Georgia'’s Unique Driving Trails Reveal Rich Heritage and Boundless Adventure

ATLANTA, January 22, 2009 - Georgia's driving trails have something for everyone: natural beauty, compelling history, exciting attractions and outdoor adventures. Take the scenic route and discover something unexpected through fun, educational and one-of-a-kind experiences. Here are just a few of Georgia's themed driving trails offering routes that reach every corner of the state. The Heritage Highway 441 Trail takes you through the middle of the state, splitting it in two with a nearly vertical path running north-south. At the top, the mountains of northern Georgia surrender spectacular views of peaks and valleys as the trail marches south, exposing Indian and Appalachian heritage along the way. As the mountains give way to the rolling hills of the Piedmont, antebellum homes and historic cities such as Madison and Milledgeville stand guard, shepherding curious travelers through their inviting doorways and friendly streets. Continuing south, the hills yield to the flatness of the Coastal Plain, perfect for exploring mysterious blackwater river systems and thriving wildlife preserves. Georgia's Blue and Gray Trail is a composite of more than 60 battlefields, national parks, and museums. History buffs and curious travelers alike will be moved by locations such as Chickamauga, site of the second largest battle of the war and the first battlefield designated a National Military Park. The ghosts of the Chattanooga National Cemetery and the memories at Margaret Mitchell's Atlanta home where she wrote the Civil War novel Gone With the Wind, are just a few of the other attractions featured on the trail. More than 300 species of birds seen across 100 miles of diverse, coastal habitats make the Colonial Coast Birding Trail a perennial favorite. At 18 different sites along Georgia's coast, from old rice fields to salt marshes, an incredible diversity of winged life can be discovered and enjoyed. Watch an eagle soaring over Melon Bluff Preserve,  spy an endangered wood stork silently fishing, and enjoy the host of 18th and 19th century historical places that provide the framework for the birding trial. For over two decades, seven cities have formed the core of what is known as Georgia's Antebellum Trail. Stately, pillared manors line the streets of historic communities such as Madison, Watkinsville, and Eatonton. Visit Milledgeville and tour the Old Governor's Mansion, or observe Athens' famous double-barreled cannon before seeing 'the town that time forgot,' Old Clinton. You can even search for the famous Confederate gold that is rumored to have been hidden in Macon's Hay House after the Civil War. This year marks the trail's 25th anniversary, and in honor of this occasion the first annual Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage is taking place this spring. It includes access to seven events and attractions, including private, historic homes not generally open to the public. What would a visit to the Peach State be without a peachy experience? The Peach Blossom Trail stretches across eight counties in middle Georgia, showcasing the state's illustrious and delicious fuzzy fruit. This famous region of orchards produces 100 million pounds of peaches each year and is home to more than 1.6 million peach trees, comprising the state's largest commercial peach-growing region. In the spring, the trail is a beautiful tapestry of delicate pink and white blossoms, while the summer months offer the sweet fruits of the soil for feasting. Stop by a roadside stand or even pick your own right off the tree for a truly authentic and tasty Georgia experience! The Plantations and Pines Trail stretches west-to-east across southern Georgia, offering travelers a wide range of different experiences from the best the state has to offer. Get face-to-face with Georgia's wildlife at the new Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island and at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, created to protect one of the world's largest intact freshwater ecosystems. Famous for its amphibian and reptile life, visitors can scout out tree frogs and lizards or boat through the marshes with giant alligators. After leaving the swamp, stop and smell the flowers in Thomasville, 'The Rose City." With over 7,000 roses publicly maintained throughout the city, it is the perfect place to hold the annual Rose Festival. Venture back in time at the historic Pebble Hill Plantation in the west or the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation in the east. Experience the Border To Border Trail and enjoy 320 miles of natural wonders, cultivated beauty and man-made marvels. U.S. Highway 27 spans all of Georgia, from the north to the south, and has everything from history to nature to modern marvels. Some highlights include the breathtaking Cloudland Canyon, the elegant Callaway Gardens, the ancient Kolomoki Indian Mounds and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Georgia retreat, the Little White House in Warm Springs. Historic Augusta is the starting point for the Woodpecker Trail, perhaps one of the oldest tourist routs in the U.S. Formed back in the 1920's, it has gone through several periods of change, arriving at its current configuration in 2004. It offers a variety of natural, historical, and agro-tourism opportunities, with everything from state parks to museums to the city of Vidalia, home of the world-famous Vidalia sweet onions. Adventurers can camp in Magnolia Springs State Park, with crystal clear natural springs, or explore the natural wonders of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The pine forests along the route hide the trail's namesake, though a keen eye will reveal many red-headed woodpeckers along the way. Miles of stunning mountain and lake views define the Southern Highroads Trail. Featuring a wide variety of antique shops, arts, entertainment, dining, unique lodging and outdoor activities, this mountain route is as fun as it is beautiful. Discover why Ellijay is Georgia's apple capital; experience a Bavarian alpine village right here in the U.S.; lose yourself in the spectacular sights surrounding Tallulah Gorge and go tubing on the Chattahoochee River. Local vineyards offer relaxation and refreshment, a plethora of lakes and state parks offer unparalleled natural opportunities, and historical sites such as the Chief Vann House, 'Showplace of the Cherokee Nation,' round out the diverse opportunities available to travelers along the trail. These trails offer a wide range of different activities and attractions in every corner of the state. With so many great opportunities, there is sure to be a trail for everyone. To learn more about these trails and more, visit www.exploregeorgia.org . 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.