Atlanta
1 hostel
The capital of the South, full of history and food.
Points of interest
- MLK National Historical Park
- BeltLine
- Georgia Aquarium
- Ponce City Market
State guide
Things to do in Georgia
Atlanta's civil rights history, BeltLine and food halls, Savannah's oak-shaded squares, the wild horses of Cumberland Island, college-town Athens and the waterfalls of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Hostels across its 3 main cities
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Squares in Savannah
Civil rights, squares and Southern charm
Georgia, the Peach State, runs from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north to the marshes and barrier islands of the Atlantic coast. It is a state of big-city energy and slow Southern charm.
Atlanta is the capital of the South, a fast-growing city with one of the busiest airports in the world. It is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr, whose childhood home and church form a national historical park, and home to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Georgia Aquarium and the BeltLine, a walking and cycling trail around the city lined with street art, food halls and bars.
Savannah, on the coast, is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA, laid out around 22 leafy squares shaded by live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Athens is a college town with a famous music scene. In the north, the mountains have waterfalls, gorges and the southern start of the Appalachian Trail. Give Georgia five days to a week. Spring and autumn are the best times.
Where to base yourself
Atlanta for the city, Savannah for the coast, and Athens for music.
Savannah
One of the most beautiful cities in the USA.
Points of interest
- Historic squares
- Forsyth Park
- River Street
- Bonaventure Cemetery
Athens
A college town with a famous music scene.
Points of interest
- Live music
- University of Georgia
- Downtown bars
Regions of Georgia
Mountains in the north, Atlanta in the centre-west, and Savannah and the islands on the coast.
Atlanta
City, civil rights, foodThe capital of the South.
Athens
College town, musicThe University of Georgia and its music scene.
North Georgia mountains
Waterfalls, hikingBlue Ridge, Tallulah Gorge and the Appalachian Trail.
Savannah
Squares, historyThe historic coastal city.
Golden Isles and Cumberland
Islands, beaches, wild horsesJekyll, St Simons and Cumberland Island.
Things to do
Things to do in Georgia
In Atlanta, visit the Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park, with his birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Walk or cycle the BeltLine's Eastside Trail to Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market, and see the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest in the world. The World of Coca-Cola tells the story of the drink, invented in Atlanta.
In Savannah, wander the squares of the historic district, walk under the oaks of Forsyth Park, and see the Wormsloe avenue of live oaks. Take a ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore to see wild horses and empty beaches.
In Athens, hear live music in the bars where R.E.M. and the B-52s started. In the north, see Amicalola Falls and Tallulah Gorge, and hike to Springer Mountain, where the Appalachian Trail begins.
More on things to do in Georgia
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park is free, including Ebenezer Baptist Church, though the birth home is closed for restoration at times, so check before going. The BeltLine and Centennial Olympic Park cost nothing.
In Savannah, the squares, Forsyth Park and River Street are free to explore. Bonaventure Cemetery is free.
Cumberland Island charges entry and ferry fares.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Georgia is a great place for Southern food: fried chicken, biscuits, grits, collard greens, peach cobbler and pecan pie. Atlanta has excellent soul food, a big food hall scene and a huge range of international food along Buford Highway.
Savannah has Lowcountry seafood, such as shrimp and grits and crab stew, and Southern restaurants such as Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room.
Georgia peaches are best in summer. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Atlanta has a big nightlife, with bars in Midtown, Little Five Points, Edgewood and along the BeltLine, and clubs downtown. It is the home of a huge hip-hop scene. Athens has live music every night.
In Savannah's historic district, you can carry an alcoholic drink in a plastic cup in the street.
Bars in Atlanta close at around 2am.
Getting around
Getting around
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. MARTA trains run from the airport to downtown and Midtown. Savannah has its own airport.
Amtrak runs from Atlanta to New York and New Orleans, and along the coast through Savannah.
A car is the easiest way to get around outside Atlanta. Savannah's historic district is best on foot, with free shuttles.
Costs
What Georgia costs
Georgia is moderately priced. Atlanta and Savannah are cheaper than the big cities of the North-east, but Savannah's historic district is pricey at weekends.
Sales tax is 4 per cent statewide, plus local taxes, reaching 8.9 per cent in Atlanta. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Many of the best sights are free.
Safety
Safety and scams
The areas of Atlanta most visitors go to are generally safe, but some neighbourhoods have high crime. Stay alert at night, use MARTA or rideshares, and keep valuables out of sight in cars.
Savannah's historic district is busy and fine; take care in quieter streets at night.
Summers are hot and humid, and the coast has hurricane season from June to November. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
St Patrick's Day, music festivals and spring blossom.
March
St Patrick's Day
Savannah
One of the biggest St Patrick's Day parades in the USA.
April
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Piedmont Park, Atlanta
Art, music and spring blossom.
September
Music Midtown
Atlanta
A big music festival in Piedmont Park.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in and around Georgia, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
March to May and October to November are the best times. Spring brings azaleas and dogwood blossom, and autumn colour in the mountains. Summers are hot and humid.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Cool
Mar
St Patrick's Day in Savannah
Apr
Blossom, Dogwood Festival
May
Warm
Jun
Hot, humid
Jul
Very humid
Aug
Hot
Sep
Warm
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Pleasant
Dec
Festive lights
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Atlanta, rounded. Savannah is warmer in winter.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Atlanta prices.
Treat these as a guide. Savannah at weekends costs more.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Georgia questions
The ones we get asked most.
How many days do you need in Georgia?
Five days to a week for Atlanta, Savannah and the mountains or coast.
How do I get from Atlanta airport to downtown?
By MARTA train, in around 20 minutes.
Can you drink on the street in Savannah?
Yes, in a plastic cup within the historic district.
Is the Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park free?
Yes. Check opening times for the birth home before going.
How do I get from Atlanta to Savannah?
By car in around four hours, or by bus.
When is the best time to visit Georgia?
Spring and autumn.
Where does the Appalachian Trail start?
At Springer Mountain in north Georgia.
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