Georgia
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Georgia gives you the essential Peach State experience, from the extraordinary Savannah Historic District, the most beautiful city in the American South, to the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia with their extraordinary Tallulah Gorge and Amicalola Falls. This route covers the heart of Georgia. The extraordinary Forsyth Park and antebellum squares of Savannah, the remarkable Jekyll Island and Cumberland Island wild horses, the extraordinary Tallulah Gorge canyon and the vibrant Atlanta food and arts scene.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or October to November
Getting There
Fly into Savannah (SAV) or Atlanta (ATL)
Getting Around
Rental car essential outside Savannah
Budget Per Day
Approx $110 to $180 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some Blue Ridge hiking
DAY 1
SAVANNAH HISTORIC DISTRICT
MORNING
SAVANNAH HISTORIC DISTRICT, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN THE SOUTH
Savannah is the most extraordinary historic city in the American South, its extraordinary grid of 22 oak-shaded squares draped with Spanish moss, the finest collection of antebellum architecture in America and the remarkable River Street along the Savannah River bluff giving a cityscape unlike any other in the United States. Forsyth Park with its extraordinary 1858 fountain surrounded by azaleas and live oaks is the finest urban park in the South. All free. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
BONAVENTURE CEMETERY AND WORMSLOE HISTORIC SITE
Bonaventure Cemetery is the most extraordinary Victorian garden cemetery in Georgia, its extraordinary oak alleys draped with Spanish moss above the elaborate Victorian monuments giving the most atmospheric cemetery experience in the South, immortalized in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Wormsloe Historic Site gives the most extraordinary avenue of live oak trees in America, its extraordinary 1.5-mile drive lined with 400 ancient oaks forming a cathedral canopy. Both free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
SAVANNAH RIVER STREET AND GHOST TOUR
River Street along the Savannah River bluff is the most extraordinary historic waterfront in the South, its extraordinary 19th-century cotton warehouse buildings converted to restaurants, galleries and shops giving the finest riverfront dining in Georgia. The extraordinary Savannah ghost tour at night reveals the most remarkable stories of one of the most haunted cities in America. The Factor's Walk cobblestone ramps connecting Bay Street to River Street are extraordinary. River Street free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pin Point Heritage Museum south of Savannah is the finest hidden Gullah Geechee heritage museum in Georgia, its extraordinary former oyster and crab processing factory on the Moon River giving the most extraordinary insight into the Gullah Geechee community that gave Savannah its unique culture. Entry approx $7.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Collins Quarter, Savannah The finest breakfast in Savannah. Extraordinary local Georgia ingredients in a Victorian building. | Lunch: Mrs Wilkes Dining Room, Savannah The most legendary Southern lunch in Savannah since 1943. Extraordinary communal table dining. | Dinner: The Grey, Savannah The most celebrated restaurant in Savannah. Extraordinary local Georgia produce in a 1938 Greyhound bus station.
DAY 2
GEORGIA GOLDEN ISLES
MORNING
JEKYLL ISLAND, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GILDED AGE RESORT ISLAND IN AMERICA
Jekyll Island is the most extraordinary historic resort island in Georgia, its extraordinary Jekyll Island Club Historic District of 33 Gilded Age cottages built by the wealthiest families in America including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Pulitzers giving the finest millionaire's retreat experience in the South. The extraordinary driftwood beach, the finest wild beach on the Georgia coast, and the remarkable sea turtle nesting program are unmissable. Historic District tours approx $15. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
CUMBERLAND ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE AND WILD HORSES
Cumberland Island is the most extraordinary wilderness island in Georgia, its extraordinary 36,000 acres of maritime forest and pristine Atlantic beach sheltering the most extraordinary herd of wild horses in the eastern United States, free-roaming descendants of horses brought by the Carnegie family in the 19th century. The Plum Orchard Carnegie mansion ruins and the First African Baptist Church where John F. Kennedy Jr. married are unmissable. Ferry from St Marys approx $30. Drive: 30 min drive + ferry
AFTERNOON
GOLDEN ISLES SALT MARSHES AND SUNSET
The Golden Isles salt marshes of the Georgia coast are the most extraordinary coastal ecosystem in the American Southeast, their extraordinary expanse of Spartina grass salt marsh stretching 10 miles inland from the barrier islands giving the finest coastal landscape in Georgia. The Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick gives the most extraordinary elevated view of the salt marsh and intracoastal waterway. The extraordinary sunset over the marsh is unmissable. Both free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation near Brunswick is the finest hidden antebellum rice plantation in Georgia, its extraordinary 1807 tidal rice plantation on the Altamaha River giving the most extraordinary and honest antebellum heritage experience on the Georgia coast. Entry approx $7.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Jekyll Island Club Resort dining room The finest breakfast on the Georgia coast. Extraordinary local Georgia produce in a Gilded Age setting. | Lunch: Picnic on Cumberland Island Pack lunch from St Marys. The extraordinary wild beach picnic with horses grazing nearby. | Dinner: Halyards, St Simons Island The finest restaurant on the Georgia coast. Extraordinary local Georgia seafood and craft beer.
DAY 3
BLUE RIDGE GEORGIA
MORNING
TALLULAH GORGE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CANYON IN THE SOUTHEAST
Tallulah Gorge is the most extraordinary natural canyon in the southeastern United States, its extraordinary 1,000-foot-deep quartzite gorge carved by the Tallulah River giving six waterfalls within two miles including the extraordinary Tempesta Falls, the Hurricane Falls and the Oceana Falls. The North and South Rim trails give the finest elevated views. The gorge floor permit allows access to the most extraordinary close-range waterfall experience in Georgia. Entry $5. Drive: 3.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
AMICALOLA FALLS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY WATERFALL IN GEORGIA
Amicalola Falls is the most extraordinary waterfall in Georgia, its extraordinary 729-foot cascade making it the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River and the approach trail to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail giving the finest waterfall and trail junction experience in the South. The extraordinary lodge overlook deck gives the finest view of the falls. The Appalachian Trail approach trail begins at the base. Entry $5 per vehicle. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
BLUE RIDGE GEORGIA APPLE ORCHARDS AND MOUNTAIN TOWN
Blue Ridge is the most extraordinary mountain town in north Georgia, its extraordinary Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, the Blue Ridge Lake and the finest concentration of apple orchards in the South giving the finest mountain town experience in Georgia. Mercier Orchards near Blue Ridge is the most extraordinary apple orchard in the South with 50 varieties of apple. The extraordinary farm-to-table restaurant scene in Blue Ridge is the finest in the Georgia mountains. Town free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Vogel State Park near Blairsville is the finest hidden state park in north Georgia, its extraordinary 233-acre park at the base of Blood Mountain with the finest mountain lake in the Georgia Blue Ridge giving the most extraordinary mountain swimming and hiking experience in the state. Entry $5. Far less visited than Amicalola.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gia's on the Lake, Tallulah Falls The finest breakfast near Tallulah Gorge. Extraordinary local Georgia mountain ingredients. | Lunch: Picnic at Amicalola Falls Pack lunch from Dawsonville. The extraordinary falls overlook picnic at the highest waterfall in Georgia. | Dinner: Harvest on Main, Blue Ridge The finest restaurant in Blue Ridge. Extraordinary local north Georgia produce and craft beer.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Savannah, Night 1 The Kehoe House or Perry Lane Hotel. Approx $150 to $320 per night. Jekyll Island, Night 2 The Jekyll Island Club Resort or Beachview Club. Approx $130 to $280 per night. Blue Ridge, Night 3 The Pura Vida Resort or Toccoa Riverside Restaurant and Lodge. Approx $120 to $220.
Top Tips
1. Book Cumberland Island ferry at recreation.gov weeks ahead. Only 300 visitors per day allowed.
2. Savannah ghost tours at night reveal the most extraordinary stories in one of America's most haunted cities.
3. Forsyth Park azaleas in late March are the most extraordinary spring bloom in Savannah. Arrive at dawn.
4. Tallulah Gorge floor permit required to descend. Only 100 permits per day. Book at the park gate at 8am.
5. Blue Ridge Georgia apple season September to November gives the finest mountain orchard drive in the South.
6. The Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah is the most extraordinary Victorian garden cemetery in the Deep South.
Total Budget
$110 to $180/day