6 Classic Americana Downtowns In Georgia

Merriam-Webster defines Americana, in part, as "...materials characteristic of America," which is an apt description of these half-dozen traditional Georgia towns. Definitive elements range from rose gardens in Thomasville to Covington's 19th-century architecture, which has been featured in several films and television shows. Each one stands on its own for its unique character, but together they define Southern culture and help put the state on the map as a travel destination.

Small Southern towns often exude conventional elements, from roadside diners to oak-canopied roads to a slower pace of life. Madison reflects these characteristics better than most, with its walkable streets and historic sites such as the Rogers House downtown. Commercial districts are generally hubs of activity and the best places to experience the core characteristics that make them distinctive, and these Georgia towns are among the best.

Dahlonega

Dahlonega was established in 1829 and was home to the United States' first Gold Rush shortly thereafter. Its historic downtown is lined with 19th-century buildings, including the 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, home to the Dahlonega Gold Museum. A visit to this State Historic Site includes a film about the history of gold mining and rare gold coins minted right in Dahlonega. Shaded brick sidewalks act as portals to the past, exuding Southern grace as only a small Georgia town can, as highlighted at the Holly Theatre and other historical structures.

This small town has been featured in Hollywood films since 1915, and locals initially showed films in the courthouse until the Price Building was converted into a movie theater in 1948. A fire forced the closure of the original movie house, and the Holly was born in 1948. Today, the Art Deco marquee announcing upcoming live shows and films contributes to the district's Americana character, which is also evident in small cafes such as Blue 42 Market. The modern yet cozy cafe and market is ideal for starting the day, with a collection of gourmet bites and Jittery Joe's Coffee, a source of pride for locals and visitors alike.

Americus

Americus is a traditional small Southern town that embodies Georgia's best qualities, with a remarkable downtown. Once the metropolis of Southwest Georgia, early proprietors and builders foresaw the city's long-term appeal to visitors, underscored by the completion of the five-story Windsor Hotel. The Queen Anne structure was completed in 1892 with an eye toward the future influx of travelers to the area.

The community celebrates small-town life in several festivals, including the annual Taste of Sumter. This event, held in October, is one of the best times to visit, when restaurants from across the county show off their best dishes in an authentic "shop local" atmosphere that features food trucks and vendors up and down Jackson Street. The Women's Wine and Chocolate Walk in February is another fun way to experience downtown Americus. Participants are given a wine glass, a passport to tasting rooms, and a goodie bag to take home.

Thomasville

Known as the "Rose City," Thomasville is the epitome of classic Georgia, reflected in its downtown district teeming with noteworthy restaurants, brick-paved streets, and annual events. The Rose Show and Festival has been a landmark for over 100 years, introducing patrons to the historic downtown tastings, flower shows, and a parade along Broad Street.

No visit is complete without a visit to the Rose Garden and Cherokee Lake. The park showcases the community's love of nature and its stunning natural landscapes, featuring a one-mile paved, lighted walking path next to the rose garden. Natural elements align with the Big Oak, an oak tree over three centuries old and one of downtown's most photographed landmarks. The Thomas County Courthouse, circa 1858, offers another look at Thomasville's preserved heritage, connecting the present to the past.

Covington

Given it's been used for more than 100 Hollywood productions set in small-town America, Covington clearly deserves a spot on this list. The classic town will look familiar to those who have watched The Dukes of Hazzard, In the Heat of the Night, or any number of films. It is a remarkable combination of old and new, with a traditional town clock, a prominent feature in the television series The Vampire Diaries. Other buildings also play a role in the show, which inspired the Mystic Grill, a favorite lunch spot in downtown.

Booking a room at the magnificent Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast in the historic district is a fantastic way to stay within a five-minute walk from the town square. The 1836 antebellum mansion has also been featured in several movies, with eight rooms blending modern comforts with remote-controlled fireplaces, and one room even boasting an 1800s ribcage shower. Self-guided tours through the historic home district and Walk of Stars are available by stopping at the visitors center to pick up brochures and maps.

Madison

Madison is one of the most picturesque towns in the state, with its historic town square, antebellum mansions, and down-home charm. Town Park, envisioned in 2000 as a green space in the heart of the historic district, now encompasses several features, including the Cooke Fountain. The fountain, named after a prominent citizen who left bequests for the first library and town clock, is a replica of the original in her honor.

Daily tours are available at several antebellum homes, including the Greek Revival Heritage Hall, circa 1811, and the Rogers House and Rose Cottage, for a deeper understanding of Madison's past. May is a good time to visit when the community hosts the Madison in May Tour of Homes and Gardens, opening the doors to famous residences for curious guests and history lovers to explore. Additionally, art exhibits at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center are housed in a 1895 Romanesque Revival building that was one of the first graded public schoolhouses in the Southeast, showcasing another side of this fascinating city.

Bainbridge

Historic downtown Bainbridge has a genuine small-town feel, blending natural elements at Willis Park with historic sites. The park is in the heart of downtown, featuring lush greenery and majestic oaks that helped give the town its nickname, "Oak City." Oak City Cemetery has been the public burying ground for Bainbridge since 1852, and is one of the largest in Southwest Georgia, shaded by oaks and containing the graves of many early settlers and Confederate soldiers.

The Old Post Office on West Street was finished in 1914 and now offers lodging and event spaces with terrazzo stone floors in the lobby. Another essential stop is the Firehouse Arts Center, housed in the old, classic brick firehouse downtown. The gallery has been a community staple for over 30 years, featuring curated regional art and artisan goods, showcasing the creative side of this charming city.

Classic Americana Towns in Georgia

From quaint streets in Americus to Thomasville's Big Oak, these towns feature traditional touches, making them top destinations to visit in Georgia. The compact downtown districts are modern places to visit for a walk through history, a stroll past vintage mansions, and a taste of hometown hospitality. Although they share similar traits, each has its own voice, whether it be the "Hollywood of the South" or a walk through Gold Rush heritage in Dahlonega.

Nostalgia runs deep in these small cities, noticeable in the 19th-century buildings in Madison and Covington, but the communities also have modern comforts. Georgia towns make visitors feel at home, especially at historic bed-and-breakfasts like the Brady Inn in Madison, featuring elements of the past and present. Venues such as the Holly Theatre in Dahlonega whisk patrons back to simpler days with Art Deco signage and an old-timey feel, adding to the classic Americana atmosphere of these classic Georgia towns.