This traveler’s guide explore’s Georgia’s most iconic sites
By Tessa Winn
Georgia isn’t just a state—it’s a living museum. From cobblestone streets to Civil War battlefields, every corner whispers stories of resilience, revolution and reinvention. Whether you’re a history buff, a curious traveler, or someone chasing the charm of the Old South, Georgia’s historic sites offer a captivating journey through time.
For more travel ideas, you can Download the Magazine and Subscribe to Leisure Group Travel for FREE
Savannah: Where the Past Lives On
Begin your adventure in the Savannah Historic District, a cityscape frozen in time. With its cobblestone streets, manicured gardens and oak-shaded parks draped in Spanish moss, Savannah is more than picturesque—it’s poetic. As the largest National Historic Landmark District in the U.S., it boasts more than 20 squares filled with museums, churches, mansions and forts from the Revolutionary and Civil War eras. Whether you’re sipping sweet tea at an outdoor café or catching a local art festival, Savannah blends Southern hospitality with timeless elegance.
Walk beneath the iconic oak-lined path at Wormsloe Historic Site, and take in the peaceful, haunting beauty of Bonaventure Cemetery. Explore the city’s charming historic squares, each filled with history and Southern elegance. Visit the First African Baptist Church and the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace for a deeper look into Savannah’s inspiring past.
Wrap up your journey at the Mercer Williams House Museum, a stunning mansion with a mysterious story. Savannah is a city that invites you to slow down, look around, and step into history.
A Traveler’s Guide to Jekyll Island
For those seeking a peaceful yet enriching group getaway, Jekyll Island offers a rare blend of natural beauty, historic charm, and coastal serenity. Located along Georgia’s Golden Isles, midway between Jacksonville and Savannah, this barrier island has long been a favorite for families, friends, and travel groups looking to reconnect in a setting that feels both timeless and untouched.
With 10 miles of wide, sandy beaches and over 5,000 acres of preserved maritime forest and dunes, Jekyll Island invites visitors to slow down and savor the moment. Group-friendly activities abound—from biking along scenic trails and teeing off on one of four golf courses to exploring the island’s rich heritage in the 250-acre Historic Landmark District. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center offers an inspiring look at local conservation efforts, while Mosaic, the Jekyll Island Museum, brings the island’s storied past to life through engaging exhibits and guided tours.
Accommodations cater to every kind of group, whether you’re gathering at the elegant Jekyll Island Club Resort, booking a beachfront vacation rental, or enjoying the simplicity of the island’s campgrounds. With development limited to just a small portion of the island, the atmosphere remains quiet and uncrowded—perfect for meaningful conversations, shared meals, and spontaneous adventures.
Whether you’re planning a reunion, a retreat, or a relaxing escape with friends, Jekyll Island offers the space, spirit, and scenery to make every moment memorable.
For more travel ideas, you can Download the Magazine and Subscribe to Leisure Group Travel for FREE
Echoes of the Civil War
Next, head north to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, where the fields still echo with the footsteps of soldiers. This historic site offers a powerful look into one of the Civil War’s most pivotal battles, with preserved landscapes, monuments, and a visitor center rich in exhibits and stories. It’s a place to reflect, remember, and better understand the nation’s past.
A short drive away, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park offers a different kind of reverence—where forested ridges and sun-dappled paths create a reflective space for both hikers and history lovers. The climb may be steep in places, but the panoramic views and quietude at the summit are well worth the ascent.
From Museums to Mounds
Georgia’s heritage isn’t confined to battlefields. In Cartersville, the Booth Western Art Museum showcases the spirit of the American West with the largest permanent exhibition space for Western art in the country. Just a short drive away, the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site invites you to step back over a thousand years. Wander among the towering mounds and explore the museum to uncover the lives of the Mississippian people who once thrived here.
Before the day ends, stop by the Bartow History Museum, also in Cartersville, to explore 200 years of local stories, artifacts, and exhibits that bring Georgia’s past to life.
Walking in the Footsteps of Legends
No historical journey through Georgia is complete without honoring its Civil Rights legacy. In Atlanta, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park offers a moving glimpse into Dr. King’s early life and the neighborhood that shaped him. Walk through his childhood home, visit Ebenezer Baptist Church, and reflect at the King Center. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park offers free, ranger-led tours of his birth home on a first-come, first-served basis. Timed tickets must be picked up the same day at the Visitor Center or King Center, with no reservations. Tours start around 10:00 AM, last about an hour, and are limited to 15 people. Private companies also offer walking, trolley, and bus tours covering key civil rights landmarks in Atlanta. Arriving early is recommended, especially on weekends and holidays.
Round out your tour experience with visits to the Margaret Mitchell House, where Gone with the Wind was penned; the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, a powerful tribute to global struggles for justice; and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, which chronicles the life and legacy of the 39th president.
For more travel ideas, you can Download the Magazine and Subscribe to Leisure Group Travel for FREE
