Atlanta, Georgia has so much to see that it’s easy to spend your trip within the city limits. But drive less than an hour outside of town and you’ll have a completely different experience.
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There are so many places to see in less than two hours, but we’ve included a few of our favorites. It’s easy to pick up your rental car downtown or at the airport and return to your hotel in the evening.
Senoia
Distance from Atlanta: 1 hour
Senoia was settled in 1828 by a group traveling from South Carolina, starting a farming community here. Film fans know Senoia as the full-time home of the hit zombie show The Walking Dead. They’ve used countless locations around town and use Raleigh Studios nearby.
But many others have used the small town as a background, including Driving Miss Daisy, Fried Green Tomatoes, and The Fighting Temptations.
Greg Nicotero and Norman Reedus opened their own restaurant, Nic and Norman’s, which serves casual Southern fare with a twist. Just up the street, Katie Lou’s Cafe has barbecue and other favorites, while Waking Dead Cafe fuels up fans and locals.
The town also has a number of independent shops, including a number that cater to film fans. Beyond the Door has unique gifts and home decor.
If that’s not enough, there are other small towns nearby, like Grantville and Haralson, which have also been used as filming locations. Serenbe is a resort community where some of the actors live with a theater company, shops, and restaurants.
Athens
Distance from Atlanta: 1 hour 20 minutes
Founded in 1785 as the home of the University of Georgia, Athens was named for its Greek counterpart. The mill industry quickly developed, and the area was later the site of a Civil War armory.
In the 1900s, an African-American middle class led to musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington performing in town. The city is also known for its local ties to music, namely The B-52s and R.E.M. Visitors can see the historic venues that hosted countless acts, like the Georgia Theater and Morton Building.
The college town has a thriving downtown, with an emphasis on local shops and restaurants. Mama’s Boy, The Varsity, and Five and Ten are just a few of the popular eateries.
Creature Comforts Brewing is one of three craft breweries in town. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a beautiful acreage to explore, and the Georgia Museum of Art features works of Georgians as well as decorative arts.
Macon
Distance from Atlanta: 1 hour 20 minutes
Once inhabited by the Creek Indians, the area around Macon is the site of Mississippian ceremonial and burial mounds. A trading post was established in 1809, before the Native Americans were removed on the Trail of Tears.
In the 1900s, Macon became a cotton production hub, relying on slave labor. It was the site of a Confederate arsenal during the Civil War, but it remained relatively unscathed by skirmishes nearby. Two of its major universities, Mercer University and Wesleyan College, were founded in the mid-1800s.
Macon has also been the stomping grounds of acts like Otis Redding, Little Richard, and the Allman Brothers. The musical tradition was at its peak in the 1960s with the creation of Capricorn Records.
Music fans can visit the Big House Museum, where the Allman Brothers lived, or see items that belonged to Redding at the Otis Redding Foundation. But Macon also has cultural offerings.
The Tubman Museum has a permanent collection of African-American art, educational panels, and special exhibitions.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park has burial mounds, a temple, and an earth lodge from the village in addition to 5.5 miles of hiking trails in the 702-acre park.
The Hay House is one of the South’s grandest homes, built in an Italianate style. Macon Beer Company is the area’s first craft brewery and offers tours and tastings.
Save time to grab a bite at H&H Restaurant, a favorite of the Allmans, or a delicious burger at The Rookery. Dovetail serves upscale Southern fare.
Macon Tours
Helen
Distance from Atlanta: 1 hour 40 minutes
The Appalachian mountain town of Helen was originally part of Native American lands. It was established as a logging town in 1912.
The industry began to die off over the years, and in 1969, the local business community made a decision that would forever change the area.
Because of its mountainous landscape, the entire town was transformed to look like a Bavarian village, from the shops to the restaurants to the hotels.
It began embracing its sister country, even hosting its own Oktoberfest celebrations that would become one of the nation’s largest.
Unicoi State Park has plenty of offerings, from hiking to kayaking to a zipline course. Anna Ruby Falls is one of the area’s prettiest waterfall hikes. During warmer months, visitors can also go tubing down the Chattahoochee River.
In nearby Sautee Nacoochee, the Sautee Nacoochee Center has galleries related to history and art. There are also wineries near Helen and the surrounding communities, like Cleveland.
Helen also has German-inspired restaurants like Hofer’s and Bodense,e as well as American food at Yonah Burger.
Columbus
Distance from Atlanta: 1 hour 40 minutes
Southwest Georgia was originally home to the Creek Indians and the Five Civilized Tribes until they were forcibly removed west. The city of Columbus was founded in 1828 on the Chattahoochee River, named for Christopher Columbus.
It became an important center for the manufacturing of supplies during the Civil War, and a battle took place in 1865. The Springer Opera House was built in 1871 and hosted many famous acts, including writer Oscar Wilde. Fort Benning was established in 1909 and has since become the home for the Army’s Infantry and Ranger Schools.
Visitors can explore the Chattahoochee Riverwalk, a paved path that lines the waterway, or hop on a rafting trip with Whitewater Express. The Columbus Museum is free to visit and combines history, culture, and art in one location.
The award-winning National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning focuses on the history of the military, specifically infantry divisions, in America’s wars.
The National Civil War Naval Museum has an impressive collection, including an ironclad pulled from the bottom of the river.
Start your day with coffee from Iron Bank Coffee or a Southern-style biscuit from Plucked Up. The Black Cow and 11th and Bay are other favorite restaurants.
Augusta
Distance from Atlanta: 2 hours 15 minutes
Long inhabited by various Native American tribes, Augusta sits on the Savannah River across the border with South Carolina. In 1735, James Oglethorpe sent a group to establish a fort on the site.
The city served as the young state of Georgia’s capital from 1785 until 1795. The city is perhaps best known for being the site of Augusta National, the golf club that hosts the Masters tournament. But the city also has music ties as the home of the late music legend James Brown.
The Augusta Museum of History educates visitors on local history, including exhibits on the Masters and James Brown. The Augusta Canal is another must-see, allowing ships to arrive from the Atlantic Ocean to the Savannah River.
The Discovery Center has exhibits on the city’s mill history and offers boat rides on the river. The Morris Museum of Art features an impressive collection, including many from the South. Craft and Vine is one of Augusta’s best restaurants, with creative menus highlighting regional favorites.
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