2026 Georgia Bucket List

A curated list of places to go and things to do within 3 hours of Atlanta to help inspire your 2026 local travel adventures. Happy exploring!

January

Visit a Traditional Korean Bath House

January is the perfect month to visit a traditional Korean Bath House like JeJu Sauna Spa (3555 Gwinnett Pl Dr NW, Duluth, GA). If you've ever thought about doing this before but were nervous about the "no clothes allowed" section, I've got you covered with my First Timer's Guide to JeJu.

I waited a decade to work up the courage to try this and wish I hadn't waited so long!

Inside JeJe Sauna with multiple themed saunas, a pool, spa area, and food court.

February

Immerse Yourself in the Mind of an Artist

Paradise Gardens (200 North Lewis Street, Summerville, GA) is the former home and studio of one of Georgia's most prolific artists, Howard Finster. You can find a permanent collection of his work at the High Museum, but this special place offers a rare glimpse inside his mind.

And, this isn't the only quirky spot in this area.

For more unique attractions (like an Alice in Wonderland-themed shop and restaurant), click here and scroll to the bottom!

Howard Finster's Paradise Garden

March

Chase Waterfalls at a Georgia State Park

If you haven't been to Cloudland Canyon State Park (122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, GA), this is your sign to visit. This is one of Georgia's most beautiful state parks and has everything from thousand-foot canyons to extraordinary waterfalls. Even if you only have a few minutes to spend here, you'll enjoy the 1-mile Overlook Trail with stunning canyon views.

If you have more time, check out one of the many trails, including the Waterfalls Trail, where you can see not one, but 2 incredible waterfalls. It's 2 miles and includes about 600 stairs, and if you can manage it, the views are spectacular (especially after it rains)! Click here for a full itinerary of the area.

Tip: Bring a change of clothes and treat yourself to lunch nearby Cloudland Resort.

The view from the Cloudland Canyon's main overlook, Croft at the Mclemore Cloudland Resort, and Cherokee Falls.

April

Slow Down at a Mushroom Farm

This is the day trip you didn't know you needed, and one of North Georgia's most unexpected gems. You'll find a calm like no other at Ellijay Mushrooms, where rows and rows of growing mushrooms create a surprisingly therapeutic experience. And don't miss the gift shop where everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) is mushroom themed.

Make a Day of it with this 24-Hour Guide to Blue Ridge.

Ellijay Mushrooms is free and open to the public.

May

Walk Sacred Grounds at Etowah Indian Mounds

Some places make you want to slow down the moment you arrive, and the Etowah Indian Mounds is one of those places. It's a quiet 54-acre archaeological site where you can feel the history. Standing at the base of the mounds on the edge of the river, you can't help but think about the significance of the land and the people who shaped it.

If you've driven by for years, make this the year you stop and visit.

Make a day of it with this 24-Hour Guide to Cartersville

Etowah Indian Mounds in Cartersville, Georgia.

June

Climb Aboard Aviation History in Marietta

For $7 (or less), you can board a vintage aircraft, tour a massive C-141, and even see the private jet once owned by Wayne Newton and Kenny Rogers. And keep your eyes open for the same style jet featured in the original Top Gun movie. You can find all of this and more at the Aviation History & Technology Center in Marietta, GA.

Check out some of my additional Marietta highlights for an easy day trip from Atlanta.

TIP: Aviation enthusiasts might also be interested in the monthly Delta Surplus Sale held at the Delta Museum at Hartsfield-Jackson.

Aviation History & Technology Center in Marietta, Georgia.

July

Visit a Rock Garden

One of the most unique places in Georgia is tucked behind a church parking lot in the small town of Calhoun, a little over an hour northwest of Atlanta.

What was originally planned as a meditative prayer space grew into an imaginative garden filled with castles and miniature villages. It's a place of art, nature, and wonder. If you're looking for peace and a little magic, you'll find it behind the Seventh Day Adventist Church (Highway 53 S., 1411 Rome Rd., Calhoun, GA)

Admission is free, but there is a donation box if you're able to leave something to help maintain this beautiful garden.

The Rock Garden in Calhoun, GA.

August

Go on a Solo Adventure

If you haven't already taken a solo trip, this is the year to make it a priority. Whether it's a hike, a museum day, or, if you're lucky, a little getaway, there is something so romantic about traveling by yourself.

You get to go at your own pace, do exactly what you want when you want, and even engage with people in a way you might not if you were with someone else. So, take the trip. Visit that museum. Eat at that restaurant. Go on that hike. Do it for yourself because that's reason enough.

Here are some solo trips I took last year with ideas to help get you started: 4 Days in Brunswick Islands, Unique Getaway in Georgia, and 24-Hours in Cartersville

North Carolina's Brunswick Islands, Rock City, and Barnsley Gardens.

September

Tour Central State Campus

Originally called the Georgia Lunatic, Insane, and Epileptic Asylum, the Central State Campus is home to one of the most complex pieces of history in the entire state of Georgia. The fact that it's still here to learn from is not just remarkable, it's important.

Take A Self-Guided Driving Tour: Pick up a map at the Milledgeville Visitor Center (200 W Hancock St) and make sure to scan the QR code for the audio introduction. Don't miss this part. You can park at the main Powell Building and walk most of the tour at a slower pace. If you walk, make sure to stay on sidewalks at all times.

Make it a full weekend with my guide of Things to Do in Milledgeville.

Central State Campus in Milledgeville, GA.

October

Check into a Haunted Hotel

There's a lot of haunted lore in Augusta, including what many say is one of Georgia's most haunted hotels, The Partridge Inn. And, while ghost stories have long followed this iconic landmark, the real draw is the grand architecture, history, views, and quiet charm (especially the stunning wrap-around veranda and rooftop balcony).

For more haunted history, check out Augusta's Scariest Ghost Tour.

Spend the Day: 24-Hour Guide to Augusta

Need a quick trip a little closer to home? The Oddities Museum (3870 N Peachtree Rd, Atlanta) is perfect for spooky season.

The Partridge Inn in Augusta, GA and the Oddities Museum in Atlanta.

November

Have a Vineyard Day

North Georgia has been called the "Napa of the South" and with good reason -- our vineyards are beautiful! November is an especially lovely time of year to visit, and the perfect way to impress out-of-town guests. There are so many to choose from with beautiful tasting rooms, cozy patios, and sweeping views.

TIP: Some vineyards offer food while others encourage you to bring a picnic lunch, so make sure to check ahead.

Some new North Georgia vineyards, including Kerith House, Roo Mountain, and Redtail.

December

Experience a Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm

Every December, Hardman Farm welcomes guests to attend a Christmas party in the 1800s. You'll arrive by horse and carriage and be greeted at the door by costumed guests. You can explore the mansion, eat fresh-baked sorghum cookies, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, make s'mores, and more. It's a great event to help support Georgia Parks!

A Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm.

I hope this helps give you some ideas to get out and start exploring more hidden gems of Georgia!

Wherever the road takes you, I wish you a happy and healthy 2026!

xoKerry