Hook, line and sinker, Albany, Georgia, wins the trophy when it comes to fly-fishing, canoeing, kayaking and outdoor summer explorations in South Georgia. Located about an hour off I-10 and only 30 minutes from I-75, an ideal resting place or stopping point when en route to/from Savannah and Charleston–or even Florida.
Aquarium adventures
There are creatures of the deep at Flint RiverQuarium. The 175,000-gallon Flint RiverQuarium has a unique blue hole spring with more than 120 mysterious creatures; some, like the mudskipper and green heron, that you can meet during weekend animal encounters. Other ways to learn more about the animals are at the weekend dive show at the blue hole and the Saturday alligator feeding at Spring Run Creek. (You might see one of the RiverQuarium’s most famous residents, a rare albino alligator named Moonshine, who lives in the aquarium’s “Alligators: Dragons in Paradise” exhibit.)
Ready, set, get wet!
Albany’s southern location makes it an ideal destination for H2O adventures. Float the Flint River by kayak or canoe via the Georgia Power Dam, Riverfront Park Launch, Ray Charles Plaza Launch or the Marine Landing input areas. The float can range in time from two to four hours depending on where you put in. Call Kayak Attack Adventures at (229) 669-1259 for all of your rental needs, including kayaks, canoes and life jackets.
Get out!
Expand outdoor explorations with the area’s six-acre Riverfront Park, spread out along the Flint River, featuring a beautiful lawn for family picnics and gatherings, music- and light-animated play fountain, pavilion areas, Turtle Grove Play Park with Dino Dig and Tot Lot, a 1.5 mile Greenways Trail System, the Horace King Overlook, the Albany Welcome Center, located in the Historic Bridge House, and a three-mile Riverwalk Greenway Trail ideal for bike rides. TIP: The Albany Welcome Center offers 2010 Carmel 2 bicycles in either Azure Blue or Gobi Yellow for visitors to rent. This unisex cruiser has adjustable seats and is perfect for a relaxing bike ride to explore everything downtown Albany has to offer. Each rental bike comes with a helmet, a lock and basket at no extra charge. $10 for 4 hours, $15 for all day.
If you go
During your visit, satisfy hunger cravings at The Catch, a trendy nouveau southern cuisine seafood place; local treasure Austin’s BBQ and Oyster Bar; Pearly’s Famous Country Cooking; pub-style Harvest Moon, with evening musical entertainment served on the side. Albany has more than two dozen hotels–many include complimentary breakfast.