Atlanta Midtown

Atlanta and Metropolitan Atlanta, is one of the fastest growing regions in the US. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest. Travelers passing through, vacationing in Atlanta, or on business find MARTA, Atlanta's metro area rapid transit easy to maneuver and efficient. The Coca Cola Company and Delta Airlines are among many fortune 500 companies that call Atlanta home. Bank of America Plaza and Sun Trust Plaza towers are prominent fixtures in the Atlanta skyline. Turner Field is drawing baseball fans crowds for spring and summer games. The Georgia Dome hosts many Atlanta area high school graduations in May before Falcons summer preseason events begin. Hot Lanta is an appropriate moniker as Atlanta moves into exciting spring and summer events.

Car shows are common, but Atlanta's High Museum of Art is hosting a one of a kind automobile exhibit. Through June 20th, the Allure of the Automobile exhibit displays masterpieces by Porsche, Jaguar, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Bugatti and Duesenberg. Eighteen works of mechanical beauty, these automobiles are the most rare you can see. Built from the 1930s to the 1960s, these cars are rolling works of art.

Atlanta's Piedmont Park is the site of the 2010 Atlanta Jazz Festival. Held Memorial Day weekend, May 29th and 30th, the event is one of the countries largest free jazz festivals. Memorial Day weekend in Piedmont Park is the culmination of jazz performances held throughout the city the entire month of May. Jazz fans mark your calendar, 2010 headliners include Spyro Gyra, Diane Shuur and Jason Marsalis. The Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble Jazz Band and Rialto Jazz for Kids All Star Jazz Band will showcase Atlanta's up and coming young musicians.

The National Black Arts Festival, showcases and celebrates the culture of people of African ethnicity. Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park hosts the 2010 Summer Festival July 14th through 18th. The music kicks off Thursday with Brazil Fest featuring Olodum on the main stage and the finale concert ends the festival with headliner Lizz Wright on Sunday. There is a lot of music, exhibits, fun and food in between, you won't want to miss this amazing summer event.

Celebrating the 4th of July in metropolitan Atlanta is simple. Pick a great location, hop in the car and go. The 42nd Annual Stone Mountain Park Fantastic Fourth Celebration is a day of adventure and entertainment. Arrive early, this is a popular place to celebrate the 4th of July. The good news is, a spectacular evening laser-show is scheduled daily, followed by an equally spectacular fireworks display July 3rd, 4th and 5th.

Lennox Square's 4th of July festivities kicks off with the 10K Peachtree Road Race, one of the world's largest. Post-race events continue with music, street vendors and a special Kid's Zone amidst Atlanta's beautiful Buckhead neighborhood. The fun and festivities culminate with one of the Southeasts largest and most spectacular fireworks shows. Centennial Olympic Park also hosts a free 4th of July celebration ending in an amazing fireworks spectacular synchronized with rousing patriotic music. Bring the entire family, kids (and adults) can enjoy splashing in the Fountain of Rings, everyone can relax on the great lawn and enjoy live performances, activities, arts and crafts.

Atlanta's Best Western Hotels offer over ten locations in and around Atlanta. Make your travel relaxing and safe, in clean and comfortable Best Western Hotel accommodations near your getaway.

Augusta National Golf Course

From the classic Southern Culture of Augusta to the Chattahoochee Rivertown of Columbus, Central Georgia offers travelers a glimpse of the old south amidst the best of modern living. Rich in colonial, civil war and recent American history, travelers are captivated by the myriad of offerings found in Central Georgia.

Plains Georgia is the birthplace and current residence of American President Jimmy Carter. His boyhood home in Plains is a National Historic Site, and is open for visitors all year. You may not know he was the first US President to be born in a hospital, and he continues to teach Sunday school at the local baptist church.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt also had a home in Georgia, near Warm Springs. He built the home, called the Little White House, near Warm Springs so he could soak in the natural thermal waters in hopes of relieving his polio. 2010 marks the 65th anniversary of his death which will be commemorated at the home on Monday April, 12th. The Dip Into the Past, a special event in September, honors the President by refilling the pools with the warm waters, and allowing public access.

If pink is not your color, you may want to reconsider. Macon, in the spring, is awash in a display of pink cherry blossoms. Will over 300,000 cherry trees, the city is the “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World”. The last full week in March, Macon celebrates with the International Cherry Blossom Festival. The schedule includes the parade, street party, bed race, nightly concerts, a fashion show and the final night fireworks extravaganza, just to name the highlights. Bring the entire family, there will be festivities for all ages.

The Master's Golf Tournament: Join us each April for golf's most prestigious event - the Master's, hosted annually at the famous Augusta National Golf Course. Be sure to make your plans early though - we tend to sell out...

Does going to Dublin for Saint Patrick's Day sound fun? Do it right here in Georgia at Dublin's (Georgia that is) month long Saint Patrick's Day Celebration. There is a bit of the traditional and a lot more. Food will feature corned beef and cabbage as well as a barbecue cook-off, which is taken seriously here. For the active, sign up for the golf classic, bowling tournament or the road race. Watch hot-air balloon's float above the amazing scenery and enjoy a terrific parade. This St Patrick's event is a must see and do event.

Now is the time to plan for July's Summer Redneck Games in East Dublin. Attendance is growing rapidly and the event is getting significant media attention. You will have to decide how much practice is needed, if participation is a goal. Unless you exceed 250lbs, it will do no good to enter the mud-pit belly flop competition.

Events include bobbing for pig's feet – which do not float, dumpster diving for prizes, a hub-cap hurl and toilet seat horseshoes. Something for everyone? Hint for the adults: Kids have the advantage in the armpit serenade, because they have smooth skin under there.

No matter what you choose to do, Best Western Hotels are in Central Georgia and will not pass judgment. Convenient and affordable they are the best choice for accommodations ,whether you are passing through or making it a full vacation.

Historic Savannah, Georgia

Savannah conjures images of moss draped Oak trees lining streets and parks full of blossoming Azaleas and Dogwoods. Genteel residents stroll calmly along sidewalks that front elegant Victorian homes and historic buildings, enjoying the afternoon sunshine, stopping to chat, and politely greeting visitors. Well – the images are true to life in Savannah and attract throngs of visitors to experience the real thing.

A highlight of the year in Savannah is the Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens. The 2010 tour is the 75th year for the event which is held the end of March. During the peak of spring blooming season, visitors have the opportunity to tour through the homes and gardens in several of Savannah's neighborhoods. The tours are self-guided, allow you to go at your own pace, and visit the homes of your choice. Add a spectacular lunch at Paula Deen's world famous restaurant “ The Lady and Sons” on the first two days of the tour.

Georgia on your mind doesn't generally bring up fabulous beach destinations, unless you have been to Georgia's Golden Isles region. The region covers the southern half of coastal Georgia is a beach vacation paradise. Perfect for golf, bicycling, fishing and sailing – or just enjoying a beautiful day at the beach. St. Simons Island is just about perfect for any seaside activity, and also offers some added attractions for visitors. The Island Players theater group presents “Come Blow Your Horn” in March and in May, “ You Can't Take it With You”. Music aficionados will enjoy concerts by the Coastal Symphony of Georgia. “Ode to America” will be featured in April and the Youth Orchestra will perform in May. The Symphony concerts are held in Brunswick at the Glynn Academy Memorial Auditorium.

Ask any American the name of a swamp and chances are “Okefenokee” will come up. Here it is folks, in the far southeast corner of Georgia. It remains preserved much as it was when America was discovered. At the headwaters of the Suwannee River (another name etched into our childhood memories) – the Okefenokee swamp has been added to the National Wilderness System. Boat tours generally feature soundless propulsion to maximize wildlife viewing and environmental impact. Treat the kids to the sight of an alligator in its natural habitat, and hunt for the creature of the black lagoon – this is where he lives!

BONUS: Traveling to and from the coast in mid-March may take you along the route of the Peaches to Beaches Yard Sale. In its sixth year, a stretch of US Highway 341 becomes a 212 mile long yard sale.

Catch your breath - individuals, communities and organizations along the road will be clearing even more treasures out of their closets this year.

The route of the yard sale ends in the Golden Isles, and a rest at the beach will likely be in order. Better yet, look for a Best Western Hotel for a nice relaxing rest, and a safe place for all the bargains you found. Anywhere in Southern Georgia and the Coast, you will find Best Western Hotels convenient and affordable for your travels.