I don’t usually talk about other states – North Carolina is my bread and butter. But since Belle and I recently embarked on a Georgia road trip, I’ve decided to expand my horizons and share my adventures outside NC’s borders with y’all, too.

So, how did this four-day-long road trip happen? Belle’s best friend turned 16, and in honor of this special occasion, we decided to make the trip from the Sandhills down to Columbus, Georgia.

Which worked out great for me! Belle’s bestie’s mama is one of my favorite people. Not only did I travel somewhere I’ve never been, but I also got to enjoy three girl’s nights in a row! Wine, gossip, giggles, and sightseeing. It was basically the perfect trip.

Besides hanging out with friends, what did we do in Georgia for four days? I’ve dropped our itinerary below! Enjoy!

Our Georgia Road Trip Itinerary

Auburn, Alabama

Since we were so close to the state line, I had to sneak over and check out Sweet Home Alabama! The first place we stopped came highly recommended: Auburn. And, ya’ll!! It did not disappoint.

The village might be the most charming small town I’ve ever visited outside my beloved North Carolina. From the historic downtown to the al fresco dining to Toomer’s Drugs, I absolutely fell in love with Auburn.

The National Infantry Museum

The National Infantry Museum stands as a reminder of the cost of freedom at the entrance of Fort Benning. The exhibits cover every conflict in American history – and the WWII section brought me to tears.

Columbus, Georgia

On the banks of the Chattahoochee River sits Columbus, Georgia. The historic downtown and old mill buildings on the river are as charming as you could want them to be. We spent an entire afternoon exploring the little restaurants and shops and lounging by the river.

If you make a trip to the area, stop by Uptown Sweets and Treats – I was blown away by their cheesecake.

Eufaula, Alabama

Ah, Eufaula! Eufaula is famous for the Seth Lore and Irwinton Historic District, containing 942 properties. And, y’all, it is gorgeous!

I walked the main strip past the Shorter Mansion, taking in the historic homes and wishing folks would abandon McMansions and return to classic style.

Trust me when I say the main strip alone is worth the trip and will make you feel the same way!

The Gator Stop

On the way back to Georgia from Eufaula is a gas station called The Gator Stop. It isn’t just any old gas station, though. Behind the store is a large fenced-in pond full of, you guessed it, alligators.

Visiting the pond is free, and the gators hang out right next to the fenceline, where folks feed them Vienna sausages straight out of the can.

It was the perfect place for a pit stop! I can’t recommend it enough – but be aware: the gators aren’t shy about snacking on the pond turtles.

Providence Canyon State Park

Providence Canyon State Park was probably my favorite part of the whole trip. Why? It was so much more than I expected. I had no idea there was a little Grand Canyon on the East Coast. The canyon went above and beyond my expectations.

The canyon has a rich history, and sadly, much of its formation is due to the poor farming practices of the 1800s. It’s an important lesson on why we should strive to take care of the land around us.

Andersonville National Historic Site

The Andersonville National Historic Site in Sumter County contains the Andersonville Prison site, the National Prisoner of War Museum, and the Andersonville National Cemetery. It was the one place I was determined to see while we were in Georgia.

The Andersonville Prison is infamous for serving as a Confederate Prisoner of War Camp during the last fourteen months of the Civil War.

Andersonville was overcrowded, unsanitary, and lacked adequate water and food supplies. As a result, disease was rampant. Of the 45,000 Union soldiers held at Andersonville during the war, approximately 13,000 died.

To say this site is moving is an understatement.

Rose Hill Cemetery

Macon is home to one of the most famous graveyards in the South: Rose Hill Cemetery. And as a Southern Rock fan, I had to see it before I headed home to North Carolina.

Established in 1836, Rose Hill Cemetery was a favorite hangout and early inspiration for The Allman Brothers Band.

The song titles for “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Little Martha” were taken from Rose Hill graves. The Bond tomb of Rose Hill is on the back cover of The Allman Brothers Band’s self-titled debut album, and the cemetery is the resting place of four of the founding band members.

I didn’t spend as much time as I would’ve liked exploring the cemetery. Belle was getting hangry, so I went straight to The Allman Brothers Band’s plot, listened to a couple of songs, and got back on the road.

I’m considering it the perfect excuse to plan another Georgia road trip in the future.

---

There you have it. Our four-day Georgia road trip. What do y’all think? How did we do? What did we miss? Drop me a comment, and let me know!