This highest place in Georgia allows you to look out toward four states from the 360 view from the observation deck across the Chattahoochee - Oconee National Forest to Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Take the half-mile trail up from the parking lot at Brasstown Bald or catch the bus, but the views at 4,784 feet of the Chattahoochee - Oconee National Forest are well worth the trek either way. Here are the details you need for the best day trip from the Atlanta area.
Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site – Cartersville, Georgia
just north of Atlanta at the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. With six earthen mounds, this 53 acre historic site protects the land used from 1000 to 1550 AD by several thousand Native Americans. Start your visit to Etowah at the visitor center and prepare to walk around the site after this introduction to the plaza and three mounds which once held the priest's home, temples, and burial sites.
National Civil War Naval Museum – Columbus, Georgia
Did you know there are only four ironclad from the Civil War left? And one of right here in Georgia! Designed around the artifacts, this building houses the CSS Jackson, the largest surviving Confederate warship. At more than 200 feet long, it’s remains are especially impressive when you step back to see the frame built to show its original size. Also present is other salvaged ship wreckage and replicas as well as weapons and equipment from the time. Leave time to explore the wall of detailed timeline of the Civil War; it’s enough in its own.
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary – Locust Grove, Georgia
animals while providing education to the community of the value of all living things. With the goal of releasing animals back into the wild, this center offers these domestic, farm, exotic, and retired medical research animals a permanent home if this is not possible. Each large habitat area is set up to try to mimic their home as much as possible. Come see lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, and so much more.
Dunwoody Nature Center – Dunwoody, Georgia
The Dunwoody Nature Center is a free, shaded nature area just north of downtown Atlanta. There are multiple playgrounds to climb, tons of native forest for nature exploring, a wetlands boardwalk, stream water play, two miles of hiking trails, and a nature center with opportunities for geocaching nearby. It’s a great green space for a day of family fun.
Top Tips for Emory’s Carlos Museum in Atlanta, Georgia
Visit the campus of Emory University in Atlanta to see the Carlos Museum, an excellent, low-cost museum for all things ancient history. Here's what you need to know.
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area – Lithonia, Georgia
Arabia Mountain is a 2,500 acre preserved nature area east of Atlanta with the rocky hiking as the central focus point. This ever changing landscape needs to be appreciated at different times all throughout the year. Come and watch the changes in nature: blooming diamorpha red, diamorpha changes to white flowers, cactus blooming, yellow daisies, purple flowers, and lovely ever-present lichen and mosses. Go explore!
Museum of Aviation – Warner Robins, Georgia
Take a two hour drive southeast from Atlanta to drive to the Warner Robins Air Force Base to visit an amazing, 51 acre aviation museum. It's free. It's big with four large buildings full of aircraft. It's beautifully done. Experience history lessons while pulling kids in with airplanes, helicopters, uniforms, weapons, and great educational displays. You won't be able to see it all in one day, so just start planning on your second trip.