Unicoi State Park

Everyone knows that exercise is one key to being healthy, but not everyone enjoys going to the gym.  Georgia’s State Park system has teamed up with the Georgia Association of Physicians Assistants (GAPA) to make healthy living a bit more fun.  Through the new “Rx for Fitness” Program, physician assistants can prescribe healthy hikes in the great outdoors, and patients can turn in their “prescriptions” for free park passes.

“Rx for Fitness” is part of the State Park system’s new Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge which encourages citizens to use outdoor recreation as part of their regular exercise.  Park visitors may find that exploring a canyon is more fun than a step machine, and that hiking along a waterfall burns more calories than a treadmill.  The parks also offer less traditional exercise, like lake swimming, geocaching and disc golf.  Even some state historic sites offer walking trails in beautiful settings.

The holidays are a time of cheer, but they can also be a time for battling traffic and bad weather all the way to Grandma’s house. Staying safe should be a top priority for all travelers so the Better Business Bureau recommends taking a few precautions when hitting the road this holiday.

“Because of weather conditions and increased traffic, staying safe on the roads over the holidays takes a few additional precautions,” said Fred T. Elsberry, Jr., president & CEO of the BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens & Northeast Georgia. “Before loading up the family, make sure the car is in good shape and you’re prepared for bad weather. While you’re driving, put down your cell phone or GPS and focus on the road ahead.”

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This holiday season marks the 20th anniversary of Fantasy in Lights® at Callaway Gardens, a 13,000-acre destination south of Atlanta. Fantasy in Lights features 8 million lights stretching more than five miles, creating 14 larger-than-life holiday scenes. As the most spectacular holiday light and sound show in the South, Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens sets Pine Mountain, Ga., ablaze from November 18 through December 30, 2011.  Advance ticket prices range from $16 to $22 for adults and $8 to $11 for children, with children 5 and younger always admitted for free.

Visitors experience the light and sound extravaganza on the “Jolly Trolley” or by driving through the lighted scenes in their personal vehicle.  The sparkling, animated displays include Snowflake Valley, a winter wonderland filled with enormous snowflakes and thousands of white lights; Magical Christmas Garden with a 24-foot wreath entrance; and Santa’s Workshop, showcasing animated versions of Santa’s elves busy making toys for the big night.  Two “don’t miss” scenes are on Robin Lake Beach and are both narrated, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas and The Nativity. They each last about 10 minutes.

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The Tybee Island Pirates Festival attracts attendees from across the United States.

The 7th Annual Tybee Island Pirate Festival, an adventure-filled weekend featuring an array of adult and family-friendly activities and entertainment, will take place on Tybee Island on October 6-9. All events will be held in the South Beach parking lot located at Tybrisa Street on Tybee Island.

Highlights include The Pirate Charles, an authentic pirate band from the west coast, as well as the Pirate Victory Parade, the crowning of the 2011 Pirate Festival King and Queen at the Swashbucklers Bash, the Scallywags Costume Contest, Little Matey’s Cove and the famous Thieves Market.

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Cloudland Canyon

Every October, Georgia’s forests transform into a brilliant blanket of red, orange and gold, inspiring leaf peepers to pull out their cameras and lace up their hiking boots. To help track the changing leaves and plan autumn escapes, Georgia’s State Parks will launch Leaf Watch 2011 beginning October 1 at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Whether traveling to the Appalachian Mountains for hiking, or heading south for paddling, travelers can check Leaf Watch 2011 for advice on where and when to find the best color in Georgia’s state parks. They can read updates from park rangers, get safety tips for hiking, and browse event calendars. Last-minute availability for campsites, cabins and lodge rooms in the state parks will also be posted, in addition to a Webcam showcasing the mountainside of Black Rock Mountain State Park near Dillard.

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Tybee Island, known as “Georgia’s Favorite Beach,” announces an exciting new fall vacation giveaway offer.

The “Fall In Love With Tybee” giveaway will offer special prizes to winners who register online at FallinLovewithTybee.com.  The grand prize is a three-night stay for four with Oceanfront Cottage Rentals on Tybee Island, as well as a dolphin tour with Captain Mike’s Dolphin Adventure Tours, a kayaking excursion with North Island Surf and Kayak and a gift certificate to North Beach Grill.

The second place prize is a two-night stay for two guests at Tybee Island Inn, plus free bike rentals, a dolphin tour, jet ski rentals and more. The third place prize includes a two-night stay for two guests at the 17th Street Inn plus free bike rentals and more.

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For a 10th consecutive year, a cornfield in north Georgia is where thousands of people will gather to solve puzzles with their feet. Georgia entrepreneurs Mike and Roxanne Pinzl call it having fun getting lost. They own and operate Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Dawnsonville, Ga. and will resume the agri-tourism attraction from September to November.

Opening Day is Saturday, September 3. The highly popular, tourist attraction in Dawson County will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2011, with multiple maze trails, hayrides, bonfires, climbing goats and new corn-ference rooms for school field Trips.  Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch will be open every weekend in September and November (through Nov. 20) and every day in October.

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