Georgia
The Peach State with an abundance of trees!

Georgia, called the Peach State, is also the world's number one pecan producer. The center of Georgia's pecan region is Albany, located in the heart of Southwest Georgia. The premier provider of gourmet Georgia pecans is Sunnyland Farms in Albany. In addition to pecans, this Southwest Georgia company also provides nuts, dried fruits, chocolates, candies and gifts. Americus, the heart of Carter Country, is characterized by pecan groves.

Georgia is also known for having an abundance of trees, especially pine trees. The Sam Shortline train excursion runs from Cordele to Plains in Southwest Georgia. The train ride is an excellent way to view the abundance of trees that Georgia is blessed with. Scheduled stops along the route is also a way to learn more interesting and little known things that Georgia has to offer, such as the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum.

Where do you get Georgia peaches? Answer: Dickey Farms near Fort Valley in Georgia's heartland. This multigenerational family ownrd business has been growing peaches for over 120 years! The Dickey Packinghouse is a landmark building in Musella Georgia off of I-75.

Also located near Fort Valley is Massey Lane Gardens, headquarters of the American Camellia Society. Massey Lane features seven themed specialty gardens. In addition to camellias, Massey Lane also features azaleas, pitcher plants, wild orchids, venus fly traps as well as many rare and endamgered plants native to the Southeast.

Fort Valley State University, an HBCU, offers degrees in agriculture, agriculture operations, and related sciences. FVSU is also has Georgia's ONLY certified veterinary technology program. The annual Fountain City Cassic football game is Fall highlight for alumni and fans of FVSU and rival Albany State University Golden Rams. The game is played in Columbus Georgia.

Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, is called the Capital of the New South. However, Georgia has quite a few other capitals. Cordele is called the Watermelon Capital of the World. The month of June in Cordele is a time to celebrate the watermelon harvest. The celebration is called, Watermelon Days. Sylvester is called the Peanut Capital of the World. The annual Georgia Peanut Festival, held in October, celebrates the state's peanut industry.

Savanah is located at the mouth of the Savannah River. River Street in downtown Savannah is a popular shopping and entertainment destination, having shops, restaurants and clubs along cobblestone streets that lead to the city's waterfront and reflect Savannah's history as Georgia first planned city. Another major Georgia city with a popular waterfront is Columbus. This city sits on the bank of the Chattahoochee River, directly across from its sister city, Phenix City Alabama. The Columbus Riverwalk highlights the city's history as a frontier port and the last planned city of the original thirteen colonies.

Augusta is the Home of the Masters of golf. However golfers looking for a championship golf course can also find one in Pine Mountain Georgia, location of Callaway Gardens. This 14,000 acre horticultural display garden and woodland also has a 63-hole championship golf course. Pine Mountain is also the location of Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park. In the park you will find President Roosevelt's favorite picnic spot and a life-size statue of the former president sitting in the park. This park is near Warms Springs, and President's vacation home, Little White House.

Horticulturalists will also find the cities of Valdosta and Thomasville very interesting. Valdosta is Georgia's Azalea City. This city has an abundance of azaleas that bloom during the spring and summer. Thomasville is Georgia's City of Roses. It has 500 rosebushes that bloom in the Spring. Thomasville's annual Rose Show and Festival attracts visitors from all over the world.

Fall in Georgia is a time for festivals. In the North Georgia Mountains you will find festivals galore! Blue Ridge celebrates the Arts via Fall Arts in the Park. In Helen, there is an Alpine Village Arts & Crafts Show. Cloggers gather in Hiawassee for the Georgia State Cloggers Convention. Persons who enjoyed The Dukes of Hazard tv show will enjoy the races at the Mountain Moonshine Festival in Dawsonville. Looking for a country or county fair, visit Cumming or Dalton. Syrup Makers will enjoy the Sorghum Festival in Blairsville. Other fun filled Fall North Georgia Mountain locations include Adairsville, Cedartownm Clayton, Dalonega, Dillard, and Lookout Mountain.

For information on Georgia locations, click one of the featured cities.