10 Best Things to Do this Spring in Georgia
Spring will soon have sprung in Georgia, bringing blooming flowers, warmer days and festivals of all kinds. It’s time to start planning spring break and other weekend getaways around the Peach State. There's something to offer every interest!
Attend an arts festival
Outdoor arts festivals are one of the best family-friendly activities in Georgia and they’re usually free to attend.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is held every April in Piedmont Park and features a juried art competition, arts and craft vendors, performances, and food and drink. It's Atlanta's oldest outdoor event and features views of the skyline framed by blooming trees and flowers.
International Cherry Blossom Festival
The International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon is another favorite, held in March, that features art exhibitions, rides and performances.
Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival
The June Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival, Garden Tour & Flower Show in Douglasville also can’t be missed.
Get out on the water
Enjoy the great outdoors, especially the lakes, rivers and ocean around the state.
Whitewater Rafting
For high-octane whitewater rafting, visit the artificial rapids in Columbus. Clayton has some beginner-friendly rafting, as well.
Tubing
The Chattahoochee River runs from the top of the state to the bottom with opportunities for recreation along the way, including tubing near Helen and Atlanta, as well as kayaking and paddleboarding. Albany’s Flint River runs through town, allowing visitors to put their boats in easily.
Lake Life
Georgia's Lake Country boasts a number of lakes, including Oconee and Sinclair. Closer to Atlanta, Allatoona and Lanier welcome boaters and fishermen. Lakes Burton, Rabun, Hartwell and Blackshear are also worth exploring.
Tour a brewery, cidery or distillery
The Peach State has a thriving scene for craft beverages as new breweries and distilleries are opening every year in every corner of the state. No matter where you go, plan on having a designated driver.
Breweries
Atlanta has the most craft breweries, including big-name ones like Sweetwater and those with multiple locations like Monday Night. But there are many breweries in other cities and towns, like Macon Beer Company, Creature Comforts in Athens, and Eagle Creek Brewing in Statesboro. Grab a bite with your pint at a brew pub, like Rome City Brewing Co. and Good Word Brewing and Public House in Duluth.
Cideries
The gluten-intolerant can rejoice, as there are also cideries around the state. Urban Tree Cidery is located on Atlanta's Westside with a taproom to sample their varieties. Treehorn in Marietta is another favorite, as is Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge. If you're looking for a low-alcohol option, Cultured South on Atlanta's West End brews the popular Golda Kombucha.
Distilleries
Distilleries are also open to visitors to get a glimpse into how your favorite spirits are made. Atlanta has the ASW Distillery, Old Fourth Distillery and Independent Distilling distilleries. Dalton Distillery and both specialize in legal "white lightning."
Plan a road trip
What’s a better time to start planning a getaway by car? Decide what you want to see, whether it be coast or mountains, cities or small towns. Follow the charming historic towns of the Antebellum Trail or the coastal communities from Richmond Hill to Darien along US-17. Bring your own car, or hire a campervan from Scamper Van or Escape Campervans, which allows you to sleep in your wheels at one of the state's many campgrounds.
Attend a music festival
No matter what type of music you are into, you’ll surely find some of your favorite artists at Georgia’s spring music festivals.
Savannah Music Festival
Savannah Music Festival in March and April is the state’s largest, featuring artists from all genres, including classical, jazz, folk, country, and rock.
Shaky Knees & Shaky Beats
Shaky Knees and Shaky Beats festivals in May bring in rock, R&B and electronic acts to Atlanta.
Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival
The Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival in Thomson brings in big-name acts every May.
Hunt for murals
Looking for colorful walls to photograph? You're in luck. Atlanta has hundreds of murals in every corner of the city, especially around Cabbagetown and Old Fourth Ward. Savannah also has their own, usually commissioned by art galleries and non-profits to beautify their buildings. Macon also has upped its game in terms of public art, with murals, sculptures and Little Free Libraries around town. Don’t miss the mural in Dublin, which honors the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Find more cool mural and other curious public art in Georgia.
Learn about Georgia history
Even if you're out of school, you're never done learning. Use this spring as an opportunity to visit some of the state's history museums.
Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center is a sprawling complex, but sports fans can stop by to see artifacts related to the 1996 Olympics.
Albany Civil Rights Institute
The Albany Civil Rights Institute focuses on an often-overlooked part of the movement, which includes Dr. King’s visit to the city and the nearby Leesburg Stockade.
American Prohibition Museum
The American Prohibition Museum in Savannah reminds visitors of the "Great Experiment" with interactive exhibits and even an authentic speakeasy.
Augusta Museum of History
The Augusta Museum of History is the only place beyond Augusta National where you can see the famous green jacket from the Masters golf tournament. It also has an exhibition on The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, who grew up in Augusta.
National Civil War Naval Museum
And the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus has an ironside ship pulled from the depths of the ocean.
Bike the trails
Gear up with your helmet and two wheels to explore the state. There are plenty of paved bike paths for beginner or expert riders.
Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet Trail is a national treasure, running from Smyrna to Cedartown before crossing into Alabama.
Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is a popular path, looping around the city, but can be crowded on weekends. Also check out the lesser-visited sections of the trail like the Westside and Northside.
Arabia Mountain PATH
The Arabia Mountain PATH runs 30 miles, linking cultural, scenic, natural and historic sites, including the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers.
Chattahoochee Riverwalk
The Chattahoochee Riverwalk in Columbus runs 15 miles alongside the water, offering views of the whitewater rapids and a connection to the National Infantry Museum.
Go to the beach
Georgia's beaches are among its best resources. Explore some of Georgia's 15 barrier islands, including:
Tybee Island
Tybee Island is a family-friendly beach town that is a short drive from downtown Savannah.
Sea Island
If you're looking for a luxurious getaway, Sea Island is an award-winning resort with beach access.
Cumberland Island
Adventurous types can camp at the beach at Cumberland Island, a National Seashore known for its wild horse and ruins of the Dungeness mansion.
Take a culinary tour of the state
You can't say we don't eat well in Georgia! Go in search of fresh flavors this spring on a culinary trip across the state.
Food Festivals
Attend Georgia's spring food festivals to sample a huge menu of options. A few choices include:
- Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival in Eatonton
- Sip & Savor Spring at Callaway Resort & Gardens
- Woodbine Crawfish Festival
- Taste of Richland & Market
- Taste of Alpharetta
Food Tours
Check out one of the many food tours like Atlanta Food Walks, Taste of Thomasville Food Tours or Savannah Taste Experience.
100 Plates Locals Love
You don’t have to go on an organized tour and can instead plan your own. Choose some new dishes to try from Explore Georgia's list of 100 Plates Locals Love, or visit 10 of the locations on the Brews & Q's Trail and earn a free t-shirt.
Let Good Taste Be Your Guide
Search for your destination on OpenTable, where you might be able to grab a last-minute spot at one of the James Beard Award-winners. Alternatively, pick out a few places on your own and order small bites along the way.
Use the Georgia Eats culinary guide to plan your trip.
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