13 Small Towns In Georgia To Visit For A Weekend Getaway
The state of Georgia is known for some fantastic attractions, including Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia Aquarium, both located within the thriving metropolis of Atlanta. Yet, this majestic southern state has several phenomenal small towns with their own unique attributes as well. From the quaint town of Adairsville in Barstow County to the picturesque town of Summerville in Chattooga County, these places have their own awesome aspects that cater well to the populace. Here are thirteen of the best small towns in the Peach State, ideal to visit when planning that weekend getaway with friends, family, or even alone.
Adairsville
The small town of Adairsville, an hour south of Chattanooga, is the ideal spot for that perfect weekend getaway. Travel back in time at the Adairsville Depot History Museum, which honors history by showcasing its role in the Great Locomotive Chase during the American Civil War.
Adairsville is also home to Barnsley Resort, southwest of town. Some amenities of this great resort include a golf course designed by Jim Fazio, horseback riding, a shooting range, and a 10-acre lake that is perfect for canoeing and fishing. The resort also has some excellent dining options, including eloquent fare at Jules, southern cuisine at Woodlands, and delectable wines and beer at the Biergarten.
Covington
Half an hour east of Atlanta, the fabulous town of Covington is home to the Twelve Oaks Inn. This gorgeous bed & breakfast inn has some great amenities, including a home-cooked, locally-sourced breakfast served every morning. From the historic values of being within a 1936 antebellum mansion, to the inclusion of it being an excellent wedding and event venue, as well, this is an excellent place to visit.
Covington is also home to several gorgeous parks, including Academy Springs Park, which offers a calming sense of tranquility. Ashton Hills Golf Club, featuring beautiful yet challenging fairways, as well as delicious fare at the Village Grille, is also within Covington. The Village Grille serves delicious burgers, sandwiches, and salads, as well as elegant cuisine options that are perfect, especially if you wish to surprise that special someone.
Ellijay
Home to Villas at Coosawattee River, the town of Ellijay is an excellent option for a weekend getaway. From the intricate designs of the wooden cabins, to wi-fi access, to a tasty breakfast the next morning, staying at Villas at Coosawattee River will rejuvenate you for that new workweek ahead. They even offer a year-round heated indoor pool, fitness facilities, and stunning views of the nearby mountain ranges.
Cress Creeks Farm & Corn Maze, also situated in Ellijay, is the perfect fit for any age. With some great activities, from checking out a nine-acre corn maze to feeding baby sheep to riding on a spectacular hay ride, Cress Creeks Farm is the place to visit. And, quite close by, Reece Apple Orchard offers options to pick apples, which is a great family activity.
Americus
An hour outside of the city of Columbus, the small town of Americus is home to several fabulous historic sites. Both the Charles Lindbergh Memorial and Rylander Theater are there. Rylander Theater has been in existence for over a century, opening as a vaudeville house in 1921. The Charles Lindbergh Monument features the famous pilot standing on an airplane wing, honoring his first solo flight in 1923.
Americus is also home to the Windsor Hotel. This excellent establishment, constructed in 1892, is a five-story Victorian Mansion that has several awesome amenities, including a fitness center, room service, an on-site bar, and a restaurant. There are also several places to sample local wine and spirits situated in Americus, like Wolf Creek Plantation Vineyard and 13th Colony Distillery, making for a weekend of easy sipping.
Darien
The coastal town of Darien, an hour south of Savannah, has many great attributes that make it ideal for that weekend getaway. From Sapelo Island to Wolf Island Wildlife Refuge, both accessible only by boat, the barrier islands near the town of Darien offer a stunning vista of the Atlantic Ocean unlike most others on the coast of Georgia.
There are also several historic attractions in downtown Darien, including the McIntosh Art Association, featuring a variety of art utilizing many different media. Hosted in the Old Jail, built in 1888, it is one of the three oldest buildings in the town. And, close to the museum, Oaks on the River offers great overnight amenities, including two different restaurants and some phenomenal river views.
Madison
An hour north of Macon, the town of Madison is home to a multitude of historic attractions, including Morgan County Courthouse and Rogers House & Rose Cottage. While the courthouse was first built in 1904, and is the third Morgan County courthouse, with the first being built on the town square at the turn of the 19th century, the Rogers House & Rose Cottage are even older than that.
The Rogers House predates the current county courthouse by nearly a century, and most of its furnishings represent the best of the 19th century, while Rose Cottage was first built in 1891 by Adeline Rose. The James Madison Inn is also in Madison. With some great amenities, like being a premier wedding venue, as well as a free breakfast the next morning, this is a great choice for the weekend.
St. Marys
Forty miles north of Jacksonville, Florida, the coastal town of St. Marys has some great natural attractions, like Crooked River State Park and Cumberland Island. Whether you are camping overnight at Crooked River or taking the ferry out to Cumberland Island, this small piece of the Georgia coast is a true haven. Crooked River also has some scenic hiking trails, including Boardwalk Loop and Sempervirens Trail.
St. Marys also has some phenomenal historic attributes. The Submarine Museum, the fifth largest of its kind in the country, honors the use of submarines in the U.S. Navy, while the National Seashore Museum, part of Cumberland Island, has several military exhibits, including a room dedicated entirely to the War of 1812. It is also near Spencer House Inn, offering great service and a free breakfast the next morning.
Greensboro
Home to North Shore Landing Resort, a campground on the picturesque small town of Greensboro is located an hour west of the city of Augusta. North Shore Landing Resort is west of downtown along the banks of the Oconee River. A few of their great amenities include a private beach, a clubhouse, a fishing pier & a boat dock, and two swimming pools.
Downtown Greensboro is also home to Old Gaol, the oldest masonry jail in Georgia. Guests can experience what it was like to be incarcerated during the 19th century. Historic Scull Shoals Mill Village is also near the town of Greensboro. This point of interest, an actual Georgia “ghost town,” was first established in 1782. Today, visitors can see ancient burial grounds, as well as some of its walls and foundations.
Milledgeville
Below Lake Sinclair, one of the most expansive lakes in Georgia, the quaint town of Milledgeville has its share of natural attributes. From water activities readily available, including fishing, swimming, and boating, to other fabulous aspects, like Lockerly Arboretum, teaching up to 5,000 people annually about the importance of horticulture, the town of Milledgeville is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
Milledgeville is also home to a plethora of historic attractions, like Old Governor’s Mansion, High Greek Revival architecture built in 1839, and Andalusia Farm, the historic former home of well-known writer, Flannery O’Connor. And, quite close to another informational museum, the Old State Capitol Museum, the Inn on North Jefferson is the perfect place to stay for the weekend. With amenities like in-room fireplaces and balconies, this quaint inn is phenomenal.
Brunswick
At the southern end of St. Simons Island, the picturesque town of Brunswick has some awesome attractions that make it ideal for a weekend with the family. Blythe Island Regional Park, with easy access to Lake Cindee and the South Brunswick River, offers both fresh and saltwater fishing. It also has R.V. and primitive camping sites. There is also an awesome hiking trail nearby.
Brunswick is also home to the local delicacy of Brunswick stew, a smoky tomato-based stew of chicken and pork. An amazing monument to Brunswick stew, located at Mary Ross Waterfront Park, represents the origins of Brunswick Stew in this small town. Kress Brunswick, a historic inn located near Mary Ross Park, also offers some great amenities, including individually-decorated suites and the unique experience of dining on the open roof in their restaurant, offering some stunning views of downtown Brunswick.
Vidalia
The town of Vidalia, less than two hours west of Tybee Island, has several historic attributes that encourage people to visit again and again. From the Vidalia Onion Museum to the Altama Museum of Art & History, history is alive and thriving within this quaint southern town. There is even a fabulous Vidalia Onion Fountain, situated behind City Hall in City Park, to capture on film.
Several other attractions in Vidalia include Flossie Hayes Park, situated northwest of downtown. Along with amenities like several well-maintained paths, a playground, and locales for community festivals, this park is near several great weekend lodging choices as well, like Budget Inn Vidalia on 1st Street. This great local inn offers amenities including access to wi-fi and a free breakfast the next morning.
Braselton
Not far from Lake Lanier, with its own awesome amenities like swimming, boating, and fishing, as well as several scenic nature trails, the town of Braselton is home to Chateau Elan. Chateau Elan offers fine dining at several different restaurants, including Versailles and Fleur de Lis, an excellent winery, a luxurious spa, and ample golf opportunities on several courses, including Woodlands and Chateau.
Braselton is also home to the Braselton Mulberry RiverWalk, featuring a four-plus-mile out-and-back scenic trail along the banks of the Mulberry River, and Braselton Park, offering a taste of nature within downtown Braselton. Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is also in Braselton, offering exciting events year-round, including Drift Atlanta in the spring and Motul Petit le Mans in the fall.
Summerville
The tiny town of Summerville is home to James H. “Sloppy” Floyd Park, which is home to the one-mile-long Marble Mine Trail. This state park is also home to some of the most phenomenal fishing, as it is situated on two stocked lakes. There is also a spectacular 35-foot waterfall in the park, a prominent feature of the Marble Mine Trail.
Along with Floyd’s State Park, which offers a variety of camping options, including cottage campsite and back-country camping, Summerville is also home to Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, between Summerville and Trion. This dedication to the wonders of nature was formerly home to Baptist minister Howard Finster and is now a park dedicated to him as well as to American folk art.
From historic Madison, with the 1904 Morgan County Courthouse, to the picturesque town of Ellijay, with quaint cabins on the banks of the Coosawattee River, these eleven towns have just the right amenities to be able to escape hectic everyday living, at least for a weekend. Whether it is a state park or a museum, the natural, historic, and cultural aspects of these eleven towns within Georgia are ideal to visit, especially if you want to get away.
