Why Georgia is the Perfect State to Spend the Winter
When the days are short and the nights are cold, being optimistic about where you live can be challenging. After all, there is a reason that winter consistently ranks as the average American’s least favorite season.
But, as you might expect, there are some places where the winter months are much more enjoyable than others. From Gainesville to Savannah to everywhere in between, the state of Georgia has become an increasingly popular winter destination. This is one—of many reasons—Georgia continues to increase in population with each passing year.
Whether it is your first winter in Georgia, you’ve been living here for a while, or simply visiting, you might be looking for ways to get the most out of these colder winter months. Keeping that in mind, here are just a few reasons Georgia has become one of the most popular places to spend winter.
Excellent Opportunities for Outdoor Adventure
There is no other way to put it: Georgia is an outdoor state at its core. That is why many of the state’s most highly-rated places to live, such as the recently opened Treesort apartment complex in Gainesville, are so focused on establishing a connection to the outdoors.
Even in Gainesville, which is in the northern portion of the state, the winter weather is mild. Gainesville gets just 1.6 inches of snow annually — well below the national average. In January, the coldest month of the year, the mean daily maximum is around 51 degrees (F). Furthermore, because the state is relatively southern, the winter days are not nearly as short as they are up north.
You’re in luck if you want to spend time outside in Georgia. The state has more than 60 state parks and historic sites, which is among the most of any state in the nation. These parks cover a wide variety of terrain and ecosystems, ranging from the rugged foothills of the Appalachians in the far north to beautiful pined forests in the central part of the state to palm-lined beaches in the southeast.
If you’re in Gainesville or the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, you’ll find plenty of options within a relatively short drive. Some of the best destinations include Chattahoochee National Forest, Cloudland Canyon, and Amacalola Falls.
Additionally, Georgia—world-renowned for having some of the best golf courses in the world—has dozens of courses that remain open throughout the entire winter. And for those looking to hit the slopes, Ober Gatlinburg Mountain, Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, and Beech Mountain Resort are all within a four-hour drive from Atlanta.
… with Plenty of Great Alternatives
Of course, even with Gainesville’s notably temperate climate, you might still look for alternatives to outdoor adventures. Fortunately, there are plenty of great options available to choose from. Atlanta, for example, currently has 112 museums available, including several art museums, history museums, and places to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement.
But if you’re not in the mood for a museum, you’ll still find plenty of options available to choose from. For example, Atlanta and Gainesville have several notable entertainment venues, perfect for seeing a play, catching your favorite band, or discovering something new. And, perhaps even more notably, North Georgia has some of the best culinary options available in the country, including traditional southern cooking, contemporary American cuisine, international dishes, and everything in between.
There is no denying that, for many people, winter can be a somewhat difficult time of the year. This is especially true right after the holiday season, when it might feel like there isn’t as much to look forward to. However, if you are looking to have a truly great winter, there are few places better to do it than the great Peach State.