Did you know the “Augusta Adventure” made the cut as one of the best trips to take by The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)?
Explore Georgia, the GDEcD office that promotes tourism in the Peach State, has released the 2026 Travel Guide and best places to visit.
It breaks down the state by region and highlights areas tailor-made for daytrips. This year, Metro Augusta is one of those spotlighted.
“Any guide, whether it’s the Explore Georgia guide or the guide that we create in Augusta, it’s all meant to inspire new trips, new exploration, discovering new places to eat, or new places to discover our state’s history. So, having that statewide or regional or even national stage with this Explore Georgia guide, it just sparks more of that inspiration,” Karen Lee Davis, Chief Marketing Officer with Destination Augusta, told ABD.
In calendar year 2024, Georgia broke tourism records for the third year in a row, pulling in 174.2 million domestic and international visitors. They spent $45.2 billion on Georgia’s hotels, restaurants, recreation, transportation, and other local businesses, surpassing the previous record set in 2023 by nearly 4%.
Augusta also set new records, with visitors pumping $890 million into the local economy, making hospitality and tourism the third largest employer.
As for the acclaimed “Augusta Adventure”, here is what travel writers wrote:
“The city’s revitalized, vibrant downtown, expanded culinary scene, and enhanced outdoor attractions merit a revisit in 2026,” reads the description. “Start your exploration at the picturesque Augusta Riverwalk, a hub for attractions catering to all ages. For an active adventure, ride bikes along the dedicated bike lanes on Broad Street, stroll along a pedestrian bridge that connects two states, and ride jet skis on the Savannah River. For an easier pace, take a self-guided walk, or engage in a scavenger hunt along Downtown Augusta’s vibrant outdoor art gallery, admiring 18 nationally renowned sculptures.”
Georgia is poised for an even busier year for the tourism and hospitality industries. Atlanta is one of 16 cities in three countries that will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The World Affairs Council of Atlanta projects more than half a million spectators, generating a half-billion-dollar impact for hotels, restaurants, and businesses.
Augusta is also looking forward to expanded tourist attractions in the coming year. The city has the go-ahead to develop the zipline across the Savannah River from the Fifth Street pedestrian bridge. It is expected to be operational in April.
That month should also see the completion of renovations to “The Patch,” the Augusta Municipal Golf Course. It includes a nine-hole, short course designed by five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods.
“Barring anything unforeseen, we are excited to open and welcome everyone with open arms,” said Davis. “Our downtown keeps taking shape, and we’ll have already had that international audience with the Masters right before that.”
The Explore Georgia travel guide’s section on Augusta also promotes Columbia County.
“In the suburb of Evans, ready your oars to kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, surveying 18 miles of scenic waterways, shaded creeks, and wildlife along the five distinct water routes that make the Serene 18 Paddle Trail in and around Columbia County. Keep an eye out for the famous population of donkeys living on Stallings Island.”
Davis said that a regional approach benefits everyone.
“When you go to visit a place, you don’t know county lines, you’re not looking at city lines, or anything like that,” she said. “When we lift up everyone in our region, whether that’s North Augusta, Aiken, Columbia County, Evans, Grovetown, it’s bringing people to our region for them to explore.”
The free Explore Georgia guide is available online:https://exploregeorgia.org/best-of-the-year. It is also possible to request a hard copy of the guide.
