All the way from Blue Ridge, Ellijay, and Helen in the mountains to the state capital in Atlanta, North Georgia’s cities and towns are extremely diverse as well as scenic. Hike to waterfalls, tour wineries, and retreat to a cozy cabin or mountain resort. Stare in awe at the gentle giants at the Georgia Aquarium and watch the sunset from the top of Stone Mountain.

If you like sports, there are plenty to choose from in the state of Georgia. From professional sports teams to amateur competitions and premier venues, Georgia hosts the world’s best athletes and sporting events year-round. In pro sports, Georgia also is home to Atlanta United (soccer), Atlanta Hawks (basketball), Atlanta Falcons (football), and Atlanta Dream (women’s basketball).

It hosts The Masters (golf) in Augusta, NASCAR (auto racing) in Atlanta, and U.S Open Series tennis every year. Top-ranked collegiate teams thrill fans with exciting matchups in all sports from football and basketball to gymnastics to swimming. Georgia’s facilities for recreational sports are unmatched in quality and variety. One can always go mountain biking at trails throughout North Georgia. Go horseback riding, quail hunting, rock climbing and so much more in Georgia.

Largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest in the United States, featuring 100,000 animals. There are permanent galleries with marine life from the state and beyond, including whale sharks and beluga whales. The aquarium has even been featured on the Animal Planet show “The Aquarium.”

Visit where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his first public speech

Dublin, Georgia, is where a 14-year-old Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his first public speech after winning an essay contest. The event took place at First African Baptist Church, the oldest African American church in the city. Today, a mural and small park honor King’s early legacy. Several times a year, visitors can participate in a living play that chronicles the civil rights movement, including highlights from King’s first speech. And, youth can participate in the annual oratorical speech contest at the church in Dublin each April.

Drive a Car – FAST at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta

Go full force with a driving experience at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta or an official NASCAR experience at the Atlanta Motor Speedway Richard Petty Experience. The adrenaline high is sure to kick off the new year right.

Explore Georgia’s regional and statewide festivals and celebrations to enjoy art, food, culture, history and music. 

Attend some of the state’s largest fairs and festivals from the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon in the spring to the Georgia National Fair in Perry the fall. Celebrate holidays in Georgia like St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, Independence Day in Atlanta, and Christmas in Dahlonega. Throughout the year, join communities in celebrating the things that make them unique, like the Thomasville Rose Show and Festival, Vidalia Onion Festival, Georgia Peach Festival, Plains Peanut Festival, Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay and Helen Oktoberfest. Taste some of the South’s best food and drinks at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival in Tifton, and Shrimp & Grits Festival on Jekyll Island. Hear your favorite musicians and discover new stars at festivals like the Savannah Music Festival, Blue Ridge Mountains Wine & Jazz Festival, Blind Willie McTell Music Festival in Thomson and AthFest in Athens. Explore work by talented artists at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival and the Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park. See new movies and meet filmmakers at events like the BronzeLens Film Festival Atlanta, Macon Film Festival and Rome International Film Festival.