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Georgia
Georgia.org

The largest state in the southeastern United States, Georgia was the last colony to be established of the original thirteen and later was a stronghold of the Confederacy. While it remains an important agriculture center, there's been increasing industrial, communications, and transportation development, especially in and around Atlanta.

Appalachian Trail

National Park Service web site

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is on top of Springer Mountain in Georgia's Chattahoochee National Forest, and hikers can traverse 75 miles of the trail in the state. For specific information about the Georgia section of the trail, check out the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club's web site.

Comments:

I did a couple of the lower sections through the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. It was great! Steep trails and very rain foresty but such a great time. Go to a local shop that you think is most likely to have Appalachian Trail maps and you can get the maps covering the lower areas. It starts in Georgia. There are several trails that intersect and use the AT to create their own loops up in north Georgia, too, near the border of North Carolina. It's an amazing area. Once you have the maps and an idea of where you're going, you could also get more information that hopefully includes things like water availability and elevation profiles so you know what you're headed for. There's always Helen, Georgia on your way up, too, a strange German town in the middle of northern "squeal like a pig boy" Georgia.

We've camped in Helen several times and did the tubing thing with the kids. Pretty up there. North Georgia is so much prettier than down in southeast Georgia or as we call it ... Bubbaville.

Atlanta

Atlanta.net

What to do: Many people think of the novel and film Gone With the Wind when they think of Atlanta, and it's indeed the former home of the book's author, Margaret Mitchell. You can visit her house and museum on a docent-led tour. For inspiration and education, head for the King Center, a living memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of the civil rights movement for African Americans in the 20th century. You can visit his home, library, archives, and final resting place. Did you know that Atlanta is the birthplace of Coca-Cola? Stop at the World of Coca-Cola to learn how this soft drink developed and taste its various flavors from all over the world in the tasting room. Atlanta is home to CNN, the network that brings news to a billion people around the world, and you can take a studio tour to see how they do it. The world's largest painting, "The Battle of Atlanta," is presented in a narrated show at the Cyclorama in Grant Park near Zoo Atlanta.

Shopping: Underground Atlanta is a unique shopping experience under the streets of Atlanta near World of Coca-Cola. It's the site of the old city center from the Civil War days when Atlanta was a railroad hub for the Confederacy. Over time this area was covered by a higher level of streets and buildings, but in 1968 during urban renewal it was discovered to be surprisingly intact with original storefronts and architectural details. Today it has shops, restaurants, and unique entertainment.

Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest barrier island with undeveloped beaches and maritime forests, but there are historic sites on the island as well, including the First African Baptist Church in the Settlement established for African American workers in the 1890s. This church was the site of the wedding of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

The Okefenokee Swamp is one of the oldest and best preserved freshwater areas in the U.S. One of the most interesting things to do there is canoeing through the islands and forests where you can see alligators, bears, herons, and other wildlife. You can also camp at one of the overnight shelters in the swamp's interior.

Savannah

Welcome to Savannah

Savannah is known for true Southern hospitality, beautiful parks and squares, and historic mansions. Explore on foot or rent a bike or scooter. Start at Bull Street and Abercom Street to see famous landmarks and squares, and have lunch at City Market. End your evening with a moonlit carriage ride. Spend a day at the beach on Tybee Island.

Warm Springs

Warm Springs is the site of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Little White House. He was drawn here by the naturally heated water that soothed his polio-stricken body, and his life ended at Warm Springs on April 12, 1945. Visitors can see his home, guest house, and hand-controlled car, and a museum tells the story of his life.