Georgias Spring Flings

ATLANTA, February 5, 2009 - From beautiful beaches to outdoor adventures, amusement parks to wild rides, Georgia offers an exciting spring break for everyone. With fun, enriching destinations spread throughout the state, visitors can find great opportunities without breaking the bank. The salty air and rich history of Georgia's Coast capture the hearts of beach lovers everywhere. Hop on the ferry from St. Marys to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest coastal island and a protected national seashore. Its undeveloped beaches, wild horses, unique history and abundant wildlife make this a one-of-a-kind experience. Enjoy glimpses of dolphins playing in the waves from the wide, calming beaches of St. Simons Island. Climb to the top of the St. Simons Lighthouse for a spectacular view of the island, and then go look through the ruins of Fort Frederica. Savannah has one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States, and has long been a haven for history buffs. With the gorgeous, relaxing beaches of Tybee Island less than a half-hour away, and everything from excellent shopping to historical tours to authentic southern cuisine, it is perfect for a family vacation. Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Parade and celebration is a hit, drawing more than 300,000 visitors to Georgia's first city, and the internationally-acclaimed Savannah Music Festival is preparing for its most diverse and exciting year ever. Take the kids to Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island, with hands-on marine environmental science programs, guided kayak tours of Jekyll Creek, and nature walks throughout the area. The state is bursting with authentic outside adventures of all types. Hike part of the Appalachian Trail beginning at Springer Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Explore the two-mile-long, 1,000-foot-deep canyon at Tallulah Gorge State Park, or see how many different colors you can spot on the walls of Providence Canyon. Georgia has an abundance of state parks filled with gorges and waterfalls and lakes and forests – just about anything that can be imagined. Dive into the Altamaha River, the third largest contributor on North America's eastern shore of fresh water to the Atlantic Ocean. Take a canoeing or kayaking adventure down the river through Georgia's famous longleaf pine systems and rare dune habitats filled with endangered species. For more thrills, lose the canoe and grab a raft or a parachute, as both whitewater rafting and skydiving are sure to get your heart pumping. Home to the world record largemouth bass, Georgia is also a fisherman's paradise. With 500,000 acres of reservoirs and over 12,000 miles of warm water streams, not to mention the teeming coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the state provides for first-class fishing of every kind. When it comes to amusement parks, Georgia has a long tradition of excellence. Six Flags Over Georgia is one of only three Six Flags parks to have used that name since its founding, and was named for the six different flags that have flown over Georgia. Thrill-seekers will enjoy rides such as The Georgia Scorcher, one of the Southeast's tallest and fastest stand-up roller coasters, and Mind Bender, the world's first triple-loop roller coaster. More amusements, including a Monster Mansion, water rides and live shows, take up the whole day. Six Flags White Water, Marietta's younger, wetter cousin of Six Flags Over Georgia, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. As the Southeast's largest waterpark with more than 20 rides and 40 slides, it was named Best Private Waterpark in the U.S. by Aquatics International last year. Vacationers can also get soaked at Splash in the Boro waterpark and aquatics center in Statesboro. Which is adding three, brand-new rides this year. Slice up the waves on a Dual Flowrider, the only one in the region, and feel the speed on the five-lane Mat Racer. Littler ones will enjoy the Spray Ground, an interactive water playground covering 6,000 square feet of liquid fun. Water slides, specialty pools, and a lazy river ensure that everyone can cool off. In Valdosta, Wild Adventures dials up the excitement with coasters, rides, concerts and a redesigned Splash Island waterpark with a new ride: the Wahee Cyclone. At Stone Mountain Park, amusements take a natural twist with Sky Hike, the nation's largest family adventure course. No two hikes are ever the same, as different choices make each hike a new challenge. Scramble through the quarter-mile course as you watch your kids master suspended bridges, balance on a single rope or jump from platform to platform, all while high above the ground. Stay for the evening Lasershow Spectacular, the world's longest running lasershow and a Georgia institution for more than 25 years. Kids love vehicles, whether they are trains, planes or automobiles. Head to south Georgia for a ride on the SAM Shortline Excursion Train. Starting in Cordele, the Watermelon Capital of the World, this vintage train takes you on a ride that includes several historic stops along the way. Hop off at the Victorian town of Americas, home to Habitat for Humanity's Global Village, or discover how the small town of Plains influenced the nation through its most famous citizen, President Jimmy Carter. Next, stop by the Robins Air Force Base Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins. Now the second largest museum in the United States Air Force, it proudly displays 93 aircraft and hundreds of exhibits across four buildings on a 51 acre site. Embrace the rush of a flight simulator, or imagine yourself flying as you investigate the fighters, bombers, cargo aircraft, helicopters and reconnaissance planes. Inside the museum is the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame exhibit, honoring the state's greatest pilots. Next, take in the The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum in Madison. Boasting the largest collection of microcars anywhere in the world, visitors to this unique museum will leave amazed. Automobile enthusiasts will have their engines roaring as they inspect over 300 flawlessly preserved or restored microcars, from a 1958 Goggomobil DART to a 1956 Avolette Record De Luxe. Afterwards, head to the Atlanta Motor Speedway to feel the raw power and hear the roar of drivers jockeying for the number one spot. From entertaining experiences to spectacular amusements, Georgia is packed with spring break getaways for families in 2009. Whether searching for a simple day trip idea, a weekend holiday or a fully-loaded, 10 day escapade, you can find what you are looking for at www.exploregeorgia.org. Check it out and plan your family's spring break adventure today. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.