Albany charms visitors with Southern hospitality, a sense for adventure, and down-to-earth family fun. This three-day trip highlights the city’s connection with nature and activities you can enjoy outdoors in Albany.

Day One – Settle in at Chehaw Park

Stay in a cabin at Chehaw in Albany. Photo by Candy Cook

Move into your home away from home, a campsite or cozy cabin at Chehaw Park. With a few more hours of daylight, play a round of disc golf or hit the mountain bike trails. The 18-basket disc golf course adds a gaming twist to a winding hike through the pines, and the miles of mountain bike trails are designed with all levels of cyclists in mind. Wind down with Southern seafood and classic BBQ plates at Blackbeard’s B & B Bar-B-Que.

Day Two – Explore the riverfront, aquarium and zoo

Biking along the Flint River in Albany. Photo credit: Candy Cook.

Fuel up with a coffee and breakfast bowl from Elements Coffee Company before exploring in town near Albany’s Welcome Center. The Welcome Center offers a quick intro to Albany and bike rentals to cruise the paved Riverfront Greenway Trail. Touring the area leads to historic monuments, a playground, splashpad, and beautiful views of the river.

Check out the fish and other aquatic life at the Flint RiverQuarium in Albany.

A hop and a skip puts visitors at the entrance to the fascinating world of local fish and aquatic life at Flint RiverQuarium. For lunch, choose from a great selection of burgers and BBQ at local favorite Riverfront 2 Bar-B-Que & Catfish House before returning to Chehaw for an afternoon at the zoo.

See cheetahs and many more species at Chehaw in Albany. Photo by Candy Cook

Chehaw’s AZA-accredited zoo features more than 90 species, including endangered cheetahs, red wolves and rhinos along a shaded path through the woods. An African veldt ride and a large alligator swampland give visitors a glimpse at wildlife in natural herds and habitats.

As the sun sets, enjoy live music and pizza at Harvest Moon, a laid-back tavern serving more than 50 craft beers. Try their signature homemade chicken pot pie that made it onto ExploreGeorgia.org’s list of 100 Plates Locals Love in 2015.

Day Three – Go kayaking & tour a natural wonder

Kayaking on the Flint River in Albany. Photo by Candy Cook.

Pearly’s Famous Country Cooking serves down-home Southern breakfast all day. The bustling restaurant wakes up with locals, laughter and great food to start the day.

After filling up, join Kayak Attack for an unforgettable, hours-long paddle down the Flint River. Kayak Attack provides all the gear and a shuttle service for paddlers.

Don’t miss Radium Springs Gardens, one of Georgia’s natural wonders in Albany. Photo by Candy Cook.

End this trip touring Radium Springs Gardens, one of Georgia’s natural wonders, with a picnic lunch from the Cookie Shoppe.

Candy Cook is Georgia’s official Outdoor Explorer and the author of the blog “Happy Trails Wild Tales.”