Georgia

In southwest Georgia, Providence Canyon State Park, one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders, stuns with its dramatic cliffs, deep gullies and rainbow-hued soil. Visitors will understand why its nickname is Little Grand Canyon. Although this beauty’s creation was caused by poor farming practices in the 1800s, today the park is home to more than 16 kilometers of hiking trails, campsites and stunning scenery for photographers.

Explore an otherworldly sculpture garden on the north end of Jekyll Island, one of the barrier islands along Georgia’s 160 kilometers of coastline. Driftwood Beach, the ongoing result of erosion by sand and saltwater, acts as natural playground for kids and photographers alike. The weathered oak trees are perfect for climbing, hanging a hammock or grabbing the perfect shot for Instagram. Pro tip: Be sure to check tide schedules before visiting.

Everyone’s a kid at the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. Visitors embark on an aquatic adventure around the world, gaining a greater understanding of ecosystems and their inhabitants. The Atlanta attraction features thousands of amazing animals, including beluga whales, whale sharks, manta rays, penguins, sea otters, dolphins and sharks. Get up-close views in seven galleries.

See key sites and buildings associated with the USA’s 39th president, Jimmy Carter, who still lives in the rural central Georgia town of Plains, where he was born and raised. The park preserves his life from boyhood to presidential candidate. See the official state school of Georgia, Plains High School, where Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter attended and graduated; the train depot that served as his presidential campaign headquarters; and the farm where he was raised.

Journey to the highest point in Georgia, rising 1,458 meters above sea level, in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Hike less than a kilometer to the top of Brasstown Bald, where an observation deck offers 360-degree views of four states – Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee – and on a clear day, the Atlanta skyline. Inside, watch a film and peruse interactive museum exhibits.

Get outdoors in North America's largest blackwater swamp, which is one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders along the state’s southern border. The wildlife refuge near Folkston is perfect for paddlers. Near Waycross, get closer to birds, alligators and other wildlife with train and boat tours, hikes and nature shows in Okefenokee Swamp Park. Stargazers are in for a treat at Stephen C. Foster State Park, an International Dark Sky Park on the refuge’s western edge.

The downtown Atlanta cultural attraction explores the U.S. civil rights movement in addition to today’s global human rights struggles. Its museum galleries reflect a combination of powerful imagery, compelling artifacts and poignant storytelling. In the Voice to the Voiceless Gallery, the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection features a rotating exhibit of the civil rights leader’s papers and personal items.

Northern Georgia is home to the USA’s third-highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, the 222-meter Amicalola Falls. The waterfall is easily accessed, inviting picnickers and hikers alike to relax and listen the soothing sounds. The adjacent state park and lodge of the same name offer outdoor activities and overnight stays. This natural escape is just 1.5 hours north of Atlanta.

Georgia’s largest natural spring pumps 265,000 liters of refreshing, 20-degree Celsius water per minute, earning its place among the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. This scenic park outside Albany was once home to a casino and resort. Today, it’s perfect for a stroll or a picnic.

This bucolic destination was made famous by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s search for a polio cure in its soothing natural hot springs. Visit FDR’s Little White House, browse downtown boutique and savor traditional Southern fried chicken and homemade biscuits at the Bulloch House. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike more than 60 kilometers of trails at F.D. Roosevelt State Park, the largest in Georgia.