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Georgia: Augusta, Family Vacation Ideas – Swamp Boating, Living History, and Great Music. From Augusta and Macon to Darien and Waycross Southern hospitality prevails. The area, known for peaches, sweet onions, pecans, and fruitcake provides comfortable easy-paced ways for families enjoy time away. There is even a town called Santa Claus.

Georgia’s Southern Region offers plenty of diversions for a vacationing family. We have assembled a vacation activity list for your perusal. Our list includes canoeing, hiking, fishing, living history, plenty of music, and plenty of hands-on family fun.

Take a ride along the Augusta Canal. The 11.5-mile Augusta Canal National Heritage Area is located along the banks of the Savannah River and canal. It offers views of the rapids from the scenic gravel towpath and an excellent opportunity for canoeing, as well as fishing. The Augusta Canal is one of 18 nationally designated heritage areas. Discovery: The new Interpretive Center showcases the life of the Savannah River and how the canal that was built in 1845 shaped the personality of the city. In addition to exhibits, the center also provides visitors with a film that explains the use of the harnessed water source and southern manufacturing power, the Civil War and the eventual arrival of hydroelectric power. (1450 Greene St. 30901. 1(706) 823-0440, 1-888-659-8926 or www.augustacanal.com)

Canoe the Altamaha River. Crossed less than a dozen times by man-made structures the natural beauty of this waterway is one of Georgia’s treasures. Flowing more than 130 miles to the coast from its headwaters by the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers, north of Baxley, it is the second largest watershed on the eastern seaboard and remains completely undammed. The river is chocolate in color and the pace tranquilizing. The shoreline areas provide a safe habitat for bald eagles, kites and woodpeckers. For families that enjoy canoeing, kayaking or boating, this is the river. Strategically along the riverboat ramps and landings facilities provide access and there are many picnic areas and marked hiking trails. Discovery: At the end of May each year Altamaha Outdoor Adventures conducts a River Rat Run Canoe & Kayak Excursion ideal for families. ( www.altamahariver.org)

Hum a Southern tune. The Georgia Music Hall of Fame provides a musical experience of the best kind. As the state's official music museum, it pays tribute to artists like Little Richard, James Brown, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band. For kids they have created “Tune Town” - an exhibit hall that looks like a small Georgia town. Each building represents an aspect of Georgia’s musical heritage. Audio landscapes play overhead and CD listening stations are located throughout. The Music Factory Children's Wing encourages real time exploration of music. It is all about doing while learning. One of most interesting activities is “Style Matters” where children listen to a simple song like "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in the traditional way. Then they hear it played as a jazz, salsa or a symphonic tune. (Macon. 1-888-GA ROCKS (427-6257), 1(478) 750-8555 or www.georgiamusic.org)

Canoe the great swamp. Located at the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Mary's Rivers the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge covers nearly a half million acres and is the largest refuge in the Eastern United States. Original inhabitants called it the "Land of the Trembling Earth" because at times the peat-laden islands move causing the trees to appear to tremble. The Okefenokee Swamp is both amazingly beautiful and eerie at the same time. Moss-draped trees and fallen decaying logs define the water routes. Birds are everywhere. Frogs by the millions sing at the slightest disruption. Still, canoeing the tannic colored passageways with alligators slithering and turtles sunning is one of the best ways to experience the primeval wilderness. (Refuge east entrance at Folkston, 31537. 1(912) 496-7836 or okefenokee.fws.gov)

Lost in time. In downtown Waycross the Okefenokee Heritage Center provides both indoor and outdoor displays that focus on both the community and the Okefenokee Swamp. Artifacts include antique vehicles, photos, artwork, 1912 vintage locomotive, 1840s farmhouse and a friendly staff with oodles of trivia, some fact and some fiction. (1460 North Augusta Avenue, Waycross 31501. 1(912) 285-4260 or www.okefenokeeheritagecenter.org)

See the swamp queen. Vast and mysterious, “The Land of the Trembling Earth” (A.K.A Okefenokee Swamp) must be seen to be l believed. Measuring 700-square miles, the 412,000- acre refuge is a natural wonder. The welcome center at Waycross (there are two others. provides a quick syllabus of the refuge through a film, wildlife exhibits, serpentarium, a 90-foot high observation tower and boardwalk. Boat tours move along the original Seminole waterways while guides parlay local facts and tell stories from earlier times. There are wilderness walkways and an excursion train to Pioneer Island. Bonus Points: About eight miles from the center of Waycross, there is an old cabin at the edge of the Okefenokee wetlands. Visitors must follow a man-made boardwalk to get the full swamp life experience. Discovery: For more in depth tours park rangers can set up longer guided trips that include the headwaters of the Suawnanee River. (Waycross 1(912) 283-0583 or www.okefenokeeswamp.com)

Fruitcake anyone? East of Vidalia is the sleepy hamlet of Claxton known by many as “The Fruitcake Capital of the World.” For fruitcake lovers this is heaven. Imagine the sweet aroma of fruitcake baking. The modern baking facilities produce more than six million pounds of sweetness annually. Tours are no longer available but they still provide samples at the bakery stores. Where there is fruitcake Santa Claus is not far away, right? (For a tasty treat try: Georgia Fruitcake, 1(912) 739-2683 or www.georgiafruitcakecompany.com and Claxton Bakery, 1-800-841-4211 or www.claxtonfruitcake.com)

Discover technology Southern-style. State-of-the-art, hands-on and tons of fun, The National Science Center (NSC) and Fort Discovery are located on the Riverwalk along the Savannah River in Augusta. A family-oriented math and science center with two floors and 270 interactive exhibits, the center provides plenty of ways to have fun and learn at the same time. Exhibit topics range from the fundamentals of electricity to the complexities of biomedical equipment. A high-tech theater experience traces the dramatic evolution of human communication from the caveman era through modern day advances. The giant Tesla Coil recreates an indoor lightning storm. (Fort Discovery One 7th Street, Augusta 30901. 1(706) 821-0607 or www.nscdiscovery.org)

On the coast they wore kilts. Fort King George conveys a sense of place from both an historical perspective as well as an ecological viewpoint. Using old records and drawings, this 18th century frontier fortification on the Altamaha River has been reconstructed. Dioramas of indigenous plants and animals depict the area prior to European contact. Diary excerpts from Colonial John Barnwell dated from June to July of 1721 describe an almost impossible situation for the residents. In addition to the gallery area there is a ten-minute audio/video presentation that pulls all of the information together and explains the importance of the Scots of Darien. Discovery: This site is on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. (Ft. King George Drive, Darien, 31305. 1(912) 437-4770 or www.darientel.net/~ftkgeo)

Hear geechee-speak. Just off the coast is Sapelo Island is a secret treasure. The mainland visitor center brings to life both the natural and cultural history of Sapelo. Imagine when the pirate Blackbeard roamed the waters, hear geechee-speak, a native dialect and see what it takes to build a tabby house. On the guided island tours focus on the African-American community of Hog Hammock, University of Georgia Marine Institute, Reynolds Mansion and newly restored lighthouse. Discovery: There are guided beach and marsh walks conducted by docents. (In Meridian, 8 miles northeast of Darien. Toll-free 1-800- 864-7275. Visitor Center at (1(912) 437-3224 or www.sapelonerr.org)
 
For Reviews of Hotels in Augusta GA check out Uptake.com. They search 5000 travel sites...so you don't have to!

© 2009 Content compiled by Travel Communications, Inc. for familytravelfiles.com. Images courtesy of Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism and Georgia Music Hall of Fame (Leah Yetter).
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