Georgia family vacations

SOUTHERN RIVERS

An important region of the Sourthern Rivers is Lumpkin. It has a village by the name Westville which is a living history village of the 1850s. Old activities like candle making, butter churning and carriage rides are depicted here. The first Sunday of the month from April to September, visitors can play vintage baseball with the not-so-famous Westville Biscuits. The equipment of this game includes custom-made baseballs.

South of Lumpkin is the Oxbow Meadows environment learning center. It provides the family with experiences of the natural and cultural history of the region. Two nature trails pass through the area, to view flora and fauna. The area also has the Providence Canyon State Park also known as Georgia’s little Grand Canyon. Containing more than 1,000 acres of scenic beauty it is a perfect spot to go hiking with the kids.

The Callaway Gardens are another natural reserve of this region. It houses the Day Butterfly Center, which is North America’s largest glass enclosed conservatory. It showcases more than thousand tropical butterflies, representing more than 50 species. The crystal enclosure is also filled with tropical plants and birds.

Southern Rivers is also home to two of America’s beloved presidents- F.W. Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter. You can visit their hometowns and houses and view memorabilia. Springwoods, F.D.R’s residence is a big draw.

HISTORIC SOUTH

The region mixes a rich heritage of literature and music with bountiful agriculture, historic spots and a busy festival calendar. Take a scenic ride along Georgia’s Antebellum Trail, which stretches from Macon to Athens. View the beautiful Antebellum houses and visit the many museums dedicated to the Civil War era.

The historic south is also the heart of Georgia’s music scene. It has spawned artists like James Brown and Trisha Yearwood. Macon and Athens are replete with musical festivals and museums like Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon. The Music Factory Children's wing encourages exploration of music. For sports enthusiasts, Georgia’s legacy to the best in the sporting world is also captured for eternity in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

Take a ride along the 11.5-mile Augusta Canal. It is excellent for canoeing and fishing. East of Vidalia is the sleepy hamlet of Claxton, also called the ‘Fruitcake capital of the world’. Vidalia is famous for its sweet onions.

MOUNTAINS

Snowcapped in winter and warm in summer, Georgia’s mountain region offers great opportunities for fun and adventure. Ancient home of the Cherokee Indians, the region has a rich cultural heritage. The mountains saw the first Gold Rush in America at Dahlonega in 1828, still celebrated in the annual Gold Rush Festival. It was also the site of one of the bloodiest of Civil War battles, The Battle of Chickamauga in September, 1863. Its memories are preserved in Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

The mountains are a sportsman’s paradise suitable for hiking, trekking, cycling, kayaking, rafting and other outdoor activities. A number of state parks welcome the family for great adventure. The scenic views of Tallulah Gorge State Park, camping under the stars at Fort Mountain State Park, fishing in the waters of the sloppy Floyd State Park and a 360 degree panoramic view from Blaire Ville’s Brass Town Bald, Georgia’s highest mountain, Georgia’s national parks have wonders for the whole family to explore.

The region also hosts many annual festivals like the Georgia Apple Festival at Ellijay or the Mountain Harvest Festival at Toccoa, where you can taste apple cider or pick up a piece of folk art. Helen in the mountains of Georgia is an exciting tourist destination especially in the fall. Originally the home of the Cherokee Indians, it changed from the center of Georgia’s Gold Rush to a sawmill town to an Alpine village as it is today. It retains its air of a quaint Alpine village with great shops, authentic German beer and food. It is most famous for Oktoberfest, which is celebrated in the fall, with much fanfare including traditional music, dancing, food and beverages.

This region is also home to uniquely American bluegrass music. On the first Saturday there is a radio broadcast called the Dahlonega Mountain Music and Medicine Show, which showcases music, humor and history. The second Saturday features the ol fashioned square dance. The last Saturday features performances of mountain music including bluegrass and gospel.

Baseball fans also have secret spots to visit. Located in the rolling hills of Georgia’s Piedmont, is The T. Y Cobb Museum filled with baseball memorablia, films, video books and archives. Baseball is very popular in the cool mountain region.