The Best Weekend Getaways in Georgia

From historic sites to family fun, these are the best weekend getaways in Georgia.
Written by Heather Bernhard
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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Georgia is the ideal place for that quick weekend away, whether you’re looking forward to a musical pilgrimage in Macon or zipping around Peachtree City in a golf cart. 
From a rich historical heritage to the vast array of outdoor adventures, Georgia seems to have it all. So when you’re craving a quick break to clear your mind and get away from it all, we can’t think of a better destination. 
If you’ve got
Georgia
on your mind,
Jerry
, your handy
car insurance
broker and
super app
, created this list of weekend getaways to help you narrow down your options. From rustic backcountry adventures and historical pilgrimages to romantic outings and fine dining, these are the best weekend getaways in the Gem State. 
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The best weekend getaways for couples in Georgia

The Cloister at Sea Island

Stay at:
The Cloister
(rooms from $599/night)
Or:
Cottages
(from $3,792 for three nights)
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Georgia, treat yourselves to a five-star experience at The Cloisters at Sea Island. The luxury resort is located on 50 acres of a private island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Mackay River, and saltwater marshes. With
five accommodation options
, you’re sure to find something that fits your needs. 
Activities on the island include three exclusive golf courses, horseback riding, a
private beach club
, eco-tours, and
boating
on the resort’s 71-foot custom yacht. Sea Island is also home to Georgia’s only Forbes Five-Star restaurant, the
Georgian Room

Tybee Island

Stay at:
Dunes Inn & Suites
(rooms from $131/night)
Or:
Hotel Tybee
(rooms from $215/night)
Tybee Island
is one of Georgia's most popular vacation destinations and one of the best for a short couple's retreat. The small barrier island, located just 20 minutes from downtown
Savannah
, offers something for everyone, from paddleboarding to theater. 
Start your weekend with a romantic walk along the shoreline, a swim, then lunch in one of the beach town's many seafood restaurants. Later, visit the iconic
Tybee Lighthouse
at the north end of the island or the
Tybee Pier
at the south end. Make sure to stop by
Salt Island Fish & Beer
, featured on Foodie Road Trip
Pro Tip Tybee Pier is home to many of Tybee Island’s seasonal events, from the Tybee Island Fireworks to the Labor Day Beach Bash. Check the schedule before you head out to see what’s happening while you’re in town! 

The best weekend getaways for families in Georgia

Helen

Stay at:
Red Roof Inn
(rooms from $95/night)
Or:
Valhalla Resort Hotel
(rooms from $199/night)
Travel to
Helen
, Georgia, and you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of a Bavarian Alpine Village. The unique city was inspired by the villages of Germany and offers tons of family fun. The kids will have plenty to do, from colorful shops and authentic German food to outdoor adventure and natural beauty. 
Of course, you’ll have to head downtown to check out the more than
200 specialty shops
(featuring everything from cuckoo clocks to glassblowing). From there, you can take a float down the
Chattahoochee River
or explore the
Anna Ruby Falls
waterfall. Don’t forget to stop by the nearby
Babyland General Hospital
, where Cabbage Patch Kids are “born!”

Peachtree City

Stay at:
Days Inn & Suites
(rooms from $93/night)
Or:
Crowne Plaza
(rooms from $134/night)
Peachtree City
is a truly one-of-a-kind experience: the entire community is connected via 100+ miles of paved golf cart paths. Rent a golf cart, then zip over to
The Avenue
for shopping and dining or to the
CAF Dixie Wing
to see one of the largest collections of historic aircraft in the United States. 
If you’re movie fans, check out the Southern
Hollywood Film Tour
, where you can visit popular locations from TV shows and films like Spider-Man: Homecoming, Sweet Home Alabama, and The Walking Dead. You can even set up a custom tour, where the crew will pick you up at your hotel and allow extra time for lunch and souvenir shopping! 
MORE: How to get a car rental discount code

The best weekend getaways for music lovers in Georgia 

Athens

Stay at:
Best Western
(rooms from $94/night) 
Or:
Hotel Indigo
(rooms from $155/night)
Athens
is known as the home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, but it’s equally known for its exciting live music scene. On any night in the college town, you can expect to find budding musicians seeking exposure in the town’s many restaurants, bars, and breweries. 
Start your weekend with a trip to the historic
Morton Theater
, where artists like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway got their start. Today, it still hosts live events, including concerts, dramas, and poetry readings. Later, grab lunch at
Weaver D’s
, whose iconic “Automatic for the People” slogan inspired the R.E.M. album of the same name. 
And lastly, don’t leave town without checking out the
40 Watt Club
, where there are live music acts nearly every night of the week. 

Macon

Stay at:
La Quinta Inn & Suites
(rooms from $68/night)
Or:
Hampton Inn & Suites
(rooms from $135/night)
The town of
Macon
has had an incredible impact on American music. Not only is it the childhood home of Little Richard and Otis Redding, and the place where James Brown recorded his first demo, but it’s also the birthplace of Capricorn Records and its incredible roster of artists like the Allman Brothers Band and the Marshall Tucker Band
During your Georgia getaway, take a “rock, roll, and stroll” and explore the musical roots of Macon with
Rock Candy Tours
. Stops include the Tic Toc Room,
Douglass Theater
, and the Capricorn Records studio. Other worthwhile stops include the
Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House
, where the band lived from 1970 to 1973, and the
Rose Hill Cemetery
, where the founding members are interred side-by-side. 

The best weekend getaways for foodies in Georgia

Athens

Stay at:
Hyatt Place
(rooms from $125/night)
Or:
Springhill Suites
(rooms from $154/night)
Popping up on our list for the second time, Athens is also the ideal place for the perfect foodie weekend. Being a college town, it’s chock-full of unique restaurants, coffee houses, and breweries. And, of course, there’s a dive bar or two, if that’s more your scene. 
Your first stop on the tour?
Independent Baking Co.
, where dozens of bread varieties and pastries are baked fresh every morning. Next, hit up
Heirloom Café & Fresh Market
for some locally-sourced Southern classics, then grab drinks at one of the town’s many bars. Check out
5&10
, helmed by Hugh Acheson, famed for his elevated southern cuisine when it's time for dinner. 

Marietta 

Stay at:
Wyndham Garden
(rooms from $97/night)
Or:
Drury Inn & Suites
(rooms from $130/night)
The quaint town of Marietta offers a solid small-town feel with an urban vibe. In addition to its rich history, such as the battlefields at
Kennesaw Mountain
, there’s a serious food scene. From Southern favorites to an authentic
Australian bakery
, there is something for every taste. 
Check out
Kiosco
for Colombian favorites, such as Medio Pollo al Horno, or
Piastra
for mouthwatering lasagna.
Drift Fish House & Oyster
bar is excellent for fresh coastal seafood, while 
WR Social House
is the perfect spot for a true Southern classic—the pimento cheeseburger with fried green tomato. Finally, stop by
Two Birds Taphouse
, known as the “Cheers” of Marietta Square, for a local craft beer. 

The best outdoor weekend getaways in Georgia

Providence Canyon State Park

Stay at:
Pioneer Campsites
(sites from $40/night)
Or:
Hampton Inn
(rooms from $143/night)
Providence Canyon State Park
, located in the tiny town of Lumpkin, GA, is an outdoor lover's dream. Known as Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon," the park has nine gullies, as large as 150 feet deep and 300 feet wide. Hikers can enjoy views of the canyons from the 2.5-mile Canyon Loop Trail or the 7 miles Backcountry trail. If you're short on time, head straight for canyons 4 and 5, widely recognized as the most impressive. 
While you're there, check out the unusual geological formations caused by erosion of the Coastal Plain after years of exploitative farming practices, or stop by in July or August to see the rare Plumleaf Azaleas, which only grow in this region. Stop by the visitor's center for exhibits, displays, and a newly-renovated gift shop. 

Blue Ridge Mountains

Stay at:
Mountain Escapes Cabin Rentals
(cabins from $99/night)
Or:
The Overlook Inn
(rooms from $169/night)
The Blue Ridge Mountain Range extends 615 miles from
Pennsylvania
to Georgia and has about 125 peaks. In Georgia, the mountains range in elevation from 1,600 to 4,700 feet, and some of that state’s
most visited parks
are in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Book a room in one of the many mountain towns for your outdoor-centric weekend, then use that as your base camp for adventure. 
Popular Blue Ridge activities include fishing or
tubing in the Toccoa River
, hiking to one of the hundreds of waterfalls, horseback riding in the Chattahoochee National Forest, and
mountain biking
on countless forest trails. Then, when you’re ready for a break, take a ride on the
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
for a 26-mile journey through the North Georgia countryside. 

The best weekend getaways for history buffs in Georgia

Savannah

Stay at:
Best Western Central Inn
(rooms from $109/night)
Or:
River Street Inn
(rooms from $342/night)
Savannah
is rich in natural beauty, art, architecture, boutique shopping, and, of course, history. If you’re looking for a fun way to start the weekend, take a cruise on
Savannah’s riverboat
, where you can see many historic sites, such as Old Fort Jackson. From there, head to
Bonaventure Cemetery
, made famous in the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Established in the late 1700s, it’s full of impressive Southern Gothic architecture
Continue your weekend with a walk down Factors Walk, an antique row of red brick buildings that once housed the commercial epicenter of Savannah’s cotton trade, then head to the
Telfair Academy
, a museum displaying typical 19th-century Southern living. Lastly, stop by the
Pirates’ House
, in operation since 1753, to enjoy a meal in a historically significant setting. 

Atlanta

Stay at:
Quality Suites
(rooms from $110/night)
Or:
The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel
(rooms from $269/night)
A weekend in Georgia wouldn’t be complete without a trip to The Big Peach, a.k.a.
Atlanta
. The state capital is rich with history, including the
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
, the
Birth Home of Martin Luther King Jr.
, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the
Atlanta History Center
You’ll also want to check out the
Oakland Cemetery
, final resting place of many notable Atlantians, and the
Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum and
Library, where you can experience “A Day in the Life of a President.” When you get hungry, stop by the
Majestic Diner
, “serving food that pleases” since 1929. 

The best cheap weekend getaways in Georgia

Stone Mountain

Stay at:
Stone Mountain Inn & Suites
(rooms from $50/night)
Or:
Comfort Inn & Suites
(rooms from $98/night)
Stone Mountain Park
is one of Georgia’s most popular tourist attractions—and one of the most affordable! 
Entry to the park is $20 per vehicle, but once inside, you can enjoy over 15 miles of hiking trails, including a walk to the top of the iconic Stone Mountain, for no additional charge. Other no-cost activities include the Songbird Habitat and Nature Trail, fishing on Stone Mountain Lake, the
Historical and Environmental Education Center
, or sightseeing historic landmarks. 
You can also enjoy miniature golf, a scenic railroad, Dinosaur Explore,
laser shows
, and more for a small fee. 

Milledgeville

Stay at:
Americas Best Value Inn
(rooms from $73/night)
Or:
Hampton Inn
(rooms from $123/night)
As the former 19th-century capital of Georgia, Milledgeville is brimming with historical charm. In addition, a vibrant downtown and plenty of outdoor adventure make it a suitable destination for people of all ages. And, bonus: it’s budget-friendly. In fact, Budget Travel Magazine once voted Milledgeville the coolest small town in America. 
If you’re the outdoors type, you can enjoy plenty of recreation on the beautiful
Lake Sinclair
for little to no cost. With over 500 miles of scenic shoreline, there is plenty of opportunity for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, or simply walking along the beach. If you’re more of the city type, Milledgeville’s downtown is full of charming boutiques, antique shops, and
local restaurants
Pro Tip Milledgeville is home to three college campuses, so there is always something going on in town all year long. Whether you want to visit some of the prettiest campus spots or stop by one of the many free on-campus museums and historic sites, there is plenty to do. 
MORE: How to check Georgia for road closures

Why you need good car insurance (and how you can save on the best!)

If you’re a fan of road trips, you understand the importance of reliable
car insurance
. Nothing is more vital than knowing that your vehicle is protected when you hit the road! 
So, whether you’re heading to downtown Atlanta or the remote Blue Ridge Mountains, make sure you’re covered with a car insurance policy from
super app
and broker
Jerry
for your
Georgia
getaway.  
Jerry is the easiest and most effective way to find a car insurance policy that is customized for you.
After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They can even help cancel your old policy! So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
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