From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic coast, Georgia has a whole lot of Southern charm and landscape diversity. Whether you’re looking to relax in a cozy mountain cabin or soak up the sun on a sandy beach, the state offers countless ways to unwind and explore.
Quick guide on the best vacation destinations in Georgia:
- Big Canoe
- Blue Ridge
- St. Simons Island
- Suches
- Tybee Island
Keep reading to uncover the best vacation destinations in Georgia and find the perfect place to stay for your getaway.
Big Canoe
Big Canoe is a private, gated community in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just an hour outside Atlanta. It features 20 miles of hiking trails, three waterfalls, and three lakes, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Big Canoe locals and 100 Collection™ partner CJ Stam recommends hiking some of the beautiful trails to soak up the area's natural beauty on your visit. One of their favorite activities is going off-roading or walking on the Jeep trail to see the preserved historic buildings.
Best things to do in Big Canoe:
- Hike Big Canoe's trail system: With 20 miles of private trails winding past three waterfalls, hiking here feels like having a national forest to yourself. The trails range from easy lakeside strolls to steeper mountain climbs. Keep an eye out for deer, wild turkeys, and beautiful mountain laurel in spring.
- Play the Big Canoe Golf Course: This 27-hole mountain course is regularly ranked among Georgia's most scenic, with fairways framed by ridgelines and lakes. After your round, stop by the Big Canoe Clubhouse for a lakeside dining experience featuring hand-tossed pizzas, small plates, and fine dining staples like steak.
- Day trip to Amicalola Falls State Park: Just a short drive from Big Canoe, Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast at 729 feet. Climb the staircase alongside the falls for jaw-dropping views, or tackle the approach trail to Springer Mountain, the southern start of the Appalachian Trail.
After a day of hiking or golfing at the Big Canoe Golf Course, stop by the Big Canoe Clubhouse for a lakeside dining experience. The menu features hand-tossed pizzas, small plates, and fine dining staples like steak.
CJ Stam's Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals offers a curated collection of vacation homes in Big Canoe, GA (as well as Blue Ridge, GA). Each mountain retreat offers beautiful outdoor spaces for relaxation, gorgeous decor, and elevated amenities such as private hot tubs and intimate fireplaces.
Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge, just 90 miles north of Atlanta in the Chattahoochee National Forest, features 300 miles of hiking trails, the start of the Appalachian Trail, and 100 miles of trout streams. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, wineries, breweries, and local shops.
CJ Stam, a 100 Collection™ partner and Blue Ridge local, recommends renting a boat and enjoying Lake Blue Ridge during your visit. If you're looking for a romantic experience for two, consider booking a sunset cruise with Blue Ridge Boat Rentals. This two-hour excursion features stunning sunset views and wine from local wineries.
Best things to do in Blue Ridge:
- Sunset cruise with Blue Ridge Boat Rentals: If you're looking for a romantic experience for two, book a sunset cruise on Lake Blue Ridge with this five-time winner of Georgia's best boat rental company. The two-hour excursion features stunning sunset views and wine from local wineries. Prefer to captain your own day? Pontoons, jet skis, and wake boats are all available to rent.
- Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: This vintage train departs from the historic 1905 depot downtown and winds 26 miles along the Toccoa River to the twin border towns of McCaysville, GA, and Copperhill, TN. A two-hour layover gives you time to shop, snack, and stroll across the state line before the return trip. Fall foliage rides sell out fast, so book early.
- Pick apples at Mercier Orchards: This fourth-generation family farm is a North Georgia institution, famous for u-pick apples, fried pies, and fresh-pressed cider. The farm market and bakery are open year-round, with seasonal berry and peach picking in the warmer months. Do not leave without a bag of their apple cider donuts.
CJ Stam and his family have been making memories in the North Georgia mountains for years. Twenty years ago, they bought and transformed their first two cabins in Blue Ridge, which led to the creation of Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals. The company now offers a variety of high-quality vacation homes, from cozy retreats to large lakefront properties.
St. Simons Island
Ranked among Travel + Leisure's Best Islands in the Continental U.S., St. Simons Island is a barrier island less than 2 hours from Savannah. Known for its historic sites and Southern Oaks draped in Spanish moss, the island offers a charming and relaxed atmosphere.
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Best things to do on St. Simons Island:
- Dine at Golden Isles Olive Oil Market & Wine Bar: After a day on the beach, 100 Collection™ partner and St. Simons local Kris Maichle recommends this bistro-style restaurant, the ultimate stop for foodies offering gourmet olive oils and balsamics. After exploring the store, stick around for dinner and a glass of world-class wine. It's even dog-friendly, with a special canine menu for your furry travel companion.
- Climb the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum: Built in 1872, this working lighthouse is one of only five surviving light towers in Georgia. Climb the 129 steps for panoramic views stretching to Jekyll Island, then explore the restored Keeper's Dwelling museum below. It sits steps from Pier Village, perfect for shopping and ice cream afterward.
- Explore Fort Frederica National Monument: Wander the oak-shaded ruins of the 1736 fort and town that General Oglethorpe built to defend colonial Georgia from the Spanish. The visitor center film and archaeological remains bring the island's earliest chapter to life. Pair it with a stop at nearby Christ Church under its canopy of moss-draped oaks.
After a day on the beach, 100 Collection™ partner and St. Simons local Kris Maichle recommends visiting Golden Isles Olive Oil Market & Wine Bar. This bistro-style restaurant is the ultimate stop for foodies, offering gourmet olive oils and balsamic. After exploring the store, stick around for dinner and a glass of world-class wine.
At Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals, Kris’s collection includes a range of properties from oceanfront penthouses to homes by the marsh. Each rental features beautiful views, covered porches, and private balconies.
Suches
About 80 miles north of Atlanta, Suches, Georgia, is known for its high elevation and clean mountain air, giving it the nickname "The Valley Above the Clouds." Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities at Lake Winfield Scott and the Toccoa River. It's also close to Blue Ridge and Blairsville, making it easy to explore nearby areas.
100 Collection™ partner Joni Lee recommends hiking a few local trails during your stay. One of her favorite hikes is the Slaughter Creek Trail. This nearly 8-mile loop offers varied terrain, dense foliage, and beautiful mountain views at the top.
Best things to do in Suches:
- Hike the Slaughter Creek Trail: 100 Collection™ partner Joni Lee's favorite hike, this nearly 8-mile loop offers varied terrain, dense foliage, and beautiful mountain views at the top. The blue-blazed trail climbs from Lake Winfield Scott to meet the Appalachian Trail near Blood Mountain, passing thickets of mountain laurel and rhododendron. Pack layers, because the summit views are worth lingering over.
- Spend a day at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area: At 2,854 feet, this 18-acre mountain lake is one of Georgia's highest, with a sandy swimming beach, trout fishing, and a gentle loop trail circling the shore. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940s, the recreation area still has its original stone craftsmanship. It's an easy, family-friendly base for a full day outdoors.
- Explore Vogel State Park: Just over Wolf Pen Gap from Suches, Vogel is one of Georgia's oldest and most beloved state parks, wrapped around a 22-acre lake at the base of Blood Mountain. Paddle the lake, hike to Trahlyta Falls, or tackle a section of the surrounding Chattahoochee National Forest trails. Fall color here is some of the best in the state.
Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, Joni’s collection at SVR Properties includes cozy cottages, large cabins, and lakeside homes. Guests can explore nearby towns and parks or relax on porches with mountain views. The homes blend rustic charm with modern amenities like game rooms, Smart TVs, and high-speed WiFi.
Tybee Island
Tybee Island is a barrier island just 20 minutes from Savannah. Offering five miles of public beaches, historic sites like the Tybee Lighthouse, and uninhabited nature preserves like Little Tybee Island, the island is a beautiful destination for both families and couples.
100 Collection™ partner and Tybee Island local Ray Anaya enjoys spending time outdoors on the island. He suggests kayaking to Little Tybee, exploring the island via bike, and waking up early to enjoy a beautiful sunrise.
Best things to do on Tybee Island:
- Kayak to Little Tybee Island: Ray's top pick: paddle across the Back River to Little Tybee, an uninhabited nature preserve that's actually twice the size of Tybee itself. Guided tours with Sea Kayak Georgia make the crossing easy, and you might spot dolphins along the way. Pack a picnic and keep an eye out for shark teeth on the sandbars.
- Climb the Tybee Island Light Station: Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse has guided ships into the Savannah River since colonial times. Climb the 178 steps for sweeping views of the coast, then tour the keepers' cottages and the Tybee Island Museum in the 1899 battery across the street. It's one of the most complete historic light stations in America.
- Step back in time at Fort Pulaski National Monument: This beautifully preserved Civil War fortress sits between Tybee and Savannah, complete with a moat, drawbridge, and daily historic demonstrations. Walk the ramparts, then follow the short nature trails for a glimpse of the tiny Cockspur Lighthouse. History buffs can easily spend half a day here.
Ray’s Oceanfront Cottage Rentals offers a range of beachside properties, from condos and cottages to spacious beach mansions. Enjoy amenities like wrap-around porches, rooftop decks with ocean views, and private pools.
Start Planning Your Georgia Getaway
From the misty peaks of Big Canoe and Suches to the salt breezes of St. Simons and Tybee, Georgia proves you don't have to choose between mountains and coast. Each of these destinations pairs unforgettable scenery with a trusted 100 Collection™ partner, so the hardest part of your trip is deciding where to go first. Pick your view, book your stay, and let Georgia's Southern charm do the rest.
