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Macon

When you think vacation spot, middle Georgia isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind, but this historic city about an hour and a half away has quite a few attractions.

For History Buffs: There are plenty of Civil War-era houses to tour, including the Hay House and Cannon Ball House. The Harriet Tubman African American Museum teaches about art, history and culture, including folk art and photographs from the segregation era. The Ocmulgee National Monument offers a unique perspective into the lives of Macon’s original inhabitants – the Ocmulgee Indians.

For Music Lovers: The Georgia Music Hall of Fame is a must-see. Its 12,000-square-foot permanent exhibit, Tune Town, is designed to look like a small Georgia town. Each of the 10 buildings represents a different genre of music. Audio landscapes play overhead, and CD listening stations are available. Stopping by Rose Hill Cemetery to see Duane Allman’s grave and the monument to Otis Redding will take you back in time.

For Sports Enthusiasts: The largest state sports museum in the country is definitely worth a visit. At the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame you can discover NASCAR in a simulator and learn facts about hall of famers like Herschel Walker, Jackie Robinson, Ty Cobb and 361 others.

Pine Mountain/Warm Springs

Only an hour from Atlanta, Pine Mountain is the gateway to a variety of fun activities – from exploring nature and observing exotic animals to learning about the country’s past, you’ll find it all in this neck of the woods.

For Nature Lovers: Callaway Gardens offers a natural haven. With its butterfly conservatory, biking trails, spa and beach, every member of your family is bound to find something they love. In the summer you can “fly high” with the FSU Circus; the group entertains with trapeze acts, juggling routines, balancing acts, tight-wire walks and more. FDR State Park, Roosevelt Stables and the National Fish Hatchery in Warm Springs are all great stops as well.

For Future Veterinarians (or Zookeepers): Go on safari right here in Georgia at the Wild Animal Safari. You can wind through 200 acres on paved roads in your own car, the park’s guided van, or you can rent one of their zebra painted vans. Along the way you can touch a giraffe, see American bison, yakatusi, nilgai, rhea, black buck antelope, watusi, North American elk and more. There are also bears and tigers in a traditional zoo setting to see.

For History Buffs: Just down the highway from Pine Mountain sits the quaint town of Warm Springs, which is home to the Little White House. This six-bedroom cottage was a haven for President Franklin D. Roosevelt; it is believed he developed the New Deal within its walls, and it was also where he died on April 12, 1945.

Columbus

On the Georgia-Alabama border just 107 miles from Atlanta, Columbus boasts a great view of the Chattahoochee River. It’s home to some special attractions that you won’t find anywhere else in the state.

For Future Astronauts: The Coca-Cola Space Science Center will have you in outer space as soon as you arrive with its seven space simulators, a planetarium, interactive exhibits and an observatory. The planetarium theater’s screen is a dome that encircles viewers so you feel like you’re part of the high definition action.

For History Buffs: The Columbus Museum is chock full of art and cultural exhibits, as well as educational areas with information on archaeology, the Civil War, 20th-century industry and more. Step back in time at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus. With seven permanent exhibits, and a full-scale recreation of a ship on the way, you can definitely spend the day here learning about one of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history.

For Enthusiasts: If you like stuff, you’ll love the International Marketplace. Here you’ll find the Lunchbox Museum, which is home to more than 1,000 antique and new specimens. This interesting stop also offers a visit to the Museum of Transportation Memorabilia, where actual airplane motors, tanks, hand-carved models of tanks along with heavy yellow equipment take center stage. Railroad memorabilia from Southern Railways and an extensive collection of vintage gasoline and petroleum products round out the finds here.

North Georgia

It only takes about 45 minutes to get back to nature with a drive to the beautiful North Georgia mountains. Hiking, biking and relaxing are always great things to do in this region, but there are a few attractions that may “peak” your interest as well.

For Gold Miners: Gold n’ Gem Grubbin in Cleveland is an all-day destination where the whole crew can pan for gold or try to find amethysts, rubies or sapphires. If the kids get bored, they can always fish at Golden Pond here. Dahlonega is home to a plethora of places to pan for gold; some like Crisson Gold Mine are actual open pits that were dug in the 1840s. There’s also a museum dedicated to gold in Dahlonega.

For Girly Girls: Opened in 1979 in the town’s former clinic, Babyland General Hospital is the birthplace of Cabbage Patch Kids. You can tour this Cleveland landmark, visit the nursery and even adopt a doll to take home.

For Foodies: The Nora Mill Granary is an authentic working gristmill powered by the Chattahoochee River that grinds corn daily using the original French burrstones. You can buy grits, pancake mixes and other products to enjoy at home from this Helen staple – it’s been around since 1876.