Caroline Eubanks

Atlanta is known for a lot of things, such as being a great place for self-care, especially when it comes to top-notch spas. Every major hotel has one, some even winning awards, and that doesn’t include familiar massage venues. But if you’re looking for something a bit more unusual, there are options. All of these treatments are beginner-friendly, so don’t be intimidated. Just relax.
Sensory Deprivation and Float Spas
Float spas are a new trend, with sensory deprivation tanks that come with a...

The closest beach to downtown Savannah, only 20 miles away, Tybee Island has more than five miles of public beaches popular with families. The island has a rich history, starting with Native Americans who inhabited Tybee Island for generations, arriving by dugout canoe, before the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The Spanish moved south in 1704, and Tybee became a part of the Georgia colony. The island also played a role in the Civil War and became a popular resort town in th...

Settled in the 16th century as a part of Spanish Florida, St. Marys became a part of Georgia in 1763. It's the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore and home to the island's visitors center and museum, as well as the ferry port. In the town of St. Marys, you can visit the St. Marys Submarine Museum and enjoy water sports, cycling, shopping and dining.
Things to Do
Hop on the Cumberland Island Ferry to see the Cumberland Island National Seashore. It operates five days per week in the ...

These semi-permanent tents are native to Mongolia, but they’re also found at a few Georgia State Parks. The wood and canvas yurts come equipped with futons and bunk beds, electrical outlets, ceiling fans and heaters. They also have fire rings and grills, picnic tables and a bathhouse nearby. The only things you’ll need to bring are linens for the beds, cooking equipment and food. Stay at one of these yurts at Cloudland Canyon, Red Top Mountain, High Falls, Fort Yargo, Tugaloo (pictured) and S...

Originally inhabited by the Creek tribes, it was at different times "discovered" by the Spanish, French and English. The Georgia colony was established by King George and led to the creation of rice and cotton plantations. The African slaves that were brought over to work them developed their own unique culture, the Gullah community, which is still present today. There are reminders of the island’s history, including a colonial fort and antebellum plantations. Visitors can play 99 holes of go...

Originally inhabited by Cherokee tribes, the town of Clayton was incorporated in 1821 by European settlers. The mountain community is known for its thriving downtown, unique lodging, outdoor recreation and restaurants, earning it the title of Farm to Table Capital of Georgia. The nearby wineries make for a popular day trip, each offering stunning views.
Things to Do
From offbeat to beautiful, the attractions in and around Clayton are sure to keep you entertained.
Goats on the Roof
Goats on th...

The town of Dublin, Georgia, founded in 1812, was named for its counterpart in Ireland. There are countless opportunities for outdoor recreation, and the town is "painted green" for a month-long St. Patrick’s Day Festival in February and March. The town was the site of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s first public speech as a young high schooler. The thriving downtown has a number of unique shops and a relaxing bed and breakfast. It features award-winning restaurants like Deano's Italian and Company...

Set among the Golden Isles, Jekyll Island was settled in 1733 as the Georgia Colony and was later known as the playground for the rich and famous. The Federal Reserve system was planned at the Jekyll Island Club, which was also the site of the first transcontinental phone call. Today, it sits a short drive from Savannah, with more than 10 miles of beaches, a historic landmark district, golf courses and state park-protected land. It also houses a sea turtle rescue center and has been the filmi...

There are over 10,000 state parks in the United States, and each of them offers something unique. But only one of them has mermaids. The mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park have welcomed generations of guests at one of Florida’s oldest, and quirkiest, roadside attractions. Since the 1940s, these ladies (and gentlemen!) have performed underwater acrobatics using a specialized hose for oxygen. The Weeki Wachee mermaids have been on hiatus while renovations were completed at the park, bu...

What better way to beat the summer heat than by visiting one of Georgia’s water parks?
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
The Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands opens every May as another way to enjoy the lake with mat racing slides, a zipline and water activities for little ones.
Six Flags White Water
Six Flags White Water in Marietta, outside of Atlanta, is a longtime favorite with nearly 70 acres of slides, tube rides, and a wave pool.
SoakYa Water Park at Lake Winnepesaukah
At L...

Step back in time with the speakeasies that survived Prohibition, as well as modern cocktail bars that take their inspiration from the time period.
Once called “The Great Experiment,” Prohibition outlawed alcohol in the United States starting in January 1920. But efforts began to pass this legislation started after the Civil War and slowly picked up steam over the years, state by state. As of January 1919, a whopping 36 of the 48 states had ratified it, partially thanks to radical women like ...

What happened here?
Caroline Eubanks
Feb 8
Investigating my drugging ten years later.
It wasn’t the first or last night of my twenties where some of the events were hazy. I was an amateur drinker, only a few months from my first alcoholic beverage. I’d been a judgmental teetotaler in high school but tried a Clemson-orange beer at a party a few weeks into college, away from the rules of my conservative parents.
I soon became more comfortable, trying vodka, which would soon become my drink of c...

What sets Savannah apart from so many other Southern cities is its layout. The streets are in a grid format, usually surrounding small parks called squares that are usually centered around a statue of a notable Georgian. Chippewa Square is known as the site of the Forrest Gump bus scene, even though the bench no longer sits there. Johnson Square was the first to be established in the city, while Oglethorpe Square honors the city's founder. And while not a "square," Forsyth Park is Savannah’s ...