Guide · Georgia
Georgia, worth the detour.
12 hand-picked stops that never make the highway signs — the hidden gems, offbeat landmarks, and overlooked museums locals send you to, each with the story behind it and why it’s worth leaving the interstate.
Roadside Americana
2 stops in Georgia.
26-mile round-trip excursion along the Toccoa River from the historic Blue Ridge depot to the twin towns of McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN; seasonal 2-hour express or 4-hour layover trips.
McCaysville, GA / Copperhill, TNTwin towns split by the Georgia-Tennessee state line, marked with a painted line through downtown where visitors can stand in two states at once; Main Street becomes Toccoa Street on the GA side and Ocoee Street on the TN side.
Outdoors
3 stops in Georgia.
The deepest reservoir in Georgia (average depth 200 ft, parts over 450 ft) behind the tallest earthen dam east of the Mississippi; 3,200 acres and 62 miles of undeveloped shoreline for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Gibbs Gardens336-acre destination garden with 20 seasonal flower displays and five feature gardens (Japanese, Daffodil, Waterlily, Rose Arbor, Manor House); open Wed-Sun 9-4 in summer, season runs late Feb through Nov.
Toccoa River Swinging BridgeSuspension footbridge over the Toccoa River built in 1977 by the Forest Service on the Benton MacKaye/Duncan Ridge Trail near Deep Hole Recreation Area; reached via unpaved FS Road 816 — a hike, fish, and picnic stop.
Culture
5 stops in Georgia.
Georgia state historic site protecting six earthen mounds built by the Mississippian culture (1000-1550 AD) along the Etowah River, with a museum and riverside nature trail; open daily 9am-5pm (mounds area closes 4:30pm).
New Echota State Historic SiteFormer capital of the Cherokee Nation (1825-1838), preserved as a state historic site with 12 original and reconstructed buildings including the Council House, Court House, and print shop; open Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm (closed Sundays Dec-Mar).
Prater's Mill1855 water-powered gristmill on Coahulla Creek, preserved by the volunteer Prater's Mill Foundation; grounds (fishing, picnicking, nature trail) open daily dawn to dusk, mill tours by appointment only.
Resaca Battlefield Historic SiteCivil War battlefield park (May 1864) with walking trails and interpretive signage; open Friday-Sunday only, 7am-8pm April-October and 8am-5pm November-March, free admission.
Travelers Rest State Historic Site1815 stagecoach inn, a National Historic Landmark with original furnishings, operated by Georgia State Parks.
Food
2 stops in Georgia.
Year-round farm market and bakery on Highway 52 known for apple cider donuts and fried pies, with U-pick apples seven days a week during fall harvest.
Mercier OrchardsFamily farm and bakery known for fried pies made from the Mercier family's own recipes (apple, peach, seasonal), with an on-site market and U-pick orchard; open daily.
Plan the Georgia trip
Hidden gems, scenic drives, hikes — all in one Georgia guide.
See everything worth the detour in Georgia, then let Roamward build the trip around it. Know a Georgia spot we’re missing? Tell us — we’re building this with the people who actually drive it.