Georgia is where the New South meets Spanish moss and sea breeze. Founded in 1733, the state’s story arcs from colonial outpost to railroad crossroads to a crucible of the Civil Rights Movement. Today, Atlanta hums with art and innovation while Savannah whispers through live oaks and cobblestones.

Expect a feast: smoky barbecue, Lowcountry shrimp and grits, oysters plucked from tidal creeks, and peach-laced desserts. Between bites, you’ll trace Dr. King’s legacy, stroll the Atlanta BeltLine, wander 22 historic Savannah squares, and relax on Tybee Island’s wide beaches.

Practical notes: Summers are hot and humid; spring and fall are ideal. On the coast, hurricane season runs June–November—keep an eye on forecasts. In Atlanta, traffic is real—plan around rush hour or use MARTA. In marshy areas, heed wildlife signs and stay on marked paths.

Atlanta

Atlanta rose from the ashes of the Civil War and chose the phoenix as its emblem. It’s a city of neighborhoods: the street art and scooters of the BeltLine, the indie spirit of Little Five Points, and the gleaming museums of Midtown. Civil rights history runs deep here, and so does the dining scene—from soulful meat-and-threes to chef-driven temples.

• Top sights: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park; Georgia Aquarium; Center for Civil and Human Rights; Atlanta Botanical Garden; BeltLine Eastside Trail.
• Food to chase: Hot chicken sandwiches, wood-fired seafood, fried green tomatoes, and biscuit everything.
• Fun fact: Coca‑Cola was invented here in 1886; you can still explore its story a block from whale sharks at the aquarium.

Where to stay: Search stays in Midtown (walkable to museums and the garden), Old Fourth Ward/Inman Park (BeltLine access), or Downtown (close to major attractions). Browse: VRBO Atlanta | Hotels.com Atlanta

Getting in: Fly into Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com flights. MARTA rail connects the airport to Midtown/Downtown in ~25–30 minutes; rideshares are plentiful.

Day 1: Arrive and Wander the BeltLine

Afternoon: Land in Atlanta and drop bags. Shake off travel with an easy stroll on the BeltLine Eastside Trail. Pop into Krog Street Market for a late lunch: try Gu’s Dumplings (Chengdu-style spicy wontons), Fred’s Meat & Bread (cheesesteaks and patty melts), and Little Tart Bakeshop (seasonal tarts and excellent coffee).

Evening: Head to Ponce City Market. Ride the elevator to Skyline Park for mini golf and sunset views over Midtown. Dinner choices inside include The Optimist’s sibling stalls for seafood bites, H&F Burger for a perfect smash burger, and Ton Ton for ramen and yakitori. Nightcap on the Hotel Clermont rooftop or along the BeltLine at Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall.

Day 2: Civil Rights, Downtown Icons, and Westside Eats

Morning: Coffee at Spiller Park (Ponce City Market) or Chrome Yellow in Old Fourth Ward. Explore the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park: the Visitor Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Dr. King’s birth home block. Reflect at the Eternal Flame.

Afternoon: Walk to the Center for Civil and Human Rights for powerful exhibits, then continue to the Georgia Aquarium (don’t miss the Ocean Voyager gallery with whale sharks) and Centennial Olympic Park. Lunch nearby: Atlanta Breakfast Club (chicken and waffles), Dua Vietnamese for quick pho, or Busy Bee Cafe a short drive away for legendary soul food (get the fried chicken and collards).

Evening: Westside dinner: Miller Union (seasonal Southern—order the farm egg in celery cream), Marcel (classic steakhouse swagger), or The Optimist (wood-fired seafood; hush puppies are a must). Catch a show at The Tabernacle or Variety Playhouse if you’re in the mood for music.

Day 3: Art, Gardens, and Inman Park Flavor

Morning: Start at the Atlanta Botanical Garden—don’t miss the canopy walk and rotating sculpture installations. Brunch at Buttermilk Kitchen (biscuits, pimento cheese grits) or Home Grown for a comfy, kitschy “Comfy Chicken.”

Afternoon: High Museum of Art (architecture by Meier and Piano; American and contemporary collections shine). Then graze along the BeltLine: Krog Street Tunnel’s ever-changing murals, scoot to Inman Park for treats at Boccalupo (housemade pasta at lunch on select days) or Savi Provisions for picnic supplies.

Evening: Dinner at Gunshow (dim-sum-style carts of creative Southern plates—reserve ahead) or Talat Market (Thai flavors with Georgia produce; the nam prik platters are a table favorite). For oysters and absinthe service, hop to Kimball House in Decatur before turning in.

Savannah

Savannah is a city designed to stroll—22 verdant squares, wrought-iron balconies, and verandas draped in live oaks. It’s romantic without trying, artistic without shouting, and delicious at every turn. The riverfront bustles; a block away, you’ll hear only fountain splash and cicadas.

• Top sights: Forsyth Park, Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, The Olde Pink House, Telfair Museums (Owens–Thomas House & Slave Quarters), Bonaventure Cemetery, River Street.
• Food to chase: She‑crab soup, shrimp and grits, Lowcountry boils, benne wafers, and pralines.
• Fun fact: Savannah once had 24 squares; two were lost to development, and 22 remain the city’s green living rooms.

Where to stay: Plant yourself in the Historic District or Starland District for easy dining and art access. Browse: VRBO Savannah | Hotels.com Savannah

Getting there from Atlanta: Drive ~4 hours (250 miles) via I‑75/I‑16; consider a stop in Macon or at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. One-way flights ATL→SAV take ~55 minutes and often run ~$120–$220. Compare on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com flights.

Day 4: Travel to Savannah and Square-Hopping

Morning: Depart Atlanta after breakfast. If driving, break in Dublin or the Buc-ee’s near Warner Robins for snacks; aim to arrive by early afternoon.

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll from Forsyth Park up Bull Street through the “string of pearls” squares—Monterey, Madison, Chippewa (think Forrest Gump), and Johnson. Pop into The Collins Quarter for a late Aussie-style lunch (savory mince on toast, lavender lattes) or Big Bon Bodega for wood-fired bagel sandwiches.

Evening: Dinner at The Olde Pink House for colonial-era ambiance and crispy scored flounder, or Vic’s On the River for she‑crab soup with Savannah River views. Dessert at Leopold’s Ice Cream (the lemon custard is a local favorite). Nightcap at Artillery (classic cocktails in a restored armory) or the speakeasy-style Alley Cat Lounge.

Day 5: Museums, River Street, and Ghosts

Morning: Coffee at PERC or Savannah Coffee Roasters, then the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist for soaring stained glass. Visit the Owens–Thomas House & Slave Quarters (Telfair Museums) to understand Savannah’s layered past.

Afternoon: Head to River Street for cobblestones, galleries, and praline samples. Detour to City Market and the SCAD Museum of Art for contemporary exhibits and fashion installations. Lunch ideas: Treylor Park (creative spins like PB&J wings) or The Grey Market for casual fare from the team behind The Grey.

Evening: Dinner at The Grey (reserve early; seasonal Lowcountry with finesse) or Common Thread in a restored Victorian for hyper-local plates. After dark, join a guided ghost walk or a hearse tour to meet Savannah’s spirited side; end with a night stroll through moonlit squares.

Day 6: Tybee Island and Lowcountry Landscapes

Morning: Day trip to Tybee Island (25 minutes). Climb the Tybee Island Light Station for sweeping Atlantic views, then walk North Beach for shells and seabirds.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Crab Shack (lowcountry boil on the deck; watch for marsh wildlife). Beach time on South Beach or a kayaking session in the back rivers if tides cooperate. On your way back, detour to Fort Pulaski National Monument for Civil War-era brickwork and moat views.

Evening: Sunset oysters and cocktails at The Wyld Dock Bar overlooking the intracoastal. Return to town for a sweet bite at Backdoor Desserts or an affogato at Mirabelle.

Day 7: Wormsloe, Starland, and Departure

Morning: Wander the live-oak avenue at Wormsloe State Historic Site for iconic photos, then explore trails and tabby ruins. Coffee and a pastry at Foxy Loxy Café in the Starland District; browse nearby boutiques and galleries.

Afternoon: Last tastes: Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (weekday lunch; family-style classics) if timing aligns, or Collins Quarter at Forsyth for a quick farewell meal. Depart via SAV or drive back to ATL for your afternoon flight—compare options on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com flights.

Optional Add-Ons if You Have More Time

• Blue Ridge Mountains: cabins, waterfalls, and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
• Golden Isles: Jekyll, St. Simons, and Cumberland Island for wild horses and quiet beaches.
• Athens: college-town energy, live music, and excellent dining an hour from Atlanta.

In one week you’ve sampled Georgia’s greatest hits: Atlanta’s museums and movement history, BeltLine bites, Savannah’s time-capsule squares, and the easy rhythm of Tybee’s coast. This itinerary leaves room for serendipity—and just enough longing to plan your return.