What We Love About Georgia

Monday, May 21, 2012 | Things We Love

From American Idol to backyard Hollywood blockbusters, our home state is making some serious headlines. Here are a few of our favorite Peach state perks—from Hotlanta and beyond.

Music
Call us biased, but we can’t get enough of American Idol’s Phillip Phillips. The Leesburg, Georgia native’s soulful performance of Bob Seger’s classic ballad “We’ve Got Tonight” left us just a little teary. With any luck, the Top 2 Finalist’s Idol exposure will earn him a place among other GA hit makers like Ray Charles, R.E.M., Cee Lo Green and more.       (Photo released by FOX.)

Movies
Dubbed Hollywood South by industry insiders, Atlanta has fast become a top shooting location for feature films and popular television series. From Oscar picks, like The Blind Side and Driving Miss Daisy, to AMC’s grisly zombie drama The Walking Dead, A-Town landmarks and icons are making their way into more and more American homes.

Culture
From exotic cuisine to near-weekly festivals, Atlanta’s cultural scene is constantly growing. Right now, Piedmont Park (designed by sons of Central Park co-planner Frederick Law Olmstead) is gearing up for its annual Jazz Festival. Other highlights include Music Midtown (seen left) and the always-popular Taste of Atlanta, featuring savory global delights.

Why do you love your hometown?
We shared a few reasons why we love our hometown. Tell us what you love most about yours.