Georgia has a long and distinguished history. It was the last established of the 13 original colonies, and later sent representatives to write the new nation's constitution. In the mid-1800s, Georgia was in the first wave of states seceding from the Union to join the Confederate States of America. Tourists staying in vacation rentals in Georgia enjoy visiting historic sites in the state and can also access Georgia's many fine institutions of arts and culture.
Many of these institutions are located in Atlanta, the capital city. Among the finest art museums in Georgia are the High Museum of Art, the Michael C. Carlos Museum, and the Morris Museum of Art. For tourists who prefer the performing arts, the Atlanta Opera, operating out of the capital, presents both classical and more modern operatic performances. The premier symphony in Georgia is the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, regarded as the finest such organization in the southeastern portion of the United States.
Less formal stage performances are available from theaters such as the Woodruff Arts Center, located in Midtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street, as well as a variety of smaller venues in cities such as Duluth, Marietta, and Roswell.
Literature fans will find much to appreciate in Georgia as it has served as the setting of many of the nation's celebrated novels, including the quintessential novel of the Civil War, Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell. A more recent interpretation of Georgia life can be found in Alice Walker's The Color Purple, and in plays such as Driving Miss Daisy, also set in the state.