The Georgia Bucket List
While I’ve only visited Atlanta on a few occasions, I’ve really never explored what the rest of Georgia has to offer. Check out my “bucket list” items for this state and create your own travel itinerary to explore it!
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Atlanta
Kind of Visit: City, Historical - Great for exploring eccentricities of the city, art, and food!
Places to Stay
At the top of our list is the Alpaca Treehouse (featured on World’s Best Vacation Rentals, Animal Planet, HGTV, 90-Day Fiancée, Love is Blind, and more) located just minutes from the city though, you wouldn’t know as your treehouse is in the middle of an Alpaca farm and nestled in a bamboo forest! In addition to the treehouse being absolutely amazing (the bed is heavenly), the furry and human hosts are such a joy! You have the ability to interact with all the animals you want and certainly, Kara and Kate are on site to provide you with anything you need, including more information!
Grand Hyatt - Dine by the zen garden at Cassis.
The Georgian Terrace - Home to over a dozen Hollywood productions. Their notable guests in the past have included: Helen Keller, Walt Disney, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Calvin Coolidge, Charles Lindbergh & Elvis.
Where to Dine & Drink
12 Cocktail Bar (Speakeasy)
Atlas - in the St. Regis among almost $1 billion in 20th century art.
Gaja Bar (Speakeasy)
Tesserae (Speakeasy - invite-only)
The Blind Pig Parlor Bar (Speakeasy)
The James Room (Speakeasy)
Warhorse Investments (Speakeasy)
Things to See & Do
Center for Puppetry Arts - A museum of puppets (think Jim Henson)
Cumberland Island
Kind of Visit: Outdoor adventures, Historical - when you come here, it’s because you want to stay at the Greyfield Inn and experience all of its luxuries in a secluded setting.
where to stay
Greyfield Inn - One of the most historic hotels in Georgia built by the Carnegie family in the 1900s. John F. Kennedy was married there in 1996 and is the only property on the island you can stay at.
Where to Dine & Drink
Since Greyfield Inn is the only place to stay on the island, it’s also the only place to dine on the island. Per their website, “…guests are treated to three meals daily, including breakfast, a picnic lunch, and a three course dinner. Each night, Greyfield has one seated dinner at 7:00pm (times may vary). With the ring of a dinner bell, guests are invited to relive family traditions and enjoy a meal hosted around a shared table.”
Things to See & Do
People that visit Cumberland Island are there to relax and take in nature at a leisurely pace. The Greyfield Inn has a series of activities included in your stay.
Golden Isles
Kind of Visit: Beach vacation, outdoor adventures, historical
where to stay
Beachview Club (Jekyll Island)
Jekyll Island Club Resort (Jekyll Island)
The Retreat on Sapelo (Sapelo Island) - Note that this island is pretty secluded so all meals should be eaten at the resort.
The Cloister at Sea Island (Sea Island)
King and Prince Resort (St. Simons Island)
The Inn at Sea Island (St. Simons Island)
The Lodge at Sea Island (St. Simons Island)
Where to Dine & Drink
Grand Dining Room (Jekyll Island)
Sunrise Grille (Jekyll Island)
The Driftwood Bistro (Jekyll Island)
The Island Sweets Shoppe (Jekyll Island)
Tribuzio's Grille (Jekyll Island)
Zachry’s Riverhouse (Jekyll Island)
River Bar and Lounge (Sea Island)
Southern Tide (Sea Island)
Tavola (Sea Island)
The Market at Sea Island (Sea Island)
Barbara Jean's Restaurant & Bar (St. Simons Island)
Bennie's Red Barn Dinner Club (St. Simons Island)
Cafe Frederica and Delaney’s Bistro (St. Simons Island)
Delaney's Bistro and Bar (St. Simons Island)
Del Sur Artisan Eats (St. Simons Island)
Halyards Restaurant (St. Simons Island)
Mallery Street Cafe (St. Simons Island)
Palm Coast Coffee, Cafe & Pub (St. Simons Island)
Palmer’s Village Cafe (St. Simons Island)
The Frederica House (St. Simons Island)
Things to See & Do
Beach Village (Jekyll Island)
Driftwood Beach (Jekyll Island)
Historic Landmark District (Jekyll Island) - Take a trolley tour or walk the district on foot and tour the homes and cottages.
Jekyll Island Clubhouse (Jekyll Island)
Jekyll Island Miniature Golf (Jekyll Island)
Drive along Sea Island Drive (Sea Island) - Considered “Millionaire’s Row”
Spend the day at The Cloister (Sea Island)
Visit Savannah for the day (Sea Island) - it’s a 1 1/2 hour drive (see our Savannah section below)
Bloody Marsh Battle Site (St. Simons Island)
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation House (St. Simons Island)
Island Trolley Tour (St. Simons Island)
Retreat Plantation House (St. Simons Island) - Walk down the avenue of oaks.
St. Simons Lighthouse (St. Simons Island)
Wesley Memorial and Gardens (St. Simons Island)
Helen
Kind of Visit: Historical - think a little German Village nestled in a southern state.
where to stay
Where to Dine & Drink
Things to See & Do
BabyLand General Hospital - It’s a museum dedicated to all things Cabbage Patch Dolls
Macon
Kind of Visit: Historical - The Allman Brothers put this town on the map.
where to stay
Where to Dine & Drink
Things to See & Do
Rock Candy Tour - No, it’s not all about candy - it’s a tour dedicated to music history.
Rose Hill Cemetery - Where the Allman Brothers reside.
The Big House - The Allman Brothers Museum is in there.
Savannah
Kind of Visit: City, Historical - One of the most haunted towns in the country, Savannah is also known for Grave Face records, raising Juliette Gordon Lowe, and a ton of amazing food.
where to stay
Where to Dine & Drink
Clary's Cafe - Has been open since 1903!
Congress Street Up (Speakeasy)
Fox and Fig - Completely vegan.
Gryphon - Great for afternoon tea.
Mata Hari's Speakeasy - You must know someone with a physical key to get in.
The Grey - Set in an old 1938 bus station terminal.
The Olde Pink House - It’s a two-minute walk to Lucas Theatre.
Things to See & Do
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace - The Founder of the Girl Scouts
Mercer Williams House Museum - Featured in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”.
Sorrel-Weed House - This house has been on “Ghost Hunters”!
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist - Built in 1878.
