11 Most Peaceful Small Towns In Georgia
Georgia, the foremost state in terms of land area among the US states east of the Mississippi River, captures tourist attention with its variegated landscape, interesting history, and a timeless Southern sophistication. Scattered between the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians, the Piedmont Plateau region, and the Atlantic Coastal Plains are uncounted peaceful teeny communities that are verily blissful escapes where life progresses in a slow tempo. Combining unparalleled natural charm with hearty hospitality, these welcoming towns, wherein historic downtowns invite one and all to wander through unhurriedly, friendly townsfolk dine together at family-run bistros, and porch swings replace urban noise, are worth exploring in the upcoming holiday season.
Darien
Initially titled ‘New Inverness,’ this second-oldest planned settlement in the state and the administrative center of southeastern Georgia’s McIntosh County, is located on the Atlantic Coast, adjacent to the Altamaha River’s mouth. Artistically fusing innate charisma with antiquatedness, wanderers on a visit to this coastal haven should go see the Fort King George State Historic Site, a 1721-built reconstructed British fort, featuring palisades, barracks, a blacksmith shop, a blockhouse, a moat, and a guardhouse, that lets one reminisce about colonial beginnings. Take note of the outstanding contributing structures, such as the Darien City Hall and the reconstructed St. Andrews Episcopal Church in the Vernon Square-Columbus Square and West Darien Historic Districts, savor fresh seafood at the riverside seafood eatery Skippers’ Fish Camp, and socialize with community members at the Darien Waterfront Park & Docks.
Blue Ridge
Perfectly sited on a divide between the Alabama and Tennessee Rivers in Northwest Georgia, Blue Ridge, the biggest town and seat of government of Fannin County, is a halcyon mountain town, some 93 miles north of Atlanta. Vaunting an attractive combination of action-packed activities and small-town warmth, vacationgoers holidaying in Blue Ridge should participate in ample water-based recreations on the spotless Lake Blue Ridge, and traverse the Chattahoochee National Forest’s many hiking trails, wilderness areas, and myriad rivers and streams. Moreover, enjoy a ride aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway that takes passengers on a four-hour-long, 26-mile round-trip journey by the Toccoa River through the peerless North Georgia countryside, and celebrate a memorable evening with family members at the Swan Drive-In Theatre and Diner, watching unforgettable classics and bingeing on pub steakburgers and chicken tenders.
Tallulah Falls
Home to only 199 residents, this idyllic mountain town straddles the Rabun and Habersham Counties along the Tallulah River, flanked by verdant summits and bisected by U.S. Highway 23-441. Tallulah Falls's crown jewel is the Tallulah Gorge State Park, which surrounds the spectacular 1,000-foot-deep Tallulah Gorge, allowing thrill seekers to hike the rim trails with sweeping overlooks, cross the suspension bridge at around 80 feet above the craggy ground, and obtain permission to ramble the gorge floor. At the Jane Hurt Interpretive Center, gather information on the olden days of the region and the protected species found in the state park, purchase unique gifts, locally made products, souvenirs, old-fashioned sodas, and dipped ice cream from The General Store on Main Street, and feast on seasonal crowd-favorites such as club sandwiches, fresh salads, and burgers, aside from sipping local brews at Tallulah Adventures & The Edge Café, a go-to restaurant and bar close to the Tallulah Gorge State Park.
Helen
A German-inspired settlement in White County, parallel to the Chattahoochee River, Helen, captivates vacationgoers with its Bavarian-style buildings and imposing high-altitude summits. While taking pleasure in equine-drawn carriage rides through the Downtown’s cobblestone streets, consumerists can pick up nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, etc., from one-of-a-kind gift shops like Lindenhaus Imports and smack standard German dishes like Falscher Hase (Meat Loaf) and Schweinebraten (Pork Roast) at the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant. Likewise, rapidly reach by way of a paved trail from a public use area to the closeby Anna Ruby Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest, and take part in avian-watching and mountain biking activities at the proximal Unicoi State Park & Lodge.
Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain, one of the favored refuges of President Franklin D. Roosevelt for rejuvenating, sits in the Pine Mountain Range’s northern foothills, extending across the Harris and Meriwether counties in western Georgia, almost 78 miles from the state capital. As a “Gateway to Callaway Gardens,” the town provides expedited entry to the proximate Callaway Resort & Gardens, a vast resort complex where sightseers can walk or cycle along the trails, go golfing on the two golf courses, engage in ziplining and exciting aerial obstacle courses at Tree-Top Adventure, witness over 50 butterfly species at the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, catch the Birds of Prey Show at the Discovery Amphitheater, and experience the everlasting magnetism of the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel. Additionally, reconnoiter the miles of forested trails, including the popular 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail at Georgia’s biggest state park, the F.D. Roosevelt State Park, head up to examine closely the exhibited articles in the Little White House Historic Site, the personal retreat of the 32nd President in Warm Springs, and ingest appetizing smoked meats & sandwiches at the homely Moore’s Whistling Pig Café.
Dahlonega
Dahlonega, an acclaimed site of the 1829 Georgia Gold Rush, is the Lumpkin County seat located at the base of the North Georgia Mountains, on the northern end of Georgia State Route 400. The town’s nucleus is the epochal Dahlonega Square, which, besides numerous ladies’ apparel shops like the Pink Alley Boutique and Cajun restaurants like Bourbon Street Grille, has at its center the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site in the archaic Old Lumpkin County Courthouse, which houses multiple artifacts like gold nuggets, gold panning equipment, and gold coins from the Gold Rush of 1836. Spend a leisurely afternoon sampling prize-winning handcrafted wines in the tasting rooms and soaking in stunning mountain spectacles at the Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery. Annually, from the Friday after Thanksgiving through the New Year, show up with your entire family in Downtown Dahlonega for the Old Fashioned Christmas celebrations.
Covington
Baptized for the US Army Brigadier General Leonard Covington, this administrative center of Newton County is situated in the state’s north-central portion, roughly 35 miles southeast of Downtown Atlanta via Interstate 20 Highway. Aptly styled as the ‘Hollywood of the South,’ Downtown Covington, which has been the cinematography setting of hundreds of movies and television programs like the ‘Vampire Diaries’ and ‘In The Heat Of The Night,’ entices cinemaniacs to take the ‘Mystic Falls Tour’ to access salient shooting sites such as the Lockwood Mansion. Furthermore, the Second Empire style Newton County Courthouse in the Downtown Square, the family-focused Scoops Ice Cream Shop, satisfying every sweet tooth with its savory assortment of 32 flavors of ice cream, and the traditional Southern cuisine serving Mystic Grill Restaurant are not to be missed.
Washington
Wilkes County’s seat of government, Washington, located halfway between Athens and Augusta, is renowned for being one of the first communities in the US to be christened after the nation’s 1st President. Excursionists sojourning in this 3,754-resident town should observe the plentiful immaculate antebellum properties in the Washington Historic District, and a rich collection of artifacts, memorabilia, and antiquities linked to the town’s yesteryears at the Washington-Wilkes Historical Museum. Thoroughly scan the assorted exhibits at the Robert Toombs House State Historic Site related to the life of Robert Augustus Toombs, an authoritative Confederate general during the American Civil War and later US senator from Georgia. At eventide, delight your palate at La Cabana Mexican Restaurant with scrumptious Mexican cuisine.
Toccoa
The center of administration of Northeast Georgia’s Stephens County, Toccoa, is set at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, exactly 50 miles north of Athens. The star attraction of the town is the phenomenal Toccoa Falls, a 186-foot free-falling waterfall in the quiet woodsy settings of the Toccoa Falls College campus. Toccoa’s walkable Downtown is chock-full of prominent landmarks like the Historic Ritz Theatre, a refurbished 1939-built art deco Hollywood-style performing arts venue hosting theatrical performances, movie screenings, and musical concerts. Addedly, shop from a wide selection of collectibles at affordable prices from the Cornerstone Antique & Craft Market, pay a visit to the Currahee Military Museum to learn more about the WWII American soldiers who trained at Camp Toccoa at the base of the Currahee Mountain to become paratroopers, and at the family-owned Currahee Vineyard & Winery, taste hand-crafted wines made from native grapes.
Madison
An appealing town in Metro Atlanta and the government seat of Morgan County, Madison, sits in Georgia’s Piedmont, nearly 60 miles east of the capital city. Travelers touring this serene tourism magnet must take a stroll through the Madison Historic District, one of the state’s comprehensive historic districts, which has an extensive collection of meticulously restored antebellum properties. Inspect some of this 4,447-inhabitant town’s conspicuous sites of interest, including the Beaux Arts style Morgan County Courthouse, the Piedmont Plains style Rogers House, the oldest house museum in the state which provides first-hand information on the modest dwellings of the era, and the 1842-built Joshua Hill House, the residence of the US Congressman Joshua Hill. Side by side, discover more about the gripping story and magnificent artistry distinctive of the African-American culture of the County at the Morgan County African-American Museum, and spend quality time amidst the shaded picnic areas and well-kept trails of the sylvan Madison Town Park.
Senoia
Part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area, Senoia, a picture-perfect Coweta County community located precisely 35.4 miles south of Atlanta, is best known as the cinematic setting of ‘The Walking Dead,’ an American post-apocalyptic dark drama television series. Every year, thousands of tourists visiting Senoia take the Georgia Tour Company’s ‘The Touring Dead’ tour to explore the town’s ‘The Walking Dead’ filming locations. Walk down the inviting Main Street, perusing playful stores such as The Woodbury Shoppe, an all-in-one store selling Walking Dead-inspired gift items, clothing, and collectibles, and relaxed cafes like the Senoia Coffee & Café serving tasty American fare, besides wine, beer, and coffee drinks. Also, drop by the Senoia Area Historical Society & Museum in the old Carmichael Home on Couch Street, which has five display rooms and a research library filled with artifacts starting from the time of Creek Indian Chief William McIntosh to memorabilia from ‘The Walking Dead’ series.
From the Bavarian-style Helen in North Georgia to the photographic Darien on the Georgia Atlantic Coast, the most placid towns in the Peach State offer the right atmosphere for slackening. If you are keen on inspecting the historical landmarks that echo tales from the past, be awestruck by the profuse natural attractions, go on a shopping spree at the sundry small and medium-level businesses in Downtown, partake in copious alpine and coastal leisure time activities, and feel happier with fellow townspeople in seasonal gatherings, these undisturbed Georgia towns make you want to linger a little longer.
