Shannon O'Brien Travel Itineraries

The best destinations

ATLANTA, GA, USA - APRIL, 23 2016: Exhibition of glass artist Chihuly takes place in the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta, Georgia in 2016.
ATLANTA, GA, USA - APRIL, 23 2016: Exhibition of glass artist Chihuly takes place in the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta, Georgia in 2016.

The Best of Georgia

#43 best destination in the world

Map view

Atlanta Botanical Garden

ATLANTA, GA, USA - APRIL, 23 2016: Exhibition of glass artist Chihuly takes place in the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta, Georgia in 2016.

Best time to visit: March-May

  • The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a prominent botanical garden located in Midtown Atlanta
  • It is situated adjacent to Piedmont Park, and showcases a wide range of plants, including roses, herbs, conifers, and carnivorous plants
  • An award-winning Children's Garden is designed specifically for children to explore and learn about plants
  • A serene woodland area that features a unique canopy walk, allows visitors to experience the garden from a different perspective
  • The facility also houses tropical and subtropical plants, including a large collection of orchids

Fox Theatre, Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia, USA – July 30, 2015: Panoramic view of the stalls, stage and blue lightened ceiling of the Oriental style decorated Fox Theater, Midtown

Best time to visit: March-May

  • Fox Theatre in Atlanta, is a historic performing arts venue located in Midtown Atlanta
  • Originally built in the 1920s as a Shriner Mosque, the theatre features an eclectic architectural style with elements reminiscent of Middle Eastern design, including domes and minarets
  • It hosts over 150 performances annually, including Broadway shows, concerts, comedy acts, and movies

World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia: December 20, 2019: World of Coca-Cola museum in the city of Atlanta. The world of Coca-Cola museum opened on August 3, 1990.

Best time to visit: March-May

  • The World of Coca-Cola is a museum located in Atlanta, dedicated to showcasing the history The Coca-Cola Company and its iconic beverage
  • Opened in 2007, the attraction features a variety of interactive exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia presentations that showcase the brand's legacy
  • At the museum, visitors can see the vault where the secret formula for Coca-Cola is kept, and taste nearly 70 different beverages from around the world
  • It also features a recreation of an 1880s soda fountain where visitors can enjoy classic drinks

#14 in Best Attractions in the USA

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia: December 20, 2019: Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site in the city of Atlanta. The historic site is administered by the National Park Service.

Best time to visit: March-May

  • The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is located in Atlanta, and is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
  • The park includes several significant sites related to his life, such as his birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church where he co-pastored, and the King Center, a memorial dedicated to Dr. King and his wife

Dukes Creek Trail, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Dukes Creek Falls Trail (White County, Georgia)

Walk difficulty: easy

  • Dukes Creek Trail is a scenic hiking trail that winds through a forest filled with mountain streams and features several cascading waterfalls, including a notable 300-foot waterfall

#8 in Best Easy Hikes in the USA

Dungeness Loop Trail, Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island National Seashore managed by National Park Service. Cumberland Island horse, a band of feral horses at Dungeness Mansion ruins once owned by Carnegie Family, ruined by fire.
  • The Dungeness Loop Trail is a hiking trail located in Cumberland Island National Seashore
  • The trail offers a scenic route through the historic Dungeness area, where it offers views as it approaches the ocean and includes a stretch along the beach
  • Hikers may encounter various wildlife, including wild horses, armadillos, alligators, and bobcats

Anna Ruby Falls, Helen

Anna Ruby Falls, Georgia, USA in autumn.

Walk difficulty: moderate

  • Anna Ruby Falls is a natural attraction located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
  • It features twin waterfalls, which converge to form Smith Creek at the base of the falls
  • Anna Ruby Falls is named after the only daughter of James H. “Captain” Nichols, a retired Civil War colonel who settled in the area

Jekyll Island Historic District

JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA, USA/MARCH 20, 2019: A guide takes a couple on a leisurely horse-drawn carriage tour past Crane Cottage, built in 1918 in Mediterranean revival style, on this historic island.
  • The Jekyll Island Historic District is a significant area located on Jekyll Island, encompassing a site that features 34 historic structures
  • Originally known as the Jekyll Island Club, this area was a private retreat for some of America's wealthiest families during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often referred to as the "Millionaire's Village"

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island

Golden sunrise on Driftwood Beach on Tybee Island off the Atlantic coast of Georgia
  • Driftwood Beach is situated on Jekyll Island, and is known for its collection of ancient driftwood and weathered tree trunks on the beach, often described as resembling a graveyard for sun-bleached trees
  • Driftwood Beach is part of Jekyll Island State Park, accessible via two boardwalks
  • Visitors can enjoy various activities such as picnicking and stargazing

#2 in Best Beaches in the USA

#23 in Most Surreal Attractions in the USA

Rock City, Lookout Mountain

Waterfall at Rock City Gardens
  • Rock City is an attraction located on top of Lookout Mountain
  • It opened to the public in 1932, and was developed by Garnet and Frieda Carter, who transformed their backyard into a scenic destination featuring unique geological formations and gardens
  • The attraction is renowned for its natural beauty, including massive ancient rock formations and over 400 species of native plants
  • Rock City also offers views allowing guests to see up to seven states from certain vantage points

Johnston–Felton–Hay House, Macon

MACON, GEORGIA - OCT 29, 2013: Johnston-Felton-Hay House is a National Historic Landmark , built from 1855 to in 1859. Italian Renaissance Revival style, four levels, crowned by a cupola.
  • The Johnston–Felton–Hay House, commonly referred to as the Hay House, is a historic residence located in Macon
  • Constructed between 1855 and 1859 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, it is one of Georgia's most distinguished structures
  • The mansion encompasses 24 principal rooms, and today, it serves as a museum, offering tours and hosting events

Savannah Historic District

Old house in the historic district of Savannah, Georgia

Best time to visit: March-July

  • The Savannah Historic District is a significant urban area in Savannah, Georgia, recognized for its well-preserved architecture
  • The district roughly corresponds to the pre-Civil War city limits of Savannah
  • The district encompasses the original town plan laid out in 1733 by General James E. Oglethorpe, the founder of the British colony of Georgia
  • The Savannah Historic District includes more than twenty city squares, filled with museums, churches, and beautifully restored 18th- and 19th-century homes

#16 in Most Surreal Attractions in the USA

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Savannah

SAVANNAH, USA - DECEMBER 02, 2011: stained glass window, Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Savannah, Georgia

Best time to visit: March-July

  • The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is a prominent Roman Catholic cathedral located in Savannah, near Lafayette Square
  • It is recognized as a minor basilica, a title that honors its historical significance, architectural beauty, and liturgical importance
  • The cathedral is an excellent example of French Gothic architecture, that was established by French Catholic émigrés who formed Savannah's first parish, in the late 18th century

Forsyth Park, Savannah

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 15: Fountain in Forsyth Park on November 15, 2016 in Savannah, Georgia

Best time to visit: March-July

  • Forsyth Park is a historic urban park located in the center of Savannah
  • Established in 1841, it is one of the oldest parks in the United States and serves as a significant example of landscape architecture and urban planning from the 19th century
  • The park features The Forsyth Fountain, an iconic fountain, installed in 1858, that is modeled after the fountains of Paris
  • The park is adorned with blooming flowers, towering trees draped in Spanish moss, and walking paths

Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah

statue in Bonaventure cemetery in Savannah

Best time to visit: March-July

  • Bonaventure Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in Savannah, on a scenic bluff overlooking the Wilmington River
  • Established in 1846, it was originally a private commercial enterprise before being acquired by the City of Savannah in 1907
  • It is renowned for its Southern Gothic aesthetic, featuring weathered gravestones, ancient live oak trees draped with Spanish moss, and intricate sculptures

The Olde Pink House, Savannah

The Olde Pink House restaurant on Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia on 15 May 2012

Best time to visit: March-July

  • The Olde Pink House is a renowned restaurant located in Savannah, within the city's Historic District
  • The building dates back to 1771, and was originally constructed as a mansion
  • The restaurant specializes in classic Southern cuisine, and is known for its new Southern dishes, combining traditional flavors with modern culinary techniques
  • The building is famously painted pink, which is tied to the architectural style of the time

River Street, Savannah

Savannah, Georgia, USA bars and restaurants on River Street.

Best time to visit: March-July

  • River Street in Savannah is a commercial street and promenade that runs along the edge of the Savannah River
  • The street is lined with century-old buildings that were once cotton warehouses, now converted into shops and eateries
  • River Street provides views of the Savannah River, making it an ideal location for leisurely strolls and ship-watching
  • The area is known for its nightlife, with numerous bars and entertainment options available

North Beach, Tybee Island

Sand Dunes on North Beach With Historic Tybee Island Light Station, Tybee Island, Georgia, USA
  • North Beach, on Tybee Island, is a beach and area that features historic sites, as well as, unique eateries and shops.
  • Notably, the Tybee Island Lighthouse is situated on North Beach
  • Visitors can enjoy dolphin watching, and strolls along the shore, especially during low tide in the late afternoon
  • North Beach is also a great spot for birdwatching, with various species often seen near the dunes and scrub areas

#46 in Best Beaches in the USA