Georgia family vacations

Georgia, in the South of USA; offers magical stuff for great family vacations. From stargazing to time travel, art museum treasure hunts to open air folk concerts, savoring peaches, sweet onions and pecans, from slow-moving canal ways and beautiful estuaries to fast-flowing mountain rivers and endless hiking trails, the ways to have fun are endless.

The various regions of Georgia have their own peculiar attractions.

The Coast

The natural beauty of coastal Georgia is spellbinding. The Barrier-Islands that line the coast are rich in scenery and culture. Just off the coast is the Sapelo Island with a colorful history and natural beauty. It dates to the times when the pirate Blackbeard roamed the waters. A guided tour also takes you to African American community at Hog Hammock, the University of Georgia Marine Institute and a newly restored lighthouse.

Brunswick and the Golden Isles sit on the edge of Georgia. Brunswick is a historic community, which anchors the four dramatically beautiful Barrier Islands-St. Simon Island, Sea Island, Little St.Simon Island, and Jekyll Island. Each island is separated by 20 minutes from land or sea. The islands have a laid-back vacation atmosphere all year round. You can head to Fort Frederica on St.Simon Island, which was established in 1736 by James Oglethorpe to protect the new colony of Georgia from Spanish invaders.

The coastal waters also provide plenty of routes for exploration by kayaks.

Tydeland nature center on Jekyll Island is a great attraction for children. Discover fish, crabs, turtles, snakes, alligators and other marine life. Activities for families include adventurous exploration by kayak and canoe. During July and August it is possible to join the 'Turtle Trek' ; which is a walk on the beach, searching for nesting turtles. The Barrier Islands also offer miles of biking and hiking trails.

There are a variety of seasonal boating excursions, which combine fun and learning. From an Eco-trawl craft or a party fishing boat, they offer sun, sea, salt and adventure including sighting dolphins. For those who cannot miss their daily dose of tennis or golf, Jekyll Island has a rich menu of sporting choices. A bonus for a family vacation on Golden Isles is the Summer Waves, an 11-acre water park which has many fun rides and speeding boats. Or just take a ghost walk through the paths of Old St.Simon.

Savannah is the first city of Georgia located on the coast. It has enticed visitors since its founding in 1733. Travel on the Old Town trolley and explore thousands of historic spots. You mustn't miss the Telfair Museum, the oldest in the region, which encompasses the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences. You must also not miss the first African Baptist Church and the converted cotton warehouses of River Street, which are today restaurants, galleries and boutiques. Nearby is Tybee islands, a fun and frolic spot...

Located at the headwaters of the Suwannee and St.Mary’s rivers, the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge covers half a million acres and is the largest national wildlife refuge in Eastern America. It is so called by native Indians meaning ‘Land of the trembling earth’ because at times the peat-laden earth moves, causing the trees to tremble and shake. The Okefenoke Swamp Park offers the family a view of the natural beauty and diversity of the flora and fauna of the region. Boat tours move along the old Seminole waterways and there is an excursion train ride to Pioneer Island, where there are naturalists to guide you.

About eight miles from the center of Waycross, there is an old cabin at the edge of the Okefenokee wetlands. This is a natural living history complex housing a corn crib, a sugar mill, a potato house and other remains of rural life and is called Obadiah’s House.