Five Budget-Friendly Georgia Vacation Destinations

There is no better value than a Georgia State Parks vacation because everything is so affordable. You can canoe at George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge, learn archery at Panola Mountain State Park, ride horses at F. D. Roosevelt State Park, and study the water at Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge. With the first-time camper program, you can get everything you need for your trip, and get help setting it up. 

Between Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island, there is lots of free and inexpensive fun, besides just playing on the beach. Visit the Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll and search for tree spirits on St. Simons Island. With so many free and inexpensive activities in the Golden Isles, there may be room to splurge on accommodations. The Golden Isles offers vacationers a plethora of lodging options, from the luxurious The Cloister at Sea Island, to the beachside The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island or the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

Springtime is when the famous Callaway Resort & Gardens azaleas start to peak. Take a hike or a bike ride through the gardens to find the beautiful blooms. Treetop Adventure is a challenging ropes course with moderate zip lines, perfect for families. For a budget option, watch the free Birds of Prey show where falcons fly through the air instead of humans. Callaway has multiple lodging options, including The Lodge and Spa and Mountain Creek Villas.

Part theme park, part natural park, Stone Mountain Park is a fun escape just outside of Atlanta. The Crossroads section offers a 4D theatre, SkyHike, mini-golf, train rides and more. Be sure to see the special offers available on their website for discounts to Stone Mountain attractions. The outdoor granite museum, and the hike to the top of the Stone Mountain is a must and free. Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort is perfect for families. A recreation area off the main hotel allows kids to swim inside or out, as well as play with giant chess or checker sets while Mom and Dad relax with a cocktail on the porch or by the outdoor fire pits.

For those looking to keep down the costs of visiting multiple attractions, consider an Atlanta City Pass. You can visit some of Atlanta’s most popular attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Inside CNN Studio Tour and either Zoo Atlanta or the Atlanta History Center and either Fernbank Museum of Natural History or the High Museum of Art. The passes are good for nine days after the first use and allow you to save time by bypassing the ticket lines. If museums aren’t your thing, check out Goldstar for discounts on shows or Atlanta on the Cheap for deals and discounts around the city.