Memorial Day weekend is the official kick off for summer and a perfect excuse to pack up and head out on a long weekend adventure in Georgia. No matter your preference for a beach, city, or lake vacation, you’ll find lots of options throughout the state. Here are a few of our favorites.

Ride the Rapids in Columbus: Tackle the rapids of the Chattahoochee River by day, relax and let the kids play in the splash fountain in the afternoon, and enjoy a great meal in the evening. The next day, take in the world-class Columbus Museum, a leisurely bike ride along the Riverwalk, or a zip-line into Alabama. Columbus has lots of adventure in the heart of the city.

Fight Aliens in Atlanta: Six Flags Over Georgia has debuted several new attractions this season, including North America’s first virtual reality roller coaster. Theme park guests wear goggles that transform the Dare Devil Dive roller coaster into an alien battle through a futuristic city. If that’s a little too much for you, several other Georgia amusement parks are debuting new attractions, too. In Valdosta, meet life-sized dinosaurs at Wild Adventures, or experience the Jump at Stone Mountain Park. 

Hit the Beach in St. Simons Island: Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a big beach holiday. Take a break from the sand and surf by climbing the 129 steps to the top of the St. Simons Island lighthouse for spectacular views of the island. Learn more about the area’s military history with a visit to Fort Frederica National Monument, or just relax with some freshly popped popcorn on the upstairs deck at Brogen’s and watch the activity on the pier.

Spend the Night on Lake Lanier: For something a little different, rent a houseboat on Lake Lanier. After cruising around the lake, there are lots of different activities available at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort, such as kayaking, golf, horseback riding, zip-lining, and the LanierWorld water park.

From the Georgia Department of Economic Development: Georgia.org.