Historic Savannah Georgia

Head towards the coast of southern Georgia – have a blast in the Peach State. Stretching from Cairo to Savannah, and sprinkle in the coastal cities and beach towns, southern Georgia is a great spring and summer destination. Southern Georgia has a rich, early American history – check it out at the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site, in Brunswick. St. Simmons Island features the Maritime Museum at the Historic Coast Guard Station. In Thomasville, continue your historic voyage of southern Georgia with a trip to Thomas County Museum of History. Spring and summer also yield excellent golfing weather – be sure to play 18 at Sea Island Golf Club.

Spring in Savannah is premier destination for travelers seeking coastal getaway, or a scenic landscape to drive through, while heading to St. Simmons Island. Be sure to explore the largest National Historic Landmark District in America with a visit to Historic Savannah. You can try everything from the Paula Deen Tour, to an exploration of Forsyth Park, Savannah’s largest. In late March, make time to check out the Savannah Music Festival. Late March is also a great time for the Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens. Celebrating it’s 77th year, join other guests as you take guided – or self-guided, if you’re feeling so cavalier – tours of private residences and gardens in historic neighborhoods throughout Savannah. Make the most of your visit to the Hostess City of the South.

Head south into Kingsland, just off I-95 in the far southeast of Georgia, it’s just inland of the Atlantic Ocean. Spring visitors are just minutes from the coast, and can take full advantage of all it’s splendor. Don’t miss the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, or the Bancroft Sail Memorial. Nearby, check out Okefenokee Adventures, a 90-minute boat tour of the Okefenokee Swamp. Bask in the glory of southern Georgia’s spring weather while playing 18 holes at Laurel Island Links, a Davis Love III designed golf course. And for the thrill-seeker, look for The Jumping Place, The Art of the Dive – get out and try your first sky dive this spring in southern Georgia.

To the west of Kingsland is Valdosta, home to Valdosta State University and John W. Saunders Memorial Park. Known as the Azalea City, because it grows in such abundance around the city, Valdosta hosts the annual Azalea Festival in March. Later in March, make plans to visit Wild Adventures Theme Park, just 10 miles south of downtown Valdosta. Full of rides, attractions and plenty of dinning and shopping, Wild Adventures is open throughout the spring and summer.

Augusta National Golf Course

Head out into central Georgia, the heart of the Peach State. With LaGrange and Columbus to the west, centrally located Macon, and Augusta to the east, you’ve got choices. Augusta’s a great border city, and home to the Morris Museum of Art, while Macon is more centrally set, it’s home to Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area. Further west is Columbus – set at the Georgia-Alabama border, it’s home to the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus. From the arts to the history, and from the outdoor adventures to the sports, central Georgia is a prime destination for southern travelers.

Set along the Georgia-South Carolina border, Augusta is one of central Georgia’s premier spring and summer destinations. In early February, head to the Augusta Entertainment Complex, and watch the classic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. Held in late February, the Annual Augusta Home & Garden Show is a local favorite. Augusta might be most famous, state-side and abroad, for hosting The Masters. This annual PGA tournament is one of four Major Tournaments played throughout the year. Check out the Masters, held at Augusta National Golf Club, during the first weekend in April.

Closer to the Georgia-Alabama border, Americus is set. A pleasant and charming city, Americus is home to Georgia Southwestern State University, and Griffin Bell Golf Course and Conference Center. Set to begin on the 8th of March, head to the Rylander Theatre and catch a live performance of the hit play, Chicago. You can spend the afternoon at the Global Village and Discovery Center – while there, be sure to check out the Charles Lindbergh Monument. Take full advantage of the cool spring weather and play 18 holes at Wolf Creek Golf Club.

To the northeast of Americus is Macon – the Song and Soul of the South. Macon is the home of the Georgia State Fairgrounds, and Mercer University. Sports fans visiting Macon can check out the Mercer University Men’s and Women’s basketball teams as they wrap up their seasons at the University Center Arena. Set to begin March 16, plan a day-trip to the Macon International Cherry Blossom Festival – 10 days of arts, music, food, and hot air balloons, including the free parade in downtown. In April, don’t miss the Tubman Pan African Festival – witness the streets of downtown Macon transform into a sea of Caribbean steel bands, cultural demonstrations, and food vendors.

Atlanta Midtown

Atlanta and northern Georgia welcome in spring – it’s a wonderful time of year in the Peach State. Atlanta prides itself on being the cultural and historical hub of northern Georgia. With the cool spring air rushing in, take to the streets and explore – Georgia Capitol Museum is great for historical perspectives, and baseball fans love the Turner Field Tours, featuring the Braves Museum. From there, head into Kennesaw, which offers fine, scenic landscapes, along with exceptional local parks and lakes. Don’t miss out on Athens – set more in the northeast of the state, it’s home to the University of Georgia Bulldogs, and Georgia Museum of Art. Whatever the flavor you seek, northern Georgia and Atlanta have the recipe.

Atlanta – The ATL – welcomes the cool, subtropical temperatures of spring, and with it, the traditional northern Georgia fanfare. As the focal point of activity and tourism in the north, Atlanta is never a dull visit. Head to the Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest, and check out the Cold Water Quest Animal Gallery. The Coca-Cola Company is headquartered in Atlanta, and offers tours and, more importantly, tastings at The World of Coca-Cola. In late March, don’t miss the annual Atlanta Film Festival – 10 days of movie screenings, Q&A with actors and directors, and interactive classes and workshops. The Atlanta Braves are getting ready to start their 2012 season. Make a visit to Turner Field, home to the Braves, set in the heart of downtown Atlanta. For a taste of local history, don’t miss out on a burger from The Varsity.

Half an hour north is Kennesaw – a fine little city, it’s home to Kennesaw State University, and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Spring is a great time to visit Kennesaw – whether you’re passing through, or staying for a day or two, make sure to visit Bozeman Lake, or take a stroll around Noonday Creek Park. You can still catch a men’s or women’s basketball game, as the Kennesaw State Owls play their final few home games at Convocation Center on campus.

Continuing on your northern Georgia experience, head north less than an hour, into Rome. A pleasant and quaint city, Rome is just minutes from the Johns Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Intersected by the Etowah River, Rome is home to Shorter University, and the East Rome Historic District. Late March brings the Spring Art Market to Rome – head to the Rome Civic Center and explore this free event featuring homegrown and handmade art, crafts and food.