Suites by Hilton Atlanta Downtown.

Address: 450 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Jekyll Island

Within the Golden Isles on the coast of Georgia lies Jekyll Island, a serene state park that's home to sea turtles, historic ruins and some of Georgia's best beaches . Driftwood Beach is a particular draw for visitors to the island, as the beach's namesake driftwood accentuates its romantic atmosphere and makes it one of the top things to do in Georgia. These gnarled tree trunks and branches create a one-of-a-kind backdrop for a picnic, a stroll along the sand or stargazing – not to mention a perfect playground for kids. The best time to go is at low tide.

Beyond Driftwood Beach you may want to stop by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to see rehabilitation in action or choose from activities such as golfing, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing and much more. History enthusiasts will find plenty to explore in the 240-acre grounds of the former Jekyll Island Club, now a National Historic Landmark District. You can start with Mosaic, a museum in the historic stables that takes patrons through the island's cultural and natural history, including its Native American and African American roots.

A parking pass is required to access Jekyll Island by vehicle. To wind down after a busy day touring, shopping and dining, choose from an array of accommodation options such as the family-friendly Jekyll Island Club Resort in the Historic District.

Read: The Top Weekend Getaways From Atlanta

Margaret Mitchell House

Courtesy of Atlanta History Center

Take a look inside the life of the acclaimed author of the 1936 classic "Gone With the Wind" at the Margaret Mitchell House . Located in Midtown Atlanta, this Tudor Revival mansion – which is one of several Atlanta History Center attractions – is home to the small apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning book. The author nicknamed her first-floor abode "The Dump," but the building is now a museum featuring various exhibits about Mitchell and her famous novel. The property is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Guided tours take guests through the complex history surrounding "Gone With the Wind," including its inaccurate depictions of slavery and the Civil War. Visitors praise the Margaret Mitchell House's tour guides, saying they're both well informed and entertaining. Nearby hotels include the Hyatt Centric Midtown Atlanta and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Atlanta Midtown, GA.

Note: The Margaret Mitchell House was closed for renovations at the time of publication. It is expected to reopen in 2024.

Address: 979 Crescent Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Eat hot dogs at The Varsity

While vacationing in Atlanta, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy a delicious hot dog and an order of onion rings at The Varsity. This family-owned local institution opened in 1928 and is considered the world's largest drive-in restaurant. Be sure to come prepared, as before you order you'll need to know the right lingo – like "Heavy Weight" (a hot dog with extra chili), "Walk a Dog" (a hot dog to go) and "Naked Dog" (a plain hot dog). Throw in a signature Varsity Orange drink, and you're all set. While there are now six Varsity locations, including two at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, head to the original restaurant on North Avenue for the authentic experience. Past visitors said this is an absolute must when in Atlanta, for both the onion rings and the nostalgia.

Address: 61 N. Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308.

Read: What to Eat in Atlanta

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Six Flags Over Georgia

Courtesy of Six Flags Over Georgia

Georgia has its share of amusement parks, but Six Flags Over Georgia may top the list. Situated about 10 miles west of Atlanta, this Six Flags location features a variety of rides with themes based on DC Comics characters like Batman and Catwoman. Patrons who want to get their blood pumping should hop on The Great American Scream Machine, a classic wooden roller coaster built in 1973, or The Riddler Mindbender, a steel roller coaster with three exhilarating loops. Six Flags Over Georgia also has a water park with a wave pool and waterslides for the warmer months, plus attractions that are suitable for young kids.

While you can purchase tickets at the gate, you'll save money and time by buying them online ahead of time. Reviewers rave about the rides but warn that lines can be long. Hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta West/Lithia Springs, the Hampton Inn & Suites ATL-Six Flags and the Comfort Inn Douglasville may offer packages with discounted park tickets.

Address: 275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell, GA 30168

Read: The Best Family Vacations in the USA

St. Simons Island

Another Golden Isles offering, St. Simons Island is the largest of Georgia's barrier islands. This classic Southern landscape, lined with moss-draped live oak trees, also boasts quaint shops, untouched beaches, top-notch fishing, multiple golf courses and an array of other outdoor adventures, so it's easy to see why it's one of the top things to do in Georgia. At Fort Frederica National Monument, archaeological remnants of a British colony tell the story of its defense against Spain, while the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum details more island history. Visitors also recommend wandering the grounds and cemetery at Christ Church, Frederica – one of the oldest churches in Georgia – which is even more beautiful in spring when the azaleas bloom.

Choose The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort for a luxurious stay or the Grey Owl Inn for a charming bed-and-breakfast experience, among many other hotel options on St. Simons Island.

Read: The Best Beaches in the U.S.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Journey about 20 miles northwest of Atlanta to visit Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, a nearly 3,000-acre preserved Civil War battleground from 1864. The park has around 20 miles of trails with monuments, historical markers and cannon emplacements, as well as a fantastic view of the Atlanta skyline from atop Kennesaw Mountain. Check out the on-site museum to peruse artifacts and exhibits related to the Battle of Kennesaw. Visitors say this park, which is open from dawn to dusk daily for a per-vehicle fee, makes for a great place to hike. For an easier trek, take the shuttle bus to the top of the mountain and then hike back down. Hotel options in the nearby city of Marietta include the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Atlanta–Marietta or the Hampton Inn and Suites Atlanta/Marietta, both less than 10 miles from the park.

Address: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw, GA 30152

Midtown Atlanta's Arts District

Courtesy of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best place to immerse yourself in Atlanta's art and culture offerings is in Midtown's Arts District, home to an array of attractions. The Atlanta Botanical Garden , for one, is a sprawling 30-acre site next to Piedmont Park that houses permanent artwork, various exhibitions, and weekly shows and classes alongside its indoor and outdoor plant collections. Kids will love the musical and storytelling performances of the Shows for Seedlings program on Fridays.

After traversing the Atlanta Botanical Garden, art lovers can check out the High Museum of Art less than a mile away. With more than 17,000 works of art ranging from classic to contemporary and events such as Friday jazz nights, the High Museum of Art promises to engage your inner creativity. Other great ways to experience the Arts District include performances at the landmark Fox Theatre and Atlanta Symphony Hall or visits to the Center for Puppetry Arts and the Bremen Jewish Heritage Museum.

Cloudland Canyon State Park

Get out and discover Georgia's great outdoors at one of its many state parks. The scenic Cloudland Canyon State Park, which sits on the western side of Lookout Mountain in the northwest part of the state, is a prime spot to hike to the bottom of the gorge and take in magnificent waterfall and canyon views. Families may want to try out a game of disc golf in the park. For overnight stays, Cloudland Canyon offers cottages, campsites and even yurts for a glamping experience. Recent visitors praise the 64 miles of well-maintained hiking trails and recommend arriving early or coming on a weekday; parking, which costs a small fee, can fill up quickly. You'll find the park about 25 miles southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee , and 120 miles northwest of Atlanta.

Address: 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, GA 30738

Get artsy at Howard Finster's Paradise Garden

Courtesy of Paradise Garden Foundation

For an off-the-beaten-path adventure, visit Howard Finster's Paradise Garden in Summerville, a town in northwest Georgia that sits less than 20 miles east of the Alabama-Georgia border. This quirky attraction – which features a kitschy display of sculptures, paintings and curious objects developed by its namesake, folk artist Howard Finster – is considered one of the state's top art attractions. Finster, one of the most well-known and prolific self-taught artists of the 20th century, created nearly 47,000 pieces of art in addition to the 2.5-acre Paradise Garden. Travelers describe it as fascinating, inspiring and best enjoyed with comfortable shoes. If you'd like to take the experience to the next level, book a stay at the on-site Airbnb cottage or plan your visit around the annual Finster Fest.

Address: 200 N. Lewis St., Summerville, GA 30747

Roosevelt's Little White House State Historic Site

Courtesy of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

Located in Warm Springs, the Little White House was built by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, as he sought a cure for his polio in the town's spring waters. This house has been preserved alongside a museum filled with the late president's memorabilia, including his 1938 Ford convertible, his stagecoach and the unfinished portrait he was posing for when he suffered a deadly stroke. Much of this attraction is self-guided, but visitors say the staff stationed around the site to answer questions are exceptionally knowledgeable. After exploring the historic property, check out the shops and eateries lining Main Street in Warm Springs before bedding down at the Aiden by Best Western at Warm Springs Hotel and Event Center.

Address: 401 Little White House Road, Warm Springs, GA 31830

View the highly regarded Cyclorama

Cycloramas – large paintings used for a kind of three-dimensional visual storytelling – were a popular form of immersive entertainment in the 1800s. Atlanta's Cyclorama constitutes a more than 130-year-old hand-painted rendering of the 1864 Battle of Atlanta that is longer than a football field and stands almost 50 feet tall. Created in 1886, it is one of only two cycloramas in the U.S. – the other can be found in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – and has been on display in Atlanta for 130 years.

In addition to the painting, the Atlanta History Center's "Cyclorama: The Big Picture" exhibit showcases a short film alongside related artifacts and technology to examine the untold stories of the painting and the ways Civil War imagery has shaped our perspectives. Past visitors loved seeing the massive painting, describing the piece as astounding. Entry to this exhibit is included in Atlanta History Center admission.

Address: 130 W. Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

Providence Canyon State Park

Known as Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon," Providence Canyon State Park is colored by pink, orange, red and purple soil. Giant gullies caused by 19th-century farming practices also further the canyon's photogenic appeal today. Popular for both hiking and camping, the park has nine campsites and more than 10 miles of trails, including the 2.5-mile Canyon Loop Trail.

The most popular of the nine canyons are Nos. 4 and 5. Providence Canyon comes alive in July and August when its plumleaf azaleas (a species that only grows in this region) are in full bloom. Keep in mind, though, that the park's daytime temperatures often climb into the 90s in the summer months and make the canyon floor very hot. Daily parking costs a small fee. Providence Canyon State Park is located about 40 miles south of Columbus on the western side of Georgia.

Address: 8930 Canyon Road, Lumpkin, GA 31815

See: The Best Places for National Park Camping

Historic Oakland Cemetery

As Atlanta's oldest public park, the historic Oakland Cemetery is where many of the city's most prominent residents – including author Margaret Mitchell, golfer Bobby Jones and Bishop Wesley John Gaines, who founded Morris Brown College – are laid to rest. The cemetery consists of several distinct areas, including the Jewish Flat, the African American Grounds and the burial grounds for roughly 7,000 Confederate soldiers. Around a mile from downtown, Oakland Cemetery spans 48 acres and also houses gardens with sculptures and majestic oak trees and magnolias. Past visitors highly recommend a visit, noting the interesting tombstones and vast history.

Address: 248 Oakland Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Rock City Gardens

Courtesy of Rock City, Inc.

Atop Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia you'll find the natural wonders of Rock City Gardens , a one-of-a-kind attraction just 6 miles from downtown Chattanooga. The 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail spotlights ancient rock formations, breathtaking panoramic views, a cascading waterfall and the famous Swing-A-Long Bridge. Visitors will enjoy the valley views from Lover's Leap, where you can dine on the mountain and try to spot seven states with binoculars, or the nursery rhyme dioramas at Mother Goose Village inside Fairyland Caverns.

In addition to more than 400 native plant species, the gardens also feature several art installations inspired by the trail's natural beauty. Rock City charms travelers year-round with music weekends in the summer, the autumn Rocktoberfest, the Enchanted Garden of Lights for the winter holidays and a spring flower festival, among other events. Recent visitors recommend going to Rock City early so you can take your time and your pictures without too much of a crowd.

Address: 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750

Cumberland Island

Perhaps best known as the island where John F. Kennedy Jr. wed Carolyn Bessette in a secret ceremony, Cumberland Island boasts more than 17 miles of white sand beaches off the southeastern coast of mainland Georgia. This destination is accessible only by ferry, which departs from the small mainland town of St. Marys, and reservations are recommended. Cumberland Island offers a range of things to do, from tours of the former Carnegie family home and other mansion ruins to outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, swimming, fishing and stargazing.

Visitors suggest biking as one of the best ways to explore the island, as much of the northern half is too far to reach by foot. You can bring your own bike or rent one from the Camden Bicycle Center in St. Marys after calling 24 hours in advance to check availability. Note that bringing a bike on the ferry costs extra, and space is limited so it's best to reserve your spot. If you'd like to stay overnight on the island, you can choose between a campsite and a room at the historic Greyfield Inn, with its antique furnishings and candlelit dinners.

See: The Top Beach Camping Spots in the U.S.

Lake Lanier

As one of Georgia's most popular lakes – and the largest one available in the state – Lake Lanier has 76 recreational areas and spans almost 700 miles of shoreline. The lake, located about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, boasts shores that are home to Don Carter State Park, a more than 1,300-acre state park with beautiful hiking trails, well-maintained campsites and an array of water-related activities, according to previous visitors. Plus, the lake is where you'll find Lanier Islands, a lakefront resort complex that features a water park, a spa and even snow tubing during the winter months.

For lodging amid all this lakefront leisure, stay in one of the resort's upscale guest rooms at Legacy Lodge or Legacy Villas. If you'd rather get the full outdoor experience while visiting one of the top things to do in Georgia, take advantage of the area's abundant campsites or hang out at Lanier Islands' Margaritaville RV Resort, which offers both cabins and sites for recreational vehicles.

See: Top Lake Vacations in the U.S.

Strike it rich at Dahlonega

Courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources

The town of Dahlonega sits on what once were the largest gold deposits east of the Mississippi River. In fact, the site was so rich in the valuable metal it caused a gold rush in the early 1800s, bringing 15,000 miners to the area. In present-day Dahlonega, you can tour a gold mine, pan for gold in the area's creeks and rivers, and visit the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site, which displays artifacts such as rare coins and a hydraulic cannon used for mining. While the museum may be small, most previous visitors appreciated the informative displays and suggest watching the short film. For accommodations, consider the Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard, a relaxation-focused property with a wine garden and a spa, or the Hall House Hotel, which dates back to 1881.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Places to Visit in Georgia
• The Top Things to Do in Blue Ridge, Georgia
• The Top Things to Do in Augusta, Georgia
• The Top Romantic Getaways in Georgia
• The Top Water Parks in Georgia

Tags: Travel , US Vacations , Southeast Vacations , Georgia Vacations

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Wander-Lush

25 Practical Georgia Travel Tips for First-time Visitors

From pointers for planning the perfect itinerary to restaurant etiquette and staying safe on the roads, here are 25 essential Georgia travel tips to know before you go.

The first time I visited Georgia in 2017, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I’m usually one to over-research and over-plan (can you tell?) – but on this particular trip, I was totally underprepared. 

This mostly worked in my favour. Almost everything I experienced in Georgia was a kind of ‘pleasant surprise’: Transport, money, safety, food, accommodation, hospitality – everything just flowed.

• Also read: Tips for visiting the Caucasus region – religion, etiquette and cultural curiosities .

Things have changed in the interim and travelling in Georgia is a bit different to how it was even 5 short years ago. Having lived here for over a year now and travelled to almost every corner of the country, I still learn something new every day.

My job is to absorb information, and over time I’ve picked up some really helpful tips that I wish I had known on my first trip. With so many people looking to visit Georgia for the first time this year, it’s finally time to put everything down on one page.

The last thing I want to do is give too much away or detract from your joy of discovering Georgia for yourself. If you’d rather come in blind like I did, stop reading this right now and go check out this list of amazing places to visit in Georgia instead!

If, however, you like to be prepared and you want to save yourself money, time and stress, then read on. Here are 25 things I think you should know before you visit the country of Georgia for the first time.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

25 practical Georgia travel tips for first-time visitors

1. late spring or fall is a nice time to visit georgia.

Georgia has a relatively mild climate outside of the high-altitude mountain regions. While there’s not exactly a definitive ‘best time to visit Georgia’, there is surely a period to avoid : Peak summer.

Summer is high season for international visitors. On top of that, when things start to heat up (and smog up) in Tbilisi , locals intuitively flock to the mountains or the villages. There’s increased pressure on transport and accommodation throughout the summer months as a result. On the Black Sea Coast, hotel prices go up considerably.

The nicest time to visit Georgia in my opinion is during shoulder season , either in late spring or in fall .

Once the spring rains clear (usually after Orthodox Easter ), temperatures are mild, wildflowers are blooming , and it’s not too crowded yet.

(Check the dates for the Eid al-Fitr holiday – this period does get busy with visitors from neighbouring countries.)

Fall or autumn (September to late October) is another great time to visit as the whole country is in a festive mood. The wine harvest, Rtveli , takes place around this time and if you’re organised, you can watch or participate in grape-picking in Kakheti .

In the capital, the Tbilisoba Festival is held in early October. Temperatures remain mild through to late October, and most mountain areas that are cut off in winter remain accessible until then.

Georgia has an extremely varied geography so temperatures and weather conditions vary a lot depending on where you go. Always do your research before you set out.

Key takeaway: Visit in late spring for hiking or fall for wine season. Avoid the summer months unless you’re going straight to the mountains. Consider winter for a Tbilisi city break but note that some mountain areas are inaccessible.

2. Top georgia travel tip: Buy a local sim card

A sim card is pretty much a necessity in Georgia if you’re going to be using taxis (see my next tip for more) or you need to navigate with Google Maps. It’s so easy and affordable to get set up with a local sim, there’s really no reason not to.

Magti is my preferred provider in Georgia for price, coverage and customer service. A sim card costs 10 GEL and the best deal is an unlimited 4G data package for just 9 GEL (2.50 USD) per week .

Don’t buy a sim card at the airport – prices are higher. Instead, wait until you get into the city and can visit a Magti branch. Registration is done for you at the shop (all you need is your passport) and takes all of 10 minutes.

A word of warning: Don’t always trust Google Maps in Georgia. Some streets and street numbers are way off. It’s pretty good for bus routes in Tbilisi, but TTC app is generally more reliable.

Key takeaway: Magti is the best mobile provider in Georgia. Don’t buy a tourist sim at the airport – wait to visit an office in the city. See my full step-by-step guide to buying a sim card and my recommended apps for Georgia.

3. Always use an app for taxis (and never take a taxi from the airport!)

Most regular taxis in Tbilisi and other cities do not have metres, meaning you need to negotiate the fare with the driver before you set off. To avoid confusion and overpaying, it’s much easier to use an app to book taxis.

Bolt is the most reliable local app and covers the major cities (there is no Uber in Georgia). It’s easy to use and in my experience, you never have to wait more than a few minutes for a driver. Prices are more than fair and you can tip the driver through the app if you want to.

If travelling from Tbilisi Airport to the city , use the airport bus 337, organise a private transfer with GoTrip , or use Bolt.

If travelling from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi, you can either use the train, use Georgian Bus or OmniBus, which are timed to depart as flights arrive, or book a private transfer . Find more info about travelling from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi in this transport guide .

Key takeaway: Always an app to book taxis – avoid hailing cabs on the street and never ever take a taxi from the airport in Tbilisi. See more tips for using taxis in Tbilisi and a comparison of the best apps.

4. Buy a transport card when you first arrive in Tbilisi

Tbilisi has a terrific public transport system that makes it very easy to get around the city. It has recently undergone a big overhaul – new minivans have been introduced, new routes planned, and most importantly, fares have doubled from 50 tetri to 1 GEL per ride .

As of May 2022, buses in Tbilisi no longer have coin machines . To use the buses, metro and cable cars in Tbilisi you first need to purchase one of two rechargeable transport cards.

The white MetroMoney Card is used for single journeys (each journey is valid for 90 minutes), while the blue Travel Card is suitable for anyone who uses public transport more frequently. With this new card, you can purchase a daily, weekly or monthly unlimited pass (capped at 20 rides per day). Both cards cost 2 GEL and are available at the cash desk inside any metro station. Top up with cash using an orange pay box.

International bank cards also work on public transport – meaning you can tap your credit/debit card on the machine as you would with a transport card (just as long as your card has a chip). Note that the fare is higher, around 1.50 GEL per ride versus 1 GEL.

Key takeaway: If you plan to use public transport in Tbilisi, buy a rechargeable MetroMoney or Travel Card when you first arrive. You can also use the MetroMoney card for buses in Batumi. In Kutaisi and most other smaller cities/towns, buses still have coin machines so you can simply buy a single ticket onboard.

5. Be conscious of road safety

The driving style in Georgia is pure madness. Speeding, filtering to create a new lane of traffic where there isn’t supposed to be one, and overtaking around blind corners on single-lane mountain roads are some of the biggest issues.

It would be funny if it wasn’t so serious: Georgia has a terrible track record with road accidents, especially on poorly maintained mountain roads. Things are improving gradually, but it’s something every traveller should be conscious of.

I personally don’t have the stomach for long marshrutka rides anymore (even short taxi trips in Tbilisi make me anxious). When booking day trips or organising transfers, road safety is something that should always be front of mind.

Key takeaway: Be hyper vigilant when it comes to road safety in Georgia. Don’t opt for the cheapest day tour as these companies often skimp on safety precautions. Avoid travelling on the roads after dark and never get into a car with a driver who you suspect has been drinking.

6. Use GoTrip for longer road journeys

One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make on their first visit to Georgia is thinking that because the country is so small, it will be fast and easy to get around. In truth, ‘public transport’ is still quite basic here and it can take a long time to get from A to B. Trains in particular are quite slow (with the exception of the Tbilisi Batumi high-speed train and the trains to Poti and Zugdidi ).

You will come to embrace the clunky marshrutka van as all travellers do, but know there are other (more comfortable and safer) transport options available that won’t break the bank.

GoTrip.ge is one of my absolute favourite services in Georgia. I can’t tell you how many times this platform has saved me. Essentially it’s a long-distance Uber for private one-way, round-trip or multi-day transfers – input your destination/s then choose a driver and vehicle based on their credentials and star rating.

The price is fixed when you book so there’s no need to negotiate the fare, and you can stop wherever you want, whenever you want along the way. Fares are very reasonable and up to 40% cheaper than if you were to find a driver on the street. I especially love GoTrip for journeys such as the Georgian Military Highway where there are lots of places to sight-see along the way.

Visit the GoTrip.ge website and use their Trip Planner to explore routes around Georgia.

Key takeaway: Consider a car and driver for longer journeys and dangerous mountain roads, even if it means paying a bit more. Avoid using marshrutka vans for very long trips, and try to break up long road journeys with an overnight stop.

7. If you hire a car, use a local agent

Georgia is extremely affordable but some things are disproportionately expensive, car hire being one of them. If you want to get off the beaten track by driving around Georgia , the best option is to go through a local agent rather than a brand-name company.

Local Rent is my favourite platform for booking cars in Georgia. They work exclusively with local agents and offer great prices, as little as $34/day for a 4WD. Insurance is typically included and most agents don’t ask for a deposit or credit card. Just note that the car might be a bit shabbier than you’re used to. Because these agents don’t have offices, they’ll even throw in free delivery to your address.

Check availability and prices for your travel dates here on Local Rent .

Remember what I said about road safety and exercise a higher level of caution than normal when you’re driving in Georgia. Most highways are in good nick and there aren’t too many curly road rules to wrap your head around – the main thing is to watch out for other drivers. Here are my insights into the local driving style and top tips for self-driving.

Key takeaway: Avoid renting a car through the usual channels and use a local agent instead. Local Rent is the best platform to find an affordable rental car in Georgia. BUT only hire a car if you’re a confident and experienced driver who doesn’t get spooked by erratic or aggressive drivers.

8. Always carry some cash

While 99% of restaurants and hotels in the city take credit card, smaller cafes, markets, taxi drivers (if you’re using them in rural areas) and smaller guesthouses only accept cash payment. Lari is the official currency in Georgia and you should always carry some on you – especially if you’re headed to the regions or the mountains.

Avoid the currency exchange at the airport – instead, use one of the ATMs in the arrivals hall (there are several) to withdraw GEL. All ATMs in Georgia accept Visa and Mastercard, while Bank of Georgia takes AMEX. Withdrawal fees are usually around 2 GEL (some charge nothing) but you’ll need to check with your issuing bank for other charges. Basisbank and Cartu Bank ATMs have higher withdrawal limits.

Don’t mistake a paybox for an ATM – payboxes are the jukebox-like plastic boxes on every street corner used for paying bills and other services. They don’t dispense cash. ATMs are everywhere on the street and in malls (but not in convenience stores). For peace of mind, it’s advisable to use the ATMs inside bank branches when you can.

Key takeaway: Card is accepted almost everywhere in the cities but it’s handy to have some cash for smaller purchases. ATMs are ubiquitous throughout Georgia but you should always carry cash with you when travelling in rural areas.

9. Understand the tipping culture

Tipping is not part of the culture in Georgia and it is not considered mandatory. But tipping is now expected in most service industries , especially in Tbilisi, and particularly when it comes to tourists.

The common-sense principle that you should only tip if you’re happy with the service applies. Personally I almost always tip because I understand that wages are low (40-60 GEL/day is the average for a restaurant server).

You’ll notice that many restaurants, bars and cafes add a 10% ‘service fee’ onto the bill (on top of 18% VAT). This almost never goes to the server, though – it’s used for other purposes, such as replacing broken plates and glasses.

If you want to be sure your server receives a gratuity, leave an extra tip in cash and try to hand it to them personally. I usually tip 10% for servers and 1-3 GEL for Bolt drivers.

Key takeaway: Tipping is not ‘the norm’ in Georgia, but it is hugely appreciated. If you’re happy with the service, tip your restaurant/cafe server in cash. Remember that the 10% ‘service charge’ added to your bill does not normally go to the waiter.

10. Tourist scams and corruption are rare

As long as you exercise common sense, Georgia is an extremely safe place and Tbilisi is a very safe city. Crime is very rarely targeted at tourists.

Scams do happen on occasion, though. Avoid eating or shopping in overly ‘touristy’ areas (such as the pedestrianised part of Aghmashenebeli Avenue in Tbilisi), and always ask for the price first before committing to purchase something from a market or food vendor. The biggest culprit is taxis and the best way to safeguard against this is to use an app in the cities and book drivers through your guesthouse when you’re in towns or rural areas.

There is one other perennial tourist scam in Tbilisi and Batumi to watch out for. A group or individual, either someone you meet on the street or through a dating app, will invite you for a drink at a local bar then ask you to foot the insanely overpriced bill. (This happened to friends of ours and they ended up getting fleeced for thousands of dollars.)

Be cautious when accepting invitations from strangers and if you do, meet at a place of your choosing. Avoid restaurants or especially bars that are not on Google Maps . Unless they’re brand new, if they don’t have a listing or past reviews you can safely assume this is a red flag.

A few decades ago Georgia embarked on a national project to stamp out corruption (notice how every police station is made of glass?). It mostly worked and today, corruption in all forms is extremely rare , especially where tourists are concerned. It’s not something you have to be wary of.

Key takeaway: Exercise a normal level of vigilance, especially in the big cities, but know that petty crime, scams and corruption targeted at tourists is extremely very rare in Georgia.

11. It’s (mostly) safe to drink the tap water

Can you drink the tap water in Georgia? This is always the subject of debate among expats. Georgians love their spring and mineral waters (e.g. Borjomi ) and for the most part, tap water is of a similarly high quality. Nine times out of 10 when you’re travelling in rural areas and small towns it will be more than safe to drink the tap water.

Many people choose not to drink the tap water in Tbilisi. In this case it’s more of an issue with the pipes than the water itself. If you’re staying in an old building, the water might be tainted with residue from old pipes. In all likelihood it’s still safe to drink but it might not sit well with you.

Key takeaway: Georgia is blessed with mountain springs and mineral waters – always carry a reusable water bottle when you’re travelling so that you can fill up at these natural springs. For the most part, tap water is safe to drink in towns and cities but some people choose to avoid it in Tbilisi. Bottled water is extremely affordable.

12. Understand that the days start late

Tbilisi in particular wakes up late and stays up late. Even in summer when the sun is out before 5am, if you’re on the street before 9, you can hear a pin drop. Banks open at 10am but many people start work mid-morning and continue late into the evening.

Don’t wake up early and expect everything to be open. Georgia doesn’t have a strong breakfast or brunch culture , so cafes in Tbilisi rarely open before 10am ( see a list of early risers here ). Shops, museums, galleries and other attractions tend to open between 10am and 11am. Peak hour falls later, and public transport is always very busy around 7pm on weekdays. Plan your days accordingly.

Key takeaway: Whenever possible, take breakfast at your accommodation (especially when you’re staying in a smaller town or village). Restaurant opening hours are sometimes flexible so it’s best to arrive 15-20 minutes after advertised opening time to be safe. Stick to outdoor activities in the mornings, especially in Tbilisi, and save your museums for the afternoon.

13. Take listed opening hours with a pinch of salt

As I mentioned earlier, Google Maps is far from 100% reliable in Georgia . Sometimes you’ll roll up to an address expecting to find a cafe there and zip, nada, nothing! (This still happens to me fairly often – sometimes I just can’t see the place, other times it’s moved.)

Business owners often neglect to update their opening hours or addresses on Google Maps, so it’s better to check on Facebook or Instagram instead. If I’m visiting a venue for the first time, I will always send a message on social media the day before to check they’re actually going to be open.

When a cafe or restaurant goes out of business, sometimes this doesn’t get updated either – so you’ll find places that are marked as ‘open’ on maps but are actually long abandoned, and other places marked as ‘permanently closed’ that are actually open.

In addition, lots of venues will open up later than their listed hours indicate or close the kitchen for the day at short notice (especially if the water or power is out). This is just something you have to get used to. Always have a Plan B up your sleeve just in case!

Key takeaway: Don’t rely on Google Maps – businesses are much more likely to update their Facebook or Instagram pages if they close down, move, or if their hours change. If in doubt, message ahead to double check.

14. Don’t rush through Tbilisi

If you’re starting or ending your trip in the capital, you might think a night in Tbilisi will suffice. While it’s true that you can see a good deal of Tbilisi’s ‘must-sees’ in a day, if you want to savour the city, you’ll need more time than that.

Tbilisi is the capital of course, but it doesn’t necessarily feel like it. Where other big cities are anonymous and cookie-cutter, Tbilisi has a very unique look and atmosphere that I can’t really compare to anywhere else. This has long been the most multicultural city in the region and all that wonderful diversity still shines through today.

Aside from the historical landmarks, museums and important churches, there are lots of offbeat things to do in Tbilisi , from visiting Stalin’s old printing press to taking an urban hike for a city view . On top of that, there are squillions of cafes, galleries , cute boutiques and wine bars that you can happily spend a day floating between.

Some of Tbilisi’s most interesting neighbourhoods, especially Sololaki, Abanotubani and Chugureti, should be explored at a slow pace by foot. Consider joining a free or paid walking tour for a more in-depth look at the city’s heritage architecture or Soviet history .

Plus, you’ll want at least six meals in Tbilisi so that you can sample a good range of the city’s best restaurants .

Key takeaway: Two to three days is the minimum amount of time you need in Tbilisi if you want to do it justice. If you love cities or you prefer slow travel, you can quite easily fill in 5-plus days in Tbilisi.

15. Remember to pack your bathers for the sulfur baths

I know this is very specific, but a trip to the sulfur baths is a Tbilisi experience most visitors want to have – just make sure it’s memorable in the right way!

Everyone goes nude at the public baths, but if you’re booking a private room with a Kisi massage/scrub treatment, it’s advisable to wear a bikini (women) or trunks (men).

Key takeaway: Pack your swimmers for Georgia, even if you’re visiting in winter. Read more about bathhouse etiquette in Abanotubani here.

16. Stay at family guesthouses when you can

Guesthouses are by far the most popular type of accommodation in rural Georgia. When you stay at a guesthouse, you’re spending the night in a family home – a bit like a homestay .

Home-cooked meals and home-made alcoholic beverages are part and parcel of the guesthouse experience. More than that, guesthouse host families are like travel agents who can organise taxis, tours and tickets, phone ahead to save you a seat on the next marshrutka, call the local restaurant to book you a table… And just about anything else you might need.

I swear by guesthouses, especially in small villages where you might need some help with travel logistics. It’s also a really nice way to meet a family and make a local connection , and to link up with other travellers too.

Needless to say this is one of the easiest ways to show your support for small business and community tourism in Georgia.

Key takeaway: When in doubt, book a family run guesthouse. Not only do they offer affordable accommodation and home-cooked meals, they can help you with all kinds of travel logistics too. Most can be booked online through Booking.com but many only accept cash payment. See here for a full list of my favourite guesthouses around Georgia.

17. Remember that Georgia is a good place to treat yourself

As soul-nourishing as guesthouse hospitality is, it’s nice to treat yourself to something slightly more luxurious once in a while. The good news is that Georgia – a budget-friendly destination by any measure – has a stellar range of high-quality accommodations that are extremely well priced.

In Georgia, you can spend the night in a historic wine chateaux in Kakheti , settle into a ski-in luxury mountain cabin in Kazbegi, go glamping in the heart of the forest in Racha, or curl up in a high-rise boutique hotel overlooking the Black Sea for a fraction of the cost of something similar in Western Europe (or even Eastern Europe for that matter).

It’s within almost every traveller’s budget to splash out on a nice hotel room or a private tour. If you’re supporting a local business at the same time, then why not.

The only area where you don’t really need to fork out extra cash is food . In my experience, a higher price tag rarely equates with better tasting food or more attentive service – so you’re safe to stick to the cheap (or mid-range) and cheerful when it comes to restaurants.

On a serious note: Don’t come to Georgia expecting everything to be dirt cheap or worse, for things to get handed to you for free. No doubt you’ll be the recipient of Georgia’s legendary hospitality at some point in your travels, but remember to be gracious and try not to take advantage of people’s generosity.

Key takeaway: Don’t be afraid to book that beautiful accommodation or private tour if it will enhance your experience. There are other areas where you can save money, such as on food and alcohol.

18. Make sure you do at least one hike

Even as a bonafide non-hiker, I can say this with absolute confidence: You must get out on foot in the mountains, even if it’s just for a half-day trek.

Many people come to Georgia for the sole purpose of hiking. The Mestia to Ushguli trail in Svaneti is arguably the most popular multi-day hike, but there are trails in every national park. Black Rock Lake in Lagodekhi, the Truso Valley near Kazbegi and St Andrews Trail near Borjomi are all great alternative options. If you’re serious about hiking, have a look at the Transcaucasian Trail , a route-in-progress that will soon connect the whole South Caucasus region.

Why hike? There’s no better way to connect with the mountain landscapes that make Georgia so special. It’s not just the scenery, but the cultural diversity and way of life in the mountains that makes hiking a must-do.

Key takeaway: Bring your comfy shoes because a hike in Georgia is mandatory. The Gergeti Trinity Church hike is easily the best half-day trek in the country.

19. Look beyond the mountains

We all know Georgia has majestic mountains, but did you know there’s also mud volcanoes, rainbow hills, volcanic plateaus and primordial Colchic forests in Georgia – sometimes all within the same region?

For a country of its size, Georgia is incredibly diverse in terms of the climate and landscape. Wake up in the mountains, off-road through a semi-desert then eat dinner on a black-sand beach – it’s possible in Georgia.

The Greater Caucasus are obviously a must, but I urge you to explore some of the other landscapes and outdoor adventures Georgia has to offer as well. Some of the most rewarding experiences this country has to offer can be found in the more remote, rugged corners: Start by looking at Vashlovani, Lagodekhi, Machakhela and the newly UNESCO-listed Colchic Forests and Wetlands for inspiration.

By the same token, don’t limit your horizons to the big three cities. Georgia has some incredible smaller cities and regional towns that are every bit as rewarding. My favourites are Gori , Telavi , Oni and Zugdidi .

Key takeaway: The best Georgia itineraries sample as many different landscapes as possible. This will help you appreciate the contrasts – and make those mountains seem all the more stunning. Here are 35+ places to visit in Georgia to get you started.

20. Understand the dress code for visiting religious sites

There is a strict dress code for visiting Orthodox churches, monasteries and convents in Georgia. The same applies for mosques.

For men, this means covered knees (no shorts) and covered shoulders (no singlet tops). Women must cover their shoulders and knees as well, and cover their hair. Some churches in rural areas require women to be wearing a long skirt rather than fitted pants. In my experience, a long jacket that’s zipped up will do.

Ninety-nine percent of religious sites have wrap-around apron skirts and headscarves that you can borrow at the door free of charge. However, I always recommend dressing appropriately if you know you’re going to be visiting a church or monastery. For hygiene reasons, I suggest women carry their own light scarf for their hair.

Remember that many tourist sites such as Vardzia and Uplistsikhe have chapels or churches so you’ll need to dress appropriately if you want to visit this part of the complex.

Although there are no hard and fast rules about how to dress outside of religious settings, Georgia tends to err on the conservative side in this department. It’s unusual for men to wear shorts or for women to wear microskirts (except in Batumi), for example. When visiting rural areas and small villages, it’s better to cover up to avoid making other people feel uncomfortable.

Key takeaway: If you’re going to be visiting lots of religious sites, make sure you pack appropriate attire. Ladies, pack a lightweight cotton scarf and always carry it with you. Try to dress more conservatively in rural areas. See here for my full Georgia packing list and what to wear in Georgia.

21. Watch out for monastery fatigue

Speaking of visiting religious sites – monastery fatigue is real, and it’s something many travellers experience. I have no idea just how many monasteries and churches there are in Georgia, but it’s probably in the tens of thousands. Kakheti in particular has dozens and dozens of splendid monuments to see.

I’ve been here long enough that I can start to appreciate the little design details and historical quirks that set each one apart. But on my first few visits to Georgia, I didn’t know enough to appreciate the differences so everything just started to blend into one.

Something important to mention here is that monasteries are much more than just religious sites: They’re equally historical sites. Georgian culture, literature, music, food, wine – the list goes on – is all so interwoven with the church, it’s impossible to find one without the other. When you visit a monastery, you’re not just learning about religion, you’re immersing yourself in history and culture as well. Where else in the world but Georgia would you visit a monastery to do a wine tasting!?

My advice is to pace yourself – don’t pack too many monasteries/churches into one day, and try to split them up with other activities (in Kakheti, wine tastings do the job perfectly). Look for something memorable, maybe a distinctive icon, to help you differentiate each place.

And be selective about the ones you do visit – don’t feel pressured to visit a monastery you’re not interested in just because someone says you should. (Unless it’s me telling you, because I am very selective about the monasteries I recommend!)

Key takeaway: Most monasteries have little or no signage beyond a basic information plaque so if you want to gain an appreciation (and you don’t speak enough Georgian to converse with the priest), either go with a guide or read-up as much as you can before your visit. This will help you better appreciate each monastery and church that you visit and keep you feeling motivated to see more.

22. Don’t skip the wine region

Cultivating grapes, fermenting wine and raising a glass of Saperavi at a Supra feast are all fundamental aspects of Georgian identity. Just as you can’t visit the country without seeing a few monasteries, no trip to ‘the cradle of wine’ is complete without a jaunt through the wine region.

I say ‘the’ wine region, but what I really mean is a wine region. Kakheti might be the biggest, most productive and most popular wine route, but there are vineyards all over Georgia . Maranis (cellars) in Imereti (outside Kutaisi ), Upper Adjara ( a day trip from Batumi ) and Racha all showcase traditional winemaking methods.

You don’t go to a winery just to drink wine – you also go to learn about Qvevri technology , Georgia’s 8000-year tradition of fermenting grapes underground in clay vessels . Even if you don’t drink alcohol or you have no interest in wine, it’s an opportunity for a hands-on lesson in Georgian culture.

Key takeaway: Kakheti is a great choice for a wine tour, but remember there are vineyards and cellars all over Georgia. Wherever you go, be sure to visit a mix of commercial and small family wineries that use Qvevri techniques so you can observe the traditional methods.

23. Come hungry!

Is it rumours of ‘soup dumplings’ as big as your hand and ‘cheesy bread’ topped with melted butter and egg yolk that are drawing you like a magnet to Georgia? Don’t worry, you wouldn’t be the first traveller to be lured here by their stomach.

It doesn’t take long to realise there’s way more to Georgian cooking than just Khinkali and Khachapuri – though both those dishes really are very good.

Marigold, blue fenugreek, sour plum, kiwi, pomegranate, homemade cheese, tandoor bread and the best tomatoes on earth – it’s all waiting for you in Georgia, and in combinations and concoctions you’ve likely never encountered before.

The food here continues to blow me away every time I eat out, especially when I’m travelling in the villages. Unexpectedly fresh, always packed with flavour and fiercely regional, Georgian must be one of the most underrated cuisines on the planet.

Just be strategic with your meals! It’s not a bad idea to skip breakfast so that you can concentrate on lunch and dinner, the two biggest meals of the day traditionally.

Key takeaway: Get your fill of Khachapuri and Khinkali then look beyond the typical dishes to discover the wonderful world of Georgian cuisine. Tbilisi has many restaurants that specialise in regional dishes but it’s even better if you can taste them in-situ. Samegrelo, Upper Adjara and Racha are my personal favourite foodie destinations in Georgia.

24. Never eat Khinkali with a knife and fork

This one is fairly self-explanatory. There’s only one way to eat Khinkali and that’s with your fingers – it’s the only way to ensure you don’t miss a single drop of that delicious meat juice!

There are of course some exceptions: Non-meat Khinkali is sometimes eaten with cutlery, and you can use the tip of your fork to harpoon the meat dumplings if you don’t want to get your hands dirty.

Key takeaway: Put that knife and fork away. Read more restaurant etiquette tips here, and don’t forget to download a free copy of my Tbilisi Khinkali Guide so you know where to find the best dumplings!

25. Learn a bit of Georgian before you arrive

Someone once told me that state, religion and language are the holy trinity in Georgia.

The Georgian language has monumental significance as a symbol of cultural identity and sovereignty. Unlike some other post-Soviet countries , Georgia held onto its tongue through thick and thin. People are incredibly proud of their language and everything it represents.

Learning a few words of Georgian will not only help you interact with people and break the ice, it’s also a nice way to demonstrate your respect for the country and the people. Believe me when I say that locals will hugely appreciate you making even the smallest effort.

As someone who’s spent the past year or so trying to learn Georgian, I can tell you it’s very challenging. Learning the characters of the Georgian alphabet is a great place to start. Helpfully, every letter is ‘pure’ and pronounced the same way no matter how it’s written or where it falls in a word. Once you know your k from your k’ , you’ll be surprised how much you can read and understand.

Georgians are normally very open (beneath that sometimes hard exterior) and happy to chat about any topic. But it’s a good idea to warm up to each other’s company before you start talking politics or religion . By the same token, don’t be surprised if someone you just met asks you your age, marital status and whether or not you have children (and if the answer to the last one is ‘no’, they might weigh in with their opinion on your life choices!). Personal questions are fairly common , don’t be surprised if people pry. But money is rarely discussed.

Key takeaway: English is widely spoken in Georgia but it pays to learn a bit of the language. Use an app such as Write Georgian to master the beautiful characters and watch free YouTube tutorials such as this one to practice basic conversational Georgian.

What did I miss? Do you have any extra Georgia travel tips to share? Let me know in the comments below.

Georgia essentials

Here are the websites and services I personally use and recommend for Georgia. Check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.

FLIGHTS: Search for affordable flights to Tbilisi, Batumi or Kutaisi on Skyscanner .

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance (get 5% off when you book with my link).

SIM CARD: Magti is my preferred provider, with prices starting from 9 GEL/week for unlimited data. See this guide for all the details about buying a Georgian SIM card .

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Most flights into Georgia arrive in the early hours. For ease, pre-book a private transfer from Tbilisi Airport to your hotel (from $17) or from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi (from $90) with my partners at GoTrip.ge.

ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is the most widely used platform in Georgia. Use it to find family guesthouses, private apartments, hostels and hotels around the country.

CAR HIRE: Find a great deal on a rental car in Georgia – use the Local Rent website to book through a local agent (prices start from $20/day).

DAY TRIPS & CITY TOURS: Use Viator or Get Your Guide to browse a range of day trips and city tours. For off-beat programs, I recommend Friendly.ge (use the promocode wanderlush for 10% off). For in-depth day trips to Georgia’s wine regions, I recommend Eat This! Tours (use the promo code wanderlush for 5% off).

PRIVATE TRANSFERS: GoTrip.ge is a terrific service for booking a private professional driver and car for the day. Use it for A-to-B transfers, a customised round-trip itinerary, or a multi-day trip. You can stop wherever you like for as long as you like without the fixed price going up.

NEED SOME HELP?: Need feedback on your itinerary or personalised travel tips? I offer a one-on-one consultation call service for Tbilisi and Georgia. More information and bookings here .

You might also be interested in…

• The ultimate Georgia itinerary : Four detailed & custom-designed itineraries
• Georgia Travel Guide : All of my 200+ posts plus my top travel tips
• Georgia travel tips : 25 essential things to know before you go
• Places to visit in Georgia : 50+ unique & underrated destinations around the country
• The best things to do in Tbilisi : Favourites, hidden gems & local picks
• 35+ best restaurants in Tbilisi : Where to eat Georgian food
• 15 best day trips from Tbilisi : With detailed transport instructions
• The best time to visit Georgia : Month-by-month guide to weather, festivals & events

29 Comments

Thanks for a fantastic guide to Tbilisi and Georgia, it has been priceless help for our first visit this last week!

Thanks so much, Johannes!

Hi Emily, Fabulous article. This and the rest of your site is helping us considerably with planning our trip to Georgia this September. We love the detail you go into. Thanks heaps.

Thanks Ken, very happy to hear it!

Hi Emily, First of all, I would like to thank you for sharing so many updated tips for a great discovery of Armenia and Georgia. Your website is definitely my 1st source of information for my oncoming trip to both countries. From what I read on your website, you are away visiting Albania, etc at the moment, but could you possibly tell me if there is a train between Tbilisi and Yerevan on Monday, Oct 23. With the changes in the timetable, it is difficult to know for sure which is which between odd and even days. I asked the hostel people in Tbilisi, but they did not bother to check and said they did not know… Looking forward to your answer. Have a great time in the Balkans, Guy (France)

Hi Guy, the timetable does indicate that there is a train on October 23 (Tbilisi to Yerevan). If you are in Tbilisi now, I would pop down to the station to check and buy tickets if you can.

Thanks very much for the well wishes. Safe travels!

Mrs Emily, I would like personally to thank you for this amazing blog. It has really helped me organise my trip to Tbilisi this November!

Thanks Eirini! So happy to hear that. Have a wonderful trip to Georgia!

Wow, this is a bunch of information…. It is not easy to find good information about Georgia as it is still an underestimated holday destination .

Thanks Jos! Glad you found it helpful.

Hello Ms. Wander Lush, your blogs have been my BIBLE for planning my trip to Georgia this September. Thank you for all the information for any possible question I had in mind. Really looking forward to the holiday!

Thanks Vinodini, so glad the site has been helpful. Wishing you a terrific trip!

Hi Ms Emily,

Me and my friend will be travelling to Georgia and Armenia this coming Friday. And I’m so lucky to find your blog about these two countries which is very informative and useful for our travel plans. We we’re able to arrange our trip smoothly because of your blog as our reference…such as taking overnight train for Armenia trip, group tours, souvenirs shops, food and budget tips. Keep it up and thank you so much.

Hello Jasmin, that’s so great to hear! Thank you for your comment. I hope you both have a wonderful trip! Safe travels!

Hi again Ms Emily.. just quick question, which one they prefer for currency exhange, euro or in dollars? Thanks again.

Hi Jasmin, it is better to withdraw local currency (lari) directly from an ATM if possible.

wow couldn’t find a better blog about Georgia,we are on our initial stage to plan a trip to Georgia from India and we have got the perfect itinerary from this blog,thank you so much Emily for this amazing blog, going thoroughly in and out of it.

Thanks so much Suchi!

Wow! Such an elaborate post! I just bumped on this link and with the information given here it sounds so easy to me now. I might plan a trip soon but do you recommend coming to Georgia with a 15month old?

Hi Akanksha, thanks! Georgia is generally a family friendly destination, you just have to be aware of a few things such as road safety. But there are certainly lots of fun things for families to do!

Thank you so much for your insight! I plan on traveling there with a group in May, do you have any travel tips for groups of 10?

Hi Jasmin – transport will be your biggest consideration. Feel free to email me with any specific questions and I will try to help out.

Thank u for ur guidance. We should book red bus tour or should we visit the places by ourselves? Can we get Halal food easily in Tbilisi?

Hi Imran – it’s really up to you, but in my opinion walking around Tbilisi is bliss so I think it’s much better to explore on foot. You’ll see a lot more! There are plenty of Halal restaurants in Tbilisi, especially around Aghmashenebeli Avenue and Marjanishvili Metro Station. Enjoy your trip!

DIDI MADLOBA I just moved to Georgia and your tips are extremely helpful. Well done, informative and interesting. I am so glad I found your blog. Thank you!

Thank you Lucie! Welcome to Georgia!

thank you very much for information

I am planning to travel to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan next Spring. I cannot eat gluten. Is this going to be a problem do you think?

There will be limitations but I think you’ll be fine as long as you plan ahead. A lot of guesthouses can cater to dietary requirements. Lots of dishes in this region are veg and meat based.

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15 Best Places to Visit in Georgia — From Charming Mountain Towns to Sandy Beaches

The best places to visit in Georgia range from bustling college towns to barrier islands with wild horses and unspoiled beaches.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images

While the state of Georgia may be synonymous with peaches and resounding chants of “Go Dawgs,” it’s also a region filled with history, charming small towns , bustling cities, and an incredible amount of biodiversity. There’s a high chance you’ve found yourself passing through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — it is the busiest airport in the world , after all — but you’ll need to make your way outside of the terminals in order to experience the quaint bookstores of Savannah and the adrenaline-pumping hikes in Tallulah Gorge. During the hot, muggy summer months, nothing beats a dip in Lake Oconee or an oceanfront breeze on Tybee Island . 

With so many amazing places within Georgia’s nearly 60,000 square miles, it can be hard to narrow down your must-see list — so we did it for you. From the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains to the picturesque beaches of the Golden Isles, here are the best places to visit in Georgia.

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Famous for its highly walkable Historic Landmark District, Savannah is one of those rare cities that’s just as beautiful in person as it is in stylized, perfectly lit pictures. Its cobbled streets, tree-lined squares and parks, and gorgeous 18th and 19th-century buildings make it one of the South’s most photogenic cities — not to mention, its culinary scene is one of the best in the region. Be sure to grab an espresso from The Paris Market Cafe , pick up a new novel from E Shaver Booksellers , go on a ghost tour , and tuck into a meal at Chef Mashama Bailey’s The Grey .

You don’t need to be a die-hard University of Georgia fan to visit Athens, although we wouldn’t recommend going during football season if you’re rooting for the other team. Outside of sports, the college town has a lively music scene, numerous craft breweries, and a variety of family-friendly activities, including the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and Bear Hollow Zoo .

Lake Oconee

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A boat day is the perfect antidote to Georgia’s humid summers, and you’ll find plenty of respite from the oppressive heat on Lake Oconee. Halfway between Atlanta and Augusta, the man-made lake offers opportunities for boating, swimming, fishing, and water sports. It’s also the backdrop for the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee , which hosts the Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival every year.

Cumberland Island

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Accessible only by ferry or boat (although public docking is temporarily prohibited), Cumberland Island is one of the most majestic places on the East Coast . Wild horses, historic ruins, long stretches of untouched beaches, marshes, and maritime forests can be found on the 9,800 acres of Congressionally designated wilderness. Its remoteness and sheer beauty were, no doubt, two of the reasons it served as John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s wedding locale in 1996.

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It’ll take more than just one trip to hit all of Atlanta’s hot spots, so return visits are recommended if you want to see everything the capital city has to offer. First-timers, however, should make sure to reserve tickets to the Georgia Aquarium (the largest aquarium in the United States), have a meal at Ponce City Market , check out a Braves game at Truist Park, and stop by the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park , which includes the home where the Civil Rights leader was born, the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the resting place of both King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

chadscc/Getty Images

You’ll only need to drive about an hour north of Atlanta to make it to Dahlonega, the site of America’s first gold rush and the setting of quite a few Christmas movies . The small town lies in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and its charm leaks into every aspect of the area — from its art galleries and boutiques to its various wineries and vineyards. Dahlonega is also in the heart of Georgia’s wine country, boasting incredible spots like Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery , Wolf Mountain , and Montaluce Winery & Restaurant .

Each of Georgia’s Golden Isles has a distinct personality, and Sea Island is, by far, the grandest of the four. Resort reservations are required to get past the gates (unless you’re a Sea Island Club member), but once you do, you’ll find complete paradise. The Cloister at Sea Island is probably the most recognizable sight on the 5-mile-long island, but there are also pristine beaches, championship golf courses, a tennis club, and a world-class clay shooting school.

Jekyll Island

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In the winter months of the Industrial Age, the Rockefellers, Morgans, and Vanderbilts (among other wealthy families) ventured to Jekyll Island . Today, its draw is still strong, thanks to its stunning landscape, culinary feats, and concerted effort to preserve the land. Whether you’re staying at the storied Jekyll Island Club Resort or pitching a tent at the Jekyll Island Campground , the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and the otherworldly Driftwood Beach deserve spots on your itinerary.

Ralph Daniel/Explore Georgia

When the mountains are calling, a trip to Blue Ridge, Georgia just might be the answer. Like many mountain towns, Blue Ridge has a thriving arts scene as well as seemingly endless outdoor activities. If you’d prefer to explore the area by train, hop on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway at the historic depot downtown for an out-and-back adventure along the Toccoa River.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

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Georgia’s mountains refuse to be overshadowed by its spectacular beaches, so it’s no wonder millions of travelers make their way to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest every year. Encompassing nearly 867,00 acres, the national forest is home to miles of freshwater streams and rivers, waterfalls, numerous campgrounds, and plenty of space to hike and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Every spring, fans of the “greatest game ever played” descend upon the city of Augusta and, more specifically, the Augusta National Golf Club. Washing down one of the famous pimento cheese sandwiches with an Azalea cocktail is basically a requirement of attending the Masters, but you can also find quintessential Southern cuisine outside of the golf club. Frog Hollow Tavern , Beck’s , and Abel Brown Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar frequently make the “best of” Augusta restaurant lists.

Tybee Island

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A 20-minute drive will take you from Savannah to Tybee Island, one of the best beach towns in the South . Here, you’ll find miles of bike-friendly beaches, unparalleled sunsets, and Georgia’s tallest (and oldest) lighthouse. House rentals are easy to find, but if you’re just visiting for the weekend, book a room at the historic, recently renovated 17th Street Inn .

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Gorge State Park is rife with heart-pumping activities, including hiking along the two-mile Tallulah Gorge. One of the most popular trails includes a staircase descent to an 80-foot suspension bridge crossing over the Tallulah River. If you’re there in the autumn, your views of the powerful river and waterfalls will be accented by the colorful foliage that covers the region.

25 miles of shoreline outline Georgia’s Lake Rabun, an isolated body of water surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. While the phrase “stepping back in time” may be clichéd, it’s also accurate — especially if you take into account the flotilla of vintage wooden boats that traverse the lake.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southeastern corner of Georgia, just north of Florida. The 680-square-mile wilderness can be explored by foot or by boat (guests can rent canoes and kayaks), but no inch of the refuge is the same. No matter which area you choose to visit — the forested cypress swamps or the wet "prairies" — you’ll probably see at least one of the 15,000 alligators who call the Okefenokee Swamp home.

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Georgia Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth Georgia travel guide ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Is Georgia on your mind? Then this is your sign to start planning a trip to the Peach State!

There’s so much to see in this southern state, so we’ve put together a guide with all the Georgia visitor information you could need. From historic sites to vibrant cities to beaches to breathtaking mountain views, Georgia has a little something for everyone.

The state of Georgia is separated into several different regions, each with its own unique personality.

Up north, you’ll find Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, a gorgeous area offering tons of great opportunities for hiking, fishing, and other fun outdoor activities. Honestly, it’s home to some of the best trails in the world !

At the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, you can explore the gorgeous river valley via raft, canoe, or kayak even if you’re a beginner paddler.

Northern Georgia is also home to Atlanta, one of the most populous cities in the United States and a must-visit for anyone looking to learn more about U.S. history. From Oakland Cemetery to Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Park, the city and surrounding area are full of historic sites that shed some light on the state’s storied past.

Central Georgia offers plenty of southern charm as well as lots of opportunities to get outside.

The Presidential Pathways region in western Georgia is home to five gorgeous Georgia state parks, including the popular Stone Mountain Park.

The region was also a favorite of two U.S. presidents. President Jimmy Carter grew up in the town of Plains, GA (now home to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site) and Franklin D. Roosevelt even built his “Little White House” in Warm Springs.

Once you take a dip in the lake at Pine Mountain, you’ll definitely see why these great men loved the area so much.

To the east you’ll find the Classic South region, a charming area on the Atlantic coast. Take a swim in gorgeous Lake Oconee or visit Augusta National Golf Club, home of the famous Masters Tournament.

Looking to explore Georgia even further?

Head down to the southern part of the state for gorgeous beaches, cute small towns, and more.

In Scenic Southwest Georgia, you’ll find plenty of quaint southern towns, lush vineyards, and lakeside retreats to explore.

To the east, you’ll find Coastal Georgia, a region known for its gorgeous beaches and islands.

The waterfront city of Savannah is a favorite of many travelers for its old-world charm, vibrant arts scene, and many delicious restaurants.

Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island, once retreats for America’s elite, now offer anyone the chance to relax in style.

Additionally, the more laid-back Tybee Island is also perfect for families looking to chill out in the sand.

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to Georgia, a must-visit destination when traveling in America .

Note: This ultimate Georgia guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Georgia Map

Use this Georgia tourism map to begin planning your trip to this incredible country!

Click here for an interactive Google Map version of the above graphic.

Atlanta Travel Guide

Looking for an Atlanta visitor’s guide ? These posts can help!

Eco-Friendly Atlanta: Green Places To Go, Stay & Eat

Exploring Black History In Atlanta’s Often Overlooked Sweet Auburn Neighborhood

Delicious Discoveries: Exploring Atlanta Through Sunday Brunch

Savannah Travel Guide

Looking for a Savannah visitor’s guide ? These posts can help!

22 Things To Do In Savannah For An Amazing Trip

Falling In Love In (And With) Savannah, Georgia

Is Savannah The USA’s Most European City? The To-Go Beer Says “Yes”!

Best Georgia Tours

Explore local culture with a Georgia tour guide through these unique excursions:

• Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise
• Savannah’s Historic & Secret East Side Walking Food Tour
• Savannah Bonaventure Cemetery Journey
• Atlanta Black History & Civil Rights Tour
• Ponce City Market Food, History and Street Art Tour in Atlanta
• Tybee Island Paddleboard Tour and Yoga
• Bartram Trail Hike + Wine Tasting Tour from Clayton

Renting A Car In Georgia

Need a rental car for your Georgia trip?

Use Discover Cars to quickly compare your car rental options.

Public Transportation In Georgia

Getting around Georgia by train, bus, or ferry?

Omio is a must! You can use this tool for all of your public transportation needs when traveling around Georgia.

The site is straightforward and user-friendly — and you can pre-book your tickets in advance at a discount.

They even offer flight and car deals!

Georgia Hotels

Click here to browse the best Georgia travel hotels!

Prefer self-contained stays?

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use this map to search for local properties:

Georgia Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on a Georgia tour. When visiting Georgia — or any other country in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Georgia travel itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

Georgia Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling in Georgia .

Q: What is the best month to visit Georgia?

The spring and fall seasons are generally considered the best time to visit Georgia. The weather throughout the state is fairly mild during this time, making it the perfect time to explore.

Summers in Georgia can get excruciatingly hot and humid, particularly in areas like Savannah and Atlanta, but you’ll find cooler summer temperatures in the mountains.

Beach destinations like Tybee Island also tend to get extra crowded from Memorial Day through Labor Day, so you may want to consider a visit in late spring or early fall for a quieter, more relaxed vacation.

Q: What should I know before going to Georgia?

There are a few things to know about Georgia before you visit.

If you’re planning on dining out a lot in Georgia, be prepared for big portions. Georgians are very generous when it comes to food and you may be presented with more than your stomach can handle.

Southern food is also fairly heavy, so don’t plan a multi-mile hike after a big lunch of shrimp and grits. Once you taste one of these delicious dishes, though, you’ll absolutely get the hype.

Speaking of food and drinks, sweet tea is the default iced tea option in Georgia. If you want unsweetened iced tea, be sure to let your server know.

There’s usually no need to rent a car if you’re visiting Atlanta. The city has a robust public transportation system featuring a subway, buses, and street cars. This is also the best way to avoid the notorious Atlanta traffic and get to all your desired destinations on time.

And if all else fails, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are ubiquitous in this big city, so there are plenty of ways to get around.

You’ll also run into lots of classic southern accents throughout the state of Georgia. As it is anywhere else in the world, it’s extremely rude to make fun of the local accent.

Don’t imitate it and if you can’t understand what someone said, just ask them to repeat themselves. A little kindness and respect goes a long way wherever you are in the world.

Q: How much money do you need for a trip to Georgia?

Your budget for a trip to Georgia will depend on your itinerary, but the average traveler spends around $128 USD per day in Georgia on transportation, accommodations, food, activities, and other travel expenses.

You’ll tend to spend more in cities like Atlanta and Savannah and a bit less in rural destinations like the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Q: How many days do you need in Georgia?

For a full Georgia road trip, you’ll probably want to plan for at least one week away.

A seven-day trip will give you enough time to spend a few days exploring the city of Atlanta, nearby destinations like Callaway Gardens and Macon, Savannah, and the Golden Isles of St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.

Q: What are the best things to do in Georgia?

You’ll find many of Georgia’s top attractions in Atlanta and the surrounding area. Atlanta is home to major museums like the High Museum of Art , the Fernback Museum of Natural History , the Center for Puppetry Arts , and the World of Coca-Cola .

The city is also a major hub of civil rights history .

At the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park , you’ll find the iconic civil rights leader’s childhood home and gravesite as well as the Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King once served as pastor.

You can also visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights , a museum dedicated to civil and human rights struggles around the world, in Downtown Atlanta.

For a more laid-back southern vibe, visit Savannah, a coastal city that blends the state’s historic charm with a vibrant art scene.

The city’s smaller size makes it perfect to explore on foot or via a classic trolley tour.

Savannah is home to plenty of historic sites including Bonaventure Cemetery (the setting for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil ), the Juliette Gordon Lowe Birthplace (home of the founder of the Girl Scouts), the First African Baptist Church (the oldest Black church in America), and the Telfair Academy (the oldest public art museum in America).

One of the best things to do in Savannah is to stroll through the many parks and squares in the Historic District featuring gorgeous fountains and Spanish Moss trees. While you’re there, stop into some of the galleries displaying works from local Savannah artists.

There are also plenty of ways to enjoy active outdoor adventures throughout the state of Georgia.

The iconic Appalachian Trail runs through the northwestern part of the state and you can enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains at Chattahoochee National Forest . The forest features tons of trails perfect for all levels of hikers and has both campgrounds and cabins available for those who want to stay the night.

Water sports fans should make a point to visit Callaway Gardens , home to Robin Lake , a major destination for waterskiing and wakeboarding.

Not ready to get out on the lake?

Stroll through the gorgeous gardens featuring hundreds of gorgeous blooms.

And of course, you can’t miss Georgia’s beaches. Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island offer picturesque views that have attracted beachgoers from across the country for decades.

Q: Where is Georgia?

Georgia is located in the Southeastern region of the United States .

It shares borders with Tennessee and North Carolina (north), South Carolina (northeast), the Atlantic Ocean (southeast), Florida (south), and Alabama (west).

Q: Are credit cards accepted in Georgia?

Credit cards — mainly Visa and Mastercard — are widely accepted around Georgia. That being said, it is always wise to carry some cash for smaller establishments and in case of emergency.

Q: Can you drink the tap water in Georgia?

Yes, you can drink the tap water in Georgia.

Q: What is the local currency in Georgia?

The local currency in Georgia is the US Dollar (USD).

What would you add to this Georgia travel guide?

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Georgia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 26, 2023, georgia - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.

Exercise normal precautions in Georgia. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Do Not Travel To:

• The Russian-occupied Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia due to risk of  crime, civil unrest, and landmines .

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel to Georgia.

If you decide to travel to Georgia:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report for Georgia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

South Ossetia and Abkhazia – Do Not Travel

Russian troops and border guards occupy both South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The precise locations of administrative boundary lines are difficult to identify. Entering the occupied territories will likely result in your arrest, imprisonment, and/or a fine. Violent attacks and criminal incidents occur in the region. Landmines pose a danger to travelers near the boundary lines of both territories.

The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling there.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

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Best time to visit Georgia: the ultimate seasonal guide to the Peach State

Apr 14, 2022 • 6 min read

Georgia's diverse landscapes provide the perfect escape for all four seasons ©People Images / Getty Images / iStockphoto

From its marshy barrier islands to its rolling hills, Georgia’s landscapes draw a mix of seasonal visitors throughout the year. 

When visitors and residents aren’t in the great outdoors to enjoy the best the weather has to offer (think gushing waterfalls in the spring, relaxed waterfront activities in the summer and scenic mountain drives in the fall), they pack into the cities or welcoming mountain lodges for festivals or holiday merriment. 

Here’s our guide to the best times to visit  Georgia . 

High season is the best time for water activities (March to August)

The Southern coastal state draws crowds in the warmer months, even as the humidity reaches near-intolerable levels at the peak of summer. Booking accommodations at the beaches of Tybee Island, Savannah , Jekyll Island or Brunswick can be a challenge, as visitors flock to the shores to for sun and ocean breezes. Hotel rates are highest in April, when the temperatures are just right, the flowers are in bloom and major cities host large-scale outdoor events.  

Low season is the best time for cozy cabin escapes (December to February)

Nippy winter months usher in low temperatures, cloudy skies and damp weather. Since snowfall is rare and unpredictable, residents and visitors alike travel farther north to Blue Ridge or even Tennessee to get their fill of wintry activities. 

This is the best time to book a snug mountain chalet in Blue Ridge or the North Georgia Mountains. The best deals on cabin rentals can be found after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. 

Shoulder season is the best time for festivals (September to November) 

Crisp temperatures, relatively radiant skies, favorable weather, the draw of numerous nationally known events and the lure of foliage colors make fall a standout time to visit Georgia. This is also an ideal season for snagging some of the best deals on accommodations, with room rates at their most reasonable. 

Best hikes in Georgia 

January is for playing in the snow 

This is typically the coldest month, and offers the best chance for seeing snow. Heavy snowfall occurs in the state once every few years or so, and while snow events with even a few inches have proved debilitating in recent years, newly set up resources like salt trucks let regular activities happen even on frosty snow days. 

Key events : Atlanta Wedding Extravaganza, Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations and parades

Avoid the crowds in February 

Temperatures stay low, and a noncommittal sun peers from behind the clouds more frequently, just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

Key event : Georgia National Rodeo in Perry 

March is the best time to go for a hike

The official start to spring heralds the first blush blossoms of Robinson crabapples and a dusting of dogwoods; pleasant temperatures and clear skies; and the beginning of outdoor excursions. Hikers trek to waterfalls in  North Georgia and the Blue Ridge Mountains as streams surge with snowmelt. 

Key events : Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Festivities, Savannah Music Festival, Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival, Macon’s International Cherry Blossom Festival

The 7 best state parks in Georgia 

April is the best time for art festivals  

As spring peaks, cities come to life. Open-air markets and patios begin to swarm with patrons, and weekend art festivals fill small-town squares with vendors and food stands. Even those uninterested in hitting the links find it impossible to resist the draw of the first major golf tournament of the year.

Key events : Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Atlanta Film Festival

May is a perfect time for picnics 

Cue the start of balmy months and take to Georgia’s coasts and waterways. Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of picnics in the park and beach getaways, as families spend more time outdoors to enjoy the surf and sun. 

Key event : Atlanta Jazz Festival 

In June, take to the water

As temperatures begin to rise to uncomfortable levels, the best way to cool off is in the water – we especially love tubing or rowing down the Chattahoochee River. Peaches, for which the state is known, are at their ripest at this time, making them an ideal treat for a boost of hydration and energy while floating down a creek. 

Key event : Georgia Peach Festival

The best free things to do in Georgia 

July is boating season 

’Tis the season for roasting, as the heat and humidity hit their highest levels. Boating trips and cold beverages are a must for Fourth of July festivities; Lakes Alatoona, Lanier and Oconee all deliver on waterfront fun for the family. 

Key events : Fourth of July parades, fireworks and festivities everywhere 

Head to a water park in August

Savor the last sizzling month of summer before schools are back in session. This sweltering month is a good time to splash around in one of the state’s water parks – from Valdosta’s Wild Adventures to Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. 

Key event : Macon Film Festival

September is the best time for a trip to Atlanta 

Nationally renowned events make the start of fall the best time to visit the state capital and largest city . Top performing artists such as Eminem, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Maroon 5 headline Atlanta’s Music Midtown festival in expansive Piedmont Park. Meanwhile, the city also draws an animated crowd for its annual Dragon Con pop-culture convention. Outside of Atlanta, Oktoberfest revelry kicks off in the Bavarian-style village of Helen, complete with beer, brats and lederhosen.

Key events : Atlanta Music Midtown, Atlanta Lantern Festival, Dragon Con, Helen Oktoberfest

October is for pub crawls  

Brisk air sweeps the state, making October ideal for sipping brews at outdoor pubs and breweries. Visits to area farms for corn mazes and pumpkin-patch fun are popular this time of year. Toward the latter part of the month, leaves will start to get golden. This is also an ideal time to go apple picking in the state’s many orchards: Georgia varieties include Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. 

Key events : Atlanta Pride Festival, Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay, Helen Oktoberfest (continued)

Take a scenic road trip to the Georgia mountains in November

The early part of this month is the best time to see bursts of color in Georgia mountains. Take a scenic drive to some of the highest points in the state such as Brasstown Bald and Fort Mountain. Or explore the gulches of Tallulah Gorge and Cloudland Canyon to see the colors close-up. 

Key events : Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens, Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival

Catch a football game in December

Illuminated parks, skyscrapers and homes make early winter a festive time to visit, even if the weather remains mostly gloomy and gray. Metro Atlanta bustles with holiday visitors and activities, and lodging and transportation prices soar.  An additional draw is the annual SEC championship game, which takes place annually at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium . For football enthusiasts in these parts, this event rivals the NFL’s Super Bowl. 

Key events : SEC Championship Game, Garden Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Atlanta Downtown Peach Drop, Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain, Savannah Christmas Market

You might also like:  The best beaches in Georgia Top things to do in Macon, Georgia The 10 best day trips from Atlanta  

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Find cheap flights to Georgia from $24

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the united states to georgia departing on 6/11. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to georgia.

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Best Georgia Flight Deals

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Good to know

Faqs - booking georgia flights, how long is the flight to georgia.

An average nonstop flight from the United States to Georgia takes 2h 34m, covering a distance of 907 miles. The most popular route is Newark - Atlanta with an average flight time of 2h 11m.

What is the cheapest flight to Georgia?

The cheapest ticket to Georgia from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $20 one-way, and $25 round-trip. The most popular route is Newark to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $40.

Which airlines fly to Georgia?

Delta, Aeromexico & KLM fly the most frequently from the United States to Georgia.

What are the most popular destinations in Georgia?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Atlanta (64% of total searches to Georgia). The next most popular destinations are Jacksonville (12%) and Savannah (11%). Searches for flights to Asheville (8%), to Chattanooga (2%) and to Tallahassee (1%) are also popular.

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Top 5 airlines flying to Georgia

We were told that our flight would be delayed for 90+ minutes because of weather, so we went to get something to eat only to have them randomly start boarding 15 minutes after the announcement, with no warning.

Entertainment... No earphones passed out. Many including me couldn't use the TV. Legroom was good. Crew was indifferent and a bit surly. Free wifi was a nice convenience. Check in desk location was unknown. Gate number on the boarding passes was wrong.

Going through JFK’s security is a mess. The TSA security said no shoes on the bins. So, we place our shoes in the belt and they came out all over the belt. Boarding was delayed and Flight as well.

Safe and on time were the positives. The plane wasn't cleaned before boarding, there was garbage and food on the floor and in the seat pocket. The TV screen was small and the picture fuzzy, audio quality was poor. Seatbelt was fraying and seat did not recline properly. No charging ports near the seats,

Confusing. Delay updates were out of whack At one point it said my flight was 25 hours. Three gate changes and two delays only to change back to original departure time. Gate announcer and on board flight attendant (Alejandro) making the announcements was impossible to understand due to accent and speed of speech. After beverage service the rear flight attendants sat back there on their phones. No refills no checking in, one sweep through for trash collection. Very impersonal. Bring back Coke products

Delayed departure. Delayed after landing pulling into gate. Delay due to sky bridge malfunction

Great. Loved that there was WiFi on flight to keep in touch and excellent service of beverages and snacks.

Business class is great. New airplane, very comfortable, better than some of the major airlines I am used to

Terrible. Flight was cancelled due to the weather in the east and sout east(florida). Did not get any compesation of any kind. According to them, it was not under their control so I lost all the money paid for the 2 fairs from Raleigh, NC to Orlando, Fl.

great flight. Pilot was communicative, flight attendants were excellent. Really nice experience except my tv didn’t work.

Fantastic. Smooth boarding with an infant. Never experienced it with any other carriers.

This was a Lufthansa flight, not United. The CSA at the counter, Ashley, was not only incompetent, but quite rude. Me and two other PAX waited over 7 minutes standing in front of her and another CSA and they ignored us. We joked that we must have accidently taken invisibility pills. She could have at least said "I'll be with you in a moment, I'm currently....". I could go on about how rude she and the other CSAs were (whispering, not communicating with me, blaming the situation on others, etc.). She would not work for me. Then, she gave me literally the worst seat on the plane. the worst. My seat kept getting bumped (rammed twice by the crew with their carts and about every 5 minutes by someone using the bathroom), listening to the bathroom all night, crowded seat, etc.

My seat was broken. WiFi didn’t work. Gate crew at HOU were rude and condescending. Treated all the passengers badly. Bad experience, United.

First flight of the day… MINIMUM FUEL! 15 minute landing delay at HOU due to fog turned into a 2+ hour delay! Rather than circle, they had to divert to another city to refuel! Sat on tarmac at Austin to refuel. We ALL missed our connections! The crew, including pilots, were clueless. Crew was really a mess. At HOU, Untied employees were exceedingly rude to all. It was pitiful.

An hour and a half late is UNACCEPTABLE. The negative impact to our family is unconscionable. And for the price we were forced to pay...

No lounge access with “United First” ticket. False alarm about late flight, jeopardizing connection. Wrong meal. Loose power socket would not hold plug, could not charge device. In-flight access to text messaging did not work. Toilet seat on plane would not stay up.

We ended up with seats in the very back. So they did not recline. Have no idea why, we reserved and checked in very early. The isles were very narrow and the seats had very little leg room. But they did give us water, and a snack.

Check in etc was very good. As for on the plane, it was like flying in a freezer. It was so cold, i have flown for years and never been so cold on a plane. Staff on board said its always cold when flying which is a load of rubbish. They wouldnt put any heating on and now i have the flu because of this .

I’ve had a couple flights this week on United that were delayed by an hour or more

Surprisingly easy! I was hesitant to try this, but the cost swayed me. I actually felt like I had less stress than all the taxiing and possible delays that occur with short regional flights where you spend less time in the air than getting to and from the plane..

Delayed so that missed connecting flight. Connecting flight was also delayed on the tarmac but they closed the gate before the rescheduled time.

Attendants were rude. Scowling. Seats were miserable and we paid extra.

Took off over an hour late with multiple mechanical issues. Gate agent in Dallas was lazy and was slow as molasses. Had a line 10 people long. Spirit bad..

The flight was short. However, my bag was delayed and was put on another flight.

Flight attendant was incredible. Very efficient, friendly and pleasant. Patricia was one of the best I have ever seen. Please give her a big raise!

LIT to DFW - 3 hours late; the entire plane had been boarded before they told us there was a delay due to a weather-related ground stop in Dallas. DFW to MAY - 2+ hours late due to A/C needing to be repaired after everyone had boarded, then when we finally reach the runway, the First Officer timed out and we had to taxi all the way back to the gate and wait for a new one. I arrived in New Orleans 5+ hours later than I should have. Return flights were completely cancelled; rebooked through the app to fly through CLT instead of DFW. MSY to CLT had no issues, but CLT to LIT was delayed 1.25 hrs because flight attendants had not arrived to the airport yet. At least they didn’t make us all sit on the plane to wait for them. I should have driven.

Tray table was filthy when I sat down. I needed to have someone come clean it because there was food and stains on it WiFi didn’t work after paying for in-flight WiFi. Food was terrible and was not filling at all Chicken was rubbery Flight attendant had an attitude, interrupted me and wasn’t able to answer basic questions about the food selection such as “does the chicken have red sauce in it”. If your flight attendants are not going to know what is in the meals so we can make an educated decision based on dietary restrictions, they shouldn’t be on the plane. My 1.5 year old niece was sleeping and dropped her binkie. I went on the ground under the chairs looking for it. It was at that time that she came up to me as I’m CLEARLY on all 4s with a flashlight and said “I need to get by”. I said one moment please I’m getting something from under the seat (while my head was literally under the seat). Her reply was “no you need to move now” and proceeded to almost push me out of the way. I looked up and all I saw was her toes under my eyes. When I looked in front of me, her private parts were inches away from my face. I then made a comment “you couldn’t waited 2 seconds?” and her response was, “no I need to use the bathroom”. I understand that and would never want to be the reason someone couldn’t get to the bathroom but I was under the seat. She could’ve gone around the other way instead of harassing me, basically placing her private parts on my head and borderline pushing me out of the way. You don’t pay that much for this deplorable experience. This was by far the worst experience I have ever had on American. I will be absolutely thinking twice and thrice about flying American Airlines again. I would rather pay more to fly delta because at least I know their WiFi will work and their flight attendants won’t have a shitty attitude for no reason, nor will they act the way this woman did. Unacceptable.

Liked - nothing. Disliked - delayed 35+ min sitting on the plane. Caused me to miss my connection in Charlotte. American Airlines is the worst US Air Carrier company with atrocious customer service.

Worst situation ever! I booked my tickets for this trip on Alaska Airlines. I guess AA is a partner and we flew nonstop from Eugene to PHX on an AA jet. I had to pay for luggage from PHX to EUG. And this was an Alaska Airlines reservation paid for with Alaska airlines credit card! Got to the PHX airport and was not able to check bags because of some weird issue with the AA software. My reservation had to be the-entered by the agent. I will never pick another American Airlines flight on the Alaska Airlines website. While on vacation, I tried to upgrade our seats for the trip home. The request just buffered and never went through. I tried four times and was charged four times on my credit card. The card was charged but the seats were never changed. What a wreck!

Left from gate 30 minutes before flight. Never been late to a flight ever. It says 15 minutes before explicitly on the ticket.

It was the worst ever, i will be filing a lawsuit to get a refund. Our flight was delayed 4 hours so we would miss our connecting flight, we were not rebooked to our destination the same day, we were not offered any options to get home on the same day despite being clear that we absolutely cannot get stranded at night due to family, we were forced to book our own flights on a different airline to get home, and spririt is refusing a refund because our flight wasn't cancelled, only delayed. oh yeah, and they lost our luggage on the first part of the trip and you cannot get a hold of customer service when anything goes wrong, on hold for 30+ minutes. and their app breaks so you can't use that either.

This recognisable no-frills airline gets me from point-A to point-B. I was able to get to Chicago without stress. The checked baggage collection and reclaim could be improved.

The crew was the best and very accommodating I know you don't offer any complimentary items but water and coffee will not break the bank !!

My flight was cancelled!!! I had to spend 200.00 on another flight!!

Arrived 3 hours early and never made it past baggage drop

Flight kept delayed from morning to late afternoon so I had to make other arrangements

I paid for WiFi, but it (WiFi) was very very slow, will never take again! Impossible open Utube 😤😤😤

No frills, limited comfort, no food, no entertainment, but fine

You get what you pay for. At least they spend money on getting a crew with awesome customer service skills. Carousel was horrible. Waited over an hour for luggage. Mothers were there with young babies. Only one baggage handler was working the carousels. The flight could have been good had we not had this horribly long, exhausting wait twice on one trip.

Unnecessary announcements through out flight. WiFi on plane is terrible and overpriced

Plane could have been more on time. More leg room .

I arrived 1 hour prior to boarding, and they said I was too late for a domestic flight. First time I heard that :-(

Check in online was easy. Seats aren’t very comfortable

Fecal matter in seat back pocket. Presumably from a kids diaper.

Worst airline to travel with. They treat you like a prisoner in a jailhouse barking out orders and threats. Nickle and dime you to the same price or higher than a respectable airline like one of the big 3 . Might as well fly with standard airlines

Well I mean u get what u pay for so 🤷‍♂️

Over an hour delay in departure but I was notified beforehand. Another delay on tarmac upon arrival at LGA. We ended up departing the plane almost 2 hours later than expected

I fly Frontier because it’s affordable. I understand that the seats are tight and not the most comfortable…but that’s part of it. The problem with this flight was that there was a group of travelers directly behind me at the back of the plane who were ridiculously loud and obnoxious the entire flight. I’m pretty sure they were drunk and I could periodically smell an odd odor that I believe was one of them using a smokeless vape pen. The stewards had to remind them to keep quiet during the pre-flight instruction, but that was it. They never said another thing to them for the rest of the flight. It was a miserable.

I checked a bag because it was $5 less than carry on. They managed to lose my bag on a 2.5 hr direct flight! Frontier has no airport staff at baggage claim to help. As soon as I got home around 11 pm I tried to use their online system to file the claim for lost bag - system wouldn't take the # on my baggage claim ticket - said it was not the correct number. Also said that I had not checked a bag, which wasn't true - even my online boarding pass showed that I had checked a bag. Wasted about an hour on that process with no luck. Tried again in the morning - same thing. So tried online chat with Frontier bot - waited 35-40" twice to be connected to a baggage agent and it never happened. Eventually drove to PDX after work and waited 2 hrs for the Frontier ticket agents to arrive prior to the next Frontier flight out of PDX and FINALLY got some help from one of them, to take me to lost luggage area where I was able to retrive my bag. Probably took 4-5 hrs. of my time and endless frustration to get my bag. This was my first -- and LAST -- experience flying Frontier Airlines. Check-in was also extremely difficult and time consuming. The flight itself (and staff) were fine but everything else about the experience was a total disaster! The fact that Frontier literally has NO WAY to connect to a human voice for customer service (in this case for lost luggage) is the WORST!!!!!

Frontier is a crappy airline nothing about it is honest

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Biden Flipped Georgia in 2020. This Year Could Be Different.

His narrow win there in 2020 was seen as a sign of Georgia’s emergence as a battleground state. But in 2024, President Biden faces a changed landscape there.

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By Rick Rojas and Maya King

Reporting from Atlanta

The official purpose of Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s trip to Georgia in the final days of 2020 was to rally support for two Democratic Senate candidates facing tight runoffs. But the visit looked an awful lot like a victory lap.

“I have to say, it feels pretty good,” Mr. Biden told a crowd in Atlanta, reveling in the distinction of being the first Democrat to win Georgia in a presidential election in nearly 30 years. The moment — along with the Democrats’ win of both Senate seats a few weeks later, tipping control of the chamber — seemed to affirm the party’s resurgence in a state long dominated by Republicans.

This weekend, as Mr. Biden returns to Atlanta with ambitions of winning the state again in a rematch with former President Donald J. Trump, he faces a much different climate.

The optimism that soared among Georgia Democrats after his win has been overtaken by frustration and worry, not just about his campaign prospects but also about the direction of the country.

At Morehouse College, the prestigious Black institution where Mr. Biden is scheduled to deliver the commencement address on Sunday, some students urged school officials to rescind the invitation, and some faculty members have said they plan to skip the event — a signal of discontent over the president’s handling of the war in Gaza.

Beyond that, recent polls have shown Mr. Trump with a lead in Georgia , as support for Mr. Biden has softened among groups who had been instrumental to his success in 2020, including Black voters, other people of color and younger people.

“It’s definitely a void,” said Erick Allen, a Democrat running for a seat on the Board of Commissioners in Cobb County, just outside of Atlanta, referring to a “deficit of energy and funds in Georgia.”

Without other critical statewide races on the ballot, or the turbulence of the early pandemic or the racial justice protests that energized parts of the electorate in 2020, Mr. Allen said he worries about the level of interest and investment in Georgia.

“We don’t have a George Floyd, thank God,” Mr. Allen said. “We don’t have a Covid, thank God. Last election was in a crisis. We were dying in the streets and we were dying in the hospital beds. We’re not going to have that energy.”

For Mr. Allen and other supporters of Mr. Biden, those worries have not turned into despair. Some have noted that this time four years ago, Mr. Biden’s victory in Georgia was anything but assured. And voting rights groups like the New Georgia Project, which raised huge sums during the last campaign, were short on cash that spring, too.

In fact, many believe that Georgia has the potential to once again play an outsized role in what will almost certainly be a close and contentious election. The announcement this week that Atlanta will host the first of two televised debates between Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump has only solidified that notion.

“Georgia is still an important state,” said Yadira Sánchez, the executive director of Poder Latinx, a progressive civic engagement organization active in Georgia and other states with growing Hispanic populations.

The Biden campaign already has a full staff on the ground in Georgia and has been on the airwaves there for nine months. But Mr. Biden’s speech at Morehouse and the state’s primary election next week mark the beginning of the general election season — an occasion that has prompted some to re-examine the roots of the victories notched by Democrats in recent years.

Democrats had harnessed demographic shifts as the state’s population grew larger and more diverse, achieving significant gains among white, Black, Asian American and Latino voters in the rapidly expanding suburbs of Atlanta. There had also been years of groundwork to register and mobilize new voters, particularly young and poor voters of color who had historically been less likely to participate.

The evolution was evident during the governor’s race in 2018, when Stacey Abrams, a Democratic state lawmaker, made a strong showing against Brian Kemp, then the Republican secretary of state. Ms. Abrams lost by about 55,000 votes.

Two years later, that slow-moving transformation collided with a swift sequence of tumultuous national and global events that played out in Georgia in especially vivid ways .

The coronavirus pandemic magnified gaps in access to health care, and new political fissures opened over the government response. And the protests over racism and policing after Mr. Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis were especially intense in Atlanta. The killings of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, by white residents of a suburb on the Georgia coast, and Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, by an Atlanta police officer, escalated the anguish and fury.

“We were seeing the dawn of a new civil rights era,” said the Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, a city of 60,000 just outside Atlanta where roughly 90 percent of the population is Black. With the Black Lives Matter movement, he said, young people were “finding their voice, their footing, and taking on a fight they did not initiate but they inherited.”

In the final weeks before the election, television and radio broadcasts were filled with political advertisements from across the spectrum while candidates, parties and civic groups had volunteers knocking on doors, making phone calls and sending messages by text and on social media.

It all drove a surge in turnout, and Mr. Biden beat Mr. Trump, who won most Georgia counties, by just shy of 12,000 votes.

The close margins spurred fresh turmoil: Mr. Trump and his allies tried to overturn his loss in Georgia by means that prosecutors considered criminal, leading to racketeering charges against them.

But the result also inspired jubilation, as the outcome — not just the Democratic victories but the level of participation — had once been difficult to fathom. “They chose to participate in making history,” said the Rev. Timothy McDonald III, the pastor of First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta. “We saw hope like we hadn’t seen it before.”

After the election, Republican state lawmakers passed sweeping legislation that added stricter requirements for voting by absentee ballot, limited the number of drop boxes for ballots and cut the amount of time between an election and a runoff.

Supporters, responding to Mr. Trump’s baseless claims that victory in 2020 had been stolen from him, said the measures would shore up the integrity of elections. But critics have condemned the new restrictions, which they say will have a disproportionate impact on voters of color.

Some in the Republican Party still refuse to concede that Mr. Biden won fairly. Others contend that the outcome was merely an aberration.

Heading toward November, Mr. Trump is benefiting from “the abject failure of the current administration” and a backlash to the criminal cases against him, which are “attempting to criminalize political disagreement,” Joshua McKoon, the chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, told reporters on Friday .

Democrats are concerned that voters may not have the stamina to turn out like they did before. “I think folks understand the importance of the election but there is a certain — just fatigue,” said State Representative Sam Park, a Democrat representing Gwinnett County, in the Atlanta suburbs.

Activists and others said that many 2020 Biden voters have grown disillusioned. There is anger over Mr. Biden not confronting Israel more forcefully over its actions in Gaza, and dissatisfaction over persistent issues like high housing costs and student loan debt.

Yet some supporters of Mr. Biden argue that the president’s problem is not a lack of achievements, but a failure to effectively explain them to voters. They point to the low levels of Black unemployment, the torrent of federal funds sent into communities for pandemic relief and infrastructure, and the administration’s efforts to cancel student loan debt.

“Those things ought to not be secrets,” said Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, the presiding prelate for the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgia, which has hundreds of congregations in the state.

The Biden campaign plans on heeding that advice, deploying high-profile Democrats — including Georgia’s senators, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff — to drive up enthusiasm.

“Not saying that this is easy,” said Quentin Fulks, Mr. Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager and a Georgia native. “But I do think that we have a formula that’s conducive to accepting that message.”

Mr. Biden made sure to tout his record when he called into an Atlanta radio station’s morning show on Wednesday. He mentioned the creation of new jobs, investments in historically Black colleges and universities, and capping the cost of insulin — a potent issue in a state with elevated rates of diabetes.

He also pushed back against Mr. Trump, who has made some inroads with Black voters but lacks a campaign infrastructure in the state. Mr. Biden accused Mr. Trump of inflaming racial divisions, saying that Mr. Trump’s brand of politics was “all about hate, retribution.”

This month, Georgia will be among the battleground states hit with a $14 million advertising blitz, according to a memo from Mr. Fulks.

Leslie Palomino voted for Mr. Biden four years ago, the first time she’d voted in a presidential election. Back then, she also knocked on doors in Gwinnett County, on streets not far from where she grew up. She even had the chance to introduce Kamala Harris at a campaign stop.

The energy was palpable. So were the stakes.

Something similar could be possible this time, too, she said.

Poder Latinx, where she is the Georgia program coordinator, and organizations like it have started ramping up. And a lot can unfold between May and November, as 2020 proved.

“I’m counting down those days,” Ms. Palomino said, referring to the 24 weeks until Election Day. “I know our people — we’re resilient, and that’s what’s carrying me through.”

Rick Rojas is the Atlanta bureau chief for The Times, leading coverage of the South. More about Rick Rojas

Maya King is a politics reporter covering the Southeast, based in Atlanta. She covers campaigns, elections and movements in the American South, as well as national trends relating to Black voters and young people. More about Maya King

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race: News and Analysis

Donald Trump and the Republican Party out-raised President Biden and the Democrats in April  for the first time in this election cycle, according to campaign officials. But Biden still has far more cash on hand.

Trump posted a video online that features images of hypothetical newspaper articles celebrating a 2024 victory for him and referring to “the creation of a unified Reich”  under the headline “What’s next for America?”

Early in his term, Biden seemed to have struck an uneasy truce with the oil and gas industry. But the president’s decision to pause permits for gas export terminals has whipped up industry support for Trump .

Georgia’s Changed Landscape:  Biden’s narrow win in Georgia in 2020 was seen as a sign of the state’s emergence as a battleground. This year could be different .

A Candidate Like Few Others:  Maggie Tamposi Goodlander, the wife of the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is navigating a personal landscape with little precedent  in her run for Congress in New Hampshire.

Political Violence:  Public officials from Congress to City Hall are now regularly subjected to threats of violence. It’s changing how they do their jobs .

Trump’s Running Mate:  Trump’s V.P. search is still in its early stages, but he is said to be leaning toward more experienced options  who can help the ticket without seizing his precious spotlight.

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Browse by genre, featured programs, featured programs & series, more gpb news, for kids & teachers, ghsa sports, high school football, browse by type, browse by category, for parents & caregivers, support gpb, gpb newsletter cta, banner image, section branding, header content, tagged as: , georgia's 2024 primary election: live results and updates from gpb news.

May 21, 2024 8:40 AM | Updated: May 21, 2024 5:29 PM

• GPB News Staff

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Primary content.

Welcome to the GPB News Election 2024 blog! Bookmark this page for live updates on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, and visit  GPB.org/elections  for additional coverage and live results here .

The office of the georgia secretary of state will present periodic updates beginning at 10 a.m. on gpb.org . be sure to tune in to  gpb radio  for more., check here after polls close for live results. , 5 p.m., may 21, 2024, secretary of state brad raffensperger held a brief press conference update. a few key points:.

• The average wait time remains at 1 minute.
• On track to have 1 to 1.1 million total voters today.
• Raffensperger says no excuse absentee voting has been smooth but the challenge is with the United States Postal Service. “They’re really are going to have to step their game up coming in the fall,” he said.

Click here to watch.

3:29 p.m., May 21, 2024

Gpb's sarah kallis updates from georgia's 6th congressional district:.

Valerie Beaty explains her No. 1 issue is gun control.

LISTEN: Voter Valerie Beaty explains why gun control is the most important issue for her when voting.

Juliana Laurie lists her most important issues when voting, including women's rights.

LISTEN: Voter Juliana Laurie explains the most important issues to her.

2 p.m., May 21, 2024

Georgia secretary of state’s chief operating officer, gabriel sterling, gave the second update of the day:.

Sterling discussed the MyVoterPage website having an 45-minute outage caused by more people visiting the site than the office anticipated. He says the site has since been restored and is back up and running. He also shared the secretary of state's office confirms that there have been over 800,000 votes cast and the numbers are "well on the path to break a million."

Secretary of State COO Gabriel Sterling gives a second primary election update at 2:00 p.m. on May 21, 2024. Credit: Screenshot

1:04 p.m., May 21, 2024

Gpb's benjamin payne reports from savannah, ga.:.

Savannah voter Ann Curry, in front of her polling place at First Presbyterian Church. Credit: Benjamin Payne/GPB News

Ann Curry explains the importance of voting to her.

LISTEN: Voter Ann Curry explains what the right to vote means to her.

Benjamin Payne Savannah voter Mike Crow, in front of his polling place at First Presbyterian Church. Credit: Benjamin Payne/GPB News

Mike Crow says he votes out of concern for the lack of voter turnout.

LISTEN: Voter Mike Crow explains why it is important for him to vote and discusses the issues that matter for him in the primary election.

12:36 p.m., May 21, 2024

Gpb's amanda andrews hears from buckhead voters:.

MaryLin Hembree in Buckhead, Atlanta, Ga., on May 21, 2024. Credit: Amanda Andrews/GPB News

MaryLin votes as a way for her voice to be heard.

LISTEN: Voter MaryLin Hembree explains why it is important for her to vote.

Rick Hearn in Buckhead, Atlanta, Ga., on May 21, 2024. Credit: Amanda Andrews/GPB News

Rick Hearn explains his priorities for the primary election.

LISTEN: Voter Rick Hearn discusses the topics that are most important to him in Georgia's primary election.

Heather Cooper in Buckhead, Atlanta, Ga., on May 21, 2024. Credit: Amanda Andrews/GPB News

Heather Cooper explains the issues important to her.

LISTEN: Voter Heather Cooper discusses the most important issues to her when voting.

11:17 a.m., May 21, 2024

Gpb's sarah kallis checks in from georgia's 3rd congressional district:.

Danny and Lane Camp in Villa Rice, Ga., on May 21, 2024. Credit: Sarah Kallis / GPB News

Danny and Lane Camp said they vote together in every election.

LISTEN: Voters Danny and Lane Camp talk about why they voted in Georgia's May 21, 2024 primary election.

Jennifer Kincade explains why voting is important to her.

LISTEN: Voter Jennifer Kincade talks about why she voted in the 2024 primary election.

Erin Wilbanks shares her top priorities for the 2024 election.

LISTEN: Voter Erin Wilbanks talks about her motivations to vote in the 2024 primary election.

Russell Ross grew up in the 1950s and honors his right to vote:

LISTEN: Voter Russell Ross talks about his right to vote in the 2024 primary election.

10:20 a.m., May 21, 2024

Georgia secretary of state brad raffensperger gave his first update of the day:  .

Sec. Raffensperger said no voting issues or problems had been brought to his attention yet today. He estimated lines and wait times at polls to be around two minutes long.

Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger gives a primary election update at 10:20 a.m. on May 21, 2024. Credit: GPB

Click here to watch.   

9:06 a.m., May 21, 2024

Sarah kallis reports from villa rica, ga.:  .

Voters in line at a precinct discuss which issues have brought them to the polls. 

Cathy Barry said she is voting for conservative values:

LISTEN: Voter Cathy Barry discusses why she is voting in Georgia's primary election on May 21, 2024.

A precinct in Carroll County on May 21, 2024. Credit: Sarah Kallis/ GPB News

Herschel Barthe said he has been voting since the 1960s and does it for the future generations:

LISTEN: Voter Herschel Barthe discusses why he is voting in Georgia's primary election on May 21, 2024.

8:50 a.m., May 21, 2024

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GPB News provides in-depth coverage of issues and stories that affect individuals and communities in Georgia and surrounding southeastern states. Stand with the facts.

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GOP-backed Georgia Supreme Court justice fends off challenge from Democratic former congressman

Justice Andrew Pinson defeated Democratic former Rep. John Barrow on Tuesday, NBC News projects, in a Georgia Supreme Court race that Barrow tried to center on abortion rights. 

With 63% of the vote in, Pinson was ahead 56% to 44%.

Pinson, 37, whom GOP Gov. Brian Kemp appointed to the high court in 2022, will now serve a six-year term. 

Barrow, 69, who served in Congress from 2005 to 2015, was trying to become the first candidate to unseat a state Supreme Court justice since 1922, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . 

Georgia’s Supreme Court is technically nonpartisan, and candidates don’t run on party tickets. But Barrow tried to capitalize on the political momentum favoring Democrats and liberal candidates in the nearly two years since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade by focusing his bid on reproductive rights. He said he interpreted the state’s constitution to grant the right to have an abortion, while Pinson argued that he and Barrow shouldn’t address the broader topic because it’s a partisan issue.

Georgia enacted a so-called heartbeat bill in 2019 that bans most abortions after fetal heartbeats are detected, which can be around six weeks, or before many women even know they are pregnant. The bill snapped into effect after Roe was overturned in 2022.

Barrow had accused Pinson, then Georgia’s solicitor general, of supporting the case that led to Roe’s being struck down.

The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission, a state agency that investigates potential misconduct by judges and candidates to be judges in Georgia, alleged that Barrow had violated ethics rules by discussing abortion rights as part of his campaign. Judicial ethics rules in the state ban candidates from saying or suggesting how they’d vote on issues that could come before the court. Barrow sued to have the complaint thrown out, but last week a federal judge dismissed the suit .

Meanwhile, Kemp’s political action committee poured $500,000 into the race to boost Pinson, after it became apparent that the race had grown competitive.

Pinson’s victory means eight of the nine justices on the court will continue to have been appointed by Republican governors. Three other justices on the court who were up for fresh six-year terms Tuesday ran unopposed.

Adam Edelman is a political reporter for NBC News.