In the southeastern part of Atlanta, Georgia, there hides an abandoned prison farm with a storied history. The decaying buildings are a creepy collection of ruins adorned with graffiti that spans from dark and thought-provoking to absurd and silly. Originally named the Honor Farm, The Atlanta Prison Farm was once the site of a Civil War battle.
Kudzu vines are reclaiming much of this site, which is now a strange juxtaposition of decaying history and urban art.
Starting as an experiment in 1917, non-violent offenders were brought here when it was open fields and a few houses. Part of their labor was to build these prison buildings. Those who became unruly were sent back to the penitentiary.
By 1935, 150 prisoners were working on the farms growing crops and raising animals to feed themselves and the penitentiary. The prison farm had its own slaughterhouse for making pork products.
This was to be a rehabilitative camp where prisoners who served their sentences could use their farming skills to get jobs. After the 1950s, the history is unclear. This is the mess hall where prisoners ate what they farmed.
As more prisoners arrived, cells like these were needed. Perhaps it's a saving grace that they didn't have to spend too much time in these cramped quarters.
The buildings started to fall into disrepair in the 1970s and eventually disuse in the 1990s. In 1968, 400 prisoners staged a strike, demanding that chronic alcoholics be removed from the farm.
In more recent years, the prison farm site was used as storage by the penitentiary. Inmate property envelopes are scattered about, their contents looted, leaving us to wonder what became of these prisoners and what their stories were.
Trespassing on this property is illegal and heavily prosecuted, not to mention dangerous. A fire broke out in 2009 and the fire department decided to let the fire burn itself out. There has been some talk to turn it into a 500-acre park, however, the city and the county have yet to reach an agreement as to what to do with the site, if anything. We love sharing mysterious abandoned places. Be sure to check out these haunting places. We've also created a ghost town road trip to see all sorts of abandoned places in Georgia.
Georgia road trips offer travelers a variety of routes and destinations to discover the beauty of the Peach State. Whether you're looking for a scenic drive down Coastal Georgia or want to explore waterfalls in Amicalola Falls State Park, these adventures will give you a unique perspective on North Carolina's diverse landscapes. Whether traveling solo or with friends, these trips are perfect for anyone looking for the best road trips in Georgia.
Route: Forsyth Park > Richmond Hill > Smallest Church In America > Old School Diner > Golden Isles Speedway > Waycross > Alma Nursery & Berry Farms >
Distance: 269 miles
Trip Time: 5 hours driving time
If you're strapped for time or cash or want to take a quick day trip, we've got a road trip for you that will take only one tank of gas. This easy route will take from Savannah to Dublin with a stop in Waycross. You'll visit Forsyth Park, stop at the Smallest Church in America, and make a quick pitstop in Alama to pick fresh blueberries.
to three beaches along the Georgia coastline. Spending under three hours in the car leaves you with more time to see all the beauty and fun things to do at each beach. You'll start your trip at Tybee Island, where you can check out the historic site of Fort Screven and its lighthouse. Then you'll make your way to St. Simons Island and end your trip at Jekyll Island, where there are campsites if you decide to spend the night.
Route: Augusta Riverwalk > Augusta Canal Discovery Center > Peggy's Restaurant > Andalusia: the Home of Flannery O'Connor > Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
Distance: 129 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours and 37 minutes driving time
This day trip through central Georgia is perfect if you want to explore some hidden gems around the area. The two-and-a-half-hour itinerary takes you to waterside walks, canal tours, local restaurants, and our favorite, the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
map takes you along the US 17 highway beginning in Charleston and ending in Brunswick. Make stops along the scenic route of US 17 and have a fun day or two or three! Feel like dipping your toes in the Atlantic Ocean? Spend a day at the beach and rent a kayak. You'll even be able to check out old towns and historic districts along the way.
Route: Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail > East Palisades Trail > Sweetwater Creek State Park > Angel Falls Trail > Preachers Rock from Woody Gap
Distance: 302 miles
Trip Time: 6 hours driving time
As Georgia's warm weather starts to set in, it ignites excitement. It's practically impossible not to want to get outside and enjoy the outdoors during springtime. Nature becomes so magical this time of year, making this the perfect time to take this wildflower road trip. This journey will begin at Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail, taking you through national parks and forests and ending at Preachers Rock from Woody Gap. You'll spot all sorts of native wildflowers on this trek, a definite bucket list road trip
Route: Tybee Island > Leopold's Ice Cream > Georgia Veterans State Park > Claystone Park at Lake Tobesofkee > Macon Swirls > Cremalosa > Sope Creek Trail > Frozen Cow Creamery > Holly Creek Picnic Area > MooBears Ice Cream and Hotdogs Trackside
Distance: 515 miles
Trip Time: 10 hours driving time
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Does anything scream summertime more than swimming spots and ice cream cones? We didn't think so. Pack up the car and head on one of the best Georgia road trips! This trip starts near the Tennessee border and ends at the coast, taking you to beaches, lakes, and swimming holes, with stops at local ice cream joints along the way.
Route: Cloudland Canyon State Park > Amicalola Falls State Park > Blue Ridge Drive > Vogel State Park > Black Rock Mountain State Park > Tallulah Gorge State Park > Smithgall Woods > Red Top Mountain State Park > James H. Floyd State Park
for fall foliage. This nine-hour drive will take you on twists and turns through state parks, overlooks, and even the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our favorite stop on the trip is Cloudland Canyon in Rising Fawn, where you'll be able to see the most magical views of the fall colors for miles and miles.
Route: Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm > Ludy's Christmas Light Spectacular > Callaway Gardens > Felix Family Christmas Lights > Lights of Life > Atlanta Botanical Garden > Helen > Fields Family Holiday Lights > TMT Farms Christmas Lights Displays
Distance: 728 miles
Trip Time: 13 hours driving time
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What better way to spend the holiday than a winter road trip to see the festive lights? This magnificent route takes you all through the state outside cities like Athens and Atlanta, and it's even close to the Alabama state lines, making it a convenient itinerary for families. You can do the whole thing or pieces, whatever suits you. One of our favorite stops is Callaway Gardens - the display has more than 8 million lights!
Route: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia > Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream > Bear Hollow Zoo > Georgia Aquarium > The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant > Cascade Springs Nature Preserve > Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
is bound to keep everyone in the group happy, with stops at whimsical attractions, themed restaurants, and more. Some notable places this three-hour road trip hits are The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream, and Great Wolf Lodge Water Park. There is something for everyone on this fun-filled getaway.
Route: Providence Canyons > Georgia Aquarium > World of Coca-Cola Museum > High Museum of Art > Amicalola Falls > Tallulah Gorge State Park > Watson Mill Bridge State Park
through Georgia. The first stop is the Little Grand Canyon of the South, Providence Canyon State Park. It will also take you through some outdoor adventures and hiking trails in the North Georgia Mountains to Tallulah Gorge State Park, with chances to stop at must-see attractions in Atlanta, like the Georgia Aquarium.
takes you to all the charming small towns dotting the coastline. It begins near the border of Florida and finishes right by South Carolina. The quick drive time gives you a chance to stop at each town and check out the local boutique shops, historic sites, and beautiful parks along the route. And be sure to grab food while you're in Midway - the area is known for its seafood.
Have you taken any of these awesome road trips? We’d love to hear from you – let us know! Need more Georgia road trip ideas with outdoor adventures? Take a ride on the longest zipline in Georgia. Hikers will also love this unforgettable road trip to a swinging bridge over the Toccoa River.
Looking for even more travel inspiration? Check out this stunning footage of the Grand Canyon of the East Coast, which happens to be right here in Georgia:
If you can get just three days free for a road trip in Georgia, we've got a perfect one planned for you. This 3-day road trip in Georgia will take you to three of the prettiest beaches in the Peach State. You'll spend relatively little time in the car on this adventure and won't have to use up too much gas. It's a great way to explore some of our wonderful shorelines!
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Due to the Peach State's large size, many road trips in Georgia require quite a bit of driving. This beach road trip in Georgia will not have you spending too much time in the car at all!
The entire driving time is under three hours. We recommend taking three days for this trip so that you can adequately explore each of the beaches and surrounding areas. Check out the full itinerary on Google Maps. This is a great weekend road trip in Georgia for those who love the beach!
The first stop on one of the best road trips in Georgia is Tybee Island. Tybee Island often tops the list of best beaches in Georgia, and it's really no wonder why. This barrier island boasts wide, sandy beaches. You'll find plenty of historical attractions here, like Fort Screven and a beautiful lighthouse.
Another can't-miss spot is the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. There are some great exhibits here, and the museum offers marsh treks to get up close and personal in a "floating classroom."
Need a place to stay in Tybee Island? Take a look at this beach house with a pool and book your stay!
Get up early on day two and head out to St. Simon's Island. This is considered one of the best small-town vacation spots in Georgia. It's really no wonder why - the beach is stunning and there are plenty of nearby attractions for history lovers and nature lovers alike.
Your final day on this three-day getaway will be spent at Jekyll Island. Part of this island is an exclusive resort, but much of it is accessible to the public.
This is such a beautiful beach in Georgia, and there's even a campground if you'd like to extend your vacation to four days.
Another option on Jekyll Island is a vacation rental? Book a stay at the Kendall Cottage which has a heated pool, bikes you can use, and several additional amenities you may like. Staying here is a great way to end one of the prettiest road trips in Georgia!
Have you been to any of these gorgeous beaches in Georgia? Are there any other favorites you'd like to see added? Would you take this 3-day road trip in Georgia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
If you plan on taking a road trip through Georgia any time soon, make sure you take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for everything you need. And don't forget to bring snacks for the road, too!
