20 Hidden Gem Towns And Cities in Georgia You’ll Wish You Knew About Sooner!

As the last of the original 13 colonies of the United States, Georgia’s rich history can be explored in its historical districts, monuments, landmarks and museums. James Oglethorpe, a former army officer who played a key role in the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, founded the state in 1733.

The state has many nicknames, including “The Empire State of the South,” “The Peach State,” “The Movie Capitol,” “The Goober State,” and “Quail Hunting Capital of the World.” These nicknames have to do with Georgia’s unique environment, attributes, laws and activities. For example, the nickname “Movie Capitol” comes from the abundance of major movies and TV shows filmed in the state due to tax laws for filmmakers. Large productions such as The Hunger Games, Ant-Man, The Walking Dead, and Stranger Things were all filmed in Georgia.

Georgia has exciting corners waiting to be explored: beautiful mountains, miles of shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean, and quaint small towns with historical ties. Whether you’re looking for a night in the big city or a quiet cabin in the mountains, Georgia can offer an incredible vacation to anyone who visits. You may be familiar with popular cities in Georgia, like Atlanta and Savannah, but you’ll be surprised to hear about the other cities on our list too. 

Towns and Cities in Georgia

20 Towns and Cities in Georgia To Visit

1- Atlanta

Atlanta is one of the most popular cities in Georgia as it wears many hats and is a melting pot for all kinds of cultures and businesses.

Major companies such as Coca-Cola, CNN, and Delta Airlines are headquartered here.

This bustling city is also home to many musicians you might spot at a nightclub or wandering around town.

Atlanta is in the northeast portion of the state, acting as the midway point between Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama.

Atlanta offers lots to do for visitors, from delving into history to exploring nature and finding a spot for a picture worthy of an Instagram post.

Top attractions are the World of Coca-Cola, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

And if you’re visiting with kids, head to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium.

Skip the line and buy the Atlanta CityPASS for entry to the city’s main attractions.

Stay at: The Candler Hotel Atlanta

2- Savannah

Savannah is on the eastern part of the state along the Atlantic Coast, between Charleston, SC and Jacksonville, FL.

Once you visit Savannah, you’ll never find a place that matches the historic charm and romance of this city in Georgia.

You could easily spend an entire day strolling the Spanish moss-lined streets, gazing at historic landmarks and tripping over quaint cobblestones, but there’s also much more to the city than that.

Although Savannah takes you on a journey to the past, it also provides modern-day fun with plenty of bars and restaurants to dive into.

River Street is the most popular place to eat, drink and be merry.

Some of the best spots are Savannah Smiles, Rocks on the River, the Little Duck Diner, and my favourite – The Old Pink House (be sure to make reservations here!)

Stay at: Hotel Bardo Savannah

3- Helen

This beautiful town in Georgia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just south of the Georgia-Tennessee border, transports you to a Bavarian village complete with colourful architecture, authentic German cuisine and hand-crafted gifts.

Helen is so dedicated to upholding the architectural style that you will even find larger chain stores following the guidelines.

Helen offers some entertaining festivals and events, such as Oktoberfest, which occurs each year every Thursday through Sunday between September and October.

This event brings plenty of tourists who want to enjoy keg tapping, lederhosen and live music.

Another thing to do is chase waterfalls in Helen as the city is near Anna Ruby and Raven Cliff waterfalls.

Download the Heavenly Helen Scavenger Hunt for a fun way to explore.

Stay at: Walk to Helen Downtown-Gated Golf Resort

4- Athens

While Atlanta has some rich history, Athens is the true place for the history buff in your family.

Located just 72 miles (115 km) from the state’s Capitol, the city marks the starting point of Georgia’s Antebellum Trail, which has 17 historic districts.

It also has historical attractions such as the double-barreled Civil War-era cannon and the Georgia Museum of Natural History at the University of Georgia.

Athens is between Atlanta and Augusta in the northern portion of the state.

The city also has great nightlife and delicious eateries in the quaint downtown area.

The live music scene is something to look forward to and surprisingly, Athens is the birthplace of popular music groups the B-52s and R.E.M.

There’s a good chance you might get an early look at the world’s next big star during your trip.

Download the Athens Scavenger Hunt: Classic City Culture & History to learn everything you need.

Stay at: NormalBnB

5- Dahlonega

When you think of wine county, places like Napa Valley or Tuscany might come to mind. But what about wine country in Georgia?

Dahlonega is considered the Heart of Georgia Wine Country, just south of the #3 spot on our list, Helen.

It has plenty of vineyards and wine tasting rooms, and even an annual Food and Wine Festival each May.

Dahlonega’s original claim to fame is the site of America’s first gold rush in 1829, which brought pioneers from all over.

To this day, the city still has gold-themed attractions and a historic district that preserves the sites of these historic events.

Download the Dahlonega Dash Scavenger Hunt to explore at your own pace.

Stay at: The Dahlonega Square Hotel & Villas

6- Macon

Macon is a city in central Georgia often called the “birthplace of Southern Rock,” because it produced musical sensations such as Otis Redding, Little Richard and the Allman Brothers Band.

Although it’s not Nashville, Macon still offers exciting music history and opportunities to hear live music from aspiring locals.

Macon has many museums and historical sites, such as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, the Tubman Museum, Hay House and Fort Hawkins.

Downtown Macon was designed to be very walkable and scenic.

The main street is filled with local storefronts, restaurants, and bars.

The #1 local favourite is The Rookery, known for delicious burgers and milkshakes.

Stay at: 1842 Inn

7- Augusta

Augusta is Georgia’s up-and-coming funky, historic city is packed with southern charm and things to do.

Augusta is located in the state’s southern portion, right along the Georgia-South Carolina border.

The city has a buzzing foodie scene, with farm-to-table restaurants, breweries, taprooms, and local coffee shops.

Check out Craft & Vine, Rooted Coffee House and Riverwatch Brewery.

Augusta offers lots to do, whether it’s performing arts, history museums, a shopping district and plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors through trails, lakes and golf courses.

And for an exhilarating experience, book a jet ski tour.

This city in Georgia is the backdrop for the annual Master’s Golf Tournament, where champion golfers compete for the weekend.

Stay at: The Masters Cottage by Augusta National

8- Tybee Island

Tybee Island is one of Georgia’s top spots to soak up the sun and enjoy miles of sandy beaches.

If you want to escape bustling city life, head down to Tybee Island, 30 minutes from Savannah along Tybee Creek and the Atlantic Ocean.

Besides the beach, Tybee Island has excellent attractions, such as Tybee Island Marine Science Center and the ​​Tybee Island Light Station & Museum.

As you can imagine, this little coastal town is an excellent spot for local seafood.

Some of the best options are The Crab Shack, A-J’s Dockside Restaurant, and Bubba Gumbo’s.

Rent a bike and cycle around the island at your own pace.

Stay at: Tybee Island Inn Bed & Breakfast

9- Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs is known as a northern suburb of Atlanta, but this smaller city still has a lot to offer.

This charming local community gives a small-town feel with big-city attractions.

Dive into the arts at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs or Act 3 Productions, go shopping at the mall, or stop at one of the local watering holes for delicious craft cocktails.

One of the best features of this city is the abundance of opportunities to take in all that natural Georgia has to offer at one of the stunning state parks or rivers.

Some of the best spots to do this are Abernathy Greenway Park, John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve, Heritage Sandy Springs, or Lost Corner Preserve.

Although this isn’t a beach town, you can enjoy the shores of Sandy Springs at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, which offers 22 miles (35 km) of shoreline and a chance to kayak, boat, and fish in the river waters.

Stay at: AC Hotel by Marriott Atlanta Perimeter

10- Statesboro

This city was founded in 1803 by cotton farmers and has grown to be the largest city and county seat of Bulloch County in Georgia.

Statesboro is home to one of the largest universities in the state, Georgia Southern University, but it is not your typical college town as it offers visitors with plenty of unique experiences.

If you choose to roam the campus of Georgia Southern, you will come across the Botanical Gardens, the ​​Georgia Southern Museum, Golf Course, Planetarium, the Center for Wildlife Education, The Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center and the Center for Art & Theatre.

You can also venture to downtown Statesboro for the farmer’s market and the Statesboro Mall.

Stay at: Red Fern Plantation Lodge

11- Columbus

Columbus is a city in western Georgia along the Chattahoochee River that flies under the radar and punches above its weight when it comes to an interesting history.

In the 1860s, a Columbus native pharmacist named John Pemberton was looking to create a new medicine to cure his morphine addiction.

In the process, he invented the recipe for everyone’s favourite soft drink – Coca-Cola! But, the original formula was alcoholic and called “Pemberton’s French Wine Coca.”

Many visitors love to take advantage of the scenery of the river by biking or strolling along the Chattahoochee Riverwalk or even kayaking through the river itself.

There is also great shopping in Columbus at Peachtree Mall, The Landings, and The Shoppes at Bradley Park.

Stay at: AC Hotel by Marriott Columbus Downtown

12- Marietta

Marietta is a small city located northwest of Atlanta near the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor Center.

The city has a rich history, with five National Historic Districts.

On top of the districts, visitors can explore the history of this city through attractions such as the Marietta Fire Museum, Marietta History Center, William Root House Museum & Garden, and the Marietta Confederate Cemetery.

Step back in time to a fictional place by visiting the Gone With The Wind Museum featuring artifacts from the film set on a plantation outside of Atlanta.

Marietta is also home to many fun events, such as the Taste of Marietta Food Festival, Brown Bag Concert Series, and May-Retta Daze Arts and Culture Festival.

Stay at: Historic Tate House Apartment by Marietta Square

13- Roswell

Roswell is known for its gorgeous green spaces and scenic trails, such as Leita Thompson Memorial Park, Lackey Road Greenspace and Oxbo Trail.

For a great place to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, you can add Roswell to your list of places to visit.

When you’re done exploring, head to historic downtown Roswell for local boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

Stay at: Home2 Suites By Hilton Roswell, Ga

14- St. Marys

St. Marys is one of the first towns in Georgia to be explored by Europeans in the 16th century.

Because of this, the city has a rich history that you can discover on a walking tour of its museums and historic sites, such as the Georgia Coastal Railway, McIntosh Sugar Mill Ruins, Gilman Cultural Center and Oak Grove Cemetery.

Several historic churches are worth visiting, including Christ Church Historic Episcopal Chapel, First Presbyterian Church, Our Lady Star of the Sea Historic Catholic Chapel and St. Marys United Methodist Historic Chapel.

Downtown St. Marys is home to eateries, galleries and bookstores to explore an afternoon.

To appreciate the area’s natural beauty, St. Marys is also a great place for biking, hiking and boating.

Stay at: Goodbread House Bed and Breakfast

15- Decatur

The city is named for Stephen Decatur, the American naval hero of the War of 1812.

Throughout history, this area acted as a trading centre for small farmers.

Decatur is well known for its exciting annual festivals, such as the Decatur Arts Festival, Decatur BBQ, Decatur Maker’s Faire, Decatur Craft Beer Festival and the Decatur Wine Festival.

Then there’s the Decatur Book Festival, Summer In The City Festival and Blues & Bluegrass Festival.

It doesn’t matter what season you visit this northeast Georgia city, you’re sure to have a good time.

Stay at: Charming 3BR 2BA Retreat

16- Rome

No, we’re not talking about Italy. Rome, Georgia, is the largest city in Floyd County.

Georgia’s Rome is at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and has some of the most charming cabins and B&Bs.

The city has an eclectic and historic vibe, with many attractions like the Rome Area History Center, Chieftains Museum and Myrtle Hill Cemetery.

Stay at: Georgia Vacation Rental

17- Ellijay

This city is situated on the site of an old Indian village, and the city’s name means “earth green there.”

This theme continued throughout history, as Ellijay is an agricultural hub known as the “Apple Capital of Georgia.”

Each October, the city hosts an Apple Festival to show off its farming skills.

This North Georgia mountain town is the perfect place to go if you want a quintessential cabin weekend.

The historic downtown and beautiful wineries make this small city special.

Stay at: MTN Cabin Sleeps 10

18- Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is 18 minutes from Ellijay, making it easy to visit both places in one weekend.

Whitewater rafting is the top activity during the summer along the Toccoa River.

You can also hike along mountain trails and enjoy the views of the Appalachian and Benton MacKaye Trails, which start at the top of Springer Mountain.

Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which is one of the best attractions for experiencing fall colours.

Stay at: LUXURY CABIN WITH WATERVIEW AND PRIVACY

19- Brunswick

Brunswick is a city in southeast Georgia, betweeh Savannah and Jacksonville, FL.

The city is on the coast of Georgia, nestled between the East River and many barrier islands such as Jekyll and St. Simmons.

Since the city is so close to the waters, you can find plenty of delicious and fresh seafood establishments.

The city has a Victorian, old-warm charm displayed throughout the downtown and sites such as the Historic Ritz Theatre and the Gallery On Newcastle.

Preservation and restoration are a big part of Brunswick, a local group called the Signature Squares of Brunswick is dedicated to bringing back the glory of many places within the city.

Stay at: Golden Isles Lrge Home

20- Kingsland

Kingsland is known for its marshy, subtropical climate and surroundings.

This South Georgia city is 25 miles (40 km) from the Florida-Georgia line.

It was even named “LoveTown USA” by Oprah Winfrey.

This coastal town offers plenty of water-centric activities such as kayaking, boating, fishing, and sightseeing along the water.

You can quickly take the St. Mary’s River out to the Atlantic Ocean and be sailing in no time.

Other popular attractions are the Georgia Coastal Railways and Kingsland Veterans Memorial Park.

Stay at: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kingsland