Keep on the Sunny Side in Georgia. Save at these participating Days Inn hotels:"i""i" Adel Albany- Oglethorpe Blvd . Alma Americus Ashburn Athens Atlanta Airport - College Park Col lege Park Airport/ North Douglasville Fairburn Downtown- Merchandise a Duluth Kennesaw a Marietta Marietta - Delk Road Marietta Windy Hill Road McDon ough Norcross - Days Inns & Suites Northeast Jimmy Carter Blvd . Northwest Southlake - Morrow Stockbridge - Days Inn & Su ites a Stone Mountain - Days Inn & Suites Union City Shannon Mall Augusta Augusta Days Inn & Suites Molly Pond Road Wheeler Road Bainbridge Blakely Bremen Byron - Hwy 49 Canton Cartersville - Hwy 20 Chattanooga - Ringgold Clayton Cleveland - S. of Times Square Columbus Conyers - Dogwood Drive Cordele Cornelia Covington Cuthbert Dahlonega Dallas Donalsonville Dublin Elberton Forsyth Fort Valley a Gray Griffin - N . Expressway Helen - South Main Jackson Jekyll Island - Oceanfront La Fayette La Grange - Callaway Gardens Lawrenceville Macon Macon - Jefferson Road Macon - North Macon - West Manchester Milledgeville Montezuma Newnan Pine Mountain Rockmart Rome - Turner McCall Blvd. Sandersvil le Savannah Abercorn Southside Airport Inn at Ellis Square - Days Hotel Oglethorpe Mall Port Wentworth - Days Inn & Suites Richmond Hill Savannah Statesboro Suwanee Swainsboro Thomaston Thomasville - us 19 & us 319 Tifton Trenton a Valdosta Lake Park N. Valadosta Road West Hill Avenue Vidalia Villa Rica Warner Robins a You'll find a friendly host with a warm welcome. Sure-to-please improvements in your guest room and bath. Free high-speed Internet and a fresh, free Daybreak Breakfast:' And Wyndham Rewards points to turn your stay into extraordinary rewards.** Today's Days Inn hotels have a sunny new look outside. It's the sign ofmore value than ever inside. The Best Value UnderThe Sun.. traveldaysinn.com/ga 1-800-Days-lnn Para Espanol l-888-709-4024 Save 10% off the Best Available Rateri Request Promo Code LROT; WYNDHAM IREWARDS' We proudly welcome Wyndham Rewards ' members. wyndhamrewards.com Days Business Place rooms include high.speed Internet access , a large work desk, in-room laptop safe, microwave/refrigerator unit, complimentary snack basket, ~dding upgrades , in-room coffee, iron/ironing board, and 30% bonus Wyndham Rewards points for each member stay in a Business Place room . * High-speed Internet access and Daybreak Breakfast available at most locations. A qual ified stay is defined as a stay at a qualifying rate at one or the partic1pat1ng Wyndham Hotel Group properties. tBest Available Rate means the best, non-qualified, publicly available rate on the Internet for the hotel, date and accommodations requested. Advanced reservations required through daysinn.com or 1-8oo-OAYS-INN . Due to round ing and other iss ues, rates within S.25 of our Best Ava ilable Rate will be considered a match and will not qual ify for Best Rate Guarantee claims. Other restrictions apply. See days inn.com. ttRooms at this disco unt are limited and sub1ect to availabil ity at participating properties. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. Cannot be combined with any other disco unts or special offers. Stay must be completed by 12/31/09. All Days Inn hotel s are independently owned and operated. 2008 Days Inns Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. VAb georgia's adventure estination valdostatourism .com WELCOME TO GEORGIA From our pristin e beaches and worldre nowned golf courses to scen ic mountai ns and fert ile fa rmlands, Georgia's diverse and beaut iful landscapes offer a world of adventure, history and culture. I hope you will d iscover o ur excit ing att ract ions and dynamic museums or stroll through Georgia's quaint and cha rming towns. Our wide variety of destinations is compl emented by t he wa rm, welcom ing spi rit of our peopl e. Please accept my open invitation to visit us anytime. Georgia is filled w ith amazing places just waiting to be experienced. The 2009 Travel Guide will help you plan your visit to Georg ia and offer endless opportun it ies to creat e memori es that will last a lifetime. Thanks for keeping Georg ia on your m ind ! ..J~/),, Governor Sonny Perdue ' HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE To help you make the most of your trip to Georgia, t he Geo rg ia Department of Economic Deve lo pm ent has put together this 2009 Georgia Travel Guide. With in these pages, the state is divided into nine regional sections, each packed with useful information on attractions and lodging throughout the state. Even though the information has been verified, we encourage you to call ahead when planning your trip to confirm the very latest hours of operation, fees, reservations and other information. MAPS In the guide, you 'll notice both a large state map and individual region maps, including state parks and historic sites, For more information o n these locations, call 800-864-7275 or visit gastateparks.org. TRAVEL SERVICES Each region features a Visitor Resources section where you will find information on the convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, state visitor information centers and local welcome centers . Within the attractions, you'l l also find Travel Services which list operators for various types of guided tours, from ghost walks to canoe trips. ICONS The following icons will help you with your travels. Each attraction shows its amenities and each map highlights points of interest. [;;I Parkin g WC Public restrooms 6' Accessibility for mobility-impaired ti Food T Party fac ilities 0 State parks ti State historic sites , r Georgia Visitor Information Center (j Regional Visitor Information Center Program-certified welcome centers 2 Official Georg ia Travel Guide (f GeoY9ia TRAVEL GUIDE Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Ken Stewart Deputy Commissioner of Tourism & Marketing Charlie Gatlin Assistant Commissioner Tourism Division Kevin Langston Director of Marketing Fred Huff Published by Atlanta Magazine Custom Publishing Publisher Sean McGinnis Executive Vice President/ Director of Sales & Marketing Susie Love Director of Creative Services Lynne Palmer King Travel Account Executive Jill Teter Art Department Katy Miller Jared Reeder Sheri Wi lso n Contributing Writer Ta ra Wilfong Copy Editor Jessica Kea ton-Young Fact Checkers Ashley King, Scott Roberts, Adam Thompson Atlanta MAGAZINE Copyright 2009 Georgia Department of Economic Development, Tourism Division. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Published by Atlanta Magazine Custom Publishing, Sean McGinnis, Publisher 404-527-5501. For advertising sales information, please contact Jill Teter at 877-554-0780 or j_teter@bellsouth.net. Disabled individuals requiring assistance with this information should contact ADA Coord inator, GDEcD, P.O. Box 1776, Atlanta, GA 30301-1776, 404-962-4106, ta x 404-962-4098, TTD# 800-255-0056. On the Cover Resplendent red Jackets and breathtakingly beautiful horses-this Is the stuff of fine Southern tradition, and that tradition lives on today at Belle Meade Riding Club in Thomson. Photo by Lynne Palmer King, GEORG IA.ORG 1-800-VISI T GA Georgia oream passM Georgia Dream Pass The best way to experience all the extraordinary adventures that Georgia has to offer is with the Georgia Dream Pass. It entitles you to special privileges and exclusive benefits at participating attractions all over the state including behind the scenes tours, gift shop discounts, priority or free parking .There are no points to earn and membership is free. To get your Georgia Dream Pass, visit exploregeorg ia.org Visit exploregeorgia.org From Georgia's energetic and lively cities to the relaxing coastline and breathtaking mountain scenery, Georgia boasts rich and unique experiences that are unparalleled. Access to attraction & accommodation special offers Request brochures, specialty state publications such as: Calendar of Events, Golf, Kids, African American Heritage, and State Parks Guides or a State Highway Map. Plan and book your next visit to Georgia all online at exploregeorgia.org it your Georgia vacation os for a chance to win a al positioning system! Table of Contents 8 Naturally Wonderful Georgia's seven natural wonders 11 Cowboys and Indians Native American civilizations and Western culture in Georgia 16 Animal Attraction Petting zoos, game reserves, and zoological parks 22 From Water Slides to Wilderness State parks and outdoor adventuring 27 Uncommon Accommodations One-of-a-kind places to stay across the state 29 New & Noteworthy Georgia's newest attractions and points of interest 30 Georgia's Bounty Homegrown produce and fun on the farm 4 Official Georgia Travel Guide Nine Regions attractions & lodging 34 Atlanta Metro 62 Coast 86 Classic South 100 Historic Heartland 118 Magnolia Midlands 128 Historic High Country 148 Northeast Mountains 170 Plantation Trace 182 Presidential Pathways Georgia State Map Pullout between pages 16-17 exploregeorgia.org 1-800-VISIT GA ~ RESORT... RETREAT~.11 RELAX. ___. ~ / FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GEORGIA'S LAKE COUNTRY CALL 1-800-709-7406 v- ~ A~anta Ato~ons ugusta LA KE O C O N EE & LA KE SI N C LA I R M~:~~.La IS eCountry So Much, So Close , autiful location, arts and entertainme g food and a variety of outdoor acti ~--.... &. Putnam County is the place to be! EATONTON G R E E N S B O R 0 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS & SPECIAL EVENTS: www.GaLakeCountry.com It's Not Far Away. Even Better, It's Not Out of Reach . Kingston on Lake Oconee-the newest and most accessible master-planned community. Complete with a Player Design golf course by Gary Player design. A lake club. A nd a town center wrth manna and water access for every resident r KINGSTON OH LAIi OCONff Player Design Come On In . The Water's You rs. Home sites from $80,000. Closer to Atlanta-off 1-20 at Exit 121 706.342.1231 877.343.1231 (toll-free) KingstonOnlakeOconee.com FIND YOUR PERRCT BALANCE ON THE SHORS OF LAKE 0c0NEE, just an hour east of Atlanta is anatural playground forthe adventurer in you. Greene County offers 19,000 acres of Lake Oconee, the crown jewel of Georgia'slakes, and26,000 acres of National Forest. It's a_paradise for outdoor enthu~asts. The area boasts eight cham~onship golt cMeS and a variety of sooppinq and restaurant venues. From .'ate cottages to romantic inns to th'e Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, you'll find accommodations for couples, frienos and any size group- for the perfect balance of recreation and relaxation. tr_ Lake Oconee -::::-- GEoAc....:s f\.N c:.ou-,mv HalfwayBetween Atlanta &Augusta, GA 1-866-341-4466 www.georgiafuncountry.com M LLEDGEV L L E MAD S O N Naturally Wonderful by B i ll Gr eg o ry It's striking to see the diversity found in Georgia's seven natural wonders. From one area comprising hundreds ofsquare miles to another far deeper than it is wide, these standouts are found in areas both remote and urban. Some are buzzing with attractions and activities; others are more historical in nature, offering a glimpse into the past. But all are genuine wonders. Deep Drops In the northeastern tip of the state, Tallulah Gorge, just outside t he town of Tallulah Falls, is barely two miles long and only a quarter- mile w ide. Yet the cliffs drop 1,200 feet to the bottom at certain points. The visual effect of this crack in the earth's crust is breathtaking-no wonder it was North Georgia's first tourist attraction. In the late 1800s, the gorge and its waterfalls were a vacation Tallulah Gorge, Tallulah Falls GOEcO destination for more people than any other site in the state. The town boomed with hotels, and a railroad took visitors to the town of Tallulah Falls. The Georgia Power dam, completed in 1912, dried up many of the falls and to uris m fell off, but revital ization t hrough the state park system in the early 1990s gave the go rge new life. Trai ls we re developed and maintained for exploring the gorge; a visitors center opened; and p icnic and camping sites were enhanced . The area flourishes as a destina- tion once again. Today, t he park sports som e of the most diverse faci lities of any state-run park . Visitors can enjoy a sandy beach along Ta ll ulah Lake, hike trails ac ross and down into the gorge, or visit the nationally renowned Jane Hurt Yarn Interpre- tive Center, a 15,000-square-foot, state-of-the -art fac ility with comprehe nsive displays on the history and wildl ife of t he gorge. Twice a year, in the spring and fall , t he dam is opened and the river flows freely. W hile visitors are not allowed to hike into the gorge at these times, expe- rienced kayakers are permitted to run the rapids, and visitors can watch t hem from the overlooks. Falling W ater The 729-foot aquatic drop at Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville, north of Atlanta, is the tallest cascadi ng waterfall east of the Mississippi River. The area is so rugged that early settlers who acquired the land in a lottery did not even try to live there. But today, the Amicalola Lodge, a restaurant, and numerous hiking trails make it a favorite destination for nature lovers of al l ages . Park programming staff offer a variety of educational, recreational, cultural, leadership-initiative and teambuilding programs throughout the year. Most programs are free to the public and offered to park guests on a daily basis. The park has four groups of trails within it, including one leading up to the top of the waterfa ll. For the ambitious hiker: an access trail connects Amica Iola with Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the 2,175 -mile Appalachian Trail. Visitors who would rather not camp can stay at the four-story, 56-room Amicalola Lodge or in one of 14 fully equipped cottages. The lodge's Maple Re staurant is open year-round and serves buffet mea ls for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It seats 150 people and features a spectacular view of North Georgia's mountains from the glass-walled dining room . 8 Official Georgia Travel Guide exploregeorgia .org 1-800-VISI T GA Good Gully! Here in the South , there 's a term for heavy rain : a "gully-washer." If you 've ever seen what a gully-washer can do to a soft surface of Georgia clay, then you can understand how Providence Canyon was formed . The canyon consists of huge gullies sculpted from soil-not by the action of a river or stream , but by rainwater runoff from farm fields in the 1800s. These farmers took no measures to avoid soil erosion; as a result , smal l gullies formed and rapid ly grew deeper and became more extensive. Today this 1,109-acre area includes 16 canyon s, some as deep as 150 feet ; all of them are included in the site known as Providence Canyon State Park . This recent history makes Providence Canyon the youngest of Georgia's seven natural wonders, but iron ically, the geological effect has revealed some of the oldest natural d evelopments. The sediments composing the canyon ra nge from those on the canyon floor, formed about 70 million to 74 m illion years ago, to those visible in the top part of the canyon walls , deposited about 63 million to 65 million years ago, just after the age of the dinosaurs. From a trail along the rim of the canyon, 43 different colors of sand can be identified . This dramatic tapestry has earned Providence Canyon the nickname "Georgia's Little Grand Canyon ." Seriously Swamped The largest swamp in North America is the Okefenokee Swamp, covering approximately 700 square miles in the southeastern corner of Stephen C. Foster State Park, Fargo GEORG1AoEPARTM~N10FNAtuRALResouces Georg ia. Not just a "natural wonder," the Okefenokee Swamp has been recognized by the United Nations as a Wet land of International Importance because of the diversity of wildlife it supports. Formed over the past 6 ,500 years, the Okefenokee Swamp attracts approximately 400,000 visitors every year. But th is attention has not prompted the development of amenities and accommodations as you might expect-this is a carefully preserved site. The Okefenokee is crisscrossed by more than 120 miles of paddle and motorboat trails. The absen ce of roads helps to maintain the ecosystem's integrity; canoe trails are the primary travel routes through the swamp. Cypress swamps, winding waterways and floating peat mats make up most of the terrain, and many varieties of shrubs and trees grow on approximately 70 floating mats of peat. These are known as " tree islands." There are four public entrances or landings: Suwannee Canal Recreation A rea at Folkston, Kingfisher La nding at Race Pond, and Stephen C. Foster State Park and Suwannee River Si ll Recreation Area at Fargo. There is also a private attraction, Okefenokee Swamp Park, which provides access about eight miles south of Waycross. One truly enters another world upon entering the swamp. Virtually all species of wading birds and waterfowl native to the Southeast can be found in the Okefenokee during one season or another. There are more than 200 varieties of birds and more than 60 kinds of reptiles known to inhabit the swamp. After nightfall, when most birds fall silent, swamp sounds begin anew from the more than 20 species of indigenous frogs and toads. And then, of course, there are the alligators. Okefenokee Swamp, Folkston Provid ence Canyon State Park, Lumpkin GDEct r C Sp ng Two of Georgia's natural wonders are hot springs. On the lower slopes of Pine Mountain, south of Atlanta and about 40 miles north of Columbus, Warm Springs enjoys national and internationa l recognition. It was here that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt found relief for his polio in the springs that share the town's name. A natural trap, about 3, 80 0 feet undergrou nd, heats the water continuously to a temperature of 88 degrees . This hot-water fount is truly a natural marvel, as wel l as the setting for the Little White House Roosevelt built there in 1932. While posing for a portrait on April 12, 1945, FDR suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at Warm Springs and died. Today, his unfinished portrait is featured in a museum that showcases many exhibits, including FDR 's 1938 Ford convertible with hand controls. Visitors can tour FDR's home, which has been carefully preserved very much as he left it; the servants' and guest quarters; and the nearby pools co m p lex that first brought the president to Warm Springs. The largest natural spring in the state is called Radium Springs . Like War m Springs, Radium Springs is found in a town of the same name, located on the southern outskirts of Albany in the southwest corner of the state. The deep-blue waters of Radium Springs, a color created by the presence of trace amounts of radium, flow freely into the Flint River at a constant temperature of 68 degrees. In addition to warm waters, Radium Springs also has an extensive underwater cavern system . Plans to reopen the springs to the public include a beautiful new botanical garden. Official Georgia Travel Guid e 9 LaserShow Spectacular, Stone Mounta in STONE MOUN'fAIN PARK Rock Solid Stone Mountain represents, by far, the best-known and most-visited natural wonder in the state. Located in the metro Atlanta area, it is recognized as the largest exposed mass of granite in the Southeast and features a Confederate carving on its face. The carved surface actually measures 3 acres in size. making it the world 's largest relief sculpture. Few people know that the carving was actually done by more than one artist. The renowned sculptor Gutzon Borglum did the carving of Robert E. Lee in 1916, but after a disagreement over artistic control, and with only Lee's head completed, construction was halted. It wasn't until almost 50 years later that Confederate icons Thomas " Stonewall " Jackson and Jefferson Davis were added, along with the rest of Lee. The carving of the three men, which towers 400 feet above the ground and measures 90 by 190 feet , is recessed 42 feet into the mountain. When planners dedicated the memorial in 1970, an estimated 10,000 visitors came to witness its unveiling. Stone Mountain Park celebrated its 50th anniversary last year by investing $10 million in improvements. Most noteworthy was the opening of Sky Hike, a quartermile hiking , jumping and climbing cou rse in the treetops . There are three trails to choose from: a 12-foot-high trail for beginners, a 24-foot trail for the courageous and the almost-40-foot-high trail , which. at more than four stories tall , is for the true daredevil. The celebration also brought the opening of a new. digitally remastered LaserShow Spectacular, the latest upgrade to the world 's longest-running laser show. With other attractions such as a scenic railroad , a paddle-wheel riverboat, pedal boats. mini-g olf and a "Ride the Ducks Sightseeing Adventure ," one could almost forget that the big rock of a mountain is one of Georgia's most unique natural wonders. attracting up to 4 million visitors a year. er you go for a hike, grounds are perfect ant to wake up to I call orvisit us at Gro 10 Officia l Georgia Travel Guide cnic, you'll wa d escape, fami d awe-inspiri 710-975-4291 or the night. State park lodges, cottages and ture or a business conference. Who wouldn't alls? They're easy to get to and afford.Just als: 800-864-7275 www.GeorgiaStatePaoo.org exploregeorgia.org 1-800-VISIT GA Cowboys a dlndians by Kacey Cloues Relics ofGeorgia's earliest civilizations have transcended the ages to become some of the state's most intriguing tourist attractions. Experience ancient spiritual power at prehistoric earthen monuments and mysterious rock effigies, and bear witness to the vestiges ofthe Cherokee Nation's incredible prosperity, devastating decline and exodus. The state's ancient and historic Native American sites bring its distant past to life, while museum and gallery exhibits ofcontemporary art reveal the complex connections between these deep cultural roots and present-day Native American experiences throughout the Southeast and beyond. Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville GOEcO Early Ci il-'1.- )t The Creek Indians, migrating from the Southwest, founded the first large-scale civilizations in Georgia. These moundbuilding Mississippian-era people established sizable permanent settlements and distinctive earthen monuments throughout the state's major river valleys. Cherokee Indians, who were not mound builders, moved into North Georgia from the Great Lakes region in the Midwest much later, around the middle of the 15th century. The Mound Builders Kolomoki Mounds State Park, near Blakely in southwestern Georgia, is the state's oldest great temple mound. Seven flat-topped and domed grass-covered mounds are all that remain of what was once one of the most populous prehistoric settlements in North America . The park 's remarkable museum extends into an excavated mound, providing a fascinating look inside the monument and a unique setting for displays of the Swift Creek and Weeden Island Indian artifacts discovered there. Georgia's next-oldest extant settlement, Ocmulgee National Monument, dates to approximately A.D. 900. Lo cated in Macon , in the state 's midsection , Ocmulgee Mounds includ es a variety of earthen lodges and burial , ceremonial and platform monuments, including a Great Temple Mound and an unusual "spiral " mound , that were built over a period of several centuries by people of the Mississippian and Lamar cultures. The largest remaining Mississippian site in the Southeast is Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site, located near Cartersville in North Georgia. The towering , circular, flat-topped mounds are arranged around a central plaza and once served as ceremonial, political and burial monuments. Steps leading to the top of one of the 60-foot-tall mounds allow visitors to view the entire Etowah Valley, the site of one of the final great cities of the Mississippian culture. Etched In Stone Trackrock Gap, near the present-day town of Blairsville in North Georgia , is the site of a mysterious collection of pre-Cherokee-era markings carved into slabs of soapstone. Resembling animal tracks, geometric shapes and human footprints, the petroglyphs have stumped archaeologists and intrigued visitors for generations. The Cherokee, who established the settlem ent of Brasstown in Track Roc k Gap, referred to the site simply as the " printed place." While the Cherokee considered nearby Blood Mountain a holy place, Brasstown Bald , whi c h at 4 ,784 feet is Georgia 's highest peak, played an important role in Cherokee legend as well , and today the Brasstown Valley Resort celebrates this history through informative cultural exhibits displaying antiquities unearthed during the building of the resort. Rock Eagle, located near Eatonton, is a rare extant effigy mound dating from 1,000 to 3,000 years ago. Boasting a 120-foot wingspan and reaching 8 feet high at its tallest point, the mound-in the shape of a prone bird w ith wings outstretched-is composed of thousands of pieces of whitishgray quartzite. A viewing tower provides visitors a bird 's- eye perspective of the unique monument. 12 Official Georgia Travel Guide Conflict and Ren1oval Contact with European settlers changed the lives of Georgia 's early inhabitants dramatically. Long-simmering hostilities between the Creeks and the Cherokees were exacerbated and complicated by evolving relations and alliances with different groups of Europeans throughout the colonial period. Settlers' insatiable quest for arable land and the discovery of gold in southern Appalachia led to heightened conflicts with Native Americans . Government-mandated removal efforts in 1830 had driven most of Georgia's Creek and Cherokee Indians to the newly cre- ated Oklahoma Indian Territory. The Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home in the northwestern Georgia city of Rome was the family estate of Major Ridge, one of the founders of the Cherokee Nation and a slave-owning plantation manager. The Major Ridge Home, built in the early 1790s, comprises two stories with white-painted wood clap- board siding and true glass windowpanes, evidence of the family's wealth and status. The Chief Vann House, located in nearby Chatsworth, was the home of father-and-son Cherokee leaders James and Joseph Vann . Bu ilt be t ween 1804 and 1806 and hailed as the " Showplace of the Cherokee Nation," the two-story brick masterpiece contains fascinating original architectural elements, such as the so-called "Christian doors" featuring cross-and-Bible carvings by local Moravian missionaries, and the incredible "floating" staircase, Georgia's oldest known example of cantilevered construction. During the 1830s, both the Ridge and Vann families were dispossessed of their lands and property and forced to go out West. Today these remarkable estates, now run as museums, serve as rare architectural and cultural remind- ers of late colonial Cherokee life in North Georgia. New Echota, established in 1825 as the capita l of the Cherokee Nation, represents one of the earli- est forays into national self-gover- nance by an American Indian tribe. Ironically, New Echota was also the site of the signing of a treaty relinquishing Cherokee lands east of the Mississippi River and the place where many Cherokee assembled for mass removal along the Trail of Tears . Located near Calhoun in northwestern Georgia, the New Echota Historic Site now includes original and reconstructed govern- Indian Springs Hotel, Indian Springs GoEco ment buildings, as well as residential outbuildings, artifact collections and a visitors center. Located off Interstate 75 in Central Georg ia, Indian Springs is considered the oldest state park in the nation . Creek k1dians had long attributed healing powers to the natural mineral springs and, in the 1800s, the area blossomed into a popular resort destination. In 1823, Creek Indian Chief William McIntosh constructed the Indian Springs Hotel to cater to visitors. The Feder- alist-style inn featured generous two-story porches on almost all sides, hand-planed boards and a foundation of local stone. Several years later, the hotel was the site of the signing of two treaties ceding almost 5 million acres of Creek land to the State. Today, the Indian Springs Hotel represents Georgia's only surviving min- eral springs-associated lodging establishment and is open to the public. Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site, Cartersville GDEcO exploregeorgia.org 1-800-VISIT GA Artifacts and Exhibits The Northeast Georgia History Center at Gainesville's Brenau University features the relocated homestead of Ch erokee Chief White Path . The cabin , built in 1780, was original ly con structed by White Path's parents near presentday Ellijay. Today the White Path cabin exhibit represents a mid-1830s Chero kee farmstead , with authentic furnishings and vegetable and herb gardens. Just west of Gainesville in Waleska, Reinhardt College's Funk Heritage Center, des ignated as Georgia 's Official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center, showcases the Southeast's prehistoric native cultures. The mu seum 's grand lobby resemb les an Iroquois long house, while the ga llery wings evoke the earthen mounds and living structures distinctive to Mississipp ian-era people in the Southeast. The Funk Heritage Center's Appalachian Settlement exhibit explores the complex relations between white settlers and Cherokee Indians during the colonial period, and the Clarence and Margaret Rogers Contemporary American Indian Art Exhibit features original works by Native American artists, most of them Oklahomans and many of whom are descendants of Southeastern Indians. Farther south, the Augusta Museum of History's exhibit explores the fascinating Late Archaic peoples of Stallings Island . Located in the middle Savannah River Valley, this culture dates to between 5,500 and 3,000 years ago, and archaeological excavations on the island have revea led evi dence of the earliest pottery yet discovered in North America. Discover compelling clues to the lives of cu ltures both long and recently past. Explore once-bustling cultural centers. Walk among the monuments of ancients. From archaeological sites and historic landmarks to contemporary museum exhibits, Georgia's Native American heritage comes to life as some of the state's most compelling travel destinations. ,, Value Club Instant Rewards* - Save 15%on Lodging Free Room Upgrade Discounts on Travel Products & More! (See website tor details) A Family of over BOO Inns, Hotels & Suites throughout North America. High Speed Internet, Free Continental Breakfast & Haot Acworth/Marietta Albany Atlanta Augusta (2) Buford/Atlanta Cairo Clayton Covington Gainesville Jeffersonville/Macon Jonesboro/Atlanta Mableton!Atlanta Macon McDonough Milledgeville Rome Savannah (2) Stockbridge/Atlanta Warner Robins Americas Best Value Inn i,,Vanuge We've Got You Covered Visit "Are We There Yet?" at our website for travel tips and fun activities for kids. ;1)1.,.. &Discoonts a,e subject toavailabiliyand maybe cancelled al 811)1m.Details al Americas8estl/auelM.com or visit Americas Best Value Inns. PJ rrost locations. C/iccl~ II-' 0111 lit : AmcricasBcst\'aluclnn .com or 888-315-2378 Official Georgia Travel Guide 13 ddle up for rough-and-ready adventures at stern-themed Georgia attractions. Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville GDEcD Cowbo Culture The Booth Wes ern Art Museum in Cartersville specializes in conte mporary art work depicting the American West. The mood is set at the main entrance, where the iconic battle between man and frontier is immortalized in a lifelike bronze sculpture of a weathered cowboy atop a wildly bucking bronco. In addition to hundreds of works by established and emerging Western artists, the museum offers interactive exhibits and hands-on educational activities for children at its Sage-brush Ranch gallery. Frontier Life Bremen's Rocky Branch Railroad recreates t he gritty, hard-living frontier town made famous in American Westerns, complete with railroad, a blacksmith shop, jail and saloon. Gunfight shows, can-can performances and the kid-friendly Fort Little Bear prov ide enterta in ment for guests of all ages . Chills and thrills abound at Haunted Rocky Branch every night during the week of Ha lloween, as we ll as every Wednesday through Saturday in October. Then there 's Suttons Corner Frontier Country Store Museum in Fort Gaines . A resurrected frontier country store complex from the 1840s, the museum, located in the southwestern corner of the state, is complete with wooden cash registers, petticoat counters, an antique post office, gristm ill , tobacco twister, velvet-bean sheller and more than 4 ,000 artifacts , many of them the only surviving ones in the United States. Doc's Early Days Before his Wild West wanderings , the famously hot-tempered gunslinger Doc Holllday called Valdosta home. His fam ily lived on East Savannah Avenue for roughly eight years during his childhood , and Holl iday attended grade school at the Valdosta Institute. Cuttin Edge The Augusta Cu ting Horse Futurity and Festival brings Wi ld West culture and the excitement of a major "cutting " competition to the James Brown Arena for 10 days each January. Cutting developed on Southwest cattle ranches in the 1880s as a way of removing a single cow from the herd. Modern-day cowboys showcase their cutting skills in nationally accla imed competitions like the Augusta Futurity, and the arena action is supplemented by Western-wear vendors and equipment suppliers, lively festival activities and plenty of frontier-style entertainment. Adrenaline Rush The three-day Georgia National Rodeo, which takes place each February at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, has cowboys and cowgirls from across the country competing in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping. Points earned at the Georgia National Rodeo qualify riders for the Nationa l Fina ls Rodeo in Las Vegas. Augusta Cutting Horse Futurity and Festival 2007 MORRIS COMMUNICATIONS CORP 14 Official Georgia Travel Guide exploregeorgia.org 1-800-VISIT GA Celebrating Savannah's Johnny Mercer Savannah will host a yearlong celebration of legendary songwriter and favorite son, Johnny Mercer, who was born 100 years ago in the historic city. Among the many events planned for 2009 are special Mercer programs, premieres of commissioned arrange- ments, and a spotlighting of Johnny Mercer during The Savannah Music Festival, which runs from March 19 through April 5. Throughout ARcH1vLe;~;~~~~\~~sr:~i uN1ves1Tvc,sRARv ATLANTA the festival, a wealth of art- ists including Dianne Reeves . Bucky Pizzarelli, Ellis Marsalis, The Clayton Brothers, Sebastian Knauer, and many others w ill perform Mercer songs, and finalists in the American Traditions Competition will include a Mercer song in their performances. Born and raised in Savannah, Mercer grew up listening to jazz, gospel , and Afr ican American folk music. He moved to New York in the late 1920s and by the early 1930s he headed out to California where his music career as a lyricist, vocalist and record executive flourished . Over the course of his career, Mercer wrote over 1,700 songs , many of them for Broadway and Hollywood . He received 18 Academy Award nominations and took home four Oscars for Best Song including one for the unforgettable "Moon SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES, GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, ATLANTA River " from Breakfast at Tiffany 's. He also scored 13 Top Ten Hits and four Number One Hits. Among his catalog of beloved songs are " Hooray for Hollywood," "Jeepers Creepers ," " I Remember You ," " One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)," " That Old Black Magic," "Come Rain or Come Shine," and " Skylark." He was also co-founder of Capitol Records and the founding president of The Songwriter's Hall of Fame. A life-size bronze statue of Mercer, created by sculptor Susie Chisholm, will be unveil ed on November 18, Mercer's birthday. A major exhibit Johnny Mercer: Too Marvelous for Words w ill open at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon on July 18 and cont inue its run into next year. The Johnny Mercer Foundation in New York is planning several national tributes, and many local organizations are sponsoring events, as wel l. For more information on visiting the magical city Mercer called home during this year celebrating his life and work, visit www. johnnymercercentennial.com . Save up to 10% * at participating Choice hotel s. In Georgia, there ' s a new experience around every corner. That's why there ' s a Cho ice hote l around every corner too . With more than 150 locations across Georgia, it' s easy to find a Cho ice hotel that fits your budget and travel plans. Just cal I today and ask for the L-15 Rate and you ' ll save up to 10% or for hotel information, visit us online at cho icehote ls.com/ georgia -hotels . 800.222.1387 Ask for the L-15 Rate For hote l information, visit choicehotels .com/ georgia-hotels We'll see you there. CNOfC( HOl[LS lllCRATIONAL Advance reservations required. Rate not available onllne. Offer eannol be combined with any other' offer or discount. Subject to avallabllitY at participation hotels throughout Georgia through 12/31/ 2009. C 2ooq Choice Hotels International, Inc. All righlS reserved. ex p loregeorgia.org 1-800-VI SIT GA O fficial Georgia Travel Gu ide 15 by Stephanie Green Whether they're foraging in a coastal marsh or grazing on a traditional farm, countless animals and creatures make their home right here in Georgia. Bison, pythons and even kangaroos-these are just some ofthe animals you will find at petting zoos, ranches and preserves across the state. Urban Jungle Atlanta is a big city, but not all of its inhabitants have two legs and opposable thumbs. Zoo Atlanta , in the city 's Grant Park neighborhood, is one of the 10 o ldest continuously operating zoos in the United States and houses more than 200 animal species, including lion cubs born last spring and a new panda cub. The male cub, born on August 30, was the only giant panda to be born in the U.S. in 2008. He is the second offspring of Lun Lun and Yang Yang and the younge r sibling of the world- famous Mei Lan, born in 2006. With 8 million gallons of fresh and marine water, Atlanta 's Georgia Aquarium is the world 's largest, harboring more aquatic life than any aquarium on the planet. Among the 100,000 animals in residence are sharks, stingrays , weedy sea Georgia Aquarium , Atlanta GEORGIA AQUARIUM dragons, beluga whales and whale sharks, which aren' t actually whales , but the largest fish in the world. Georgia Aquarium is the only aquarium outside of A sia to ha ve these enormous creatures. Feed and pet any of the hundreds of denizens of the 24 wooded acres at Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn , just outside of Atlanta. Here, every- one is friendly-from the w hite-tailed deer and rabbits to black bears and the largest herd of buffalo east of the Mississippi River. There's even a cougar nd assorted newborns, including Three stops along Georg ia's coast present countless opportunities for animal encounters in the most idyllic settings. For everything you ever wa nted to know about sea turtles but didn ' t know whom to ask, answers can be found at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island . The center is a turtle rehabilitation, research and educat ion facility. Visitors touring the center can explore exhibits on sea turtle conserva tion and learn about these creatures' amazing developmental journey. South of Folkston, the Okefenokee Swamp, a National Wildlife Refuge and one of Georgia's natural wonders, offers a magnificent view of wildlife in its natural surroundings. Making the Okefenokee their home are alligators, black bears, whitetailed deer, sandhill cranes, anhingas, egrets, herons, otters, raccoons, tortoises, snapping turtles, bobcats, wild turkeys and snakes of many kinds. Both boat and train tours are available. Travel northeast to Savannah to the Oatland Island Wildlife Center and discover facts about Georgia's predators-the black bear is the largest predator in the state; the barn owl has the best hearing of any animal-and trek along the alligator wetland to see sandhill cranes, one of the tallest bird species in North America . exploregeorgia.org 1-800-VISI T GA Here, nature has a way of making a slice into a thing of beauty. Callaway Gardens provides a pristine setting to appreciate nature and play championship golf. We offer two courses that feature challenging play and breathtaking views for you and your friends. And, with a luxurious Spa and abundant recreational activities such as biking, hiking and fishing, your family can enjoy an easy escape as well. a Callaw y Gardens. Pine Mountain, Georgia CallawayGardens.com I - . ,- GEORGIA STATE MAP Interstates 0 Highways )I; Airports CLEGEND ] n .- State Parks Historic Sites Georgia Visi to r Info rmation Centers Regional Visitor Info rmat ion Center Prog ram -cert ified we lco me centers MLguon\O\lt Ross"tille'--. Cohutta Wildwoo .Fo Oglethorpe gold Chlckamauga Rocl