The Ultimate Day Trip Guide
Are you in need of plans for a day trip adventure with the family or friends? Within 1 to 3 hours from Lake Sinclair, there are countless places to shop, eat, golf, hike and learn about culture! Continue reading to hear about some of our favorite cities to visit and what to do there. Would you rather put on your tennis shoes and enjoy the outdoors? Not to be biased, but we believe one of the most beautiful states in America is our very own! There are endless amounts of breathtaking sights to see in Georgia’s nature. We’ve listed just a few of our favorites down below. Let’s get started planning!
SEE THE CITY
Moon River Brewing Company in Savannah, Georgia (Photo/Jessica Gratigny)
Atlanta
You can never go wrong visiting our state’s capital because there are plenty of activities for everyone in your party! It doesn’t matter if you’re taking the whole family or just a couple of friends because there is something for everyone to enjoy at these locations: Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, World of Coca-Cola, High Museum, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Top Golf or Six Flags. If you’re looking for something your kids are sure to love, we suggest Lego Land or the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. When it comes to shopping in Atlanta, our list could go on and on, but a few of our favorite shops are located at Ponce City Market, Atlantic Station and Lenox Square!
Athens
Rather spend the day in a smaller city setting? We recommend Athens! If you’re looking for free fun activities, Athens has the best to offer including the State Botanical Garden, Georgia Museum of Art and Bear Hollow Zoo. In the downtown area, you can find some of the best local shops, craft beers and live performances. In the Fall, UGA fans will definitely not want to miss the chance to cheer “Gooooo Dawgs!” at Sanford Stadium.
Augusta
Adjacent to the Georgia/South Carolina state line, the lovely city of Augusta can be found alongside the Savannah River. While you’re there, make your way down the Augusta Riverwalk to create your own scented candle at the Augusta Candle Company or view artwork by Southern artists at the Morris Museum of Art. History buffs will not want to miss the Augusta Museum of History and The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson. When it comes to food and drinks, you’re in luck because Augusta has a large variety to offer! For appetizers and cocktails, we recommend Edgar’s Above Broad, where you can also enjoy a putting green or bocce ball court. If you plan on spoiling yourself with a fancy dinner, we suggest Craft and Vine. If you rather have a burger and shake instead, it doesn’t get better than Farmhaus Burger. While in town, Vance’s Baker Bar, the recently opened one-of-a-kind bakery and cocktail lounge in Augusta, is a must! Let’s not forget, August National Golf Club is home to the Masters Tournament. When golf players and fans are not here to watch the tournament, this is a great opportunity to play a few games at Topgolf!
Helen
In northeast Georgia, there is a Bavarian-style town tucked away in the mountains called Helen. In the small town, there are loads of fun outdoor activities including mini-golf, zipling and tubing. Visitors can find unique stores like The Glassblowing Shop and Lindenhaus Imports on the main strip. If you’re craving chocolate sweets, look no further because Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen has you covered! Every fall, Helen is overflowing with beer, food and dancing during their annual Oktoberfest celebration. While you’re in the area, we recommend taking a short 15-minute drive from Helen to Anna Ruby Falls, which is easily accessible and visitor-friendly.
Macon
The Cherry Blossom capital of the world lies at the heart of Georgia in Macon. Located along the Ocmulgee River, notable musicians such as The Allman Brothers Band and Little Richard called this historic town their home. If you want to learn about Macon’s history, we recommend starting with the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. Inhabited for 17,000 years, you can learn about the Indian Mounds’ history through the information center, Earth Lodge, hiking trails and an Indian Celebration held each September. Next on our list of historic must-sees in Macon is The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House, Wesleyan College (the first women’s college), the Hay House and Rose Hill Cemetery. While in town, we suggest spending time in the downtown area stopping by local eateries, art galleries, pubs and the arcade bar. Shoppers won’t want to skip out on the Shops at River Crossing. At the outdoor mall, you can shop for men, women and kids in well-known department stores.
Savannah
Kick your day trip to Savannah off by starting at the riverwalk! Many highly rated restaurants overlook the Savannah River including Vic's On the River and Boar's Head Grill & Tavern. If you’re not completely full after eating, Savannah’s Candy Kitchen’s remarkable array of candy, chocolate and sweets will surely have something for everyone to enjoy! Along the way, there are souvenir shops with fun presents to gift to friends and family or keep as a memento. Once you’re done shopping, this is a great opportunity to relax aboard one of Savannah’s riverboat cruises! If you want to see what the rest of the city has to offer, we recommend visiting Old Fort Jackson, SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah Botanical Garden, Southbound Brewing Company, Forsyth Park or one of Savannah’s many history museums!
HIKE THROUGH NATURE
Providence Canyon State Park (Photo/ Jessica Gratigny)
Callaway Garden
Not far from the Alabama/Georgia state line, Callaway Resort and Gardens is located on 2500 acres of land approximately 30 miles south of Columbus. At the gardens, you can go hiking, biking, swimming, golfing or just simply relaxing. We suggest visiting as many of the gardens’ amenities as possible. They offer the Callaway Discovery Center, Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, Woodland Creatures Discovery Room, Treetop Adventure & Zip Lines, Butterly Center, Birds of Prey shows and Spa Prunifolia. There are events constantly happening throughout the year you’ll want to stay on the lookout for! Since the gardens are only a 5-minute drive from F.D. Roosevelt State Park, why not make a stop there on the way?
Providence Canyon State Park
Located on 1000 acres south of Columbus is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. Providence Canyon State Park, dubbed the Little Grand Canyon, offers scenic overlooks, picnic tables, a gift shop and over 10 miles of trails perfect for hiking through and around the canyon. Hikers will want to bring enough water and an extra pair of shoes, as it can get muddy!
Stone Mountain Park
In the suburbs of Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park is full of history and family fun. Whether you enjoy hiking or family activities suitable for everyone, the park has plenty to do including hiking the mountain, dining, shopping, golf, a railroad ride around the mountain, live performances for kids, and a laser light show at night. If you don’t plan on doing the 2.2-mile trail to the top of the mountain, no worries! You can still see the magnificent view at the top by taking a cable car.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
A 1,000-foot deep gorge located in northeast Georgia near the South Carolina border can be experienced at Tallulah Gorge State Park through over 15 miles of hiking trails. Although the trails vary in difficulty, every hiker is able to see breathtaking views of the gorge from wherever they might be. Visitors can learn about the park and shop for souvenirs in the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center on-site. If hikers are interested in accessing the gorge floor, they are required to obtain a Gorge Floor Permit from the Interpretive Center. We recommend bringing plenty of water if you plan to hike at this beautiful state park!
Did our list help you plan for the best day trip ever? We sure hope so! Now, that we’ve shared our favorite day trip ideas, we would love to hear yours in the comments below. Keep an eye out for our future blog post listing beautiful places in Georgia to take an overnight trip.
Best wishes,
The LSL Team
