The state of Georgia has 100 miles of coastline to explore. From barrier islands to sandy beaches to salt marshes, the region offers a variety of attractions from north to south. A 2002 Washington Post article describes Georgia's coast as "an antebellum panorama of palmetto and Spanish moss unlike any other stretch of coast in the country." Much of the coast is undeveloped and offers pristine natural beauty and a rich cultural history.
Skidaway Island State Park offers tent and RV camping, geocaching, picnic sites, bird watching, and miles of hiking, biking and running trails. Set in a maritime forest and salt marsh, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, such as fiddler crabs, deer, egrets and raccoons. The park's interpretive center hosts cultural and historical exhibits, a birding station and Ranger programs.
Skidaway Island State Park
52 Diamond Cswy
Savannah , GA 31411
912-598-2300
gastateparks.org
Visit Liberty County and follow the Liberty Trail, a series of cultural and historical sites in the region. History buffs can tour battlegrounds from the American Revolution and Civil War, military installations such as Fort Morris State Historic Site and Fort Stewart Museum, and the Midway Museum, a Civil War-era plantation and genealogy center. The Dorchester Academy African American History Museum, originally a school for freed slaves, offers exhibits and artifacts from the Antebellum and Civil Rights eras. The Mellon Bluff Nature and Heritage Reserve offers 2,200 acres of reclaimed plantation land.
Liberty County Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau
425 W. Oglethorpe Hwy.
Hinesville, GA, 31313
912-368-3471
discoverlibertyga.com
If you have ever wanted to get up close to an alligator, visit Okefenokee Swamp Park. This .5 million-acre national wildlife refuge is home to alligators, snakes, otters, bears and birds. Take a guided 30-minute boat trip or a railroad tour of the swamp, visit the Pioneer Island Homestead or shop for souvenirs at the gift shop. Meet the park's indigenous residents at wildlife shows, feedings and the Serpentarium. Rent a canoe and grab lunch at the Three Pigs BBQ.
Okefenokee Swamp Park
U.S. 1 South
Waycross, GA 31503
912-283-0583
okeswamp.com
Tybee Island is a barrier island 15 miles east of Savannah. Browse through the shops and art galleries and stroll down the Tybee Pier. Dine at the island's many restaurants. Observe local wildlife on a dolphin cruise or turtle tour, or visit the Marine Science Center. Explore the scenic beauty of the island's sandy beaches and two lighthouses. Learn about the island's history at the Tybee Museum, Fort Screven and Fort Pulaski.
Tybee Island
802 First St.
Tybee Island, GA 31328
912-786-5444
tybeevisit.com
