Madison was called “a true Southern gem” with its historic buildings, gardens and forest landscapes. The Madison-Morgan Cutural Center was recognized for its exhibits and performances.
Heritage Hall and the Georgia Safari Conservation Park were also named.
“The park offers safari tours, close-up experiences with the animals, and luxury accommodations amidst stunning scenery,” WorldAtlas stated.
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Georgia Safari Conservation Park Looking for a hotel room with stunning views for your next getaway? (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park How about a view you’ve never experienced before—an 11-foot, 18-month-old reticulated giraffe right outside your window? (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park That’s the scene from the Giraffe Suite at the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Georgia. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park “This beautiful suite is housing two different 10-foot pane windows, so one behind me in the living room and then we have one that is overlooking the bedroom location,” Jessica Malloy from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park said. “So, that gives you full access to view to basically spend the night with a giraffe.” (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park But the giraffe isn’t the only wildlife you’ll encounter. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park You can come face-to-face with an ostrich, spot a rhino, watch zebras graze, and so much more during your visit. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park “We currently have 83 different species,” Malloy said. “The majority of the species are going to be in the pasture.” (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park “We have zebras, common eland, you’ll have roan (antelope,) there is Eastern Bongo, Addax, behind me is Phoenix, the reticulated giraffe,” Malloy continued. “We also have two Southern White Rhinoceros.” (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park The park’s grand opening is the realization of a long-held dream by its founders. Their mission? To give back to the community, promote animal outreach, and create an unforgettable experience for visitors. The 530-acre safari park offers a variety of tours, including guided safaris, wild encounters, and private VIP tours. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park For those who want to extend their stay, the park provides two unique lodging options: overnight stays in the giraffe suites or a stay in a private safari tent. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park “I like to call them luxury safari tents,” Malloy said. “These (tents) were created by a company in Johannesburg (South Africa). We had them imported here and then we had that team help us build these tents and bring them to life.” (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Most of the luxury tents feature two bedrooms... (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park but the park also offers the Honeymoon Hideaway—a one-bedroom unit with its own private outdoor oasis, including an outdoor tub and shower. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Wildlife tours are included with all overnight stays. While the safari tents might not offer giraffe views, they do provide picturesque scenes of other wildlife. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Before or after your animal adventure, you can explore downtown Madison, which is full of attractions to enjoy. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison “Historic Madison, Georgia is breathtaking,” Malloy said. “Downtown there are various restaurants you can visit. If you love antiquing, there’s the cutest little spots you can go to and just spend the day, getting lost. There are tons of different historic structures downtown.” (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Start your day with some French toast from Betty Gene’s... (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison A quaint spot serving up Southern breakfast and lunch that’s just as good as mom’s! (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Do some shopping, learn about comedian Oliver Hardy from the famous Laurel & Hardy duo and his connection to the area, or simply relax on the safari tent’s front porch while watching the animals roam. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Downtown Madison End the day with dinner and drinks at Hart & Crown Tavern... (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison a British-style pub on the square in historic Madison, where a variety of tempting treats await. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Yes, please! (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park “You can really make an entire weekend trip out of a visit to Madison.” (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park If you’re looking for a unique weekend getaway, Madison and the Georgia Safari Conservation Park offer an experience unlike any other. As the park’s website says, “Welcome to Georgia Safari Conservation Park, where the beauty of nature, amazing animal encounters, and luxurious lodging create an incredible safari adventure.” (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Who knew you could have this much fun in Madison! (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of the Safari tents. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from Giraffe Suite. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos of what you'll see and experience on a trip to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Here are some more photos from the Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Ga. (Georgia Safari Conservation Park)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Downtown Madison Here are some photos around historic downtown Madison, Ga. (Nelson Hicks)
Helen was recognized for “Bavarian-style architecture, abundant green spaces and eateries.” Natural attractions like the Chattahoochee and Anna Ruby Falls were also highlighted, along with some related activities.
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A visit to Helen, Ga. Head to North Georgia... (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. to visit a town unlike any other! (City of Helen)
Mirth & Mischief at Uhuburg Castle in Helen This is Helen, Georgia!
A visit to Helen, Ga. Where else can you find a slice of Germany... (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. with some chocolate... (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Cabbage Patch Dolls... (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. tubing... (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. an alpine village... (Nelson Hicks)
waterfalls..
Mirth & Mischief at Uhuburg Castle in Helen and a castle?
A visit to Helen, Ga. The Alpine Helen and White County Convention and Vistors Bureau describes the North Georgia town this way, "The Charm of Bavaria in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
A bustling alpine village set against a scenic backdrop of mountains, forests and river banks, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the cobblestone streets of Germany’s famed Bamberg or Lindau as colorful shops dot the landscape and the heavenly aroma of authentic German fare takes to the breeze."
(City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. From outdoor activities... (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. to great food... (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. to good wine... (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. there's a unique outing awaiting you in Helen. (City of Helen)
Don't miss the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival June 5-7.
Experience zip lines, archery, Helen on a trip to Unicoi State Park Experience zip lines, archery, Helen on a trip to Unicoi State Park
City of Helen Love Lock Bridge See the Love Lock Bridge in Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
City of Helen Love Lock Bridge See the Love Lock Bridge in Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
Helen, Georgia Oktoberfest Oktoberfest is a fall tradition in Helen, Georgia. (Scott Flynn)
Don't miss Anna Ruby Falls.
Unicoi State Park Lodge Unicoi State Park Lodge features 100 rooms, 60 of which were recently renovated. (Nelson Hicks)
Unicoi State Park Southern Living included Helen in its list of 15 Itsy-Bitsy, Teenie-Tiny Towns In The South With So Much Charm. Check out more here: https://www.southernliving.com/tiny-towns-11714387 (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here's what Southern Living had to say about Helen, "For a town of fewer than 600, Helen attracts a mighty number of visitors. In fact, it’s the third most-visited destination in the Peach State. The Bavarian town is packed with European flair and character at every turn. Just ask the cross-gabled cottages, giant schnitzels, and ridiculously involved Oktoberfest celebrations." (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (City of Helen)
City of Helen Love Lock Bridge Here are some more photos from the Love Lock Bridge in Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (City of Helen)
Mirth & Mischief at Uhuburg Castle in Helen Here are some more photos from Mirth & Mischief at Uhuburg Castle in Helen.
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (City of Helen)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
A visit to Helen, Ga. Here are some more photos around Helen. (Nelson Hicks)
Here are some more photos from the Helen to the AtlanticBalloon Race & Festival. (Photo by Nelson Hicks/wsbtv.com)
Here are some more photos from the Helen to the AtlanticBalloon Race & Festival. (Photo by Nelson Hicks/wsbtv.com)
“Just a few miles away is Unicoi State Park, where 53-acre Unicoi Lake sets the stage for fishing, swimming and paddling,” WorldAtlas said. “This park also includes a zipline attraction, campsites, cabins, a 100-room lodge and over 15 miles of hiking and biking trails.”
A little further north, Blue Ridge made the cut for its landscapes, rivers and mountain vistas.
Lake Blue Ridge, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and the Blue Ridge Recreation Area were mentioned as highlights.
“The Toccoa River Swinging Bridge is another unique attraction, stretching 270 feet and presenting unobstructed views of the river and surrounding greenery,” it stated.
Other towns on the list were Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Marathon and St. Augustine in Florida; Blowing Rock, North Carolina; Clemson, South Carolina; Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; Fairhope, Alabama; and Williamsburg, Virginia.
