Shop Around Adventures

Travel Guide
oFFiCiaLSTaTePuBLiCaTioN
greatoutdoor
Adventures
Shop
Around
theState
Playgeorgia’s
Challenging Golf Courses
Contents
2 History
T
ake a look at the key events
that shaped Georgia into the
state it is today.
Georgia Department of Economic Development
Commissioner Ken Stewart
4 Entertainment
L
earn the various roles Georgia has played in the movie,
television and music industries.
7 Shopping
Deputy Commissioner of Tourism & Marketing
Charlie Gatlin
2
D
iscover the various types of shopping – from outlet shopping
centres to vintage clothing shops – around the state.
9 Food
Director of Marketing
Fred Huff
Managing Director – Georgia Tourism Foundation
Gilda Watters
Marketing Programme Manager Georgia Tourism Foundation
Leslie Breland
Get an in-depth look at Southern
food, plus tips for dining in
Georgia’s restaurants.
11 Golf
Preview the state’s top courses,
determine your favourites and
then hit the links.
13Themed Trips
Plan trips with Georgia’s glories
in mind: the coast and plantations
and gardens.
11
Director of Creative Services
Lynne Palmer King
Custom Publishing Business Development Manager Garrett Heaberlin
Art Director Sheri Wilson
16 State Map
Production and Image Co-ordinator Julie Jamerson
18 General Tips
www.georgia.org/uk
Executive Vice President/
Director of Sales & Marketing
Susie Love
Managing Editor Amber Jones Barry
you can best enjoy all of Georgia’s outdoor activities.
F
ind helpful information
before and during your trip
to Georgia.
Publisher Sean McGinnis
Travel Account Executive Jill Teter
15 COutdoors
heck out where and when Published by Atlanta Magazine Emmis Custom Publishing
15
On the Cover Fountains at Centennial Park
Photo by Robb Helfrick
History
T
he history of Georgia begins with
Pre-Columbian Native Americans
who called the area home for thousands of years before the rise of
the Cherokee and Creek cultures and the later
arrival of European explorers and settlers. The
later Mississippian cultures, lasting roughly from
900 to 1500 CE, left far more substantial evidence of their time in Georgia – great earthen
mounds at Ocmulgee and Etowah.
Hernando de Soto travelled into Georgia
and described the mound-building cultures he
encountered here. Over the next few decades,
the Spanish visited and charted the state’s
coastal region. Eventually the English prevailed
in Georgia, and by the 1730s British settlement
surged. James Oglethorpe, a British member
of parliament, originally envisioned the colony
as a haven for England’s poor, an alternative
to the debtors’ prison. Oglethorpe abandoned
that plan, however, by the time he received the
Royal Charter for Georgia on 9 June, 1732. The
first settlers landed on 12 February, 1733 and set
up camp on a site that was to become the city
of Savannah.
In the years leading up to the American
Revolution, Georgia found itself in a difficult
position. The young colony relied upon the British for protection from the Spanish to the south
and the French to the west, as well as from the
nearby Cherokee and Creek populations. Trade
with the British was also a vital component of
Georgia’s economy. But Britain passed increasingly restrictive trade barriers, and Georgia ultimately expelled the British in 1775. The Congress
adopted its first constitution on 15 April, 1776,
and Georgia became a state. On 2 January, 1788,
Georgia ratified the U.S. Constitution, the first
Southern state and fourth state overall to do so. During the early 1800s, the introduction
of the cotton gin revolutionised Georgia and
the South. Cotton production extended inland
from the coast and became the state’s major
crop. Increasing numbers of African slaves
were brought in to work the large plantations,
and white settlers began pressuring the Native
Americans to cede their territory.
By 1819, Georgia’s western border reached
the Chattahoochee River, and the state’s citizens were eager to expand into areas settled
by the Creek and Cherokee nations. The Cherokee were petitioning the U.S. government for
nationhood at this time. With the discovery of
gold in the north Georgia mountains in 1828,
white settlers demanded the seizure of Cherokee lands, and under the Indian Removal Act of
1830 all eastern tribes were to be sent west to
live on reservations in present-day Oklahoma.
By 1838, the Cherokee had been expelled from Georgia and forced west on what has come to
be known as the Trail of Tears.
During this time, slavery existed throughout
Georgia and the southern United States. Slaves
sometimes attempted to escape, even with the
knowledge that if captured they would be subject
to terrible beatings. Some left via the Underground Railroad, a network of people who helped
slaves escape to the free North and to Canada.
Conflict between the North and the South
over slavery was one of the catalysts for the
Civil War in the United States. In 1861, Georgia
seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy of 11 Southern states. The Civil War battles reached Georgia in 1863 at Chickamauga,
and the Confederate victory there was one of
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the most significant in the fighting. In May 1864,
General William Tecumseh Sherman launched
the Atlanta Campaign, fighting his way through
the state and taking Atlanta on 2 September,
1864. After burning the city, Sherman led his
troops on his famous March to the Sea, laying waste to buildings and lands in his path to
Savannah, which he seized on 22 December. In
southwest Georgia, Andersonville, the largest
Confederate prisoner-of-war camp, had become
a death camp for the union soldiers held there,
due to lack of supplies. The Civil War came to an
end with the surrender of the Army of Northern
Virginia by Confederate General Robert E. Lee
on 26 April, 1865. Shortly thereafter, in Washington, Ga., Confederate President Jefferson Davis
officially dissolved the Confederacy.
After the war, Georgia suffered famine and
unrest. The state’s once-impressive rail system
had been destroyed, and drought plagued the
state. More than 400,000 freed slaves faced an
entirely new existence. Union troops occupied
Georgia to enforce Reconstruction. On 15 July,
1870, Georgia rejoined the Union, the last former
Confederate state to be readmitted by Congress.
In the early 20th century, Georgia was a
largely rural, agrarian society. While cities like
Atlanta, Savannah, Macon and Augusta had some
wealth, the state as a whole was relatively poor.
With the rise of industrialisation over the next few
decades, this would change. Many farm workers,
both black and white, moved to the cities and
contributed to the growth of numerous industries.
During this period, many of
the seeds of the civil rights
movement were also
being sown. Throughout the state, whites
began to feel a loss of
control, and the white
political establishment
responded by institutionalising segregation.
Like most of the country, Georgia suffered during the
Great Depression of the 1930s.
Though the state’s cities were not
impacted as severely, farmers were
particularly hard hit, and by 1940
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less than a third of Georgians were employed in
agriculture. World War II further fuelled the state’s
modernisation through the state’s war efforts.
After the war, Georgia continued to thrive
economically and social change was on the way.
By the 1950s, Atlanta was becoming a major
centre of the emerging civil rights movement.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an Atlanta native, led
the non-violent movement for equal rights. Dr.
King and thousands of Georgia’s citizens, both
black and white, worked to end segregation and
discrimination in the state and the nation. Today
the results of their tireless efforts can be seen
across Georgia and the country. King’s dedication to civil rights was reflected in the commitment to human rights demonstrated by President Jimmy Carter, a former Georgia governor,
during his time in the White House and beyond.
Throughout the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, Georgia’s population soared and business boomed.
The state hosted hundreds of international
companies and saw the rise of many global
enterprises such as Coca-Cola, Delta, CNN, UPS,
and The Home Depot. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
became the busiest in the world.
Georgia’s ascent to the world stage
captured international attention
during Atlanta’s hosting of the 1996
Summer Olympic Games. Today, the
state continues to thrive. While the
history of Georgia is not without
struggle, the lesson that history continues to teach is one
of triumph, transcendence and
ultimately understanding. ■
Entertainment
G
eorgia’s contributions to the world
of entertainment are as varied – and
impressive – as the state’s natural
landscape. From gifted musicians to
blockbuster films, Georgia has shared its wealth
of native talent and served as the backdrop for
some of the world’s most beloved movies. On the Screen
Georgia’s involvement in the motion-picture
industry is significant. Many movie stars hail from
the state and many movies have been shot here.
Julia Roberts grew up in the Atlanta suburb
of Smyrna, and Kim Basinger is from Athens.
Laurence Fishburn is from Augusta, and Burt
Reynolds is a Waycross native. The town of Conyers, just east of Atlanta, boasts two big stars,
Dakota Fanning and Holly Hunter. And Brittany
Murphy grew up in Atlanta. Many movies are set in Georgia, and many
others were filmed here. The state has all the
essential elements for any project – temperate
climate, skilled talent and pristine locations such
as the Blue Ridge Mountains, the coast, rural
and urban landscapes and historic homes and battlefields.
Sequences of Forrest Gump and Glory were
filmed in Savannah. If you’d like to see the spot
that held the bench Tom Hanks sat on in Forrest
Gump, head to Chippewa Square. To see the
actual bench, visit the Savannah History
Museum, where it is on display, protected from
the elements. Glory, a story about AfricanAmerican troops in the Civil War, was filmed in
both Savannah and nearby Jekyll Island. In fact,
all the training-camp scenes were filmed at
Savannah’s Roundhouse Railroad Museum.
Other movies have been both filmed and set in
Savannah, including Midnight in the Garden of
Good and Evil, The Legend of Bagger Vance and
Forces of Nature. You can see a since-refurbished
version of the large rusty globe shown in Forces
of Nature off DeRenne Avenue.
Atlanta has had its share of movie stardom as well. Driving Miss Daisy was both set
and filmed in Atlanta’s historic North Druid Hills
neighborhood. You can find the synagogue
Miss Daisy visited at 1589 Peachtree Street. Of
course, Gone With the Wind is the film for which
Georgia is most famous – yet none of it was
shot in Georgia! However, you can find movie
memorabilia at the Marietta Gone With the
Wind Museum: Scarlett on the Square. You can
also tour author Margaret Mitchell’s home on
Peachtree Street. While it wasn’t set in Georgia,
most of the film Remember the Titans was shot
in Atlanta, and a number of local high schools
and Georgia cities served as backdrops. The
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Decatur Cemetery is shown in the opening and
closing scenes.
Fried Green Tomatoes’ Whistle Stop Café
really does exist and looks just like it does in
the movie. The film brought new life to the
little town of Juliette, near Macon. The crew
revamped the town’s buildings, helping revive
Juliette’s economy and attract thousands of
visitors annually. Other towns enjoyed a bit of
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stardom with the release of Sweet Home Alabama. Portions of the film were shot in Rome
(at Berry College), Atlanta, Conyers, Crawfordville, Peachtree City and Starr’s Mill.
Georgia also stakes a claim in TV land.
Covington was the filming location for both
The Dukes of Hazzard and In the Heat of the
Night. The Dukes of Hazzard was set in Hazzard
County, a fictional Georgia county, while In the
Heat of the Night took place in a fictionalised
version of Sparta, Mississippi.
Let the Music Move You
Georgia’s musical heritage is deep and rich. The roots of many musical forms can be traced
to the state. To learn about Georgia’s influential
artists and view memorabilia belonging to
them, visit the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in
Macon. More than 450 musicians are honored,
including world-renowned legends Ray Charles,
Gladys Knight, Otis Redding, Little Richard,
Trisha Yearwood, Travis Tritt, opera star Jessye
Norman and the band R.E.M.
As the Hall of Fame list indicates, Georgia’s
contribution to American musical history is substantial and extends to influencing the origins
of many genres. Rolling Stone magazine ranked
four Georgia natives among the top 50 ‘Immortals’: Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown
and Little Richard, who continues to entertain
audiences today. Otis Redding’s experimentation led to the creation of the musical form now
known as soul. Rhythm ‘n’ Blues (R&B) got its
start when Albany’s Ray Charles blended country and gospel. Augusta native James Brown is
known as the ‘Godfather of Soul’, but he’s also
hailed as the founder of funk and a progenitor
of hip-hop. Known for his high-energy, dramatic
musical (and personal) style, Little Richard calls
himself ‘the originator, the emancipator and the
architect of rock ‘n’ roll’.
Other Georgians have also made lasting
impressions on the music industry. Fiddlin’ John
Carson recorded the first country music record
in 1923 in Georgia. The sounds of big band
and swing also got their starts here. Fletcher
Henderson founded his orchestra in 1924 and
soon after hired Louis Armstrong. ‘Georgia
Tom’ Dorsey of Villa Rica is known as the father
of Gospel music, while the Lewis Family from
Lincolnton is known as the First Family of Bluegrass. Georgians made major contributions to
blues as well: among them are ‘mother of the
blues’ Gertrude ‘Ma’ Rainey, of Columbus, and
Blind Willie McTell, born in Thomson.
The genre of Southern rock (a mix of rock
‘n’ roll and the blues, with a hint of country and
folk) reached its apex in the 1970s. Some of the
most famous names associated with the sound
are from Georgia, including the Allman Brothers
Band (from Capricorn Records, which was originally launched in Macon), Atlanta Rhythm
Section and the Dixie Dregs. The bands crossed
many social and cultural boundaries with their
racially diverse members, progressive politics
and a unique folksy culture.
Musical Cities
Two Georgia cities have put their specific stamp
on the music world. Athens, about 60 miles
east of Atlanta, has produced some of the biggest groups in rock ‘n’ roll, including the B-52’s,
Widespread Panic and R.E.M., whose members
still call the city home. If you’re lucky, you just
might sight lead singer Michael Stipe or happen
upon an impromptu R.E.M. performance at The
40 Watt or the Georgia Theatre.
Atlanta is the capital of hip-hop and
fittingly boasts a number of famous artists – in this genre and others – including T.I., Young
Jeezy, OutKast, Arrested Development, TLC,
Usher, Ludacris, Monica, Ciara and India.Arie.
Superstar producers Jermaine Dupri (with So
So Def) and Dallas Austin are also based in
Atlanta, and many hip-hop artists record
albums here. But Atlanta is not only famous for
its hip-hop scene. At the opposite end of the
musical spectrum, the mellow sounds of
acoustic music have also made a strong showing thanks to Atlanta’s Shawn Mullins, John
Mayer and the Indigo Girls.
Both Athens and Atlanta play host to
multiple musical festivals. Athfest, an outdoor
music festival showcasing the vibrant Athens
music and arts communities, takes place every
June, and you never know what acts you’ll
catch on their rise to superstardom. Throughout
the year, Atlanta hosts some of the South’s largest musical festivals, from jazz to rock. Musical
acts also perform at a number of the city’s
other well-known festivals like the Dogwood
Festival. The city of Savannah also draws large
crowds for the Savannah Music Festival, which
is quickly positioning itself as the premier music
festival in the south-eastern United States. ■
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Shopping
R
egardless of your tastes, the
state’s shopping areas are sure to
have something in your size. From
quaint boutiques and charming
antique shops to sprawling discount outlets and
massive malls, Georgia has it all. Outlet Malls
Many major retailers have outlet stores, which
offer products at discounted prices. You’ll find
outlet stores for brand-name and designer
clothing and shoe retailers, DIY retailers,
cosmetics, bookshops and more. For truly great
deals, visit the outlets at the end of each
season or just before or after most U.S. public
holidays. Most big malls have food courts so
you don’t have to hunt for a restaurant when
you get hungry.
The largest outlet mall in the state is the
North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall in Dawsonville, which features 140 shops. Each outlet mall
in Georgia offers a slightly different mixture
and number of shops. Before you visit Georgia,
you can research the locations of your favourite stores at www.georgia.org/uk. If you’ve
already arrived in the state and want to visit an
outlet mall, ask at the front desk at your hotel
or drop into one of our visitor centres to find
one close by.
Malls
Shopping malls (large, enclosed shopping
centres) are anchored by a few large department stores and occupied by dozens of smaller
speciality retailers. The most famous mall in
Georgia is Lenox Square in the Buckhead area
of Atlanta. High-end retailers converge at this
Atlanta landmark, from top department stores
such as Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, to speciality shops such as Hermès and Burberry. The
mall also features premium restaurants, and
many other first-class restaurants, shops and
hotels can be found nearby. Just across the
road is Phipps Plaza, home to elegant department stores and designer boutiques, as well as
fine-dining establishments and a cinema.
If it’s lots of options you seek, check out
the Mall of Georgia, north of Atlanta in Buford.
The largest mall in the state, it offers over 220
shops, a large food court and an IMAX (largeformat film) cinema. There are many other
malls across the state; some cities have several,
others only have one. Still others don’t have a
mall at all, but instead have individual shops or
smaller shopping centres.
Antique Shops and Flea Markets
If you are a lover of antiques, many of the state’s
town squares contain multiple antique shops
where you can hunt for any number of rare and
interesting items. Antiques events take place
at least once a month, and you can find them
on www.georgia.org/uk. For added excitement,
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visit an antique auction. Antique dealers in the
area, or even your hotel receptionist or concierge may know when and where auctions are
being held.
Offering everything from antiques to
toys and vintage albums, flea markets are an
especially entertaining way to hunt for treasure. Many are quite large, and the variety and
amount of wares are staggering. The markets
can be indoors or outdoors, both usually involving hundreds of tables with people selling wide
varieties of items. Some flea markets are open
only on weekends, while others are only open
on certain weekends of the month. If possible,
call the site before you visit.
Crafts
To experience and acquire Georgia’s folk art
and crafts, go on north-east Georgia’s self-
guided Heritage Art Loop (www.heritage
artloop.com), which highlights local artisans
and their crafts. Areas included are Artists’ Row
on Augusta’s Broad Street, Genuine Georgia in
downtown Greensboro, Happy Valley Pottery in
Watkinsville, the Folk Potters Trail of North-east
Georgia and several more.
Vintage Clothing Shops
To create a truly custom outfit, head to any of the state’s vintage clothing shops where
you’ll find all types of clothing and accessories.
In Atlanta, both the Virginia-Highland and Little Five Points areas offer many of these
shops. These districts are quite close to one
another, so you can easily search both for that
ideal item. Along the coast, look for vintage
boutiques shops in Savannah and on coastal
islands such as St. Simons Island. ■
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Food
G
eorgians enjoy their food. There is
not an event that is planned or a
party that is thrown without a large
spread. Any fare is fine, but all are
best enjoyed in the company of family and friends.
The Lingo
The typical Southern meal includes meat
(usually chicken, pork or beef) and several vegetables. In some Southern-style restaurants, this
is called a ‘meat and three’. If the meal comes
at a low price as the day’s special, it might be
referred to as a ‘blue-plate special’. This term
was once used frequently at restaurants, especially diners. Today you are more likely to hear
it as a colloquial expression.
Barbecue
A mainstay of Southern cuisine is barbecue
(also known as BBQ). Generally made with either pork or beef, barbecue is slowly cooked
in a pit and then covered in sauce. The flavour
of the sauce varies widely, from spicy to sweet
to tangy; some are mustard-based, some contain vinegar. Since tastes vary so widely, some
restaurants offer one of each type.
You’ll often find barbecue at summer
festivities such as Independence Day celebrations and home cookouts. It even plays a key
role in Georgia politics. Each year’s session of
the Georgia General Assembly opens with a
‘Wild Hog Supper’ and many a barbecue restaurant serves as a hangout for local politicians
throughout the year.
If you hear a Georgian refer to a barbecue
‘place’, they’re talking about a restaurant. The
cooking of barbecue was traditionally a special
event, one that typically took place outdoors on
a weekend or a public holiday rather than every
day. The ‘place’ was the location where the
cooking hole was dug, which might be different
for every gathering.
Keep in mind that some barbecue places
are open only on weekends, deriving from the
tradition of only serving the dish on special
occasions. Such establishments can also look
more like a roadside stand than a restaurant.
But don’t be fooled … some of the best barbecue is found in these modest surroundings.
Vegetables and Breads
In Southern cuisine, the accompaniments are
just as important – maybe more important
– than the meat. Typical side-dishes include
coleslaw, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and
greens such as okra, turnip, mustard or collard
greens, French beans and sweetcorn. The bread
is also a key ingredient in a successful Southern
meal. Cornbread (sometimes sweet, sometimes
savoury) and/or ‘biscuits’ (scones) are staples
on Southern tables. In the past, they were
always made from scratch, and many of these
recipes have been handed down through the
generations as treasured family heirlooms.
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reviews from international
dining guides.
Dining Tips
Breakfast
These days, large breakfasts are often reserved
for weekends and consist of eggs, meat (either
bacon, ham or sausage), ‘biscuits’ (scones) and
grits. Grits are a coarse cornmeal cooked to a
porridge-type consistency, similar to polenta.
They are usually eaten with butter and salt,
sometimes with cheese. If you’re looking for a
quick breakfast treat, stop at a Krispy Kreme
shop. This doughnut giant has been in business
since 1937 and is best known for its Hot Original
Glazed doughnut.
Growing Trends
While traditional Southern fare is always easy
to find, there’s much more on the menu in
Georgia. As in all states, national chains are
well represented, from fast food to sit-down
eateries. The state offers an incredible array of
cuisines from across the country and around
the globe. Georgia has welcomed immigrants
from every nation, and that is reflected in the
range of ethnic foods available statewide. This cultural influx has also inspired ‘fusion’
restaurants, which combine tastes from various
cuisines in one dish. Some of these restaurants are putting a new twist on traditional
Southern dishes to create original gourmet
offerings. Atlanta’s rapidly emerging food-hip
culture continues to inspire top chefs to open
restaurants, some of which have received rave
10
During the work week,
restaurants serving lunch will
be busiest between noon and
1:30 p.m. due to the office midday break. Many of the classier
establishments will teem with
business people conducting meetings. On weekends, lunch is served at
about the same time of day, but restaurants are
usually less crowded – unless they offer brunch.
Popular brunch restaurants can be crowded
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., so if you go, be
prepared for a wait, or telephone ahead and
see if you can make a reservation.
Most Americans usually eat dinner
between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Generally speaking, it is easier to find seats at restaurants
during the week than at the weekend, unless
the establishment is particularly popular. On
weekends, restaurants fill up quickly between
7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Try telephoning the
restaurant to see if they take reservations, or
ask about their peak times, and avoid the rush.
When you dine at a restaurant with table
service, remember to leave a tip, amounting to
between 15 and 20 per cent of the bill. Fastfood restaurants do not take tips, and places
where you pick up your own food often have a
countertop jar for optional tipping. ■
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Golf
G
eorgia has been home to a host of
top professional golfers, from the
legendary Bobby Jones to contemporary champion Stewart Cink. The
state is also blessed with some of the sport’s
most exquisite, professional-level courses developed by top pros and designers, and many play
host to major PGA events. The most well-known of these tournaments is the Masters®, played at
Augusta National Golf Club. Metro Atlanta
Bear’s Best Atlanta, an elegant daily-fee facility,
was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Each hole is a
replica of one of the best holes from his 200
course designs worldwide. The playing conditions are excellent, and caddies enhance the
already unique playing experience.
Wolf Creek Golf Club, located minutes from
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,
is a tough offering from Mike Young. The course
incorporates both low flatland holes, holes with
elevation change and a water feature at 11 holes.
Another very popular course is River Pines
Golf Club, located in Alpharetta. This 18-hole
championship course designed by Denis Griffiths meanders through woods and around
ravines, streams and ponds. Situated along
the banks of the Chattahoochee River, the golf
experience is tranquil yet demanding. A very
challenging par-3 course and a practice facility
that may be Atlanta’s finest make this one of
the region’s top clubs.
Stone Mountain Golf Club offers two 18hole courses. The Stonemont was designed by
Robert Trent Jones Sr. and is the only Jones
Sr.–designed course open to the public in Georgia. John LaFoy designed the Lakemont course,
which offers beautiful views of Stone Mountain
and its historic carving.
The Coast
The PGA Champions Tour stops at The Club
at Savannah Harbor (a Bob Cupp/Sam Snead
design) every April. The course winds its way
through scenic marshes, while players are
treated to views of downtown Savannah.
A favourite among local Savannah golfers
is the Rees Jones–designed Southbridge Golf
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Club. Lakes, lagoons and live oaks characterise
this tranquil golf-course community, which has
been the site of several Georgia Opens. Skilled
golfers are attracted by the challenging greens
and well-manicured fairways, yet the course is
forgiving enough for the average player.
One of the most exquisite golf resorts in
the world is Georgia’s own Sea Island Golf Club
(actually located on nearby St. Simons Island). Its
three classic courses are a perfect blend of old
and new – the original 1929 Seaside Course was
redesigned by Tom Fazio in 1999, and Rees Jones
reworked the Plantation Course the year before.
Jekyll Island is owned by the state and
offers 63 wonderful holes of golf for all to play
at the Jekyll Island Golf Club. Great Dunes is
the original nine-hole layout and offers amazing
views of the Atlantic Ocean. Pine Lakes is an 18hole Dick Wilson/Joe Lee creation renovated by
Clyde Johnson in 2002.
Central and Southern Georgia
The Lake Oconee area, known as Georgia’s
Lake Country, is a golfer’s paradise, featuring
nine exceptional golf courses with rolling terrain, elevation changes, streams, mature trees
and proximity to lake water, each one offering
a unique experience to the golf enthusiast. For
your driving pleasure, visit Cuscowilla on Lake
Oconee, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds
Plantation, Reynolds Landing, Harbor Club,
the Uncle Remus Golf Club, The Creek at Hard
Labor, Little Fishing Creek Golf Course and the
Greene County Country Club Course.
11
The city of Augusta has become synonymous with the Masters®, played every spring
at the Augusta National Golf Club, designed
by Bobby Jones. Augusta National is a private
course, but there are several public golf courses
in the area that feature breathtaking views and
challenging courses, including Jones Creek Golf
Club and the Bartram Trail Golf Course.
Just south of Augusta is Fort Gordon
and the Gordon Lakes Golf Courses. Twentyseven demanding holes are divided into three
courses: Lake View, Island View and Pine View.
The original 18 holes were designed by Robert
Trent Jones Sr. in 1976 and recently underwent
reconstruction to enhance the tee boxes and
greens. The Gordon Lakes courses are hilly with
undulating, receptive greens and views of huge
oaks, pine forests and Lake Gordon.
immaculate greens, outstanding par 3s and
7,350 yards (6,720 metres) from the back tees
provide an inspirational experience for all.
Another of north-west Georgia’s must-play
courses, the Frog Golf Club at the Georgian, has
hosted numerous tournaments and is located
in Villa Rica. Nestled amidst the spectacular
Blue Ridge Mountains, Kingwood Golf Club
and Resort in Clayton is short in length, but its
physical features will keep you guessing.
Travel south on Interstate 85 to Chateau
Elan, a four-star luxury hotel, winery, spa and
golf resort. Here, once again, the artistry of
Denis Griffiths is on display at both the Chateau
and Woodlands championship courses. Both
layouts are rolling and require intelligent course
management. A nine-hole executive walking
course and a golf academy complement this
golf experience.
Below the highest point in Georgia, Brasstown Bald, you’ll find Brasstown Valley
Resort in Young Harris. Architect Denis Griffiths
created one of his finest layouts and one of the
most environmentally friendly courses in the
United States.
The resort at Lake Lanier includes the
Emerald Pointe Resort and 36 holes of lakeside
golf. Renowned architect Joe Lee positioned 13
holes on the water at the Emerald Pointe Golf
Club. PineIsle Golf Club recently completed
extensive renovation and boasts eight holes
skirting the lake. State Parks
Pine Mountain is home to the prestigious
Callaway Gardens. Aside from butterflies, blossoms and birds of prey, Callaway is known for
its impressive golf pedigree, having hosted the
PGA Tour’s Buick Challenge for more than a
decade at the Mountain View Course. The two
other courses, Sky View (an executive layout)
and Lake View, provide well-rounded experiences for golfers of every level.
Northern Georgia Travel north and salute ‘The General’, Barnsley Gardens Resort’s 18-hole Jim Fazio course
whose acreage is Fazio-selected. Serene vistas,
12
All around the state, there are great golf courses
at many of Georgia’s state parks. A large
number of these courses were created by top
course designers. State park courses include:
The Creek at Hard Labor, Highland Walk at Victoria Bryant, Arrowhead Pointe at Lake Richard
B. Russell, Meadow Links at George T. Bagby,
Georgia Vets Memorial Golf Course, Wallace
Adams Course at Little Ocmulgee, Brazell’s
Creek at Gordonia-Altamaha (closed for renovation until late 2007 or early 2008) and The
Lakes at Laura S. Walker. Visit www.georgiagolf.
com for more information on specific courses. ■
For more information on Georgia golf, visit
www.BigonGolf.org.
www.georgia.org/uk
ThemedTrips
CoastalConsiderations:
Savannah,SeashoresandtheSwamp
Richinhistoryandarchitecture,renownedforitsleisurely
paceandwonderfulcharm,Savannah,Georgia’soldestcity,
hasbeenattractingadmiringvisitorsforcenturies.Planto
stayatleastforanight–orforseveral.Uponarrivingintown,
hoponatramattheSavannahVisitorsCenter,takeawalking
tourorrideinahorse-drawncarriage.
Regardlessofthemeansoftransport,you’llwantto
takesometimetogettoknowthecity.Knownforitsbreathtakinglybeautifulsquaresanchoredbycenturies-oldlive
oaks,drapedintheduskyfineryofSpanishmoss,
SavannahwasthefirstplannedcityintheUnited
States,anditshistoricdistrictremainslargely
intact.ThehistoryofwarfareiswellrepresentedincoastalGeorgiafortssuchasFort
FredericaandFortPulaski,whichtestifyto
therolethecolonyandstateplayedinnationalandinternationalconflictsfromthe
pre-Revolutionaryperiod
throughtheCivilWar.
Besuretosetaside
timetoenjoythelaid-back
lifeincoastalcommunities
fromDarientoBrunswick
beforecrossingovertothe
state’suniquecoastalislands,whichincludeSapelo
Island,LittleSt.Simons
Island,SeaIsland,St.Simons
Island,JekyllIslandand
CumberlandIsland.From
thehistoricheftofJekyll,
oncethewinterhometo
someofAmerica’swealthiestindustrialists,tothe
pristinenaturalbeautyofCumberland,theGoldenIslesarea
statetreasure.
Foranotherone-of-a-kindadventure,headwesttothe
OkefenokeeNationalWildlifeRefuge.Tourbyboatortrain
andwatchforalligators,blackbear,arangeofbirdsand
insects,andawealthofamazingplantlife–allofwhichare
nativetotheswamp.
www.georgia.org/uk
TheHeartofgeorgia:
SouthernHomesandgardens
TheSouthhaslongbeencelebratedforitshospitality,
gentilityandgrace.Alloftheseculturalattributesare
intimatelyboundupwiththeregion’sstatelyhomesand
beautifulgardens,andGeorgiaisblessedwithmanyof
thefinestexamplesofboth.
BeginyourtourwithCallaway
GardensinPineMountain.Thepublicgardensandresortaresituatedon14,000
acres(5600ha)andincludeabutterfly
exhibit,raptorsinflight,outdooractivities,aspa,exhibitsandworkshops.Just
northofCallawayGardens,inLaGrange,
sitsthehistoricHills&DalesEstate,centredonabeautifulGeorgiaItalianatevilla
designedbythenotedarchitectsHentz
&Reidin1914.Theestatewashometo
CallawayGardensfounderFullerE.CallawaySr.,and
boastsextraordinaryformalgardens.
TraveleasttoMaconforatouroftheHayHouse,
awonderfulexampleofItalianateRenaissanceRevival
architecture,andenjoythedecorativeartscollection,
stunningstained-glasswindows
andhandsomecabinetry.Further
east,inMilledgeville,visitafine
exampleofplantationarchitecture
attheantebellumestateofLockerlyHall.
Goingnorth-west,expect
tocomeacrossoneidyllicsmall
Southerntownafteranother.In
Covington,SocialCircle,Rutledge,
MadisonandGreensborotime
appearstohavestoodblessedly
still.Quaintsquares,grandold
homesandcharmingboutiques
abound.SocialCircle’sBlueWillowInnisagreatplacetosampletraditional
Southernfare.
Stillmoreantebellum,VictorianandGreek
RevivalHomesawaitinnearbyWashington,
hometotherestoredandworkingCallaway
Plantation.Thomson’sHickoryHillestatefeatures
amagnificentGreekRevivalandVictorianhome
surroundedbygardensandtrails.
EndyourjourneyinAugustawithavisitto
anoutstandingexampleof18th-centurydomesticarchitecture,the1797EzekielHarrisHouse.
www.georgia.org/uk
Outdoors
O
ne of the best features of Georgia
is its wonderful range of seasons.
Many U.S. states really have only
two seasons – summer and winter.
In Georgia, each season is distinctive and offers
its own unique pleasures and possibilities for
enjoying the great outdoors in a variety of ways. Georgia’s state parks are great settings for
outdoor activities, from water-based recreation
on pristine lakes or rivers, to hiking along wilderness trails and camping under the stars. The
Georgia state parks system is one of the oldest in
the United States, having celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2006. These state parks and historic
sites are located all over the state. For more information about specific activities and resources at
each one visit www.gastateparks.org.
For a truly unique experience, head to the
Okefenokee Swamp, which is near Folkston and
Waycross. Meaning ‘land of the trembling earth’
in Seminole, the Okefenokee is a one-of-a-kind
ecosystem that is home to alligators, many
types of wading birds and even black bears.
Several local companies offer guided tours
by motorboat, canoe and kayak. If you visit,
be sure to check the weather forecast before
going to the swamp.
Springtime in Georgia is nothing short of
breathtaking. The state explodes with colour.
Azaleas put on a glorious display at Callaway
Gardens in Pine Mountain. Cherry blossoms and
dogwoods bloom in suburban gardens and on
city streets. These beautiful blooms have even
inspired two namesake festivals. The Dogwood
Festival takes place in Atlanta, while both Conyers and Macon feature Cherry Blossom festivals.
The mild spring temperatures make strolling the
streets of the festivals most enjoyable.
Some summer days can get quite hot in
Georgia – about 32°C. Luckily, no matter where
you are in the state, a body of water – and the
respite it promises – is sure to be nearby. You
can float leisurely down a calm river in a tyre
inner tube, fight white-water rapids in a kayak or
water-ski on one of Georgia’s many lakes. The
Augusta Canal National Heritage area is a great
location for canoeing, or you can hop on one of
the Petersburg boats for guided canal tours. You
can also catch some waves at one of Georgia’s
south-eastern beaches. Here you can also visit
www.georgia.org/uk
one of Georgia’s many lighthouses, take a deepsea fishing trip or sail into the sunset.
With the arrival of autumn, many look
to the mountains of northern Georgia for fun
autumnal activities and a riot of colour as the
leaves begin to turn brown and gold. Work your
way through corn mazes, pick through pumpkin
patches and apple orchards, and climb aboard
an old wagon for a hayride. The cool temperatures make hiking trails throughout the state
a real pleasure. The most famous trail in the
United States, the Appalachian Trail, begins in
Georgia and ends in Maine. This trail is great for
a day’s hiking or a many-month-long adventure.
Winter in Georgia varies greatly across the state. While most of the state has cool temperatures, it’s generally not too cold to
enjoy outdoor activities. If snow appears, it is
usually restricted to the northern mountains. In
contrast, the coast remains quite mild yearround, beckoning visitors to stroll along the
beach or play a round of golf. ■
15
StateMap
TENN ESSEE
LEGEND
NORTH CAROLINA
rossville
Interstates
Sky
Dillard
McCaysville
Cohutta
Hiawassee
Valley
rabungap
Mineral
Ft.oglethorpe
wildwood
Mountain
Bluff
Blairsville
Young
Highways
Crandall
City
Harris
Chickamauga ringgold
Clayton
Blueridge Morganton
TunnelHill
Trenton
Tiger
wiley
Welcome Centers
rockSpring
Cherry
Chatsworth
Lakemont
Log
Dalton
rising
ellijay
Suches
Helen TallulahFalls
Fawn
eastellijay
LaFayette
Visitor Information
Sautee
Toccoa
Sugar resaca Carter’s
Falls
Cleveland
Lake
Clarkesville
Valley
Toccoa
Trion
oakman Talking
Dahlonega
Historic Sites
Demorest eastanollee
rock
Cloudland
BigCanoe
Cornelia
Lake
Mount
Jasper
Marble Clermont
Summerville Calhoun
airy Martin
Hartwell
State Parks
Fairmount
Hill Dawsonville
alto
Tate
Lavonia
adairsville
Lake Lula
Homer
Lanier
waleska Nelson
Carnesville Hartwell
Airports
white
gillsville
gainesville
rome kingston
royston
Flowery oakwood Maysville
Cassville
Branch
Northeast
Lake Canton
Cartersville
Commerce
Cumming
LakeLanier
Mountains
Allatoona
Cave Historic High
islands
woodstock
Jefferson
Spring
Danielsville elberton
Russell
alpharetta Buford
Country
Braselton
Lake
acworth roswell
Colbert Comer
Suwanee
rockmart
Duluth
winder
kennesaw Cedartown
Dallas
Marietta Dunwoody Norcross Lawrenceville
Athens
Sandy
winterville
Powder Springs
Lilburn
Hiram Springs
Tignall
Buchanan
Loganville watkinsville
Chamblee Tucker
Bishop
Lexington
Snellville
Villa Mableton Decatur Stone
Lincolnton
Tallapoosa Bremen rica
Mountain Monroe
Atlanta
Philomath washington
Lake
Lithonia
0 Douglasville Metro
union
Thurmond
waco
Conyers Social
eastPoint
Point
0
Circle
CollegePark
rutledge
oxford
Carrollton
unionCity
Madison
greensboro
ellenwood
Fairburn
Morrow
appling evans Martinez
Stockbridge Covington
whitesburg
Buckhead
0 Crawfordville
Palmetto Tyrone Jonesboro
Thomson grovetown
McDonough
0
Norwood
Lake
Peachtree Fayetteville
Augusta
Locust
Oconee
City
Dearing
Newnan
Historic
Harlem
grove
warrenton
Sharpsburg Hampton
eatonton
Heartland
Senoia
Jackson
Franklin Moreland
Jewell
Monticello
griffin
Lake
Sparta
Flovilla
grantville
Mitchell
Sinclair
wrens
High
indianSprings
Falls
Hogansville
warthen
round
Classic
Milledgeville
gay
Zebulon
West
oak
Juliette
Milner
South
Point Lagrange
waynesboro
greenville Molena Barnesville
Forsyth
Lake
gray Haddock
Louisville
Smarr
warm woodbury Therock
Clinton
Sandersville
Bolingbroke
Springs
west
Yatesville
Point
gordon
wadley
Bartow
Culloden Thomaston
Pine
Macon
Millen
Mountain
Manchester
Lizella
Musella
woodland
wrightsville
knoxville
Hamilton
Sylvania
roberta
Byron
Talbotton
TwinCity
Fortson
Swainsboro
warner
Fort
east
Dublin
reynolds
robins
Valley
Portal
Dublin
Lookout
Mountain
Centers
A LA B A MA
SOUTH
CAROLINA
Presidential
Pathways
Columbus
Perry
roddy
oglethorpe
Montezuma
ellaville
BuenaVista
unadilla
andersonville
Cusseta
omaha
Chauncey
Fort
gaines
rochelle
Nicholls
Newton
Colquitt
Pelham
Screven
Ludowici
Norman
Park
Lenox
Shellman
Bluff
Jesup Townsend
Blackbeard
eulonia
island
Nashville
Barney
Cecil
Lakeland
Cairo
remerton
Bainbridge
Valdosta
Thomasville
waycross
Homerville
LittleSt.
Simonsisland
waynesville
Brunswick
Seaisland
St.Simons
island
Nahunta
Hoboken
waverly
Okefenokee
National
Wildlife
Refuge
Coast
Jekyllisland
kingsBay
woodbine
Cumberland
island
Folkston
kingsland
Quitman
LakePark
FLORIDA
Sapelo
island
Blackshear
adel
Moultrie
Sunbury
riceboro
Meridian
Darien
Hahira
alma
willacoochee
Donalsonville
Lake
Seminole
odum
Tifton
Plantation
Trace
Camilla
Baxley
Douglas
Sylvester
Blakely
Magnolia
Midlands
irwinville
arlington
glennville
Hazlehurst
Fitzgerald
ashburn
Albany
reidsville
Jacksonville
Leesburg
Sasser
Port
wentworth
Black
Creek
Pooler
gardenCity
ellabelle
Thunderbolt
Savannah
Tybee
richmondHill
island
Flemington
Hinesville
Midway
Pembroke
alston
arabi
Dawson
Cobbtown
Vidalia Lyons
Claxton
ailey
Mcrae
Blackshear
Parrott
Lake Morris
Walter F.
George
Cuthbert
Mount
Vernon
register
Pulaski
Soperton
eastman
Springfield
guyton
rincon
Metter
Hawkinsville
richland Preston
americus
Vienna
archery
Plains
Lumpkin
Cordele
Leslie
weston
Lake
georgetown
Statesboro
Cochran
St.Marys
Fargo
St.george
www.georgia.org/uk
General Tips
Time Zone
Georgia is in the Eastern Standard Time time zone,
which is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT5). For example, Georgia is five hours behind the United
Kingdom, six hours behind mainland western Europe
and 11 hours behind Japan.
Transport
Airport:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (www.atlanta-airport.com) is the busiest airport in the
world. Despite that, it is generally easy to navigate
your way through if you watch for signs. When you
are departing to return to your home country, be sure
to arrive at least three hours before your flight. This
will help ensure you have enough time to check in, get
through security and board the plane. If you have more
than a couple of hours between flights, consider taking
a MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) train
from the airport’s baggage-claim area into Atlanta to
see some attractions. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (www.savannahairport.com) is another key Georgia airport. Other airports around the state may also be used
for connecting flights.
When you are packing for your flight, be sure not
to pack any liquid products larger than three ounces
(3.3 ounces = 100 ml) in size, as these are prohibited
on all flights. If you will need these products, purchase
containers that are three ounces or smaller and place
it in a quart-size (1 quart equals about 1 litre) zippered
transparent plastic bag. You are only allowed one of
these bags per person (items must fit in it comfortably).
Any other liquid items will have to be discarded.
Taxis:
Taxis are easily obtained at the Atlanta airport and at
most hotels. If you are in the Atlanta area, restaurants
and hotels can call a cab for you. Otherwise, keep a taxi
cab’s phone number with you at all times. The cab companies vary by area, so these phone numbers are best
obtained at your hotel.
MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority):
If you will be staying in the Atlanta area, the city’s
transit system can save you time and money. The train
system goes across the city, north, south, east and west.
You can find a map of its routes and stations on www.
itsmarta.com. You can catch a MARTA train or bus from
18
the baggage-claim area of the airport – and you can
take it from other stations directly to the same location.
Ports:
The main seaport in Georgia is the Port of Savannah,
which is a major U.S. cargo port. A smaller port is the
Port of Brunswick, which is also for cargo only.
Driving:
People in the United States drive on the right-hand side
of the road. The speed limit in most residential areas
is 35 mph (48 kph) and on the Interstate roads and
highways, 55 mph (88 kph). Make sure to look for speed
limit signs in the area in which you’re driving. Always
make sure your seat belt is buckled, because in Georgia
it is against the law to drive without a seat belt, unless you are driving a pick-up truck. Georgia laws also
require drivers to turn on their lights when driving in
the rain.
Licence requirements for drivers:
In order to drive or rent a car, you must have your
home-country driver’s licence. Most car hire companies
require that hirers be over the age of 25. If you prefer
to travel by motorcycle, you can rent them from such
places as Eagle­Rider and Signature Days.
Restaurant Service/Use
In restaurants with table service, it is customary to leave
a 15 to 20 per cent tip for the waiting staff, depending
on the service level. The tip is not included in the price
of the meal, unless specified.
You must be 18 years or older to purchase tobacco
products and it is illegal to smoke in most Georgia
restaurants. In Georgia, you must also be 21 or older to
www.georgia.org/uk
purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. On Sundays,
alcoholic beverages are only sold in certain cities and
even then only at establishments that serve food.
Accommodation
State parks generally offer camping and/or lodging,
but be sure to check before you go. Motels and inns
are generally less expensive than the bigger hotels. Of
course, this varies considerably, especially depending
on the city. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, consider a bed and breakfast (a B&B). These
establishments generally have only a few rooms and are
located in a private house. Breakfast is usually included
but ask beforehand.
Especially in the major cities, make reservations
before your arrival, as conferences, reunions, business
travellers and other tourists may fill the rooms. Most
Americans take family holidays between the months of
www.georgia.org/uk
May and August, so you may have more trouble finding
available rooms at that time. For a list of tour operators
in your country that feature Georgia as a destination,
please contact one of our offices listed on www.georgia.
org/uk. You can also visit www.georgia.org/uk for information about all types of accommodation.
If you want to take your accommodation with you
on the road, consider renting a camper van or recreational vehicle (RV). These are especially good for long
trips and may provide great savings.
Locations of State Visitor Information Centres:
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Augusta
P.O. Box 211090 (I-20 West), Martinez, GA 30917
001-706-737-1446, www.georgia.org/uk
19
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Kingsland
2424 Haddock Rd., Exit 1 off I-95, Kingsland, GA 31548
001-912-729-3253, www.georgia.org/uk
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Lavonia
938 County Rd. 84, Lavonia, GA 30553
001-706-356-4019, www.georgia.org/uk
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Savannah
Off I-95, Savannah, GA 31418
001-912-963-2546, www.georgia.org/uk
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Valdosta
5584 Mill Store Rd., Lake Park, GA 31636
001-229-559-5828, www.georgia.org/uk
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Ringgold
2726 I-75 South, Ringgold, GA 30736
001-706-937-4211, www.georgia.org/uk
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Columbus
1751 Williams Rd., Columbus, GA 31904
001-706-649-7455, www.georgia.org/uk
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Tallapoosa
I-20 East at the Georgia-Alabama line, Tallapoosa, GA 30176
001-770-574-2621, www.georgia.org/uk
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Plains
1763 U.S. Hwy. 280 East, Plains, GA 31780
001-229-824-7477, www.georgia.org/uk
Georgia Visitor Information Center–Sylvania
8463 Burton’s Ferry Hwy., Sylvania, GA 30467
001-912-829-3331, www.georgia.org/uk
20
Georgia Visitor Information Center–West Point
I-85 North/Georgia-Alabama Line, West Point, GA 31833
001-706-645-3353, www.georgia.org/uk
www.georgia.org/uk