Staff
Whether you like mountains, beaches or cityscapes, one of the great things about Augusta, Ga. is that you’re never very far away from any of them. Spend your break exploring the attractions of Atlanta and Greenville, the beaches of Jacksonville and Charleston, or the mountains of North Georgia and Asheville. We’ve collected our favorite weekend trip destinations, all under a 4-hour drive for that perfect quick getaway.
1. Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls, Georgia
Tallulah Gorge State Park is one of the most popular destinations sites in North Georgia. The park is the perfect escape if you enjoy hiking, climbing, running, rafting and exploring nature. The gorge itself drops 1000 feet and stretches up to 2 miles long. Weather permitting, you can hike down to the bottom. Don’t leave without walking across the park’s majestic suspension bridge.
Travel time from Augusta: 2h 48m
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2. Providence Canyon, Lumpkin, Georgia
Okay, this one is a little over a 4-hour drive, but it’s worth it. DYK? Georgia is home to the “Little Grand Canyon,” a.k.a. Providence Canyon. Visitors can enjoy hiking and camping against the canyon’s gorgeous pink sand backdrop, but the park also has an astronomy program for who are interested in the celestial.
Travel time from Augusta: 4h 7m
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3. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the oldest city in the state of Georgia! Savannah is beloved by those interested in fascinating history and gorgeous beaches. The city is known for its delicious local dining and extensive art scene. Its unique placement gives visitors the option of spending time on the Savannah River, on one of the nearby beaches, or both! Don’t leave without strolling through Forsyth Park (you might also catch the farmer’s market) or kayaking through the marshes.
Travel time from Augusta: 2h 23m
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4. Atlanta, Georgia
There’s nothing you can’t do in Atlanta. Get an adrenaline rush at Six Flags. Take in a show at the Fox Theatre. Cheer on the home team at the Mercedes Benz stadium or SunTrust Park. Eat amazing food. Witness the vibrant art, music and nightlife scene. Visit some animal friends at the Georgia Aquarium or Atlanta Zoo. Explore history at one, or all, of the museums across town. Whatever your interests are, Atlanta’s got it. Don’t leave without picnicking in Piedmont Park or taking a ride on the Centinnal Wheel.
Travel time from Augusta: 2h 9m
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5. LuLa Lake Land Trust, Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Lula Lake Land Trust is another destination that’s a bit over 4-hours but we just couldn’t resist. Follow #lulalake on Instagram and you’ll see why. The trust is a part of the Cloudland Canyon State Park, which is open on weekends for visitors year-round, but if you want to bask in the trust’s famous waterfall make sure to check their schedule as it’s only open to the public seasonally. The rest of the year, it’s dedicated to environmental conservation, research and education.
Travel time from Augusta: 4h 29m
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6. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina is the oldest and second largest city in South Carolina. From its historic streets filled with local boutiques to gorgeous public beaches that surround the city, Charleston is the perfect place to explore. Don’t leave the city without visiting the Pineapple Fountain, Rainbow Row and the Battery. But, we’ll understand if you spend your entire day at the beach instead.
Travel time from Augusta: 2h 44m
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7. Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville is another city that seems to have a little bit of everything: a vibrant downtown, family-friendly parks, trail systems for hikers, bikers and campers, and a nice collection of museums. On rainy days, visit the Roper Mountain Science Center. It’s home to a butterfly garden and a planetarium.
Travel time from Augusta: 2h 24m
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8. Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is another city that enjoys the best of two worlds: river and ocean. St. John’s River is part seawater so if you’re kayaking, boating or fishing don’t be surprised if you see a friendly dolphin or manatee paddling next to you. If you’re more of the sporting type, don’t forget to pack your baseball cap, football jersey, golf clubs or fishing gear; Jacksonville has you covered.
Travel time from Augusta: 3h 53m
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9. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is our favorite mix of art, history and outdoors together for a perfect weekend. Take your athletic gear for a hiking or zip lining adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Or, get fancy at the Biltmore. Like music? Asheville’s music scene can put you in front of a full Symphony or visit any of the music festivals that seem to take place year-round. Genres range from electro to bluegrass to jazz to rock.
Travel time from Augusta: 3h 10m
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10. Charlotte, North Carolina
5 words. United States National Whitewater Center. Like Atlanta, there’s not much you can’t find in Charlotte. It’s home to an amusement park, botanical garden, a lake, football team, baseball team, hockey team, symphony, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and more and more. Don’t leave without taking a ride on the Funny Bus, a BYOB comedy-trolley tour that travels through Charlotte’s neighborhoods.
Travel time from Augusta: 2h 27m
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Don’t forget to pack your JagSwag, wear it and tag us with #AugustaUniversity and #JagSwag!
