What's the best time to visit Georgia?
The best time to visit Georgia is during the spring (March-May) or fall (September-early December), when the weather is moderate and offers a variety of activities. Summers are hot and humid with a risk of hurricanes. While winter is less crowded and cheaper, it can have colder temperatures and limited outdoor options.
Thinking about a trip to Georgia? The best time to visit can enhance your experience in this beautiful state, known for its rich history and vibrant culture. Whether you want to explore the bustling streets of Atlanta or the stunning landscapes of the countryside, we’ll help you find the ideal time for your Georgia adventure!
The Best Time to Visit Georgia
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The best time to visit Georgia is either in the spring (March–May) or in the fall (September–early December). These seasons have moderate temperatures and plenty of things to do. Georgia has a humid subtropical climate, like most of the U.S. Southeast.
That means that it has long, hot, muggy summers, and short winters. Winter temperatures are relatively mild compared to those further north, but locals tend to hibernate indoors whenever there is a cold snap.
Spring in Georgia is usually beautiful. Temperatures are mild, with average high temperatures in April in Atlanta already reaching 82 degrees Fahrenheit. That is perfect weather for walking around outdoors and enjoying some al fresco dining without sweating uncontrollably.
Spring comes early to the South, by late February and early March, and during this season, the state is a riot of flowers. The official Savannah tourist board recommends visiting the city in the spring when the famous azaleas, camellias, and dogwoods are in bloom throughout the historic district.
You can spot beautiful blossoms throughout the state, like at the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon. Besides the beautiful flowers and the nice weather, spring in Georgia also brings plenty of outdoor festivals once the winter hibernation is over.
In Savannah, check out the SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival, hosted by the local art college in April, or the Savannah Music Festival. Spring is also music festival season in Atlanta, with events such as the Shaky Knees Music Festival drawing a crowd.
Spring is also a good time for sports fans to visit. Baseball season starts in early April, which means that you can catch an Atlanta Braves game. In April, Augusta hosts the PGA Masters tournament, a bucket-list destination for golf lovers.
That being said, there are some drawbacks to visiting Georgia in the spring. The floral blooms, which tend to be more intense down south than in other regions of the United States, make traveling very difficult for people with pollen allergies.
Georgia also gets a lot of heavy rainstorms in the spring, which can quickly turn into tornadoes. Make sure that you keep a close eye on the weather while you are out and about. Fall, from September until early December, is another good time to visit Georgia, thanks to milder temperatures.
September is still balmy, with average temperatures in Savannah of around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, but things get cooler in October, with average temperatures of around 78 degrees.
You may not associate Georgia with fall foliage, but autumn brings beautiful colors to the hill country in the north. The cooler weather of fall makes this a great season to explore the great outdoors in Georgia without feeling like you’re at risk of heatstroke. Other fun seasonal activities include apple picking, wine tasting, and camping.
Fall is another good season to visit Savannah. The historic city goes all-out for Halloween to bolster its reputation as “America’s Most Haunted City.” Enjoy themed ghost tours, pub crawls, and haunted houses—there is fun for all ages in the city.
Keep in mind that fall is one of the most popular times to visit Georgia, so expect occupancy rates (and prices) to be fairly high. Even though this is a popular time to visit Savannah, it is not the best time to visit the Georgian coast if you are afraid of storms. Hurricane season in Georgia runs from June to November.
It usually peaks in September, so if you visit later in the season, you can avoid the worst of the storms, but it is always good to follow the forecast.
Cheapest Time to Visit Georgia
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The cheapest time to visit Georgia is in the winter (January–February). There are fewer travelers during this time, so it’s easier to get deals. Hotel rooms across Georgia’s most popular destinations tend to be much more affordable when there is less demand.
In Atlanta, expect to save up to 40% compared to normal rates when you book a trip in January. Savannah is also more affordable in the winter, with hotel rates that are 20%–25% less than the usual price.
Just make sure to avoid holiday weekends and Valentine’s Day, as the city is popular as a romantic getaway. Getting to Georgia is also more affordable during the winter. Domestic flights are always lower in January after the holiday travel rush.
Since Georgia is well-connected to the rest of the United States, thanks to Hartsfield–Jackson Airport, look at different airlines to see when you can get the best prices. During the off-season, many restaurants, tour operators, and other tourist-related businesses offer discounts to try to attract visitors, so be sure to look for lower prices.
Least Busy Time to Visit Georgia
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In the winter, Georgia receives the fewest visitors, thanks to crisper temperatures, which means you’ll get to enjoy popular attractions with shorter lines. And winter here is not exactly cold compared to the rest of the United States.
Average temperatures in January in Atlanta can reach up to 61 degrees Fahrenheit. However, Georgians are not used to the cold, so there are fewer activities going on outdoors.
Plus, there are occasional snow and ice storms, which tend to shut the state down because people are not accustomed to this type of weather. In the winter, locals like to head to the north of the state, where it gets colder and sometimes snows, to rent cabins. Join them to enjoy Georgia’s natural beauty in a peaceful, quiet state.
The pace of life in the cities is quieter at this time, so you can enjoy nice coffee shops, upscale meals, and museums without having to deal with the crowds.
Worst Time to Visit Georgia
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, USA – OCTOBER 1, 2022: Glass skyscraper in Atlanta’s financial center/Eduardo Frederiksen/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Georgia is in the summer (June–early September) because of the hot, muggy weather and the risk of hurricanes. Some people recommend visiting Georgia in the summer. In the interior, especially in Atlanta, the peak of summer is one of the quieter seasons.
You can often get good hotel deals, and you’ll have much of the city to yourself. However, we don’t recommend visiting the state then due to the weather. Summers are very hot and humid in Georgia.
Average temperatures in Savannah are 90–92 degrees throughout the summer, but usually feel even hotter due to the high humidity index. Summer also marks the beginning of hurricane season, which means frequent rain and occasional downpours. June, July, and August are the rainiest months of the year in much of the state.
Hurricane season peaks in August and early September, so expect plenty of rain during this time, even if Georgia doesn’t get hit by a storm directly. However, if your main goal for visiting Georgia is to head to the beach, then you should visit in the summer.
Consistently balmy temperatures make this the perfect time to head to one of Georgia’s barrier islands on a family vacation. Just make sure to book well in advance. The coast gets very crowded in the summer, and some islands such as Cumberland Island limit how many people can land each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some of the most common questions people ask about visiting Georgia that can also give you necessary information for your trip:
Which is the best month to visit Georgia?
The best month to visit Georgia is April. The weather is warm but not too hot yet, the flowers are in bloom, and it is peak festival season.
What month has the best weather in Georgia?
April and October have the best weather in Georgia. The temperatures are mild, and although there are rain showers, there usually aren’t heavy storms.
What is the off-season in Georgia?
Winter is the off-season in Georgia because most people try to avoid the cooler weather. Some parts of the state have a second off-season in the peak of summer due to the heat.
Is it cheap to visit Georgia?
Georgia is a relatively affordable state to visit. However, if you are visiting during peak times, expect to pay a lot for hotel rooms in popular destinations such as Atlanta.
What is the rainy season in Georgia?
Georgia has two rainy seasons. The northern and central regions of the state are rainiest in the early spring, while the coast is rainiest in the fall.
So What’s the Best Time to Visit Georgia?
The best time to visit Georgia is during spring or fall, when the weather is the best and there are the most things to do. Winter is quieter and offers mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Whenever you visit, pack an umbrella because the state is very rainy. Happy travels!