Atlanta Things To See category interest

Georgia thrill seekers, unite! We've mentioned in the past, more popular attractions in Georgia, but never have we focused on the most adventurous of activities. For those looking for their next risk-taking high, there are a few places in Georgia you must check out. Not for the faint of heart, this list should be a fantastic resource, especially with spring right around the corner. Here are a few of the most adventurous, thrillingly pleasurable places to go in the state of Georgia.

1. Historic Banning Mills Zip Line Adventure Course

In Whitesburg, Georgia you can zip line above the treetops in this aerial adventure course. It's extremely safe, and EXTREME fun.

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2. Wild Cave Tour at Cloudland Canyon

No lights, no handrails, and no paved paths in this Wild Cave Tour of Cloudland Canyon. Advanced pass purchase is required, and you will need to choose between the 1-hour, 2-hour, and 4-hour tour, but all are well-worth the adventure. Prepare to get a bit dirty and wet, as cave environments normally are a bit chilly and muddy.

3. Hot Air Balloon Over Georgia

If you're not afraid of heights, then this is the perfect adventure for you. See the sights of Kennesaw Mountain, the Atlanta skyline, and the beginnings of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountain ranges. The company Balloons Over Georgia offers many different types of rides, so choose the one that best fits and take off!

4. Historic Banning Mills Free Fall

Have you ever felt like free falling over 100-feet, wind rushing against your face, your stomach in your throat? Historic Banning Mills is home to Georgia's only 100 Foot Power Free Fall. Climb the HUGE tower, and get strapped in for a one-of-a-kind adventure.

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5. Skydive Georgia

Skydiving is on a bucket list for most, so why not just cross it off already? There are plenty of skydiving companies throughout Georgia that offer tandem rides for first-time divers, like Skydive Georgia in Atlanta, for example. How ironic. Get pumped for the experience of a lifetime.

6. Hike Blood Mountain to Catch a Sunset

As the sixth-tallest mountain in Georgia, and the highest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, Blood Mountain is a must-add to this adventure list. Plus the sunset after the hike is always worth the trek.

7. Hang Gliding at Lookout Mountain

Experience the adventure of flight, as you hang-glide over Georgia terrain. Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding in Rising Fawn, Georgia is a huge draw for travelers and visitors alike.

8. White Water Rafting or Kayaking in Columbus

Did you know that Columbus, Georgia has the longest urban whitewater kayaking course in the world? Grab some pals and hit the water. It's time for a true adventure.

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9. Observe a Turtle Walk on Jekyll Island

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island allows visitors to experience a Turtle Walk—an evening adventure where you can witness a mother turtle laying her eggs and returning to sea.

10. Moto Mountain ATV Park in Fairmount

Voted as one of the Best ATV Parks in Georgia, Moto Mountain ATV Park is a great place for riders of all levels. You can bring your own, or try out one of their rentals on over 70 miles of trails.

11. Cool River Tubing the Chattahoochee River

Tubing the river in Helen, Georgia is a great adventure for the whole family. The company Cool River Tubing provides everything you need in order to spend the day floating under the sunshine.

With these suggestions of adventure and fun above, how many have made it to your spring/summer to-do list? I, for one, cannot wait to spend the days in the water, cooling off from the hot Georgia summer sun. What are your favorite places in Georgia that satisfy your adventure craving?

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I think many can relate when I say that I was quite ready to get out of my hometown by the time I graduated high school. Sure, Savannah, Georgia may be widely considered one of the country's most beautiful cities. Pretty much any list of the most historic cities in the country is going to include it. It's one of the South's most popular tourist destinations, welcoming 17 million visitors a year. But I lived there from birth, and by age 18, I had that all-too-relatable young adult urge of wanting to spread my wings and get as far away as possible. I daydreamed of Chicago, San Francisco, and a myriad of other exotic-sounding locales all over the country. I eventually settled for the more budget-friendly option of Athens, Georgia: four hours north, home to a suitable, family-approved college in the University of Georgia, and what felt like a world away from my parents and everything I had known before.

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I spent more than a decade away, coming back for monthly weekend visits to see my divorced parents. My mom lived in a modest home on the suburban southside, my dad had a colorful historic house in the trendy downtown area that attracts all the tourists and national headlines. Over the years, my dad became something of a local celebrity. He loved live music, lived for it, and saw hundreds of concerts a year. It didn't matter to him if it was a global superstar (the Rolling Stones were his favorite) or an unknown teenage garage band. It was his passion and life's purpose. As a friendly, outgoing guy, he talked to just about anyone and everyone at all the venues he visited. From The Jinx to Moodright's, every time I called him, I was regaled by stories of his evening antics.

Each time I visited, we couldn't go anywhere downtown without running into someone he knew, and he'd always greet them with a smile. We'd stop by a show – from The Accomplices (one of his favorite local groups) to Barry Manilow. There was always music, there were always smiles and friends, and there was always an undying love for the city that radiated from him with every action.

Last September, I was unexpectedly drawn back to the city in an unfortunate way. I was awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call from a Savannah police officer. My dad was gone, the victim of an accident on his red electric bike that he adored. I spent the long hours until sunrise paralyzed with shock, then arranged for a friend to come watch my home while I traveled back to Savannah to do whatever needed to be done. I didn't know because it was the type of thing I normally would have asked my dad about and he wasn't there, just an endless list of "do this, arrange that, don't forget about this!"

That time period is so foggy in my memory now, and so many things are just hints of memories to me now. While I know I was sorting out all kinds of practical tasks like paying bills and dealing with the court, but I don't remember the details.

The things I remember are much more tangible and so intricately woven into the fabric of Savannah as a city. Starting each day with a coffee from Big Bon Bodega. Mornings spent working in the beautiful Bull Street Library after my dad's Wi-Fi got cut off for non-payment. Lunches picking at grilled cheese sandwiches at The Black Rabbit because it was one of his favorite restaurants. Hours walking through Forsyth Park, lost in thoughts I can no longer remember. Spending time in such a beautiful city was a striking contrast to my depression.

It's an odd and uncomfortable thing, losing someone who was seemingly beloved by a whole city. In the haze of tribute concerts, online articles, and even a painting by local artist Panhandle Slim, I had such a storm of emotions inside me. I just wanted to scream, "He wasn't your dad!" at everyone sobbing at his loss. Now, with the benefit of time, I see it was a beautiful thing that so many were so sad. He felt a love that few get to experience, and even now, when I visit Savannah, I'm overcome by how much I feel him there.

I visited the city so many times over the last year, usually to deal with the mundane tasks that come up during the haze of grief. In between things like filing for estate executorship and giving away his many, many band t-shirts, it occurred to me that maybe I didn't dislike the city so much after all. The incredible sense of community that I feel when I visit is practically unheard of in a city of 150,000. The restaurants are delicious. There's so much history. And you really, really can't beat the charm of the Spanish moss draping down overhead.

I am probably not ever going to live in Savannah again (I hate the heat!). But the Hostess City will always be a part of my dad, and so it will always be a part of me. I feel him when I'm standing along the Savannah River, walking down oak-lined 37th Street, or paying a visit to Graveface Records. Losing the people that we love is inevitable, but they live on – not just in our memories, but in the places they touched, the spots that shape who they were. I no longer have my dad, but I will always have Savannah.

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One of my favorite things about Atlanta is that even though it's a big city, it remains a collection of neighborhoods. All of the neighborhoods within the city proper combine with the suburbs to make a charming array of very distinct areas, each with its own unique style and culture. If I had to pick a favorite neighborhood in Atlanta, it would probably be Little Five Points. Also called "Little 5" or "LFP," this is a funky area that's really the heartbeat of Atlanta's creative scene, and it's got a lot to explore. From restaurants to shops and live music venues, there's so much to do in Little Five Points, and it's worth a visit for anyone who loves music or art. Check it out:

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Little Five is located in the eastern section of Atlanta, next to the also-charming Inman Park. The neighborhood gets its name because there was once an intersection of five streets here, though it no longer exists today.

One of the neighborhood's most popular events each year is the Halloween parade, which includes vendors, musical acts, and, of course, a costumed parade.

You'll find plenty to do here at any time of year, though. The neighborhood is full of great places to shop, particularly if you're a fan of vintage clothing or artwork.

One of my personal favorite spots in Little 5 is Criminal Records, an indie record shop that has all kinds of great vinyl, CDs, and tapes.

Criminal Records has moved to a smaller store than it once occupied, but it's still a great place for music shopping. You can even catch live in-store performances on occasion.

I've seen my favorite musician, Butch Walker, perform here a few times, and it's always a blast to get to see him in a small venue like this.

Get more information about this Atlanta record store from the Criminal Records website.

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Another fun attraction in Little Five Points is Junkman's Daughter, a sprawling shop offering up just about everything. You'll find costumes and all kinds of bizarre artwork here.

Looking for delicious food? The Vortex is one of Atlanta's most iconic restaurants.

The Vortex's 6.5-pound Quadruple Coronary Bypass Burger is one of the most legendary food challenges in the Peach State, but don't worry... The Vortex offers up plenty of normal-sized burgers, too.

This Atlanta neighborhood is also home to one of the city's best venues for live music: Variety Playhouse. This 1,100-seat theater was once a movie theater and now hosts national acts, plus comedy shows and local musicians.

The sound quality is great and there's plenty of seating - always a plus at a smaller venue! For more information about upcoming events, check out the Variety Playhouse website.

Have you ever visited this great Atlanta neighborhood? What are some of your favorite things to do in Little Five Points?

Looking for the perfect place to stay in Little Five Points? Check out this charming one-bedroom cottage!

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