Georgia Reviews
Header Photograph of Panther Creek in Tallulah Gorge Falls, GA by Third Rock Explorations
1 Star * - We would never go again or recommend it
2 Stars ** - It wasn't for us, but someone else may like it
3 Stars *** - It was good and we would recommend it
4 Stars **** - It was great and we would recommend it
5 Stars ***** - Definitely try it when you are visiting the area
Along the Way
Laurel and Hardy Museum - Augusta, GA - 4 Stars ****
If you are a fan of the comedy duo, this is a great stop along the way. We found this 2 room museum driving on Hwy 40 from Columbia to Atlanta. There is a small gift shop, photo opportunities, short movie clips, and a ton of collectibles to look at. It's just a short drive off of the highway and doesn't take long to go through, but is a fun stop to get out and stretch your legs!
Amici Restaurant - Madison, GA - 3.5 Stars ****
A pizza pub with an Italian Menu. The service was good, the restaurant was clean and the decor was.....The chicken Alfredo was excellent. The chicken actually had a citrus flavor to it that somehow worked with homemade Alfredo cream sauce.
Antique Sweets - Madison, GA - 5 Stars *****
This shop was right next to Amici and we couldn't help but notice their sign for "Bulldog Bites". We had to go in to explore. The shop is adorable and there is a good selection of homemade chocolates. Christie, one of the owners, was extremely friendly and was a great ambassador for her town, and gave us great information on Madison. The Bulldog Bites were amazing. The chocolate is smooth and creamy and we would HIGHLY RECOMMEND a visit to this shop!
Madison, GA - 5 Stars ***** "A hidden gem known for it's picturesque downtown area featuring over 100 Antebellum homes"
We randomly stopped at this exit off of Hwy 40 between Augusta and Atlanta, GA looking for a place to eat and found a beautifully preserved piece of southern history. If you have a day to spend, there are walking tours and several Antebellum homes that are open to tour! We HIGHLY RECOMMEND a day trip to Madison if you are in the area!
Laurel and Hardy Museum - Augusta, GA - 4 Stars ****
If you are a fan of the comedy duo, this is a great stop along the way. We found this 2 room museum driving on Hwy 40 from Columbia to Atlanta. There is a small gift shop, photo opportunities, short movie clips, and a ton of collectibles to look at. It's just a short drive off of the highway and doesn't take long to go through, but is a fun stop to get out and stretch your legs!
Amici Restaurant - Madison, GA - 3.5 Stars ****
A pizza pub with an Italian Menu. The service was good, the restaurant was clean and the decor was.....The chicken Alfredo was excellent. The chicken actually had a citrus flavor to it that somehow worked with homemade Alfredo cream sauce.
Antique Sweets - Madison, GA - 5 Stars *****
This shop was right next to Amici and we couldn't help but notice their sign for "Bulldog Bites". We had to go in to explore. The shop is adorable and there is a good selection of homemade chocolates. Christie, one of the owners, was extremely friendly and was a great ambassador for her town, and gave us great information on Madison. The Bulldog Bites were amazing. The chocolate is smooth and creamy and we would HIGHLY RECOMMEND a visit to this shop!
Madison, GA - 5 Stars ***** "A hidden gem known for it's picturesque downtown area featuring over 100 Antebellum homes"
We randomly stopped at this exit off of Hwy 40 between Augusta and Atlanta, GA looking for a place to eat and found a beautifully preserved piece of southern history. If you have a day to spend, there are walking tours and several Antebellum homes that are open to tour! We HIGHLY RECOMMEND a day trip to Madison if you are in the area!
Atlanta, GA - 3.5 Stars *** "A bustling hub with a lot of history. "
Atlanta has a lot to offer, depending on the type of getaway you are looking for. The traffic in Atlanta is always a problem, which is a downside of visiting the area. You definitely have to plan your activities carefully or run the risk of spending much of your day in traffic. There are plenty of things to do to fill your schedule for several days. Though not one of our favorite cities, we always find something new to explore when we are in town.
Atlanta has a lot to offer, depending on the type of getaway you are looking for. The traffic in Atlanta is always a problem, which is a downside of visiting the area. You definitely have to plan your activities carefully or run the risk of spending much of your day in traffic. There are plenty of things to do to fill your schedule for several days. Though not one of our favorite cities, we always find something new to explore when we are in town.
Stone Mountain - 3.5 Stars ***
This is a major tourist attraction just outside of Atlanta. It offers great views from the summit of this gigantic boulder. This memorial has some great historical aspects, however, the theme park setting surrounding the mountain is a little cheesy and somewhat seems inappropriate for a Confederate Memorial. The carving in the mountain is amazing and we definitely recommend taking the quick tram up the mountain so you can get the best view of the carving as well as some great information from the conductors. The rest of the park is beautiful and you should plan on spending a good part of a day at the park. Don't miss out on the Carillon Bells, the Old Mill, and the Covered Bridge.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple - 4 Stars ****
If you are into architecture and spirituality, this is a must stop. This Hindu Temple is absolutely gorgeous. Made of carved limestone, it's truly a work of art. They do allow you to go inside the temple and even invite you to join them during their prayer times, but if you are wearing shorts, you will have to grab a sarong to wear to cover your legs. They do not allow photos in the temple. Inside, it's carved limestone and Italian marble, lighted with blue lights, which gives the effects of being in a snow palace. It is beautiful and it just feels sacred. There are carved statues displayed throughout the prayer room and each statue has a placard describing what they are the God of. There is a place where you can place your offerings to the God you wish to commune with. Bring a few dollars and pay your respects. We found this place beautiful, welcoming, and peaceful.
Junkman's Daughter - 3.5 Stars ***
An alternative-style store filled with unique t-shirts and clothing as well as some other unique items. If you are looking for something that you probably won't find somewhere else, this is the place.
CNN Center - 3.5 Stars ***
This rating is strictly based on our time in the lobby area of the CNN Center. The lobby area is huge with a large food court with lot of options and there is a lot of energy buzzing with all of the hustle and bustle here. There is plenty to look at here while you sit and eat, and there are some shops in the lobby area as well. We did not take the tour, but would be open to it
Coca Cola - 3 Stars ***
If you are a true fan of Coca Cola then this is a stop for you. If, like us, you enjoy a nice cold Coke product, but aren't a collector, then you could probably skip this stop. For about $35 you can get a full 2-3 hour Coca Cola advertisement. While we appreciate that Coke is a sponsor of so many wonderful things, and is truly a part of the culture here in the U.S., we expected the tour to be more about the manufacturing and bottling process. They do touch on these things, but for the most part, it's just a ton of memorabilia, ads, and some history. Of course there is a huge gift shop for those collectors out there and a tasting room of their products from around the world, like they have at Epcot. If you are trying to fill your schedule in Atlanta then it's an iconic thing to do, the value just wasn't there for us.
The Georgia Aquarium - 3.5 Stars ***
We visit the Aquarium every time we visit Atlanta, but we have to say that it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as it used to be. The large tank with the tunnel which features the large rays and the Whale Sharks was as impressive as always. Massive creatures that block out the sun floating overhead is just breathtaking, but that was about it. They now feature a sea lion show which was entertaining and educational, but the new (to us) dolphin show was neither. The dolphins are forced to perform tricks that have been discontinued at many other parks. Lifting trainers up on their noses and pushing them across the pool by their feet has no educational benefit for those watching and is not part of husbandry training, which helps the trainers with medical examinations, feeding, etc. At one point, two of the dolphins nearly smashed the trainers into the wall at a very high speed. The trainers definitely seemed spooked. They also used to have a wonderful cafe with Wolfgang Puck food and amazing desserts. The food just looked awful. We would still recommend a trip to the aquarium just for the large tank alone.
This is a major tourist attraction just outside of Atlanta. It offers great views from the summit of this gigantic boulder. This memorial has some great historical aspects, however, the theme park setting surrounding the mountain is a little cheesy and somewhat seems inappropriate for a Confederate Memorial. The carving in the mountain is amazing and we definitely recommend taking the quick tram up the mountain so you can get the best view of the carving as well as some great information from the conductors. The rest of the park is beautiful and you should plan on spending a good part of a day at the park. Don't miss out on the Carillon Bells, the Old Mill, and the Covered Bridge.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple - 4 Stars ****
If you are into architecture and spirituality, this is a must stop. This Hindu Temple is absolutely gorgeous. Made of carved limestone, it's truly a work of art. They do allow you to go inside the temple and even invite you to join them during their prayer times, but if you are wearing shorts, you will have to grab a sarong to wear to cover your legs. They do not allow photos in the temple. Inside, it's carved limestone and Italian marble, lighted with blue lights, which gives the effects of being in a snow palace. It is beautiful and it just feels sacred. There are carved statues displayed throughout the prayer room and each statue has a placard describing what they are the God of. There is a place where you can place your offerings to the God you wish to commune with. Bring a few dollars and pay your respects. We found this place beautiful, welcoming, and peaceful.
Junkman's Daughter - 3.5 Stars ***
An alternative-style store filled with unique t-shirts and clothing as well as some other unique items. If you are looking for something that you probably won't find somewhere else, this is the place.
CNN Center - 3.5 Stars ***
This rating is strictly based on our time in the lobby area of the CNN Center. The lobby area is huge with a large food court with lot of options and there is a lot of energy buzzing with all of the hustle and bustle here. There is plenty to look at here while you sit and eat, and there are some shops in the lobby area as well. We did not take the tour, but would be open to it
Coca Cola - 3 Stars ***
If you are a true fan of Coca Cola then this is a stop for you. If, like us, you enjoy a nice cold Coke product, but aren't a collector, then you could probably skip this stop. For about $35 you can get a full 2-3 hour Coca Cola advertisement. While we appreciate that Coke is a sponsor of so many wonderful things, and is truly a part of the culture here in the U.S., we expected the tour to be more about the manufacturing and bottling process. They do touch on these things, but for the most part, it's just a ton of memorabilia, ads, and some history. Of course there is a huge gift shop for those collectors out there and a tasting room of their products from around the world, like they have at Epcot. If you are trying to fill your schedule in Atlanta then it's an iconic thing to do, the value just wasn't there for us.
The Georgia Aquarium - 3.5 Stars ***
We visit the Aquarium every time we visit Atlanta, but we have to say that it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as it used to be. The large tank with the tunnel which features the large rays and the Whale Sharks was as impressive as always. Massive creatures that block out the sun floating overhead is just breathtaking, but that was about it. They now feature a sea lion show which was entertaining and educational, but the new (to us) dolphin show was neither. The dolphins are forced to perform tricks that have been discontinued at many other parks. Lifting trainers up on their noses and pushing them across the pool by their feet has no educational benefit for those watching and is not part of husbandry training, which helps the trainers with medical examinations, feeding, etc. At one point, two of the dolphins nearly smashed the trainers into the wall at a very high speed. The trainers definitely seemed spooked. They also used to have a wonderful cafe with Wolfgang Puck food and amazing desserts. The food just looked awful. We would still recommend a trip to the aquarium just for the large tank alone.
Tallulah Gorge Falls, GA - 5 Stars ***** "A beautiful town with amazing views and an abundance of waterfalls and trails"
We learned of a reservation problem (not campground 's fault) upon arriving at Tallulah Falls Gorge State Park and pulling up we saw the campground full sign. We pulled to side to find a place for the night the rangers said there would be campers checking out the next day. We starting to pull away when Ranger Jessica W. came running out flagging us down. She and her colleague Maxwell T. had found a possible solution for the night. They really went the extra mile! So thankful because that set the course for an absolutely lovely stay.
There plenty of trails. There are lots of spots to get different views of the gorge. Be ready to climb some stairs. There's a nice little beach area. A couple of police officers from the town swung by campsites to invite people to their Bluegrass at the Opry House. An event they have seasonally every Saturday evening. There is food and refreshments. They have a bonfire- and supply s'more supplies. Very welcoming family fun night. We would highly recommend a long weekend in Tallulah Gorge Falls.
Savannah, GA - 5 Stars ***** "One of the best little cities in the South"
We visited Savannah for St Patrick's Day in 2016. This is the Mardi Gras of St Patrick's Day. There are blocks filled with all types of vendors and musical entertainment to supplement the shops and restaurants already located riverside. The festival is a great time and a must do, but a trip to Savannah is a must for any traveler. Savannah has a lot of history and the architecture and parks are absolutely beautiful. Walking around the city you feel like you are taking a step back in time. There are plenty of things to do and see to keep you busy for a romantic weekend getaway!
Andersonville National Memorial - 5 Stars ***** (Coming Soon)
We learned of a reservation problem (not campground 's fault) upon arriving at Tallulah Falls Gorge State Park and pulling up we saw the campground full sign. We pulled to side to find a place for the night the rangers said there would be campers checking out the next day. We starting to pull away when Ranger Jessica W. came running out flagging us down. She and her colleague Maxwell T. had found a possible solution for the night. They really went the extra mile! So thankful because that set the course for an absolutely lovely stay.
There plenty of trails. There are lots of spots to get different views of the gorge. Be ready to climb some stairs. There's a nice little beach area. A couple of police officers from the town swung by campsites to invite people to their Bluegrass at the Opry House. An event they have seasonally every Saturday evening. There is food and refreshments. They have a bonfire- and supply s'more supplies. Very welcoming family fun night. We would highly recommend a long weekend in Tallulah Gorge Falls.
Savannah, GA - 5 Stars ***** "One of the best little cities in the South"
We visited Savannah for St Patrick's Day in 2016. This is the Mardi Gras of St Patrick's Day. There are blocks filled with all types of vendors and musical entertainment to supplement the shops and restaurants already located riverside. The festival is a great time and a must do, but a trip to Savannah is a must for any traveler. Savannah has a lot of history and the architecture and parks are absolutely beautiful. Walking around the city you feel like you are taking a step back in time. There are plenty of things to do and see to keep you busy for a romantic weekend getaway!
Andersonville National Memorial - 5 Stars ***** (Coming Soon)
