the state of Georgia, off the beaten path?

I'd like to hear from travellers who've done the route from Florida and (up the coast) into Georgia, and eventually the Carolina's (but focusing on Georgia). I'd like to go the route but only if there's enough interesting stops along the way? What would be considered interesting in that part of America?

Well, maybe architecture? Old homes, mansions. Perhaps, nature? National/State Parks that can't be missed? I'd like to avoid commercial areas in lieu of more unique experiences. That includes cuisine (what's soul food)??? Why would travellers (foreigners) find Georgia or the Carolina's interesting (or even parts of North Florida)?

Can you recommend a place along the way? I can look them up, and if they're one of a kind, I will add them as a stopover. So, what places are NOT-TO-MISS in Georgia?

I'd like to hear reports from people who've been to unique places (that aren't so overated like so much else out there but instead are one of a kind and worth the stop) (i.e. cities, towns, neighbourhoods, national/state parks, beaches, lookout points, mountains, photographic scenary, and other natural/historic or architectural highlights) in the state of Georgia.

I'll have all the time in the world in every place I go, so yime is not an issue, but money is.

So what do you recommend that you've ACTUALLY been to and can vouch for?

thanx

and p.s.
Can i hitchhike this route? Do Americans pickup backpackers pointing out their thumb on the highway? If so, what time of day is best to get picked up, and in what part of the highway?

North Georgia is very nice. You can take I-75 up through Atlanta and then jump off and go through the winding roads of arounf Dahlonega and that area. Its very hilly and the wilderness is breathtaking. Im sure you'd love it if you are into that kind of thing. If you have time, consider driving through Southeast TN and into North Carolina. This way, You will get to see some of the Smokie Mountains. I hope you were kidding about the hitch hiking thing. I would never advise anyone trying that....

No, no, no to the hitchhiking. That can be a very dangerous thing to do in the US (giving OR taking rides). If you want take it very slow and don't want to drive yourself, you could always take the Greyhound bus. I will still recommend driving though if you can.

Fun things to do in GA:

Savannah is quite nice and good for a stop if you can.

Providence Canyon in west central GA is wonderful -also called "the Little Grand Canyon" - I think that it is a kaolin area

We enjoy tubing down the Chattahoochee River in Helen, GA at Cool River Tubing - you sit a a giant blow up innertube and float for a few hours down the river - you can probably skip the town itself though - it reinvented itself as an "alpine village" twenty years ago or so and is quite touristy

The N. GA mountains and Stone Mountain just to the east of Atlanta are nice for a hike

Have a great trip!

The I-95 route is a total bore - except possibly for Savannah - and some of the barrier islands like Jekyll Island. Most barrier islands in the southeast are golf resorts - and I don't think that's what you''re looking for. Other barrier islands - like Cumberland Island - are interesting - but probably not within your budget for an overnight.

Atlanta is well off the I-95 route - but it's the one place you should see in Georgia IMO.

Don't hitch-hike. Much too dangerous. Get a cheap car rental. Robyn

I have a book at home that I will look for. It chronicles a winter trip up the east coast and there were a good couple chapters on Georgia and South Carolina. I'll post when I have the author/title and mention the places he found worthwhile. Keep in mind his goal was to understand what happens in beach towns in the off season, more to meet the people than view historical sites.

Ditto on all the hitchhiking warnings. It wasn't safe 32 years ago when I went crosscountry. I look at hitchhikers today, and I see lunatics.

Off Season by Ken McAlpine

Stops include Brunswick GA and the islands, Valona Ga, Hilton Head area SC and Murrells Inlet SC. Remember he's looking for quiet in the offseason. You'd want to read the book before visiting any of these places.

A good long day trip out of Atlanta (driving about 240 miles):

Take I-75 south from Atlanta (alternately, use 19/41)

In Andersonville (just north of Americus) is the Andersonville Nat'l Historic Site/Cemetery. This was a Civil War prison. Interesting museum.

In Americus (about 10 miles further) is Habitat for Humanity HQ. Not sure if they've got a museum.

In Plains (about 10 miles further) is Jimmy Carter Natl Historic Site.

Then, go further west on GA 27 to GA 41, then north to Warm Springs to the Little White House State Historic Site (where FDR spent winters and recuperated from polio).

Interesting change in terrain in this area...you go from the (semi) coastal plains to suddenly climbing 500 feet onto the plateau.

Also in the area is Callaway Gardens. Went once when I lived there, but didn't impress me that much (however I grew up in St. Louis and grew up going often to the Missouri Botanical Garden www.mobot.org and like that much better)

Enjoy.

I'm a big fan of Amicalola Falls State Park. The falls are beautiful, and it's an 8.5 mile hike to the start of the Appalachian Trail. We used to camp in this park a lot when I was in college.

If you're around during the New Years, forget the Peach Drop and head over yonder to Brasstown to see the World Famous Possum Drop! I know someone who's gone annually for years now.

Athens (GA) is an interesting place to visit. It's home to U. of GA, one of the battlegrounds of school desegregation in the 1960s. There is a marker on campus by the path where Charlene Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes had to walk an angry gauntlet of people opposed to desegregation on the way to their classes as UGA's first African-American students in 1961. Very moving to see the place where their bravery helped open up opportunities for future generations.

The downtown area is more a typical university town, with a mixture of eclectic and upscale shops and coffee houses. When you're hungry, you might want to consider a meal at The Grit, a well-known vegetarian diner. It looks all the world like an old-fashioned southern diner, but the food is a really creative version of traditional favorites. The desserts are especially recommended. Don't expect the food to be light though, just because it's vegetarian -- some of it can be very heavy. I haven't tried any other restaurants in Athens yet, but I've heard there are a number of good ones in town.

I agree with other remarks that the mountains in N.GA are also worth visiting. Nice hiking.