Our little state is littered with train tracks, as we’ve already discovered how rich and fruitful the railroad history in Georgia is. But what’s so wonderful is the fact that there are still trains chugging along to this day that take passengers and families on day excursions throughout Georgia and even beyond. Here are a few of our favorite day trips in Georgia by train for some inspiration for planning your next railroad adventure! Check them out:

1. McCaysville, Georgia
Steve Robinson/Flickr
241 Depot St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, USA
Kevin Trotman/Flickr
With the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, you can take the train all the way to McCaysville, Georgia, and spend the day eating, shopping, and crossing over the Georgia/Tennessee border. Also, take a stroll down Toccoa Avenue, and wander through some of the local shops in order to explore the town fully. Check out the Blue Ridge Scenic Byway's official website for more information, including ticketing and hours.
2. Copperhill, Tennessee
Brent Moore/Flickr
109 Ocoee St, Copperhill, TN 37317, USA
Pat Henson/Flickr
While the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway takes you to McCaysville, you can actually wander into Copperhill, Tennessee, too, and keep the day trips coming. Once Toccoa Avenue turns into Ocoee Street, then you're officially in Tennessee, so you might as well wander a bit. Explore a variety of shops and art galleries, or grab a delicious lunch at The Copper Grill, fit with belly-filling sandwiches, fries, and burgers.
3. Cordele, Georgia
zx81basic/Flickr
105 9th Ave E, Cordele, GA 31015, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
The SAM Shortline Excursion Train is a popular train in Georgia to take day trips throughout the state. The last stop of this train line winds up in Cordele, Georgia, a city with a unique and intriguing military history. Known as the watermelon capital of the world, you can travel to Cordele via train and spend the day at the Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park, or grab a bite at any one of the legendary local restaurants. Make sure to check out the official SAM Shortline website for more details.
4. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Brent Moore/Flickr

Related Stories

The Small Town Along A Lake In Georgia That's An Idyllic Summer Day Trip

The Small Town Along A Lake In Georgia That's An Idyllic Summer Day Trip

 The Charming Small Town In Georgia That's Perfect For A Fall Day Trip

The Charming Small Town In Georgia That's Perfect For A Fall Day Trip

 This Scenic 17-Mile Drive Just May Be The Most Underrated Adventure In Georgia

This Scenic 17-Mile Drive Just May Be The Most Underrated Adventure In Georgia
4119 Cromwell Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421, USA
Denise Rosser/Flickr
The Tennessee Valley Railroad has a round-trip adventure from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Chickamauga, Georgia, and back. You can explore everything the beautiful mountain valley city offers, including loads of cultural and weekend events. Explore the Tennessee Aquarium, or snag some scrumptious Southern food at Public House Restaurant. Take a look at the official TN Valley Railroad website for information about tickets, hours, and more.
5. Lake Blackshear, Cordele
Will Power/Flickr
2459 US-280, Cordele, GA 31015, USA
Flickr/Courtney McGough
The SAM Shortline also heads to Lake Blackshear, where you and the family can spend the weekend fishing, hiking, camping, or staying at the lakeside resort. This day trip can easily turn into a much-deserved weekend getaway. Relax and unwind on the banks of the lake, and enjoy the magical sunsets and sounds of lapping waves. Visit the official SAM Shortline website for additional information, and to plan your trip.
6. Tampa, Florida
Don McCullough/Flickr
Tampa, FL, USA
Matthew Paulson/Flickr
Did you know you can get to Tampa, Florida, in about eight hours by train? That's right folks, for as low as $50 one way, you can take a day trip to the beautiful beaches of Tampa. Soak in the sun and the warm temps, while also exploring one of the most relaxed atmospheres on the east coast. Make sure before you head back to Georgia, you grab a sizzling plate of pad Thai at Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple.
7. Leslie, Georgia
zx81basic/Flickr
135 N Bailey Ave, Leslie, GA 31764, USA
Todd Van Hoosear/Flickr
If you're looking for a fun day-trip with the kids filled with history and learning, then take the SAM Shortline and stop at Leslie, Georgia for The Rural Telephone Museum. This museum features one of the largest collections of antique telephones and telephone memorabilia in the world. Take a trip back in time and bring the entire family! Visit the Rural Telephone Museum's official website for additional information.

Have you been on any of these trips yet? Do you think you’ll take any of these day trips in Georgia anytime soon? How about by train? Let us know what you think in the comments!

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Day Trips In Georgia

Tori Jane | April 07, 2021

Are there train trips in Georgia I can take?

Believe it or not, there are lots!

  • Some of the most popular train trips in Georgia are the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which has definitely earned the descriptor "scenic", the SAM Shortline, which is a ride in a vintage train through several stops, and the Georgia State Railroad Museum, where you can ride steam trains and diesel trains, as well.
  • There are even more train companies that will take you on out-of-state journeys, too, so it all depends on what you plan to use your train travel for. Of course, for those who prefer more commercial train rides, there's always the old-fashioned Amtrak adventure, too.

How many railroads in Georgia are still in use today?

Georgia is home to an advanced rail system, with 28 freight railroads in operation today. We're also home to the largest intermodal facility on the east coast, and we're proud of our history of using rail systems to transport everything from travelers to goods.

  • In fact, it was trains that made the Peach State into a cotton-producing powerhouse, as transporting cotton by rail instead of by horse and trailer was efficient and fast. There are over 4,600 miles of railway in use in the state of Georgia.
  • As of the time of this writing, Georgia is currently considering opportunities for high-speed passenger rail systems, which would run along the federally designated southeast corridor.

 

What are some ideas for unique day trips in Georgia?

Here at Only In Your State, we're all about unique day trips; lucky for those of us who live in the Peach State, there are tons to choose from. Some of our favorites include:

  • The luxurious Red Clay Resort, in Cohutta, will relax you more deeply than you've ever relaxed, and for those who prefer a little more natural awe when they're taking it easy, there's always Panther Creek Falls, which is a super-photogenic waterfall in Clarksville. Of course, that's not all there is - the possibilities are endless, or so it seems.
  • There's also the East Palisades Hiking Trail, which will take you to a secret spot that you can't miss, and Abernathy Park, which is an intriguing adventure park with sculptures, art installations, and plenty of room for the kids to play. Check this list out for more ideas for day trips in Georgia!

Related Articles

Explore Georgia