The Ultimate Day Trip Guide

Are you looking to go on an adventure with family or friends for the day? We’ve compiled and refreshed really… a list of places located within a one to three-hour drive from Lake Oconee that are perfect for your next day trip. If you like shopping, history, art, breweries or golfing, we’ve got some suggestions for you! Read below to learn about how we like to spend time in our favorite cities to visit for the day. Would you rather spend your day in nature? In our opinion, Georgia is one of the most beautiful states in America, so there are plenty of natural sights to see! If you plan to go hiking, lace up your walking shoes and take a trip to one of the breathtaking places listed down below.

See the City

Moon River Brewing Company in Savannah, Georgia (Photo/Jessica Gratigny)

Atlanta

Our state’s capital has countless activities for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re taking the whole family or just a couple of friends, we suggest that you visit at least one of the following: Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, World of Coca-Cola, High Museum, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Top Golf or Six Flags. All of those places are suitable for children, but for more specific adventures your children are sure to love, try Lego Land or the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. When it comes to shopping, Atlanta is filled with an abundance of places to shop! We suggest checking out Ponce City Market, Atlantic Station or Lenox Square.

Athens

Want the feel of a smaller city than Atlanta, but still have a lot to do? Visit Athens! We recommend stopping by the State Botanical Garden, Georgia Museum of Art and Bear Hollow Zoo, which all offer free admission. Spend the evening downtown, where you can sip on locally crafted beer from Creature Comforts and find a diverse selection of mouthwatering restaurants. Live music lovers should make sure to check out Southern Brewing Company’s outdoor venue on the weekends. If you’re a UGA fan, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to cheer “Gooooooo Dawgs!” at Sanford Stadium in the Fall!

Augusta

Located by the South Carolina border, is the beautiful city of Augusta. If you want to learn about the city’s rich history, visit the Augusta Museum of History and The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson. Take a stroll along the Augusta Riverwalk, see artwork by Southern artists at the Morris Museum of Art or stop into the Augusta Candle Company to create your own scented candle. If candles aren’t your thing head down to Edgar’s Above Broad to relax with an appetizer and a beer from one of the local breweries. They also have a putting green and bocce ball court available to play while you nosh. If you’re feeling fancy and enjoy a little vino make sure to visit Craft and Vine for dinner, if not and burgers and shakes are more your vibe then you’ll love Farmhaus Burger. These restaurants are next door to one another. If you’re still hungry for more, pop into the newly opened Vance’s Bakery Bar. This mid-century modern bakery and cocktail lounge serves up tasty treats and drinks. For golf lovers, make sure to play a few games at Topgolf. In April, you will not want to miss the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club.

Helen

In the mountains of northeast Georgia is a Bavarian-style town called Helen. On the main strip, you can find interesting shops such as The Glassblowing Shop and Lindenhaus Imports as well as some of the best chocolate around from the Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen. There is also mini-golf, ziplining and tubing available making Helen an exciting destination for the kids! In the fall, Oktoberfest is a must! For several weeks during September and October, Helen is filled with dancing, food, beer and celebration! Just 15 minutes north of Helen is Anna Ruby Falls, an easily accessible and visitor-friendly site to see.

Macon

At the heart of Georgia lies Macon. Home to many prominent musicians including the Allman Brothers and Little Richard, Macon is full of interesting history! First on the list is the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. At the Indian Mounds, you can find an information center, Earth Lodge, hiking trails and an Indian Celebration every September. In Macon, there is also The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House, Wesleyan College (the first women’s college), the Hay House and Rose Hill Cemetery. While you’re there, you won’t want to miss the downtown area that has the best eats, art galleries, pubs and even an arcade bar. If you want to go shopping, visit their outdoor mall that has major department stores for men, women and kids. Since Macon is the Cherry Blossom capital of the world, you’ll want to keep your eye out for their annual Cherry Blossom Festival in the springtime.

Savannah

Along the riverwalk in historic Savannah, there are plenty of shops and stops to visit! There’s Savannah’s Candy Kitchen with an unbelievable amount of candy, chocolate and various sweets for the whole family. You can also find lots of souvenir shops along the way that make for great memorable items and presents. Enjoy a meal at one of the many wonderful restaurants overlooking the river such as Vic's On the River and Boar's Head Grill & Tavern. After you’ve finished shopping and dining, board one of Savannah’s riverboat cruises for a relaxing time sightseeing the city. Tired of River Street? Visit 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 Resort & Gardens

Tucked away in Pine Mountain, Georgia is Callaway Resort and Gardens. There you can find 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. With additional year-round events, there is truly something for everyone at this dreamy getaway! Callaway Gardens is also the perfect place for hiking, biking, swimming and golfing. While you’re there, why not drive five minutes over to the F.D. Roosevelt State Park too?

Providence Canyon State Park

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia, Providence Canyon State Park is located on 1,000 acres of land 45 minutes south of Columbus. Also known as the Little Grand Canyon, there you can find breathtaking views, picnicking areas, a gift shop and over 10 miles of hiking trails through and around the canyon. If you plan on hiking, we recommend bringing plenty of water and an extra pair of tennis shoes in case it’s muddy!

Stone Mountain Park

Right outside of Atlanta, there is Stone Mountain Park, which is loaded with fun activities for the entire family. This historic park offers hiking trails, scenic overlooks, dining, shopping, golf, a railroad ride around the mountain, live performances for kids, a laser light show at night and so much more! If you prefer not to hike the 2.2-mile trail up the mountain, there are cable cars available to take you up to the top!

Tallulah Gorge State Park

By the South Carolina border in northeast Georgia, there is a 1,000-foot deep gorge at Tallulah Gorge State Park. There are a few different trails hikers can take to reach astonishing overlooks around the rim of the gorge. Inside the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center at the park, there is a gift shop and information about the park’s history. The Interpretive Center also offers Gorge Floor Permits, which are needed to access the gorge floor. If you plan on hiking, we recommend bringing plenty of water!

We hope this list helps you plan the best day trip ever! Be on the lookout for our future blog post about the greatest places to take an overnight trip in Georgia. We would love to hear where you plan on taking your next day trip in the comments below!

Best wishes,

The LOL Team