Explore Georgia

Fireworks over St. Simons Island. Photo courtesy @goldenisles The Best 4th of July Celebrations in Georgia Fireworks, boat parades, beach trips, and more ways to celebrate Independence Day throughout the state. Communities throughout Georgia throw huge parties for Independence Day, and this year they're sure to be even bigger! From fun in the sun to food, music and fireworks, July 4 weekend will be a blast.

1. Visit the Gothic-Revival Oglethorpe University As you pass under the soaring stone bell tower on this 100-acre campus, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped onto the set of “Dead Poets Society.” Pop into the Oglethorpe University Museum of Arts, the region’s only small liberal arts museum to host nationally and internationally recognized exhibitions.

Fireworks at Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Photo by @CallawayGardens Top Things to Do on Memorial Day Weekend in Georgia Start your summer vacation with music, art, games, food and more with these festivals, events and other top things to do during Memorial Day Weekend throughout Georgia! Spend the long weekend listening to bands, shopping for art, watching baseball, and taking time to remember those who gave their lives for the country.

Tugaloo State Park yurt in Lavonia, Georgia 6 Surprising Places to Sleep at Georgia State Parks Georgia State Parks redefine what it means to spend the night in nature. If you think staying at one of Georgia's 63 state parks and historic sites means roughing it, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Rather than just one expected option (camping), many parks offer places to stay that are as diverse as the state's topography, vegetation, and wildlife.

1. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams With 11 locations in the Atlanta area, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams are easy to find and hard to resist. Stroll the Atlanta BeltLine with a scoop of salty caramel from the Krog Street Market location. Take a break from shopping at Avalon in Alpharetta to savor a cone of brown butter almond brittle. And try a scoop of brambleberry twist as you spend the day in Decatur. Frozen Cow Creamery in Kennesaw, Georgia 2.

Event Date Schedule March Saturday, March 21, 2026 7:00am - 10:00am Venue Chattahoochee Nature Center Roswell GA 30075 The 14th Annual Water Drop Dash 5K is a fast and flat course along the banks of the beautiful Chattahoochee River in Roswell, Georgia! In conjunction with EPA’s WaterSense Fix a Leak Week, the run and post-race water festival encourages metro Atlanta residents to conserve water. In-person and virtual options are available for the 5K and Fun Run. Sign up and chase down those leaks!

Daffodils at Gibbs Gardens in springtime Spring is in the air at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground with millions of golden daffodils covering rolling fields in North Georgia. Located 60 miles north of Atlanta, Gibbs Gardens is a spectacular place to stroll along paths, traverse hills, and wander through the woods to experience more than 220 acres of specialty gardens, including the Japanese and Waterlily Gardens. Tulips and azaleas at Callaway Resort & Gardens in spring 2.

Boardwalk to the beach on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones Georgia's beaches are among its best resources. Plan a getaway to explore some of Georgia's 15 barrier islands, including: Golden Isles Tybee Island Tybee Island is a family-friendly beach town that is a short drive from downtown Savannah. Rent a cute cottage, go on a dolphin tour, dig in to fresh seafood and much more. Find places to stay and things to do in the Guide to Tybee Island.

Georgia sports teams aren’t just popular, they’re a full-on passion. And with 20-plus professional and minor league teams, powerhouse college programs, immersive athletic experiences – and the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026™ coming to Atlanta – our state is where serious fans come to watch (and roar!). Experience this summer’s electrifying celebration of soccer under the brightest global spotlight, then return year after year for unending competition.

The Appalachian Trail (AT) crosses 14 states on its journey up the East Coast, but it begins (or ends, depending on your direction) in North Georgia. Springer Mountain, near Ellijay, has served as the starting point for countless adventures and as a celebratory finale for those completing the 2,200-mile hike from Mount Katahdin in Maine. Appalachian Trail sign photo by @mbier1 In Georgia alone, the 2,180-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail covers 76 miles and crosses seven counties.