Welcome to Georgia

With delectable southern food, thrilling theme parks, the world’s largest aquarium, 47 National Historic Landmarks, 16 nationally accredited museums and two federally designated National Heritage Areas, Georgia offers abundant attractions and activities to experience year-round.

Battlefields, national parks and scenic byways dot the landscape from the mountains to the coast. Contemporary museums and unique shopping venues entice travelers to browse and buy. Around the state, you can hear the sounds of late musical legends Ray Charles, Johnny Mercer (Moon River), and contemporary Georgia artists such as REM, Indigo Girls and Trisha Yearwood.

Settle into one of the dozens of Days Inn hotels in Georgia and plot your time to make the most of your travels.

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Presidential Pathways: Andersonville Historic Site

Andersonville National Historic Site serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. This is the site of the Civil War’s largest prison where nearly 13,000 Union soldiers died. The solemn grounds now house the National Prisoner of War Museum, telling the story of captivity and the role of prisoner of war camps in history. Formerly known as Camp Sumter, Andersonville was one of the largest Confederate military prisons in use during the conflict. Over 40% of all Union prisoners of war who died during the Civil War perished at Andersonville. The historic park also includes a National Cemetery.

Plantation Trace: Thomasville

Designated as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations, Thomasville encourages you to stroll the boutiques, restaurants and galleries along its charming Main Street or attend the annual Victorian Christmas event. Thomasville’s grand architecture reflects the town’s popularity as a post-Civil War resort. Magnificent mansions and plantation homes have been restored; some, like the Victorian Lapham-Patterson House are open to the public. While visiting this historic town, stop and tour the 19th century Pebble Hill Plantation, a sterling example of a Southern shooting plantation.

Northeast Georgia Mountains: Folk Pottery Museum

The Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia celebrates this traditional Southern art form found in distinctive face jugs, special glazes, unique designs and decorative wares. The museum is located in the Sautee Nacoochee Center, a restored rural schoolhouse turned cultural and community center with theatre, gallery, art studio, and history museum. After taking a tour of the Folk Pottery Museum–where you can learn about the skills, artistry and the 200-year legacy of Southern folk pottery–journey along the Folk Potters Trail to meet local artisans and visit studios of these folk potters.

Georgia Shopping: Mall of Georgia

The Mall of Georgia, in Atlanta, is the Southeast’s largest shopping destinations. Home to more than 1.7 millions square feet of retail shopping. Five distinctly themed interiors represent Georgia's geographic regions, and entertainment and dining options include Georgia's only 7-story 3-D IMAX theatre and California Cafe, P.F. Chang's and others. Anchored by Dillard's, Nordstrom, Rich's, JC Penney and Lord & Taylor, the Mall of Georgia is truly a shop ‘til you drop experience.

Historic Heartland: Blue Willow Mansion

If you love Southern cooking, dine at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle. This Greek Revival mansion provides the perfect setting for a traditional culinary experience of fried green tomatoes, fried chicken and Southern sweet iced tea. After the feast, where seconds are encouraged, take advantage of the rocking chairs on the front porch or browse the gift shop for local crafts and the Inn’s new cookbook. The Inn is just one stop on the “Treasures Along I-20 Trail” winding east of Atlanta through Conyers, Covington, historic Madison and Greensboro.

Atlanta Metro: Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District

Tour the several blocks of Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District to learn about the life and teachings of the Civil Rights Leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Located within the borders of this National Historic Landmark are his birth home (in the Sweet Auburn Historic District and accessible only on a park ranger-led tour), grave, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he served as co-pastor with his father. Visit other sites in downtown Atlanta associated with Dr. King, including Morehouse College (his alma mater), and the Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

Historic High Country: New Echota

Visit the first national capital of the Cherokees, New Echota, established in 1825 and now a National Historic Landmark. At this planned community, the Cherokees discarded their traditional clan system and adopted a government similar to the United States with legislature to make laws and approve treaties. In 1835 the Treaty of New Echota was signed here, setting in motion the final removal of the Cherokee that resulted in the “Trail of Tears.” Today, you can tour a museum to understand the culture of the Cherokee before they moved west, visit the reconstructed Supreme Court building and the Print Shop where the bilingual newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix, was printed.

Classic South: Augusta Canal

Stroll, bike or take a boat ride along the nation’s only industrial power canal still in operation today. The federally designated Augusta Canal National Heritage Area celebrates the canal’s impact on this Southern city, from its manufacturing heyday, through the Civil War, and the transition from steam to electric power. Walk along the 8.5 miles of towpath and waterway of the 1845 canal, or enjoy an hour-long Petersburg Boat guided canal tours. You can see authentic mill equipment and learn about the canal’s construction at the Interpretive Center, located in the restored Enterprise Mill.

Magnolia Midlands: Vidalia Onion Festival

Everything onion is the theme of the Annual Vidalia Onion Festival. For more than three decades, Vidalia has paid special tribute to the distinctive sweet onion that is grown only in this 20-county area of South Georgia. The multi-day event celebrates Georgia’s Official State Vegetable with a carnival, parade, Onion Cook-off and Tasting, chef demonstrations, farm tour, and crafts. Held annually the last weekend in April, the Vidalia Onion Festival is recognized as one of the American Bus Association’s Top 100 Events in North America.