Atlanta is the seventh-most visited city in the United States with over 35 million visitors a year. And while The Big Peach is full of the hospitality the region is known for, you may want to spend a little time in the South, too. Check out this list we put together and find out what you can do and where you can eat along the way. Plus explore the area around this great city (we found some killer BBQ joints!). The best part about these trips…you won’t have to buy more than one tank of gas to enjoy anything we’ve featured!
KOAs along the way:
Places To See And Things To Do:
ChattanoogaChattanooga Zoo – See everything from chimps to snow leopards to camels at this eclectic zoo.
LynchburgJack Daniel’s Distillery Tour – Take a tour of the old Tennessee distillery and learn about the history of the whiskey and ol’ Jack himself.
Lookout MountainThe Incline Railway – Ride the steepest passenger railway in the world to take in some of the most fantastic views in the Chattanooga Valley.
GatlinburgOber Gatlinburg – This resort has a wide variety of activities including an air tram, alpine slide, wildlife encounter, mini golf and an arcade.
Places To Eat:
Lookout MountainCafé on the Corner – Offering southern style dishes with flair, this restaurant also frequently features live music.
Pigeon ForgeCakes by Bakin’ Bishop – This specialty cake shop also has fresh, mouth-watering baked goods to satisfy any craving.
Asheville12 Bones – Enjoy some real down home barbeque with great ribs, collard greens and other favorites. Don’t worry-they have salads too!
KOAs along the way:
|
Forsyth Cordele |
Tifton |
Places To See And Things To Do:
MaconGeorgia Sports Hall of Fame – Take in the history of Georgia’s sporting heritage, including world-renowned athletes like Hank Aaron and Fran Tarkenton.
TiftonGeorgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village – See what farm life was like in the 19th Century while you experience activities like planting, harvesting, cooking, spinning and more.
CordeleLake Blackshear – Enjoy all the lake has to offer on top of activities like hunting and golfing.
ColumbusCoca-Cola Space Science Center – Catch an astronomical viewing or participate in a simulated mission in their Challenger Learning Center.
Places To Eat:
ColumbusCountry’s Barbeque – The name says it all. A Columbus institution, check out the original location to get your picture taken in “The Chair.”
CordeleSmoakies Bar-B-Que- Made fresh daily with their 4 house recipe sauces and sides made from scratch using old family recipes, their BBQ is guaranteed to hit the spot.
KOAs along the way:
| Anderson/Lake Hartwell | Spartanburg NE/Gaffney |
Places To See And Things To Do:
WalhallaStumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls – Visit this unfinished railroad tunnel (offering a respite from the sun thanks to its constant 50-degree temperature) and the beautiful Issaqueena Falls.
ChesneeStrawberry Hill U.S.A. – Experience life on the farm and select some of their handpicked strawberries, peaches, and blackberries.
AugustaArtists Row – Created with the goal of providing broad access to various art forms, this stretch of studios, shops, restaurants and coffee houses is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind items.
AthensAthens Food Tour – This unique tour takes you to the best local restaurants to sample their specialties while explaining the roots of Athens culture.
Places To Eat:
SpartanburgWade’s – This is the place to head for some traditional southern cooking and the best sweet tea and fried chicken around!
AndersonMatty’s Downtown – A local favorite located in downtown Anderson, Matty’s stresses great food and service in a fun atmosphere.
Athens5 & 10 – Southern cuisine recreated in new and exciting ways by a chef named one of the top 100 contemporary chefs by Mario Batali.
KOAs along the way:
| Clanton/I-65S/Dandy |
Places To See And Things To Do:
HuntsvilleU.S. Space and Rocket Center – One of the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight museums in the world, you can see the mighty Saturn V rocket suspended 10 feet above the floor.
ClantonHeaton Pecan Farm – If you want a pecan product, chances are they have it. Stop by for a homemade ice cream cone!
BirminghamBirmingham Zoo – The most popular attraction in Alabama, this zoo is home to 750 animals.
BirminghamMontgomery Museum of Fine Arts – Featuring a permanent collection of 19th and 20th century artwork, this museum houses Alabama’s first interactive fine arts gallery for children.
Places To Eat:
HuntsvillePane e Vino Pizzeria – Located near the Art Museum, this restaurant offers other Italian fare as well as their with their delicious pizza.
MontgomeryCharles Anthony’s at the Pub – A wide variety of beers and wines complement the finest steaks and freshest seafood.
BirminghamRagtime Café – A full-service bar and restaurant that features great pub food, pizza, seafood and steaks.
Atlanta • Boston • Chicago • Dallas • Denver • Los Angeles • Minneapolis • Nashville • New York • Oklahoma City • Portland • Salt Lake City • San Francisco • Washington D.C.
