2008 Official Georgia Travel Guide

coast Fort Pulaski, Savannah the wood stork. Fire, a critical component of the ecosystems’ survival, sweeps the area in cycles, clearing out invasive underbrush and renewing indigenous habitat. Main access points and visitor services can be found at Waycross’ Okefenokee Swamp Park, Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo, and Folkston’s Gateway to the Okefenokee Swamp. Celebrate “the land of trembling earth” at Waycross’ Swampfest and Folkston’s Okefenokee Festival, or follow the Okefenokee Trail by car. GDEcD Fort king George was the southernmost outpost of the British Empire until 1736, and surviving Revolutionary War earthworks can be seen at Fort Morris. Tybee Island’s Fort Screven, active until 1947, was a key part of Georgia’s coastal defense through the SpanishAmerican War and both world wars. St. Simons Island is home to the remnants of Fort Frederica, a tabby garrison built by James Oglethorpe in 1736. travel this main route to and from Florida. Train watchers can spread out on the grounds of Folkston’s renovated depot or head across the double tracks to the covered platform complete with lights, fans and scanner. The action continues at Savannah’s Roundhouse Railroad Museum, the oldest and largest existing 19th-century railroad complex in America. Exciting plans are in the works to further enhance the Roundhouse exhibit facilities. Across the street is the historic Central of Georgia passenger depot, now the Savannah Visitors Center, and two other beautifully restored railroad administration buildings now owned by Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Halls of Knowledge Created in honor of the great World War II air armada, the awe-inspiring Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler allows visitors to see original aircraft, experience the challenges of a B-17 gunner, and take a mission flight over enemy territory in a state-of-theart immersion theater. Seven galleries and touch tanks in the new Maritime Center at the Historic Coast Guard Station on St. Simons Island offer hands-on education about the creation and preservation of Georgia’s barrier islands as well as highlights from the area’s military and maritime history. The St. Marys Submarine Museum offers visitors a chance to sit at the helm of one of the giant vessels, and Savannah’s Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum features detailed models of sail steamers, tug boats, warships and supertankers. Recipes for Fun Dive into local cuisine at any of the myriad festivals celebrating coastal culinary delights. Fill up at kingsland’s Catfish Festival, Richmond Hill’s Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival, the Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee, Woodbine’s Crawfish Festival, the Rock Shrimp Festival in St. Marys and the Savannah Seafood Festival. Plenty of restaurants also serve up regional favorites year-round. Take in beautiful Waycross from Pond View Downtown as you savor their famous crab cakes. If you prefer catfish, head to Steffen’s Family Restaurant in kingsland. In Savannah, visit famed Paula Deen’s The Lady & Sons, or go to Tybee Island’s The Crab Shack, where the “elite eat in their bare feet.” To get the full feel of laid-back coastal life in Brunswick, enjoy a great seafood dinner on the water at Mudcat Charlie’s. Feeling Swamped The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1936 to preserve the 438,000-acre swamp and its unique habitats, is home to cypress trees, carnivorous pitcher plants and bladderworts, alligators, and endangered animals such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, American bald eagle and The Rhythm of Art From visual fine arts to dramatic stage performances, the coast is rich in creative Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Rail Rally Train enthusiasts flock to the Folkston GDEcD Funnel, where more than 60 trains a day 68 Official Georgia Travel Guide GEORGIA.ORG • 1-800-VISIT GA http://www.georgia.org

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