Need to get away, but not much time? Living in Georgia, the daytrips are endless!

Chattanooga is only a two-hour drive from Atlanta, and offers the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX theatre; the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Rock City, Ruby Falls, rafting on the Ocoee River, steamboat dinner rides C there are so many activities from which to choose, visitors may need to make several day trips to make a dent in the vast list.

The Tennessee Aquarium is the worlds largest freshwater aquarium. Next to the Aquarium is the six-story IMAX 3-D Theater and just across the street is the Childrens Discovery Museum. Travel within downtown Chattanooga is free on the electric shuttle, running daily every five minutes, approximately.

Ruby Falls, Rock City and the Lookout Mountain Incline are three of Chattanoogas favorite destinations. Visitors will be amazed at the 145-foot waterfall at Ruby Falls, while Christmas is made special each year at Rock City with the Enchanted Garden of Lights. The Lookout Mountain Incline, the worlds steepest passenger railway, ascends Lookout Mountain three to four times per hour and offers visitors a dramatic view from trolley-style rail cars and from the top. Tickets can be purchase for each individual attraction, or combo passes may be purchased instead.

The Chattanooga Choo-Choo carries visitors back in time with a Victorian train station and hotel steeped in history; dining cars and hotel rooms situated in train cars and tasty restaurants with singing wait staff.

Just one hour north of Atlanta is Dahlonega, Georgia, home to a Gold Rush in 1828; although most gold was mined by 1829, visitors can still pan for small amounts of gold. Some of the gold mines are open for tours, and there is a Gold Museum which offers visitors a look into the history of gold mining. The Georgia State Capital features a dome coated with gold mined from Dahlonega.

Helen, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia, is a quaint little town, decorated like an Alpine village. Shops and restaurants are in abundance (over 200) C German food, traditional Southern meals, steaks and a wide variety of other foods offer the visitor numerous options. Annual festivals each year include a hot air balloon race, Winefest, Oktoberfest, Volksmarch, Bavarian Nights of Summer and Alpenfest.

If you are looking for romance, history or sea C or a mixture of all three C Savannah is the place to head. The streets are lined with enormous Spanish moss-draped oak trees and some of the areas are paved with red bricks. One of the largest historic districts in the United States is located in Savannah, with 23 distinct squares C each with its own personality. Visitors wanting to immerse themselves in the charm of Savannah usually stay in one of the numerous historic inns or bed & breakfasts available. Tours are in abundance in Savannah C ghost tours, water tours, walking tours, carriage tours C with a variety of topics covered. Dining is superb in Savannah with options from seafood to down-home Southern cooking.

Tybee Island is just a short drive from Savannah and a beach lovers delight. Swimming, sailing, picnicking and fishing are to be enjoyed on this historical island, with numerous inns, hotels and restaurants to accommodate all. The Lighthouse is a fun destination and a great photo opportunity.

Callaway Gardens, located 90 minutes southwest of Atlanta in Pine Mountain, Georgia, is comprised of 14,000 beautiful acres. The Gardens feature the educational Discovery Center, the breath-taking Butterfly Center, the Horticulture Center and the Azalea Center, along with many other interesting and educational sites. The Birds of Prey is a show not-to-be-missed, while the Beach offers a day of sun and sand. Recreation is encouraged with fishing, tennis, golf, a gun club, fitness center and a fitness trail. The Discovery Bicycle Trail includes all of the major attractions, so visitors can enjoy it all. Bicycles and helmets may be rented, or visitors can bring their own. Restaurants and shops are scattered throughout the Gardens for easy access.

Augusta, Georgia is a destination for golfers and located 139 miles east of Atlanta. The home of the yearly Masters Golf Tournament, Augusta borders South Carolina, and offers a variety of museums, shops, restaurants and even a River Walk along the Savannah River.

History, beauty and Southern charm abound in much of Georgia; planning for a daytrip is almost as simple as pointing the car in any direction.