Cuisine Noir Magazine. July 2020.

Georgia is the largest state in the U.S. east of the Mississippi River. Though most people think of Atlanta when they plan a trip to Georgia, the state also offers a variety of historic landmarks, remote hiking trails, evergreen golf grounds, pristine lakes and independent wineries. To explore the entire state, you may need to plan several weekend getaways to different parts. Here are a few notable spots that will allow you to social distance and still feel like you are on vacation.

Rock City Gardens 

Leisurely walk through fourteen acres of trails, caves, waterfalls, and plant life at Rock City Gardens. Here you can see 200-million-year-old rock formations, as well as the surrounding seven states. There are lots of photo opportunities along the way, one of the most famous ones being from Lover’s Leap on Lookout Mountain. Kids and those young at heart will love the artistic recreation of famous fairytales in an underground Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village located inside the garden.

There are a few charming inns to spend the night at nearby, but if you want to experience something unique, book a stay at the luxurious treehouses at Treetop Hideaways. These unique cabins are located in a secluded area but offer modern amenities including heated floors, air conditioning and kitchens.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Less than 90 minutes from the city of Atlanta, the city of Blue Ridge is home to the Appalachian Mountains, scenic national forests, hundreds of waterfalls, and freshwater lakes. This is a good place if you like to hike, bike, fish, horseback ride, or whitewater raft. Make sure to walk up Amicalola Falls, the tallest cascading waterfall in the South and check out the ancient wall at Fort Mountain State Park inside Chattahoochee National Forest.

For a quieter pace, take a scenic drive, relax by the fireplace at one of the cabins or shop for handmade jewelry and crafts at Momentum on Main in downtown Blue Ridge. Stay at The Overlook Inn, a cozy family-run inn perched on top of the mountain with stunning views of the valley. Here you can be spoiled with spacious rooms with in-suite Jacuzzis and hearty Southern-style breakfasts.

The Peach State also produces some good quality wines. There are over 40 wineries in North Georgia that offer tours as tastings, as well as live music events on the weekends. Sip on sweet muscadine and blackberry wines or full-bodied malbec and cabernet franc while relaxing on the porch, overlooking a sunset.

Savannah

Several small towns make up Georgia’s rustic coastline, offering a combination of secluded beaches, fresh seafood, boutique shopping and Southern history. Cobblestone streets covered with Spanish moss make Savannah a dreamy city that you would only find in the movies. Over 20 city squares make up the Historic District of Savannah, the largest National Historic Landmark District in the United States. Simply walk through the streets and discover old churches, Georgian mansions and fine arts. The River Street area has a number of restaurants overlooking the Savannah River where you can taste Southern specialties such as fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, fried chicken and biscuits and peach Bellini.

While in the area, if you want to spend more time at the beach, head to Tybee Island nearby.

Around Atlanta

If you have only passed through Atlanta for a convention or airport connection, now is the time to learn about some of the historical and cultural sites around the city.

Home to one of the largest movie studios in the country, the sprawling 33-acre Tyler Perry Studios has historic buildings, 12 sound stages and 18 sets that include a baseball field, a jail and a replica of the White House. The studio had plans to begin public tours in 2020, but Atlanta Movie Tours can take you to Tyler Perry’s Madea house, as well as behind the scenes of hits such as “Black Panther,” “The Walking Dead,” “Hidden Figures” and “Selma.”

Some of the sights where you can learn about African-American history and culture include The King Center – a living memorial dedicated to legendary civil rights leader and Atlanta native, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The Center for Civil and Human Rights showcases moments from the American Civil Rights Movement and Global Human Rights Movements throughout history. The African-American Panoramic Experience (APEX) tells the story of people of the African diaspora.

Be sure to check location websites for COVID-19 updates while planning. Request a 2020 Travel Guide to explore these Georgia destinations and more by visiting https://www.exploregeorgia.org/.

~ Written for and published by Cuisine Noir Magazine. All rights reserved.