As the spring school semester comes to an end, some students
are finalizing summer classes, internships and jobs, while other students might
not have anything planned just yet.
For those who still don’t know exactly what to do, Georgia offers some of the best vacation spots in the country that are both cheap and enjoyable.
The plus is that these spots are outside of Atlanta, ensuring that you will get the breakaway from the city life that you wanted.
Georgia is surrounded by a lot of nature; many of these vacation spots allow for a serene, relaxed break.
North by Northwest
The Northern parts of Georgia are filled with a substantial amount of natural scenery that has not been altered by man, which makes it a perfect area for nature explorers.
Set up a tent at one of the state parks in the area or rent a cabin for as low as $100 a night and begin planning your nature adventure.
The Appalachian Trail, Pigeon Mountain and Lookout Mountain (a historical mountain which also sits along the borders of Alabama and Tennessee) are good for hiking, canoeing and observing.
For hikers, Pigeon Mountain is home to Ellison’s Cave, the 12th deepest cave in the U.S.
If you’re not into hiking, you can spend a weekend getaway near the Chattahoochee River. Take some friends or family and go whitewater rafting, kayaking or paddling.
If northwest Georgia isn’t your cup of tea, you can move on over to the east and join many others in sliding down Sliding Rock, a natural water slide at Tallulah Gorge Park.
Closer to home
If you’re staying in Atlanta and can only find free time for a couple of days, there are many fun areas just minutes outside Atlanta.
Instead of being a tourist for a day by hitting up the most popular spots like the Georgia Aquarium, the CNN Center and the World of Coca-Cola, why not try something a little bit more daring?
Located just one hour outside of Atlanta, in Thomaston, GA, you can take a course on skydiving and take the big jump with the help of trained skydivers at SkyDive Atlanta. With prices starting at $120, you’ll be able to make a day out of it, but only if you’re up for the challenge.
If you prefer to jump on things instead of out of them, be sure to make your way to Suwanee, GA and visit SkyZone. For $14 you can jump on an indoor trampoline for an hour.
If you prefer some more relaxed outdoor fun you can always take a hike up Stone Mountain or for about $25 go to one of its many other attractions like a 4-D movie or a hike at SkyHike located in Stone Mountain Park’s Crossroads area.
For an outdoor weekend getaway, renting a cabin at the Lake Lanier Island Resorts in Buford, GA would be ideal. Along with the array of water activities that the lake provides, you can also purchase a $26 ticket to go to the LanierWorld Water Park.
Ending on the Coast
If you prefer beaches over water parks, Georgia has 12 islands off of its southeast coast.
The great thing about Georgia beaches is that they’re all family friendly, making it the perfect spot for a good break from work or other life stresses.
Tybee Island is one of Georgia’s most popular islands for college-aged students, and activities on the island range from simply relaxing on the beach to dolphin tours that will cost about $15.
Best of all, Atlanta home-away-from-home, Savannah, is a short drive away.
River Street is the best area for a bar crawl. Best bars include Pinkie Master’s Lounge, the Warehouse and the Rail Pub where you can get a pitcher for about $5.
Good eateries in Savannah cost no more than $20 with B. Matthew’s Eatery, Leopold’s Ice Cream and Vic’s being some of the standout places.
Although the other Georgia islands such as St. Simon’s Island and Jekyll Island are great vacation spots, they don’t really have the same nightlife as Savannah.
Whether it’s the beaches of southeast Georgia, the mountains of North Georgia or the miscellaneous wonders somewhere in between, you’ll be able to find something to do closer to home this summer.
