Peach Perfect: Must-Knows for First-Timers in Georgia
The "Peach State" of Georgia offers a delightful blend of Southern charm, vibrant cities, and stunning natural beauty. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or an outdoor enthusiast, Georgia has something for everyone. But before you pack your bags, here are a few things every first-time visitor should know:
Getting Around:
Metro vs. Mountains: Georgia is a diverse state. Atlanta, the bustling capital, has a well-developed public transportation system (MARTA) but a rental car is ideal for exploring the charming towns and breathtaking mountain ranges.
Southern Hospitality: Remember, politeness goes a long way. A friendly "yes ma'am" or "no sir" can open doors (literally and figuratively) and enhance your experience.
Watch Chad’s Video About Georgia!
Weather Wise:
Four Seasons of Fun: Georgia enjoys all four seasons. Pack accordingly! Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures, while summers can be hot and humid, especially in Atlanta. Winters are mild, but there can be occasional frost and snow in the mountains.
Beat the Heat: If you're visiting during the summer months, plan your outdoor activities for early mornings or evenings. Stay hydrated and don't forget the sunscreen!
Must-See Sights:
Atlanta's Gems: Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Atlanta. Visit the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest in the world, or explore the World of Coca-Cola. Atlanta is also a hotbed for film and TV production – see if you can spot a familiar filming location!
Savannah's Southern Charm: Stroll through the moss-draped streets of Savannah's historic district, a visual treat with its antebellum architecture and horse-drawn carriages. Take a ghost tour or explore the scenic squares.
Beyond the Cities: Georgia's natural beauty is a treasure. Hike through the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, go whitewater rafting in the Chattahoochee River, or relax on the beautiful beaches of Jekyll Island.
Foodie Delights:
Southern Comfort Food: Don't miss the chance to savor classic Southern fare like fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and peach cobbler. Georgia is also known for its delicious barbecue – be sure to try different regional styles.
Local Brews and Spirits: Georgia's craft beer scene is booming, with breweries offering unique and flavorful options. Sample local wines or explore the state's growing selection of craft spirits.
Extra Tips:
Embrace the Pace: Life in Georgia tends to move at a slower pace than in some other parts of the US. Relax, enjoy the scenery, and appreciate the Southern hospitality.
Tipping Etiquette: Tipping is customary in restaurants and for service providers. A 15-20% tip is generally expected.
With its welcoming atmosphere, diverse attractions, and delicious food, Georgia is a state that will leave a lasting impression. So, come explore the Peach State, and get ready for a truly unforgettable Southern experience!
10 Can’t-Miss Things to See & Do in Siesta Key
Siesta Key is a gorgeous barrier island off the southwest coast of Florida, known for its white quartz sand, turquoise waters, and many beachside amenities. Siesta Key offers something for everyone, whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family fun destination, or a playground for outdoor adventures. On this episode, Chad Gallivanter highlights 10 can’t miss things to see and do in Siesta Key.
10 Best Things to Do in Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park is a charming city in Orange County, Florida, that offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Whether you’re looking for culture, nature, history, or entertainment, Winter Park has something for you. Here are 10 of the best things to do in Winter Park, Florida.
Visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is a must-see for art lovers. It houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the renowned American artist and designer. You can admire his stunning stained glass windows, lamps, jewelry, pottery, paintings, and more. The museum also features other American art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as paintings by John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, and Thomas Eakins. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with free admission on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Stroll along Park Avenue
Park Avenue is the heart of Winter Park, where you can find a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, and galleries. You can browse for books, antiques, clothing, jewelry, and more. You can also enjoy a delicious meal or a cup of coffee at one of the many eateries along the avenue. Park Avenue is also home to some of Winter Park’s historic landmarks, such as the Winter Park Historical Museum and the Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum. Park Avenue is a great place to experience the charm and culture of Winter Park.
Explore the Harry P. Leu Gardens
The Harry P. Leu Gardens are a botanical paradise in Orlando, just a short drive from Winter Park. The gardens span 50 acres and feature more than 40 different plant collections, such as roses, camellias, orchids, palms, cycads, and more. You can also visit the historic Leu House Museum, which dates back to the 19th century and showcases the lives of four families who lived there. The gardens are open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission on the first Monday of every month.
Ride the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is a fun and relaxing way to see the beauty of Winter Park from the water. The tour takes you on a one-hour cruise through three of the seven lakes that make up the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. You can enjoy the views of lush landscapes, elegant homes, and wildlife along the way. You can also learn about the history and ecology of Winter Park from your knowledgeable guide. The tour operates every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with departures every hour on the hour.
Catch a show at the Winter Park Playhouse
The Winter Park Playhouse is a professional musical theater that offers high-quality entertainment for all ages. The playhouse features a variety of shows throughout the year, ranging from classic musicals to contemporary comedies. You can also enjoy cabaret performances and special events at the playhouse. The playhouse is located in a cozy and intimate venue that seats up to 123 people. You can also enjoy a drink or a snack at the lobby bar before or after the show.
Visit the Rollins Museum of Art
The Rollins Museum of Art is located on the campus of Rollins College, one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in Florida. The museum boasts an impressive collection of more than 5,000 works of art from various periods and cultures, such as ancient Greek and Roman art, European Old Masters, American art, contemporary art, and more. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and educational programs throughout the year. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with free admission for everyone.
Enjoy a picnic at Central Park
Central Park is a lovely green space in the center of Winter Park that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park covers more than 11 acres and features shady trees, grassy lawns, fountains, benches, and sculptures. You can enjoy a picnic at one of the tables or on a blanket on the ground. You can also watch live performances at the park’s amphitheater or visit the Winter Park Farmers’ Market nearby on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Taste some wine at the Wine Room
The Wine Room is a wine lover’s dream come true. It’s a wine bar and shop that offers more than 150 wines by the glass and more than 2,500 wines by the bottle. You can use a smart card to sample different wines from the self-serve dispensers, or you can order a glass or a bottle from the menu. You can also pair your wine with some cheese, charcuterie, or other snacks from the kitchen. The Wine Room is open every day from noon to midnight.
Play some golf at the Winter Park Golf Course
The Winter Park Golf Course is a historic and scenic golf course that dates back to 1914. It’s a nine-hole, par-35 course that offers a challenging and enjoyable game for golfers of all skill levels. The course is nestled among the lakes and canals of Winter Park, offering beautiful views and wildlife sightings. The course is open every day from sunrise to sunset, with reasonable rates and rentals available.
Watch a movie at the Enzian Theater
The Enzian Theater is a unique and independent cinema that showcases the best of alternative, foreign, and classic films. The theater has a single screen and a cozy atmosphere, with tables and chairs instead of rows of seats. You can order food and drinks from the theater’s restaurant and bar, and enjoy them while watching the movie. The theater also hosts festivals, special events, and live music throughout the year.
Winter Park, Florida, is a wonderful destination for anyone who loves art, nature, history, or entertainment. There are so many things to do in Winter Park that you’ll never get bored. Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, you’ll find something to suit your taste and budget in Winter Park.
10 Best Things to Do in Tampa
Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida, on the shores of Tampa Bay. It's the third-largest city in the state, with a population of about 400,000 people. Tampa has a rich and diverse history, dating back to the Native American tribes that inhabited the area before the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Tampa became a major port and railroad hub in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracting immigrants from Cuba, Spain, Italy and other countries who contributed to its cultural and economic development. Today, Tampa is a vibrant and modern city that offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. On this episode, I’m showing you the best things to do in Tampa, from exploring historic neighborhoods to having fun at some of its modern attractions.
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Kissimmee
A stone’s throw from Central Florida’s world-famous theme parks is a city with an unusual name you’ve likely heard of.
Located just south of Orlando, Kissimmee has a rich history that spans more than 150 years. In the mid-19th century, settlers established a trading post and a steamboat landing which would become the center of town. Kissimmee went on to become a hub for cattle ranching and citrus farming.
With the opening of Walt Disney World nearby in the 1970s, the city experienced a huge influx of visitors from all over the world. Souvenir shops, hotels, and attractions of all types came to dominate Highway 192.
Today, Kissimmee is a thriving city with a population of nearly 80-thousand people. It is known for its beautiful lakes, historic downtown area, and proximity to the many theme parks and attractions in the Orlando area.
On this episode, we explore the 10 best things to do in Kissimmee.
9 Best Things to Do in Vero Beach
Located on Florida’s Treasure Coast between Melbourne and Palm Beach is a coastal community that’s one of the state’s best laid-back vacation spots. In the early 1700’s, a Spanish treasure fleet wrecked off the Vero Beach shoreline during a hurricane attracting English pirates who recovered the loot. Coins from those ships continue to wash ashore to this very day.
Vero Beach was first settled in the late 1800s with Vermonter Henry T. Gifford often receiving the credit for being its modern-day founder. He planted pineapples, helped build the Dixie Highway and was the community’s first postmaster. His wife Sarah is believed to have suggested the name “Vero” for the settlement. In Latin, the word means “to speak the truth.”
Flash forward to the war years of the 1940s when Vero was home to a Naval Air station and training exercises were performed just off the coast. Not long after the war’s end, some of the buildings on the property became the core of Dodgertown, the spring training facility for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Today, Vero is known for its breathtaking beaches as well as being a haven for golf, water sports and fishing. On this episode, we show you 9 of the best things to do in Vero Beach, Florida.
9 Best Things to Do in Tarpon Springs, the Sponge Capital of the World
Less than an hour drive north of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast is one of the most offbeat, culturally-rich communities in the state of Florida.
Tarpon Springs was first settled in the 1870s, named for the giant tarpon that jumped and splashed in Spring Bayou. It was around the bayou where most of the town’s early development took place as a wintering spot for well-to-do northerners. Victorian-era houses still dot the neighborhood.
Toward the end of the century, boats would leave docks along Dodecanese Boulevard to harvest sponges from Key West to the Panhandle. For a bigger return, the Greek technique of diving for sponges was implemented. An influx of Greek immigrants to the area soon followed and the cultural identity of Tarpon Springs took root.
What was once a remote village became the “sponge capital of the world.” At one point, natural sea sponges retrieved from the Gulf surpassed citrus as Florida’s main export.
Sponges are still big business in Tarpon Springs and Greek heritage remains at the forefront. In fact, this community of just over 25,000 has the highest concentration of people of Greek descent than any other city in the nation.
On this episode, we take you to the sponge docks and beyond to show you the best things to do in Tarpon Springs.
Mentioned
Boat Tours
Island Adventure Dolphin Cruise
Sponges
Food
Downtown
Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society Museum
Breweries
Ice Cream
