Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
24 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
24 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
24 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
24 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Georgia Radium Springs Gardens

Radium Springs Gardens

The ruins of a resort and casino sit on the banks of this blue hole spring that pumps 70,000 gallons of warm, clear water every minute.

Albany, Georgia

Added By
Rachel M
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Radium Springs   Michael Rivera/CC BY-SA 4.0
Radium Springs   Michael Rivera/CC BY-SA 4.0
gardens   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
view of casino ruins beyond the spring   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
Radium Springs memorial   Michael Rivera/CC BY-SA 4.0
blue hole and bridge ruins   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
looking toward the Flint River   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
photo of interpretive plaque   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
blue water of the springs   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Radium Springs Garden, originally known as Blue Spring, was used by Creek Indians, English settlers and explorers as a spot for swimming and fishing. The springs discharge 70,000 gallons of clear water every minute from an underwater cave, and the area was the home to numerous species of fish and wild animals.  

Bathing in mineral water was a popular health trend of the 19th and early 20th centuries, with many believing that the waters had the power to cure a variety of ailments. When traces of radium were discovered in the water, it became the impetus for the development of a resort. Completed in 1927, the resort included a hotel (Skywater), casino, golf course, cottages, bathhouses, and walking trails. Though it was an instant success, the resort was not long-lived—it closed down in 1939, after losing its customer base during the Great Depression.

Parts of the resort opened and closed numerous times over the next several years, and locals continued to use the swimming area for decades. In 1994, Tropical Storm Alberto caused major flooding in the area and, after a second storm in 1998, the historic buildings were too damaged to repair.

The property was acquired by state and local governments, and reopened in 2010 as a historic site. The remains of the resort and gazebo have been converted to a springs entrance and a memorial to victims of a tornado. (While the structures are in place, they are painted a bright white, thus making them seem quite unlike "ruins" as the term is normally used.)  There are numerous botanical gardens, walkways, and interpretive plaques to explain the history.  The biggest draw remains the bright blue pool of the springs, though visitors have to be content with viewing it from the numerous observation points, as it's no longer open for swimming.

Related Tags

Healing Caves Spring Parks Casino Gardens

Know Before You Go

No admission charged.  The current hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Mom0ja

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy, The Anonymoose Traveler

  • Michelle Cassidy
  • The Anonymoose Traveler

Published

December 29, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/radiumsprings.html
  • https://visitalbanyga.com/attraction/radium-springs-gardens
Radium Springs Gardens
2501 Radium Springs Rd
Albany, Georgia, 31705
United States
31.526395, -84.136217
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Ray Charles Memorial

Albany, Georgia

miles away

Georgia Rural Telephone Museum

Leslie, Georgia

miles away

Giant Peanut Monument

Ashburn, Georgia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Georgia

Georgia

United States

Places 219
Stories 15

Nearby Places

Ray Charles Memorial

Albany, Georgia

miles away

Georgia Rural Telephone Museum

Leslie, Georgia

miles away

Giant Peanut Monument

Ashburn, Georgia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Georgia

Georgia

United States

Places 219
Stories 15

Related Places

  • New York, New York

    The Ramble Cave

    Hidden in Central Park's Ramble is a troublesome cave buried just beneath the surface.

  • Seiryudo Cave – named after Seiryu, the Azure Dragon, this cave features deep vertical columns surrounded by dense vegetation.

    Toyooka, Japan

    Genbudo Park

    A dramatic landscape of ancient lava, carved into hexagonal columns by nature itself.

  • Bordeaux twin city garden celebrating Casablanca

    Bordeaux, France

    Twin Cities Gardens

    These gardens whisk you away to Japan and Morocco—without leaving Bordeaux.

  • California Condor sunning itself in Pinnacles.

    Paicines, California

    Pinnacles Condor Sanctuary

    When California condors were hovering on the brink of extinction, this recovery program was charged with helping the birds thrive again.

  • Aranjuez, Spain

    Pajarera del Jardín de la Isla

    A massive birdcage in this royal, 18th-century garden has sparked a local controversy.

  • Figureheads in a row

    Isles of Scilly, England

    Valhalla Museum

    Around 30 ship figureheads are housed at this 11th-century abbey and gardens.

  • Forest park entrance

    Manila, Philippines

    Arroceros Forest Park

    Known as Manila's "last lung," this park used to house a market, garrison, and various government buildings.

  • The French Greenhouse

    Rome, Italy

    Orto Botanico di Roma

    An oasis of beauty, tranquility and botanical research in the middle of Rome.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.