Southern Living magazine reveals the 18 'most beautiful places in Georgia.' See where

Georgia, a state brimming with natural beauty, often leaves its residents unaware of its unique charm and Southern Living has released its most beautiful spots.

From farmlands and majestic mountain ranges to pine forests and barrier islands, Georgia's diverse landscapes are captivating.

Southern Living has revealed 18 of the most beautiful spots from a born-and-raised Georgia native who listed their favorites.

Jekyll Island

This barrier island is located on Georgia's coast in Glynn County, between Jacksonville and Savannah.

It "offers more than 20 miles of bike trails and walking routes that meander through marshes and hover atop wooden boardwalks," Southern Living wrote. "Seasonal ranger walks allow you to experience the area's scenic wonders, and travelers with binoculars flock to walking trails for self-guided nature tours and afternoons spent spotting birds beneath the trees."

Tallulah Gorge State Park

The view above Tallulah Gorge at the state park near Toccoa.

Along the Georgia and South Carolina border is a small town called Tallulah Falls.

"The biggest draw in the area is Tallulah Gorge State Park, the centerpiece of which is the namesake gorge that has been dubbed one of the 'Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia,'" Southern Living wrote. "It stretches two miles long and drops almost 1,000 feet deep, carved out over centuries by the Tallulah River. The Tallulah Gorge Rim Trail is one of the best ways to see the gorge and take in the beauty of the landscape."

Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island is another barrier island off of Georgia's southeast coast.

"The 17-mile-long strip of land remains largely in its natural state, populated by dense maritime forest of live oaks, saw palmetto, sabal palms, and pines" Southern Living wrote.

Little Grand Canyon

Sometimes called Georgia's “Little Grand Canyon,” Providence Canyon Conservation Park is a series of beautiful canyons as deep as 150 feet were carved simply from poor farming practices during the 1800s.

Providence Canyon State Park is also known as the Little Grand Canyon, located in Stewart County in southwest Georgia.

"Also claimed as one of the 'Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia,' Providence Canyon State Park is a 2,706-acre recreation area with unique geological formations you wouldn't necessarily expect to see in the Peach State," Southern Living wrote. "Arizona, Enjoy views of the canyons from the Rim Trail or get a little more adventurous by hiking to the bottom of the deepest canyons. One of the most popular hikes, the 5-mile Canyon Loop Trail, circles nine of the canyons."

Helen

Located in the northeast part of the state, Helen is a German-inspired town along the Chattahoochee River.

"With less than 1,000 residents, this charming Bavarian town centered on around 2 square miles is undoubtedly tiny—and feels like you're far away from Georgia," Southern Living wrote. "The steeply pitched roofs, quaint cross-gables, and colorful half-timbering exude fairytale charm, and Helen being so close to the mountains of Georgia offers unmatched outdoor recreation. Its annual Oktoberfest brings visitors flocking in the fall for revelry."

Rock City Gardens

Located near the border of Georgia and Tennessee, Rock City Gardens is a botanical garden in Lookout Mountain with a 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail.

"Right near the border of northwest Georgia and Tennessee, you'll find a true natural marvel of massive ancient rock formations, panoramic views, and beautiful gardens with over 400 native plant species," Southern Living wrote.

St. Simons Island

Another one of Georgia's barrier islands is the largest, St. Simons Island.

"Beyond the quiet beaches and breezy outdoor activities, the walkable village on St. Simons Island has you feeling like a main character in a novel," Southern Living wrote.

Forsyth Park

Visitors walk though the snow and ice in Forsyth Park on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.

"While you can freely take a walk through any one of Savannah's many city squares and parks—which pop up every few blocks, ensuring you're never too far from a green space to wander—the biggest and perhaps most beautiful in the historic district," Southern Living wrote.

Downtown Thomasville

"On a sunny day, there's no better place to be than walking around the cobblestone streets of downtown Thomasville—a small town in southwest Georgia—which has shops and restaurants aplenty and captures a charming town-square feeling that is hard to come by nowadays," Southern Living wrote. "While the town is surrounded by its signature (and utterly gorgeous) farmlands and hunting camps, you'll not need to stray far from the downtown blocks."

Callaway Resort & Gardens

Located in Pine Mountain, Callaway Resort & Gardens is 2,500 acres with year-round events, outdoor activities, and florals.

"There are miles of trails and gardens to keep you busy all day, including the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, which is surrounded by gardens and filled with fluttering butterflies," Southern Living wrote.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Clouds sit below the peak of Brasstown Bald in Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.

"Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is one of Georgia's most lush and verdant gems that stretches for 867,000 mountainous and wooded acres," Southern Living wrote. "On a clear day, you can see four states from Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center, which is the highest point in Georgia at 4,784 feet above sea level. Expect sweeping 360-degree views after a curvy, scenic drive and a short, paved path to the peak."

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

Located in Cartersville, about three hours from Macon, is Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site along Etowah River.

It "happens to be the most intact Native American Mississippian culture site in the Southeast, featuring six earthen mounds, as well as a plaza, village site, and more," Southern Living wrote.

Macon Cherry Blossom Festival

"In March, around 350,000 Yoshino flowering cherry trees paint this small town pink," Southern Living wrote. "During the 10-day International Cherry Blossom Festival, thousands of people fill the streets of Macon to ring in spring with a parade, concerts, food and drink specials, and a giant fair."

Atlanta History Center

"Encompassing 33 acres of gardens, historic homes, and art and culture exhibitions, the Atlanta History Center is as much as breathtaking visit for the site alone as it is for the many attractions," Southern Living wrote. "Run by the Atlanta Historical Society, it was founded in 1926 to preserve and study Atlanta history."

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

A blue heron fishes for food on Nov. 28, 2023 at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Folkston, Ga. Kim Bednarek, executive director at the Okefenokee Swamp Park & Okefenokee Adventures, is working to get the famed 438,000-acre, peat-filled wetland, included as a UNESCO World Heritage site -- a first of its kind for the state of Georgia.

"The largest wetland in the South and another of the state's 'Seven Natural Wonders,' Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a 402,000-acre refuge for turtles, raccoons, black bears, deer, numerous birds, and more," Southern Living wrote. "It is also estimated that 12,000 alligators live within the refuge, too."

Dahlonega

The streets surrounding Dahlonega’s town square and its Historic District are lined with independently owned shops, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries.

"Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this charming small town offers sweeping views and plenty to do, with hiking trails for the adventurous, an impressive collection of North Georgia wineries for weekend tours and tastings, and a historic town square with worn brick facades centered around a courthouse, which dates back to the state's early 19th-century gold rush," Southern Living wrote. "Plus, it gets decked out for Christmas, if you're ever looking for a Hallmark movie-worthy setting."

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Part of Poetic Kinetics' Skynet Art Series at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in the summer of 2021. A new installation, "Flora in Flight," has been created for the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.

"Founded in 1976, the Atlanta Botanical Garden spreads over 30 acres adjacent to the grassy sprawl of Piedmont Park, and its footprint includes many lush gardens, walkways, and art installations," Southern Living wrote. "As you explore, don’t miss the Fuqua Orchid Center, where you can see one of the most diverse collections of these plants in the world (it contains over 2,000 species of the delicate blooms)."

Lake Lanier

A general view of a C2 boat and a K2 boat during the 33rd Flatwater Racing World Championships on Sept. 12, 2003 at Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Ga.

"Just around 45 minutes from Atlanta, man-made Lake Lanier is as pretty as it is expansive, stretching 38,000 acres," Southern Living wrote. "A favorite summer destination for Georgia natives, there are plenty of activities to partake in, from enjoying a boat day or kayaking the lake's many bays and isles."

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at [email protected]m.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Southern Living magazine reveals the 18 'most beautiful places in Georgia.' See where