Blue Ridge Mountains
The foothills and mountains of north Georgia are the gateway to the Appalachians and the site of countless outdoor recreational opportunities. The protected Chattahoochee National Forest, a vast scenic playground, has nearby cabins and cottages for visitor rental. Helen, Georgia, once a sleepy sawmill town, has been completely remade as an alpine village and a pilgrimage for Oktoberfest visitors. The small mountain town of Dahlonega is the site of the first American gold rush.

The Chattooga River is a must-see for rafters and kayakers, with three outfitters providing guided trips on two sections of the river where paddlers can experience class II, III, IV and V rapids. Waterfalls abound in northeastern Georgia including Amicalola Falls, the highest in Georgia, and Toccoa Falls, 26 feet higher than Niagara.

• Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains
• Georgia State Parks

Tallulah Gorge State Park
Two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, Tallulah Gorge is one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S. Visitors can gain access to scenic overlooks by way of several rim trails or, with free permit, can hike down to the gorge floor. Spectacular views can be had of the river and waterfalls from the 80-foot high suspension bridge. Another, 3-mile paved trail provides access for cycling, skating, hiking, and wheelchairs. An Interpretive Center uses exhibits and an award-winning film to describe the area's rich history and fragile ecosystem.

Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground, located on the rim of Tallulah Gorge, includes tent, trailer and RV sites, as well as primitive camping sites.

• Tallulah Gorge State Park

Lake Lanier
Site of the 1996 Olympic Games' rowing, kayak, and sprint canoe events, located at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Sidney Lanier is one of Georgia's favorite attractions. The 38,000-acre lake offers hiking, boating, fishing, water skiing, and horseback riding opportunities, in addition to a 216-room resort/spa with 18-hole golf course. Canoe and kayak rentals are available, as well as a wide range of boats for fishing or sightseeing.

• Lake Sidney Lanier

Stone Mountain
Georgia is home to the world's largest exposed piece of granite and one of the country's most popular attractions. Sometimes called the "Rushmore of the South," Stone Mountain's granite face is carved with the likenesses of three Confederate generals—Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis—and is the focus of a nightly laser show. Stone Mountain Park attracts over four million visitors annually to view the carving, ride the cable car to the summit or the railroad around the mountain, take a riverboat ride on Stone Mountain Lake, and visit the antebellum plantation, covered bridge, and grist mill.

• Stone Mountain Park

Mall of Georgia
The 1.7 million-square-foot Mall of Georgia at Mill Creek is home to over 200 stores, including anchor stores Nordstrom, Rich's, Dillard's, J.C. Penney and Lord & Taylor. The largest shopping destination in the Southeast is designed on a geographical theme, with each of the five interior spaces representing another of Georgia's regions. One of the biggest highlights is a seven story 3-D IMAX theater, and many other entertainment and dining options are available to shoppers.

• Mall of Georgia at Mill Creek