Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Welcome back to Exploring America state by state.
[00:00:03] After the historic streets and low country cuisine of South Carolina today we're heading into Georgia, a state that somehow holds Spanish moss, draped squares, coastal barrier islands, and a food and music culture all its own. Georgia is known as the Peach State, though its farms actually produce plenty of other crops right alongside those famous peaches, including some of the best pecans in the entire country.
[00:00:29] This is the birthplace of Coca Cola, home to one of the most beautifully preserved historic districts in the south, and a state stretching from Blue Ridge Mountain foothills all the way down to golden barrier islands along the Atlantic. Georgia rewards travelers willing to explore both its genteel coastal charm and its rugged mountain interior in equal measure. Savannah's historic squares make for a genuinely magical walking and driving loop with oak lined streets dripping in Spanish moss connecting more than 20 separate park like plazas throughout downtown. The Golden Isles Coastal Drive links St. Simon's island and Jekyll island, passing marshland and maritime forest along the way at a genuinely relaxed pace. The Richard Russell Scenic highway climbs through the North Georgia mountains, offering sweeping overlooks across the southern Appalachians that most visitors never expect from this part of the state.
[00:01:23] And the Antebellum Trail winds through preserved plantation era towns between Macon and Athens, a genuinely reflective drive through the state's complicated history. Providence Canyon, sometimes called Georgia's Little Grand Canyon, reveals colorful eroded gullies most visitors never expect to find in the Deep South. The Okefenokee Swamp, one of the largest intact freshwater wetlands in the country, offers boat tours through cypress lined waterways teeming with alligators and rare birds.
[00:01:53] Tallulah Gorge cuts nearly a thousand feet deep through North Georgia, with a suspension bridge crossing directly above the rushing water below.
[00:02:01] And Cumberland island, reachable only by ferry and completely free of cars, preserves, wild horses and undeveloped beaches most travelers never realize still exist on the East Coast. Savannah's historic district anchors the state's tourism with Forsyth Park's iconic fountain and the cobblestone streets of river street offering some of the most photographed scenery in the entire South. The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, one of the largest in the world, houses whale sharks and beluga whales inside genuinely massive tanks that draw visitors from across the country. The Golden Isles combine Jekyll Island's historic Gilded age cottages with St. Simon's Island's quieter beach town charm. The World of Coca Cola in Atlanta traces the entire history of the iconic soft drink born right here in the city over a century ago. And Stone Mountain, the largest exposed granite dome on earth, offers hiking and a massive relief carving visible for miles around.
[00:03:00] A few things worth Savannah's river street shops cater heavily to cruise passengers and tour groups, so wander a few blocks up into the historic district for better prices on similar souvenirs. Stone Mountain's bundled attraction packages sometimes include extras you don't necessarily need, so consider just the park admission and pick specific add ons separately if they interest you. And Downtown Atlanta Parking near the major tourist attractions can run surprisingly steep, so check nearby garages a few blocks out for noticeably better rates. Georgia's major interstates, I75, I16 and I95 offer wide, well maintained routes connecting Atlanta, Savannah and the coast comfortably for larger rigs. North Georgia's mountain roads bring more winding curves and elevation change, so plan extra time if you're heading up toward the Blue Ridge foothills. Coastal Georgia is flat and easy driving throughout, though Cumberland island itself does not allow personal vehicles at all, so plan to leave your RV on the mainland for that particular stop.
[00:04:07] For paid camping, Jekyll Island Campground offers a shaded, well maintained base close to the beach and and historic district.
[00:04:15] Stephen C. Foster State park, right on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp, puts you close to boat tours and some genuinely excellent stargazing away from city lights for free or low cost camping. The Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia allows dispersed camping across large sections of public land, a genuinely generous free camping option, though specific rules vary by district and should be confirmed ahead of time. The Jekyll Island Club Resort, a beautifully restored Gilded Age retreat, offers a genuinely historic stay right on the island's quieter shoreline. Savannah's boutique inns, many housed in centuries old buildings throughout the historic district, put you within walking distance of nearly every major attraction. And North Georgia's mountain cabins around towns like Helen and Blue Ridge offer a cozy forested escape with easy access to hiking and waterfalls. Amtrak's Crescent Line stops in both Atlanta and Gainesville, connecting Georgia to the broader east coast rail network.
[00:05:16] Atlanta's MARTA rail and bus system covers the city reasonably well for visitors basing themselves downtown beyond Atlanta. Georgia is largely a car dependent state, so plan on driving between most of your coastal, mountain and inland stops. Georgia's food identity carries genuine Southern pride from the mountains to the coast.
[00:05:37] Fresh peaches, especially in summer, show up in everything from cobbler to barbecue sauce at roadside stands across the state.
[00:05:45] Georgia pecans, among the best in the country, appear in pies and candies sold at nearly every farm stand you'll pass along the way. Boiled peanuts remain a beloved roadside snack sold hot from simmering pots along rural highways throughout the state, and pimento cheese, a tangy, creamy Southern spread, shows up on sandwiches and appetizer plates across nearly every Georgia restaurant. Take a ghost tour through Savannah's historic squares after dark, exploring some of the most haunted history in the entire South.
[00:06:18] Spot wild horses roaming the undeveloped beaches of Cumberland Island, a genuinely rare sight found almost nowhere else on the Atlantic coast. Ride a boat deep into the Akafenokee Swamp, spotting alligators and rare birds among the cypress trees. And spend an afternoon in Helen, a small North Georgia town built entirely in a Bavarian alpine style, a genuinely surprising contrast to the rest of the state.
[00:06:43] Summer brings peak beach season to the Golden Isles, with warm water and quiet, uncrowded stretches of sand. Compared to busier east coast destinations, Savannah stays genuinely hot and humid through summer, so early morning walking tours beat the midday heat most travelers underestimate. And North Georgia's mountain towns offer a cooler escape, with waterfalls and hiking trails at their most vibrant through the summer months.
[00:07:10] Savannah's Historic District and the Golden Isles run higher during peak summer season, especially for lodging near the water or the tourist core. North Georgia's mountain towns and rural stretches are dramatically more affordable, with camping often running 20 to 35 dollars a night. Balancing a coastal or Atlanta stretch with a mountain stretch keeps your overall Georgia trip very manageable from start to finish. Cell coverage is strong along the interstates and throughout Atlanta and Savannah, with reliable signal for navigation and streaming in most populated areas of the state. Coverage drops noticeably deep inside the Okefenokee Swamp and the more remote North Georgia mountain stretches, so download offline maps before heading into those quieter regions. That's Georgia, a state holding Spanish moss draped squares, wild horse beaches and mountain waterfalls all inside one genuinely varied set of borders. Next time we're heading into Alabama, a state of civil rights history, Gulf coast beaches, and a genuine Southern hospitality that runs through every small town. We'll pass. Pack the cooler and I'll see you there.
