10 Most Unusual Places in Georgia You HAVE To Visit
1. Broxton Rocks
Broxton Rocks are the largest exposure of sandstone found in the Altamaha Grit and expands about 4 miles. Broxton Rocks sandstone layers were formed due to erosion. What’s really unique about Braxton rocks is that it is home to many endangered plants and animals. Some of the endangered plants that are located here are the Greenfly Orchid, Georgia Plume, and the Fameflower which brings color and beauty to the area. Some of the endangered animals that are located in Broxton Rocks are the Bachmans Sparrow, Pileated Woodpecker, Gopher Tortoise, and the Indigo Snake.
2. Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southernmost island. The island consists of undeveloped beaches, forests, and marshes. The island also has over 9,800 acres of wilderness where deer, squirrels, raccoons, armadillos, boars, alligators, and even feral horses roam. The island was home to many famous people including Andrew Carnegie, brother of Thomas Carnegie, who was an industrialist in the steel industry. The heir to the Carnegie family gave current ownership of the island to the National Parks Foundation’s control.
3. The Tate House
The Tate house is located in Tate, Georgia and is made of beautiful pink and white marble. The house was built for Samuel Tate in 1923 by Walker and Weeks, who were architects in the neo-classical era. The Tate house was made with the marble supplied by the Tate’s Georgia Marble Company and is often referred to as the “pink palace”. Inside the house is marble floors and mural wallpaper. The Tate house is a popular place for weddings and special events.
4. Providence Canyon State Park
One of Georgia’s natural seven wonders is located in the city of Lumpkin and it resembles the Grand Canyon in Arizona. This natural wonder was formed due to poor farming techniques and years of erosion. Visitors can stay at the top of the canyon and look down from the edge or they can go down into the canyon via stairs. This natural wonder also is home to a rare plant called the plumleaf azalea.
5. The Lunch Box Museum
In Columbus, Georgia, there is a museum filled with nothing but metal lunch boxes. The museum is owned by Allen Woodall Jr. and features over 2,000 lunch boxes. These lunch boxes include everything from Superman to King Kong lunch boxes. Some of the lunch boxes are so rare that Woodall has replicas of them and the real ones are locked away at home. It is a very exciting place to go if you want go back in time and feel like a kid again.
6. Habitat For Humanity’s Slum Theme Park
The Habitat for Humanity’s headquarters is in Americus, Georgia and it shows what the nonprofit organization does for people in poverty. The headquarter explains what they do, but, they also let you experience what they want to get rid of. The organization built a theme park showing what poverty is like all around the world and what they hope to eliminate. The theme park is self guided and walks you through different parts of the world. There are even signs in some places saying “deadly insects” to show that some places like Africa, have insects that cause horrible diseases. At the end of the tour there is an open field with trees, flowers, and plants around little houses. This “mini-utopia” shows what the organization wants to achieve.
7. Tank Town USA
Usually you have to be trained to drive a tank, however, for a price you can drive tanks and crush cars in Morgantown, Georgia. The tanks are actually not tanks, instead they are FV432’s which are armored carrier cars used in the British army because the United States army does not sell operational armor to the public. Learning how to drive one takes about 3o seconds and once inside the view is panoramic. The fee for driving the vehicle is 5o dollars, which includes the driver and a passenger, but if you want to crush a car it costs 500 dollars.
8. Little White House
In Atlanta, Georgia there is a house that is exactly identical to the White House in Washington D.C. Fred Milani fled from Iran to the United States in 1979 and built a successful real estate company. After becoming wealthy, Milani built himself and his family a replica scale model of the White House. Milani built this replica as a tribute to the democracy of the United States of America. Inside the house has a few replica rooms such as the oval office which has a desk similar to the one in the presidential office. There is also a replica of the Lincoln bedroom with the copy of the emancipation proclamation hanging up on the wall. After the housing market bust in 2009, Milani had to put his house up for sale for 10 million dollars. Unfortunately, in 2011, the house foreclosed.
9. Georgia Guidestones
In Elbert County, Georgia there are giant slabs of stones with different languages of writing on them. Nobody knows who put them there, but a mysterious person under the name of R.C. Christian hired Elberton Granite Finishing Company to build the structure. The structure has 10 guidelines or rules in 8 different languages, including English, Spanish, Swahili, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. To the left of the stone there is a tablet that states the astronomical features of the tablet and an apparent time capsule buried 6 feet below the monument. Also, on the tablet it says “Let these be guidelines to the age of reason” and around it has 4 different ancient writing languages including Babylonian, Greek, Sanskrit, and Egyptian.
10. Dawson Forest
Dawsonville has many things to do such as the outlet malls or Amicalola falls, but deep in the forest there is something many people don’t know about. Inside Dawson Forest there used to be a nuclear aircraft laboratory used during the Cold War. It was a United States Air Force facility named air force plant #67 in which they were trying to design nuclear aircrafts. The entrance to the actual plant is underground, however the entrances have been buried. The only thing that remains left is the nuclear cooling building, which has an entrance that is completely sealed shut and large amounts of radiation around the area.
10 Underrated Places In Georgia To Take An Out-Of-Towner
1. This hidden-gem in the heart of Atlanta where you can spend the night:
This hidden gem in Georgia has recently been named one of the top AirBnB destinations in the world. It's a beautifully serene, almost whimsical, tree house where you can stay nightly and fulfill a childhood dream of living among the treetops.
2. Swan House: Traditionally known as one of the most recognized and photographed landmarks in Atlanta.
This sophisticated, classically-styled mansion was built in 1928 for the Inman family, heirs to a cotton brokerage fortune. Now, you can travel just outside of Atlanta, to explore this beautifully restored historic house along with the gardens, fountains, and mesmerizing views.
3. Watching the wild horses of Cumberland Island:
Cumberland Island is known as Georgia's largest barrier island. It's here that you can swim, bird watch, observe the twisted tree trunks, and of course, watch the wild horses run about.
4. The beautiful archway of Spanish moss in Wormsloe Plantation:
Located in Savannah, the Wormsloe Plantation may be one of the most underrated spots in the state. Although famous visually, many tourists don't realize that it's located just outside the city, and you can personally drive down the magical road.
5. Little Grand Canyon:
This 1,003-acre state park, located in Stewart County in southwest Georgia, is as underrated as it gets. But those who know about Providence Canyon State Park hike the trails, enjoy the views and camp overnight whenever they can.
6. Climb one of the highest peaks in all of Georgia.
So there you have it; a few of the most underrated spots in Georgia that it’s high time you visit. Bring the family, bring your friends and add these to the list for your out-of-town guests to peruse when they come to Georgia.
Visit Atlanta’s Historic Places
Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center is no stranger to games: it hosts 6,000 memorabilia from the Olympic Games including uniforms, victory medals, Olympic torches and even an original running track. Its historic Swan House was also recently featured in the blockbuster hit, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire!
Atlanta Movie Tours
Television and film industries are bustling in Atlanta and there’s no time like the present to visit ATLwood. Whether it’s The Walking Dead, The Blind Side, Anchorman 2 or one of the many other movies filmed in Atlanta, let Atlanta Movie Tours show you the sites!
ATL-Cruzers Electric Car & Segway Tours
Get a first look at Atlanta from the comfort of an open-air smart car (or even a Segway) as your ATL-Cruzers tour guide shows you the ins and outs of Atlanta and its neighborhoods. Choose your favorite stops along the way to help plan the rest of your visit!
Centennial Olympic Park
Pay homage to Atlanta's Olympic legacy as you splash through the Fountain of Rings or play tag in the green fields of Centennial Olympic Park, located near the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center, Center for Civil and Human Rights and College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience.
Center for Civil and Human Rights
Connect the American civil rights movement to current human rights issues through moving, experiential exhibits at the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Interact with history to understand your role in the dream and the future.
CNN Studio Tours
News junkies and aspiring anchors unite! Take the Inside CNN Studio Tour to see exactly how this globally recognized brand makes news, beginning to end. Keep your eyes peeled and you might even see Robin Meade!
College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience
Every team is the home team at the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience, where interactive installments keep you in the game. Sprint down memory lane with decades of memorabilia and learn about Hall of Fame inductees.
Delta Flight Museum
Experience aviation history at the Delta Flight Museum, where future pilots and frequent flyers alike can enjoy interactive exhibits, state-of-the-art simulator technology, and last-of-their-kind aircraft from eras past. Take a guided tour, or cruise the 68,000-square-foot premises at Delta's Atlanta Headquarters with friends, family, or your copilot of choice.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Getting up close and personal with the dinosaurs at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History is a lot less scary than the bared-teeth versions in film. Take a peek back in time with the Giants of the Mesozoic – even one that measures more than 120 feet long!
Fox Theatre
At Atlanta’s fabulous Fox Theatre, every night is a red carpet event. Musicals, dance and nationally renowned acts wait at the end of your red carpet walk, and if there’s no show scheduled, have no fear – you can always tour this Atlanta icon!
High Museum of Art
Step inside the leading art museum in the Southeast and gaze at more than 13,000 modern and contemporary works of art. A ticket to the High Museum of Art will get you into both the special exhibitions and the permanent collection.
Historic Oakland Cemetery
The scenic resting place of more than 70,000 souls, Historic Oakland Cemetery is the oldest of its kind in Atlanta. Visit Civil War soldiers and Civil Rights pioneers, as well as legends like author Margaret Mitchell, golfer Bobby Jones and Atlanta’s first African-American mayor Maynard Jackson.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
Several U.S. presidents established libraries, and we’re pretty fond of the one our very own Nobel Peace Prize-winning, peanut-growing President Jimmy Carter erected. At the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, you’ll find everything from a replica of the Oval Office to gifts he received during his presidency.
Margaret Mitchell House
Peek inside the restored rooms where most of "Gone With the Wind" was penned in the Margaret Mitchell House, complete with the native Atlantan’s writing desk and period furnishings. Frankly, it would be your misfortune to miss exhibitions exploring the author’s life and the making of a film classic.
Michael C. Carlos Museum (Emory University)
Take some time to connect with a mummy at Emory’s Michael C. Carlos Museum. With permanent collections that span the globe and renowned traveling exhibits, your inner history buff will be transfixed by everything from mummies to a Greek muse!
Stone Mountain Park
Take a trek through the treetops on SkyHike®, the Summit Skyride or even a real hike to the top of the mountain for beautiful city skyline views. Tour the antebellum plantation or ride around Stone Mountain by train and see the longest running laser show in the world projected on it!
Sweet Auburn Curb MarketFor meats and produce straight from the farm, plus unique eateries serving up everything from soul food and gourmet hot dogs to artisanal ice cream, look no further than this urban farmer’s market. Also on the menu at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market are monthly culinary tours, storytelling, cooking classes and tons of community events.
The Historic Marietta Trolley
Hop on board a fully narrated 90-minute trolley tour to learn the history and enjoy the stories and legends of Atlanta’s top attractions and historic sites. Step on to discover the must-sees of Atlanta while riding in style on Peachtree Trolley Tours.
World of Coca-Cola
Experience the history of the world's most famous soft drink through fascinating exhibits, classic ads and an imaginative replica of the bottling process. Get closer than ever before to the World of Coca-Cola vault containing the secret recipe and tempt your taste buds with more than 100 beverages from around the globe.
Best Places To Visit With Kids In Summr
King of Pops – Check the calendar, see where they will be, and prepare to get your popsicle on! These are the best popsicles in the universe! Save me a mango jalapeno, and my boys say, “Pass the Peach!”
LanierWorld at Lake Lanier Islands – Enjoy fun slides, relaxing beaches, wakeboarding, and lake adventures. There is a Fun Park, Big Beach, and Sunset Cove. Enjoy Beach Flicks and live music during the summer.
Liberty Bell Swimming Pool, at FDR State Park – FDR provides 42 miles of trails, geocaching, star gazing, canoeing, and more. The kids will love taking a dip in the Liberty Bell swimming pool!
Library Summer Reading Programs – Your local library has a summer reading program for the kids. Most libraries also have regular programs associated with these, like jugglers, magicians and such.
Marietta Fire Museum – Tour the two stories of fire truck paraphernalia and fire trucks. Be sure to ask for a tour, and whatever you do, get your parking validated to save $20. Just a short walk away is a fun train playground and an ice cream shop!
Matilda’s Under the Pines – This incredible outdoor music venue in Alpharetta is free for kiddos and family-friendly!
Movies in the park – There are free outdoor movie locations all over the city. Bring a blanket and some snacks, and enjoy the evening!
Museum of Aviation. Do you have a want-to-be pilot in your life? The Museum of Aviation at Warner Robbins will elicit a full day’s worth of grins and giggles. It is one of the largest aviation museums in the US. See over 90 different aircraft, spread over four hangers and 51 acres. The best part? It’s FREE. National Trail Days – (June 4) Take a Ranger-led hike, volunteer your time for clean up, or one of several other events on Trail Day.
Piedmont Park Pool – Spend time splashing in the fountains or riding the lazy river. There is a greystone bathhouse, lap lanes, and much more. It is clean and super family friendly. If you need a break from the sun, you can also try one of these FREE ways to explore Piedmont Park.
Renaissance Festival – Jousting, games, fire jugglers, and so much more. This is a summer festival you can’t miss.
Ride the Atlanta Streetcar –There are 12 stops along a 2.7-mile loop. It would be fun to ride just for the novelty, but consider stops at Centennial Park, Sweet Auburn Market, MLK National Historic Site, or Woodruff Park.
Atlanta United will be first sporting event in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, construction in final stages
Atlanta United will be the first sporting event to play in the new $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening this year, the Arthur Blank Group announced on Friday.
Atlanta United, an MLS expansion team beginning competition in March, will play its first regular season game at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium stadium on July 30. The team's inaugural schedule will be released next week and will play its first home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Georgia Tech before moving into the new stadium.
The announcement signifies stadium officials' confidence that the stadium will be completed in time for the first event and the entire 2017-18 NFL season, including the preseason.
"What has been a work that has gone in for several years, now we're on the edge of planning to execution," Steve Cannon said, the CEO of the Arthur Blank Group. "We're in full speed mode. The pace of our construction has increased."
Cannon said that the most complex component of the stadium's construction, the structural steal, was completed in November. Now, they are in the final phases of construction and it's "off to the races" to complete the stadium.
The final stages include completing the retractable roof and the lower bowl section. They are also in the final phases of finishing the locker rooms, suites, offices and concession stands.
Cannon said they will begin taking over the stadium between April and June.
The stadium will host smaller events built around Atlanta United's home match to help prepare for larger events. These events will mostly be for club members, season ticket holders to the teams playing at the stadium, sponsors, etc. Those events have not yet been announced.
The Atlanta Falcons will play two preseason NFL games and the season opener in August at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The team's schedule will be announced in the spring. There will also be a "grand opening event" followed by two concerts in August. The concerts will be announced later in 2017.
The first two college football games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game between Alabama and Florida State on Sept. 2. Two days later, Tennessee and Georgia Tech will play.
The Georgia Dome's final event will be in March, and then a demolition date will be set.
