edit Georgia Travel Guide

• Golden Isles ranges from an hour south of Savannah and goes all the way to the Florida Border. These beautiful barrier islands are the quintessential natural white sand beaches, With perfect lounging oppurtunities, great golf and all kinds of water sport oppurtunities, this is one of the best resort getaway destinations in all of Georgia.
• Head to the Appalachian Mountains and enjoy the great outdoors. Try white-water rafting down the Amicolola River or do some hiking down the many mountain trails. With so much wildlife fishing and hunting is also a popular option.
  
• Savannah This classy southern gem conjours images of romance allure. Its beauty awaits you with its tree-filled squares and perfectly preserved old buildings, captivating you with its past and haunting natural beauty, caressing you with its warmth and Southern hospitality.
  
• Stone Mountain - The town of Stone Mountain (just outside Atlanta) is the most popular tourist attraction in Georgia. Its host to Stone Mountain Park, a wooded park with dozens of attractions surrounding a giant granite dome. Be sure to catch the spectacular fireworks and laser show which happens at sunset every Saturday night throughout the summer months and is free to watch. Besides the park the Stone Moutnain Village has some cute little shops to check out and for a bit of history theres also the Stone Mounain Railroad Depot and Memorial Hall.

From the founding of Georgia as Britains thirteenth colony in 1733, to the tragedy of the American Civil War, to the Civil Rights struggle led by one of Atlanta's most famous sons, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there is a strong sense of history to be encountered at every turn in Georgia.

Georgia was one of the original 13 colonies and a signor of the declaration of independence. During the American revolution their population sharply declined as many African-American slaves joined the British Army in exchange for freedom. After the revolution Georgia was a member of the Confederacy during the Civil War which suffered great damage during General Sherman's "March to the Sea."  After the Civil War Georgia was the last state to be admitted back into the Union.

By Air

Most travelers that come via air will arrive at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta (ATL). Atlanta-based Delta Airlines is the dominant carrier though Hartsfield is served by all major domestic and international airlines. The only other major airport in the state is Savannah International Airport (SAV). Other smaller, regional airports are located at Albany (ABY), Augusta (ASG), Columbus (CSG), Macon (MCN), and Valdosta (VLD). Keep in mind that in some locations in South Georgia, nearby airports in Florida may be cheaper and/or more convenient, such as Tallahassee Regional (TLH) and Jacksonville International (JAX) Airports.

By Train

Amtrak service is available to the following cities: Atlanta, Gainesville, Jesup, Savannah, and Toccoa, and connecting services (via bus) are available to Columbus and Macon.

By Car

There are many entry points to Georgia by Car. The most prominent are the highways from Florida on I75, via Alabama through either I85 or I20, via South Carolina on I85 or I20 and via Tennessee on I75.

Georgia is made up of at least 3 distinct regions:

• Northern Georgia is mountaious region of rugged beauty. This area marks the beginning of the Appalachians mountanis as well as the Northern Georgia Montains.
• Central Georgia The area surrounding Atlanta is marked by rolling hills and valleys.
• Southern Georgia is the costal plain region. Weather here is often less extreme then the northern parts of the state.

Georgia is great year around, however, to maximize your enjoyment of your vacation, the following advice would be good to keep in mind when deciding what activities to do and what to pack:

North: is subject to more extremity than South Georgia and is usually the nicest during the Fall and Spring

• Spring (February-May) is a delightful time of year in North Georgia. It is a truly exhilarating sight to see the mountains and hills becoming green again as nature comes back to life. Daytime highs are usually in the 70s (approx. 21-26 C.) and the nighttime lows in the 40s and 50s (approx. 4-15 C.).
• Summer (June-September) in North Georgia is HOT. Youve been warned. Daytime highs can go over 100 (approx. 40 C.).
• Fall (October-November) is also a delightful time of year in North Georgia as the mountains and hills turn magnificent shades of crimson. Temperatures are comparable to the spring.
• Winter (November-February) The northern parts of Georgia (including Metro Atlanta) can get rather cold during the winter (November-February). Daytime highs can range anywhere from the 30s (approx. -1 to 4 degrees Celsius) in the northernmost areas to the 40s and 50s (approx. 4 to 15 degrees C.) in the southernmost regions. Nights can get very cold, usually in the 20s and 30s (approx. -6 to 3 degrees C.). You will need to plan for this in the event you are planning any outdoor activity in North Georgia during the winter. Winter storms are also not an altogether uncommon occurrence and may put a damper on your travel plans. Airlines panic at the sight of the first snowflake in Atlanta and many incoming and outgoing flights from Hartsfield International Airport get cancelled.

South: Any time of year is a delightful time to visit South Georgia.

• Spring comes early and magnificently to this part of Georgia (February-May). Daytime highs average in the 70s (21-26 C.) and nighttime lows in the 40s and 50s (4-15 C.). As with North Georgia, probably the most pleasant season.
• Summer in the south (June-September) is as intolerably hot as in the north, except for the coastal areas, which average around 90 (32 C.) during the day
• Fall (October-December), though pleasant temperature-wise, is also a pleasant time of year, vacationing during this time is not recommended, lest your vacation be ruined by an unpredictable hurricane or tropical storm. Even inland areas of Southwest Georgia are vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms that blow in from the Gulf of Mexico.
• Winter Even during winter, which in this area is December-January, daytime highs range from the 50s (approx. 10-15 C.) in the northernmost interior areas to mild 60s and 70s (approx. 15-26 degrees C.) along the coast and extreme south. The ocean will be too cold for swimming except for the hardiest of souls, but is magnificent weather for walks along the beach. Nighttime lows average in the 30s and 40s (approx. -1-9 C.).

Georgia is also convenient for highway traveling. Georgias major Highways I75, I85, and I20 all converge centrally in Atlanta. Interstate Highway 20 connects Georgia to points east and west, Interstate 75 to points north and south, and Interstate 85 to points northeast and southwest. Atlanta is at the hub of the I-20, I-75/85 network. Interstate 95 parallels the coast and connects to points north and south, and Interstate 16 connects I-75 in the middle part of the state near Macon, with the coastal area at Savannah.