Spend a few days on the scenic coast of Georgia, and you’ll likely want to come again.
That’s what 13 tour operators, travel agents and other readers of The Group Travel Leader found during a four-day familiarization tour in Georgia’s coastal region in March. Hosted by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, this tour visited Savannah, Liberty County and St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island in the Golden Isles region.
During the trip, participants indulged in amazing coastal cuisine, experienced the rich African-American cultural heritage in the area, explored historic garden squares in Savannah and got to know the beauty of Georgia’s Atlantic Coast. Along the way, they met some of the many tourism professionals who make sure that groups visiting Georgia have a wonderful time.
Follow along on this itinerary to enjoy a great trip on Georgia’s coast.
Day 1
• Arrival in Savannah
• Depart for Liberty County
• Midway Museum
• Geechee Kunda
• Dinner at Sunbury Crab Company
Guests traveled from throughout the United States to Savannah, the largest city on the Georgia coast, by air and by car, and met at the local Tanger Outlets to start the tour. The first item on the agenda was a 30-mile trip south from Savannah to Liberty County, a charming rural destination rich with cultural heritage.
The group got to know the history of the area at the Midway Museum before taking a fascinating look at the local African-American tradition at Geechee Kunda Cultural Arts Center. That was followed by a short walk down the scenic Historic Baptismal Trail, which was an important part of religious culture in the area. The day ended at Sunbury Crab Company, where guests enjoyed an authentic fresh seafood dinner with local hosts.
Midway Museum
Liberty County is in the heart of Georgia’s plantation country, and the Midway Museum was established to depict the lifestyle of the men and women who lived on and worked the area’s farms during the Colonial period. A re-created planter’s house is filled with antiques, artifacts and exhibits outlining the area’s history. The museum site also has a 1700s church, where visitors can explore distinctive architectural touches and see how locals worshiped during the 18th century.
Geechee Kunda Cultural Arts Center
One of the great treasures of Liberty County is its African-American heritage. The Geechee Kunda Cultural Arts Center showcases the culture of the African groups that lived on plantations in the area. The center is on the site of a 4,000-acre rice plantation and features numerous displays on plantation life and the Geechee culture that developed in coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina. The center offers a number of interactive experiences, including opportunities to try traditional medicinal remedies or weave sweetgrass baskets. But the highlight for this group was a visit with a Geechee storyteller, who captivated the audience with her interpretation of Geechee dialect and tales from life in the area.
