The Peach State is a veritable outdoor fun zone where planners can arrange gatherings under blue or starry skies, intriguing tours that can be either delicious, informative or both, and various teambuilding activities, ranging from ziplining in the Georgia pines to kayaking on the Middle Oconee River.
Teambuilding
In Atlanta, groups can visit Stone Mountain Park where they will find the SkyHike Team Building Program, which features a ropes course set amid Georgia pine trees. According to Kristin Delahunt, director of convention services for the Atlanta CVB, different intensity levels are available to accommodate varying abilities.
In Gwinnett County, Treetop Quest offers a teambonding activity set in the trees. According to Lisa Anders, executive director at Explore Gwinnett, this Buford, Ga.-based outing includes ziplining and an adventure obstacle course.
A teambuilding trio of miniature golf, laser tag and bubble ball is awaiting groups at Dalton Falls Fun Center. According to Brett Huske, director of tourism for the Dalton Visitors Bureau, the activities are all easy to participate in and enjoyable.
At Valdosta-based Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, groups can take advantage of low and high ropes courses.
“It’s a good trust-building and teambuilding experience, great for all ages,” said Tim Riddle, general manager of the Valdosta–Lowndes County Tourism Authority (VLCTA).
In Athens, many visitors don’t realize there is a river running through town, according to Missy Brandt Wilson, director of sales for the Athens CVB.
“Big Dogs on the River champions that by offering a kayak trip up the Middle Oconee River,” she said. “It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and teambuild along the way.”
Another river excursion, via Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions, can be found in Macon.
“They will equip your team with safety gear and take you down the Ocmulgee River in a canoe or kayak,” said Kimberly Payne Ward, director of sales for the Macon-Bibb County CVB. “You will get to enjoy the great outdoors and also get to have fun with your peers.”
For an entertaining alternative to traditional golf, groups meeting in the Augusta area can play disc golf at the Hippodrome Disc Golf Complex.
“While you can throw a Frisbee around in a park anywhere, Hippodrome offers various courses that test different skill levels and take groups through various landscapes, from open-air fields to wooded greens,” said Jay Markwalter, director of sales at the Augusta CVB.
Discovering downtown Savannah together on an outing with Savannah Slow Ride is a popular option for visiting groups.
“The Slow Ride requires 15 people to pedal one giant bicycle as they tour downtown and take in the sights,” said Erica Backus, director of PR for Visit Savannah. “It’s a wonderful way to see the city without wearing out your walking shoes or sitting in a stationary position, while working together with co-workers.”
Among the teambuilding options in the Golden Isles is the Adventure Challenge Ropes Course at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island and the Jekyll Island Scavenger Hunt, which features sites including the picturesque and dramatic Driftwood Beach.
“It’s a great way for teams to work together to navigate the island, to figure out what the clues are, where the clues are and then find them,” said Jessica Scott, marketing communications manager for Jekyll Island Authority.
Group Tours
Another great way for groups to enjoy the outdoors in Georgia is to book a group tour, including a particularly tasty one in Atlanta.
A popular tour facilitated by Atlanta Food Walks mingles sightseeing, a history lesson and seven food samples throughout downtown. Stops along the way vary and may include Sweet Auburn Curb Market, Smoke Ring and Miss D’s Pralines.
In Cobb County another delicious tour, via Marietta Food Tours, lets attendees explore Marietta Square and enjoy nibbles from seven eateries, including Colombian cuisine, traditional Southern fare and sweet treats from a winner of TV’s Cupcake Wars.
Lawrenceville Ghost Tours in Gwinnett County takes groups through the oldest city in Metro Atlanta, where they visit the historic courthouse, step into the circa-1832 Lawrenceville jail and hear stories about paranormal activity along the way.
In Athens, where R.E.M. and the B-52s began their long careers, there is a self-guided Music History Walking Tour that can also be led by a representative from the Athens Welcome Center.
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“Groups taking the tour will be introduced to downtown music venues and spots that provided the backdrop for some of the most successful bands of the ’80s and ’90s,” said the Athens CVB’s Brandt Wilson.
Macon is also home to some great musicians, and on an outing with Rock Candy Tours attendees will walk by the homes, crash pads and favorite hangouts of Macon’s music royalty, including Little Richard, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers.
Among the vehicles used for outdoor tours in Savannah are pedicabs, trolleys and Segways. During the popular Segway of Savannah tour, attendees glide around historic downtown and engage in a trivia challenge that fosters camaraderie.
An open-air tour via Petersburg Boat Tours along the Augusta Canal is a popular option for groups interested in learning about the area’s music and heritage. Along the way, according to the Augusta CVB’s Markwalter, attendees will “catch sights of wildlife, historic textile mills and bridges.”
Another boat tour, Eco-Cruising on the Deck Boat Norma with SouthEast Adventure Outfitters, is an inspirational and relaxing option for groups meeting in St. Simons Island.
During the tour, groups can spot wildlife such as dolphins, birds (and sometimes alligators) as the Norma travels through marsh, rivers and inlets, according to Marcie Hunter, marketing and communications manager for the Golden Isles CVB.
A private tour of Jekyll Island’s hidden paths with a real park ranger or a guided walk to discover nesting sea turtles can be arranged on Jekyll Island, depending on the season, according to Jekyll Island Authority’s Scott.
“No two tours are the same and each experience is unique,” she said.
Alfresco Gatherings
Planners are also encouraged to book an outdoor reception or meal function in Georgia, where they will find plenty of alfresco opportunities.
Ventanas, which is located one block from the Georgia World Congress Center, is a popular event space in Atlanta that offers dramatic skyline views from its outdoor space as well as city views from inside via floor-to-ceiling windows, according to the Atlanta CVB’s Delahunt.
At Dacula-based Rancho Alegre Farm groups can use the two large covered pavilions, picnic tables and grills.
“There’s no better decoration than nature, and the sweeping farm views provide a wonderful backdrop for all occasions,” said Explore Gwinnett’s Anders. “Groups can make s’mores or take hayrides.”
A hidden secret for outdoor receptions in Dalton is located at the Dalton Convention Center, according to the Dalton Visitors Bureau’s Huske, who said the patio there boasts views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“Participants can clearly see the different mountain ranges on the horizon,” he said.
Located in historic downtown Valdosta is Steel Magnolias Restaurant, where the menu puts a new twist on classic Southern cuisine and a rooftop space offers great views, including views of the historical Lowndes County Courthouse, according to VLCTA’s Riddle.
Beer-loving groups will appreciate an event at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. in downtown Athens, which offers outdoor event space with tented seating. Attendees can sample fantastic beers here and enjoy a bite from local food trucks.
Moon River Brewing Co. in Savannah offers a casual 5,400-square-foot beer garden where, according to Visit Savannah’s Backus, groups can order appetizers to share, including Thai-style chicken, cashew spring rolls and Savannah oysters.
Among the ample lineup of outdoor venues that welcome group events in the Golden Isles are the St. Simons Island-based Village Creek Landing and Jekyll Island-based Horton House Ruins, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“The space can accommodate various group sizes, from the most intimate of gatherings to a large dinner,” said Jekyll Island Authority’s Scott. “River views and a canopy of Spanish moss-draped trees create a stunning backdrop for events.”
