Whether they’re tasting hundreds of soft drinks from around the world, sitting down together for a Bible-inspired meal or exploring galleries dedicated to the gallant, groups can fully immerse themselves in Georgia’s museums.
These varying institutions tackle a huge range of historical and cultural subject matter, including famous foods and beverages, Georgia’s music scene, the history of biblical times and even global wars. And each museum is bound to fascinate every visitor, no matter their interests, thanks to their captivating collections and interactive exhibits.
Beginning in Atlanta, this itinerary takes history-loving groups southwest to LaGrange and then Columbus before turning east to explore Macon. It then wraps up on the east coast of Georgia in Savannah. Planners should allot five days to complete this itinerary of iconic Georgia museums.
World of Coca-Cola
Atlanta
After flying or driving into Atlanta, Georgia’s most populous city, groups can enjoy a fun, interactive museum experience at one of the area’s most iconic attractions: World of Coca-Cola. The downtown museum opened in 2007, but its origins can be traced back to 1990 with an Underground Atlanta exhibit dedicated to exploring the brand’s history. Today, the impressive 20-acre complex includes exhibits that pull in all five senses for an immersive, interactive experience. Artifacts include Coca-Cola-related memorabilia from around the world that detail the fizzy beverage’s history, ranging from its days as a medicinal tonic to its worldwide expansion.
Group rates are available for groups of more than 25. The experience begins with a short film in the museum theater, followed by a guided tour of its many galleries. Groups can visit a tasting room to sample up to 100 varieties of Coca-Cola products from around the world. They can round out their tour with a visit to the museum’s incredible gift shop.
While You’re Here: Atlanta has no shortage of iconic museums, ranging from art and history museums like the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta History Center, to more unique finds, like the Museum of Illusions. To learn more about the Civil Rights Movement, groups can head to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights or the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, which has several historic sites. The Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum and Library is also in Atlanta.
Biblical History Center
LaGrange
About 65 miles southwest of Atlanta, groups will find LaGrange, a small town with a population of about 34,000 and plenty of historic attractions. One of LaGrange’s biggest draws is the Biblical History Center, an archaeological museum dedicated to educating visitors about everyday life during biblical times. The museum, which opened in 2006 as Explorations in Antiquity, features more than 20 replicas of structures found in ancient times, from goat-hair tents to ancient tombs, as well as 250-plus artifacts from biblical times.
Groups can arrange a guided tour of the museum or enjoy a self-guided experience of its many exhibits. In addition to touring the Archaeological Replica Garden, complete with re-creations of ancient villages, farmland and even Roman city streets, groups can participate in even more interactive experiences. A biblical meal production is also offered, where groups will take a tour of the museum then enjoy a traditional meal from biblical times in a first-century setting. They’ll learn about ancient meals and their cultural significance, including practices like Passover.
While You’re Here: LaGrange is also home to several historic house museums, including Bellevue mansion and the Hills & Dales Estate. Groups can tour either of these homes and learn about their architecture and historic significance. At Hills & Dales, they’ll also find a beautiful garden worth exploring, and after visiting Bellevue, they can discover all the charms of downtown LaGrange.
The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center
Columbus
Less than 50 miles south of LaGrange, groups can make a stop in Columbus to visit The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. The museum, just outside of Fort Benning, opened in 2009 and chronicles the history of the U.S. Army Infantry, from the Revolutionary War to present day. It’s the only museum dedicated specifically to infantrymen. The 155-acre campus contains many indoor and outdoor exhibits, including galleries dedicated to the Revolutionary War, the Cold War and both World Wars. There are also several memorials and monuments honoring fallen infantrymen, including the Vietnam Memorial Plaza and the Global War on Terrorism Memorial, which contains a 13-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center Tower One. Additional attractions include the nation’s largest “Giant Screen Theater,” which shows documentary and blockbuster films.
Groups should be given three hours to explore the museum at their own pace, and itineraries are provided to enhance their self-guided experience. Guided group tours are offered for groups between 10 and 150 and should be arranged in advance. Discounts are offered to groups for the theater and on-site lunches.
While You’re Here: The Columbus Museum is another great stop for groups looking for regional history and art. Groups can visit the museum and its gardens, eat at the café and shop for souvenirs. Columbus is also home to the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, which can create customized group experiences centered around science, space and engineering, from a planetarium show to a simulated space launch.
The Big House Museum
Macon
Groups will find a hub of Georgia’s music culture in Macon, just over 100 miles east from Columbus. The Big House Museum, also known as The Allman Brothers Band Museum, is a large Tudor-style home where the Allman Brothers Band lived and recorded music from 1970–1973. It was here that the rock band practiced and played as they made waves in Macon’s music scene and found commercial success with hits like “Ramblin’ Man” and “Midnight Rider.”
The home contains plenty of memorabilia from the band, including instruments, clothing, awards and even handwritten lyrics. Some of the rooms are still staged as they were when occupied by the band and their families. Groups can go through the house’s many rooms and exhibits on their own to learn about the band’s music and their legacy. The museum doubles as a venue for special events.
While You’re Here: If groups want to explore a little more of Macon’s music scene, they can visit the Otis Redding Museum and the Museum at Capricorn, which explores the history and impact of Capricorn Records with studio tours and interactive exhibits about the record label’s discography. Groups can also take a guided walking tour or self-guided tour of the city’s music history, with up to 43 music-related stops.
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
Savannah
To round out a Georgia museums itinerary, groups can travel 165 miles southeast to the Atlantic coast and visit Savannah, the “Hostess City of the South.” In Pooler, a Savannah suburb, groups will find the 90,000-square-foot National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, dedicated to exploring the Eighth Air Force, which executed dangerous bombing missions against the Nazis. The museum’s 12,000-plus artifacts feature historic aircraft, including a B-17 Flying Fortress, as well as uniforms, photographs, medals and other memorabilia. Firsthand accounts of missions from former members of the Eighth Air Force can be found throughout the museum.
Group tours can be docent-led or self-guided, and lunch or dinner at the museum’s buffet-style cafe is an available add-on. Tours last approximately two hours and include multiple short films that fully immerse visitors in the sights and sounds of an Eighth Air Force mission and World War II. Outside, groups will also find a memorial garden and a chapel.
While You’re Here: Savannah has no shortage of museums throughout its historic downtown. Many historic homes, such as the Davenport House Museum and the Andrew Low House Museum, offer tours and include historic furnishings and artifacts. Groups can also visit the Savannah History Museum, which details the city’s history from its founding to its modern-day involvement in the film industry.
