Off The Beaten Path | Georgia

Georgia is a state full of unforgettable attractions and destinations. Visitors to the state will find beautiful cities, history, parks and much more. Here are a few destinations throughout the state of Georgia that visitors should plan to visit.

Calloway Gardens, Columbus
These gardens are a combination of vacation resort and nature preserve. The complex is located on the countryside in the Appalachian Mountains. The Calloway Gardens has an amazing collection of Azalea's, the Azalea Bowl has over 3,400 hybrid azaleas which are especially stunning during the spring. Visitors can also enjoy the butterfly conservatory, the vegetable garden and the beautiful nature trails. Calloway Gardens also has a wide range of resort facilities, a spa resort and golf resort.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
This park was dedicated in 1895, and it has over 1,400 markers and monuments. Cickamauga and Chattanooga was created to preserve the cultural, historical and natural features of this important battlefield site. The Chickamauga Battlefield was the site of the last major Confederate victory during the Civil War. Later the Union achieved victory in the renewed fighting in Chattanooga. Visitors to the park can visit the Visitor Centers, enjoy the hiking trails, take the self-guided auto tour and much more.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah
Visitors to Savannah can stop and see the amazing history, architecture and art of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The original parish was established in the late 1700s by immigrants from Haiti and France. The French Gothic style Cathedral was completely devastated by a fire in 1898, only two years after it was completed. Everything but the outside walls were destroyed. Reconstruction began immediately, and the rebuilt Cathedral was dedicated in 1900. The Cathedral's artwork, murals and stained glass windows were completed by 1912. In more recent years the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist has been restored, and it is well worth a visit to see many of its beautiful features.

Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island is the southernmost and the largest barrier island in Georgia. Visitors can see the maritime forests, beaches, marshes and more located in the designated wilderness areas. The island also has historic sites, ruins and much more. Cumberland Island also has the Dungeness ruins, which was originally built by General Nathanial Greene, and later built again by Thomas Carnegie. Plum Orchard Mansion is another place to visit on Cumberland Island. Plum Orchard Mansion was built by Lucy Carnegie for her son. In addition, visitors will the the First African Baptist Church in the Settlement and a Museum. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including, hiking ,camping, wildlife viewing and bicycling to name only a few.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens
For visitors to Atlanta looking for some spectacular indoor and outdoor botanical collections. The Lobby of the Fuqua Conservatory has a display with poison arrow frogs. Visitors can see hundreds of tropical species in the Tropical Rotunda. There is also a desert collection with species from Madagascar and Southern Africa. In addition, the indoor collections also include a special exhibit with Asian pitcher plants, and the Fuqua Orchid Center with a wide variety of orchids. The outdoor collection has an equally diverse collection of species, including water plants, a Dwarf and Rare Conifer Garden, Hardy Palms and even a Hydrangea Collection.

Saint Simon Island
Saint Simon Island is on of the Golden Isles. The island has beautiful beaches, with the sandy seashore, and the islands salt marshes. Visitors can also stop and the St. Simons Lighthouse, which is open to the public as a museum, and is also a functioning lighthouse. Saint Simon also has nature trails, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities.

Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross
This swamp covers of a half million acres and is home to a large variety of plant and animal species. Visitors to the park can enjoy interpretive exhibits, wildlife shows, wildlife walkways and even Indian Waterways. There are boat tours that take visitors through the Seminole Indian Waterways allow visitors to learn all about the Okefenokee Swamp. Visitors can also take a railroad tour. The "Lady Suwannee" takes visitors on a guided tour along the edge of the wetlands. The swamp allows visitors to get up close to the unique natural plants and animals that make their home in the swamp.