Georgia Magazine - July 2011 - (Page 34)

(Continued from page 32) 19th-century farming to life through various exhibits, from harvesting to planting, cooking to quilt-making. Just 20 miles away in Alapaha, Ken’s Hatchery & Fish Farm and River Oaks Hunting Plantation offer up-close ﬁshing and wild hog hunts. Chehaw Wild Animal Park in Albany is one of three AZA-accredited (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) zoos in the state (the other two are Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta) and offers natural habitat exhibits with African black rhinos, cheetahs and zebras. Albany’s Flint RiverQuarium recreates the Flint River ecosystem and tells the story of the creation of the river, which began with mysterious blue-hole springs. Interactive exhibits feature more than 100 species of native aquatic life; an aviary showcases the numerous wetland birds that live nearby. Wild Adventures Water and Theme Park in Valdosta combines the experiences of a theme park with the appeal of hundreds of wild animals. Seasonal shows and concerts, theme-park rides and a fullsized water park make Wild Adventures popular with tourists and residents alike. Within the park, Lorikeet Landing Aviary’s 7,000-square-foot facility houses parakeets, lorikeets, tortoises, large ground birds and Koi. Presidential Pathways With connections to two American presidents—Jimmy Carter and Franklin D. Roosevelt—Presidential Pathways is ﬁlled with white-columned homes, remnants of the Civil War and attractions for all members of the family. The true nature of the South comes to life with antebellum homesteads, history museums and natural beauty. The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains, a unit of the National Park Service, captures the rural Southern culture that inﬂuenced the boyhood development of Jimmy Carter. The site includes Plains High School, Plains Historic District, the Plains Train Depot and the Carter Boyhood Home. FDR’s Little White House in Warm Springs was a frequent vacation home for the nation’s 32nd president. A Georgia State Historic Site, the Little White House is open for tours. Nearby Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain is a haven for all ages. The 13,000-acre resort includes the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center, Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden and the Cecil B. Day Butterﬂy Center. Two hotels on the property are complemented by cottages available for rent, and The Gardens restaurant offers ﬁne gourmet meals. Each summer, Callaway is host to the Florida State Flying High Circus and the Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament. Columbus captures old-South charm with all the sizzle of the big city. It has one of the state’s largest contiguous historic districts, a military heritage, the More online at www.georgiamagazine.org GDEcD Chattahoochee River and the nation’s second-oldest symphony orchestra. In The Rock, the Rock Ranch, owned by Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-ﬁl-A, is a 1,250-acre working cattle ranch that’s one of the state’s ﬁnest examples of agritourism. Family fun here includes hayrides, camping in Conestoga wagons and special events throughout the year for all ages. LaGrange is a little-known treasure in West Georgia. With beautiful historic homes such as Hills & Dales Estate, the historic home of the Fuller E. Callaway Family; ﬁne restaurants—including C’sons Restaurant in downtown—and other attractions, LaGrange is a must-see when visiting Presidential Pathways. The Explorations in Antiquity Center recreates life in biblical times with a living museum, architectural replicas and biblical meal experiences. It is a fascinating way to spend an afternoon traveling back in time. Choose the mountains to the Georgia From shores, from ancient history to modern times, the ﬁve southernmost travel regions of Georgia can satisfy the wanderlust of the most discriminating traveler. Take some time to explore what these regions offer, then plan a trip close to home to experience all the diversity of Georgia. “We hope that people will be pleasantly surprised by what Georgia has to offer,” GDEcD’s Paupeck says. “Exploregeorgia.org is the perfect place to begin your journey.” Pamela A. Keene is a freelance journalist and photographer living in Flowery Branch. Civil Rights Museum, Albany 34 For more on places to stay and things to do in Georgia’s ﬁve web exclusive southernmost travel regions, web exclusive see pages 35A and 35B in the July 2011 digital edition online at www.georgiamag azine.org. GEORGIA MAGAZINE http://www.Exploregeorgia.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - July 2011

Georgia Magazine - July 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Georgia’s Energy Outlook
Special Energy Report
A Jewel Against the Sea
“A Special Blessing”
Your Own Backyard
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - July 2011